I had never heard of Feduzzi Mercado Italiano until a friend took me there to get some lunch. She had been there before and assured me that their ciabatta’s were delicious. And she is right! Their ciabatta’s are mouth watering.

I’ve made it my personal project to try out all of the different kinds. Until now all the ciabatta’s I have tasted were great but one of my favourites must be the ‘Cortina’. This one is with mozzarella and salami. They give you a choice between ordinary salami and spicy salami. I’ve tried them both and like the spicy salami the best. But be aware because it really is very spicy. That combined with the creamy buffalo mozzarella is an absolute treat!

Another of my favourites is the ‘Feduzzi’. This ciabatta is filled with creamy mozzarella, grilled aubergine, and delicious pesto. Writing about it makes me hungry!

Besides ciabatta’s they also sell loads of different ready to eat food like cheeses, meats, pasta salads, and other things. Also the shop has a wall with shelves full of different sorts of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried and fresh pasta, coffee and all different kinds of wine. The area the shop is in is quiet. There isn’t much happening there. People mostly just live there and there are a couple of shops and a few more bars and restaurants.

Still I would recommend you to go there because Feduzzi’s is really worth a try. I’m sure you will not be disappointed!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Feduzzi | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Ciabatta sandwich € 4.00
Scheldestraat 63 | Oud-Zuid | +310206646365
Mon 12:00 – 19:00, Tue – Fri 10:30 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Snack Bar Bird is on the busy Zeedijk, this is the China Town of Amsterdam. By far the best place to eat here is Snack bar Bird.

This tiny place serves the best Thai food one can imagine. Unfortunately the place is also very small and cramped, so often you have to wait outside before there is a table available. But luckily they are really quick so the wait is never too long. Sit at the window if you get the chance. You’ll see some interesting people…Once you’ve managed to squeeze yourself into a seat you wonder how you will ever get out. Don’t worry, you’ll manage.

I always have the beef in oyster sauce and I’ve never tasted it better than here! To get you started the spring rolls are delicious too. This is really the place for a quick bite that isn’t junk food. The portions are big and will keep you going for the rest of the evening.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed dinner there is also the option of Bird restaurant just across the street. It has the same owner as the snack bar but it is a real restaurant with more tables and more space. For any group bigger then 4 people the restaurant is a better option than the snack bar. Unfortunately it does lack the snack bars atmosphere. So if it’s in any way possible, go for the snack bar!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Snack Bar Bird | Snacks, Restaurants (Thai) | Main meal € 12.50
Zeedijk 77 | Old center
14:00 – 22:00 daily

I love a good coffee and therefore couldn’t live without the Coffee Company. Luckily there are lots of them in Amsterdam. It’s an Amsterdam company and a bit like our version of Starbucks, but actually I’m happy to say it is a way better version!

Each of the different shops has its charm. But if you like to combine the best coffee with a great atmosphere you will have to be in the 1e van der Helststraat in the area the Pijp. Here it’s always busy with people; together or alone, reading, studying, and catching up with friends. And it all gets even better in the summertime when the big terrace gets the sun nearly all day! The whole neighbourhood sits down here to enjoy the sun, the people, and of course the coffee.

The shop is right next to the Albert Cuyp Market which is one of the best markets in Amsterdam.

The shop has lots of windows so while sitting at the window you will see the world go by. The area is very diverse. Full of young artistic people, students, parents and children, people from all over the world, and lots of old people that have been living in the area from before it became full of buzzing restaurants and bars and when it was just a poor working class neighbourhood. All the

se people come for coffee here which makes it a very inviting and comfortable place, and an important part of the neighbourhood.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Coffee Company | Coffee & tea | Small latte € 2.50
Eerste van der Helststraat 62b | De Pijp | +31206731769
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 19:00, Sat 09:00 – 19:00, Sun 10:00 – 19:00

If you’re looking for a relaxed evening out you’re in the wrong place here. Eating sushi at the Tokyo café can be quite hectic, but that’s part of the fun if you ask me!

The concept here is ‘all you can eat’ for a set price. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday they serve all you can eat sushi for only €20,80 (the drinks are a bit expensive by the way). Thursday till Sunday the concept is the same only then the price is €23,80. Lunch is also possible daily, this costs €16,80.

Back to the ‘all you can eat’. This is how it works: Every round each person can pick five choices from the menu and when it’s all eaten it’s time for the next round!

When you start, you feel like you can go on forever but don’t fool yourself. I’m sure that after four or five rounds you will be near exploding. So prepare yourself.

Another tip is to take it easy with the ordering. Usually you do have plenty of time and the restaurant doesn’t like to waste any food. If you do manage to leave food you will have to pay for it!

It is important to know that its wise to make a reservation and the restaurant works with an early (17:30 – 20:00) and a late (20:15 – 22:30) shift. I would recommend the late shift cause there wont be people waiting around for their food while you are still finishing your meal.

Good idea for when the weather gets warmer: They also do take away!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Tokyo Cafe | Restaurants | All you can eat € 20,80
Spui 15 | Old center
12:00 – 22:30 daily

The last time I was on my way to Waldorf I was in a hurry. I was going for a drink with a friend but left my house later than planned. And as if that wasn’t bad enough it was very very cold and the rain was pouring down. By the time I got there I hoped my friend would be waiting for me inside, warm and dry. But she wasn’t. It turned out the cafe wasn’t open yet and she was waiting in front of the door just as soaked as me… So it turns out Waldorf doesn’t open until five! It used to be open for lunch but I guess it isn’t anymore. But you are still welcome for dinner, and it’s good!

The food Waldorf serves is mainly Italian and very tasty. The thing I like about the place is that you can eat Italian food without being in either a too tacky or too posh Italian restaurant. Simple pasta dishes are served, but you can also order meat or fish.

The restaurant has a very retro feel. All of the furniture looks as if it comes right from the fifties but at the same time it all looks nice and fresh. The carpets on the tables are typical old fashioned dutch style. You will still see those in other real old fashioned Amsterdam bars. I love the picture on the wall of a winter landscape, although looking at it makes me feel cold!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Waldorf | Bars, Restaurants (Italian ) | Pasta (main) € 12.00
Elandsgracht 2 | Canals | +310207787564
17:00 – 01:00 daily

If you want to go shopping you should pay a visit to Spoiled. You will definitely be spoilt for choice. I love shopping in the 9 streets and this shop is one of my favourites. I can’t say I always buy something (since it can be quite expensive) but I do definitely always see things I really want to buy. Sometimes I spoil myself and other times I just wait until the sale when lots of the clothes are very reasonably priced.

They have a really good collection of clothes for men, women and even children (very trendy little children). Lots of different known and less known designer brands will make it difficult for you to choose.

But the people who work in the shop know a lot about what they are selling so they will be a good help. especially if you are looking for a pair of jeans you’re in the right place here. They really specialize in jeans and have lots of different types. In the back of the shop you will find the ‘Denim Bar’ where you can sit down and choose your perfect pair of jeans (instead of for instance a cocktail!) I know it can be quite frustrating to find the perfect pair of jeans but I can almost guarantee you that you will succeed here.

Besides clothes you will also find Shoes bags and accessories. And you can even get a nice haircut since there is also a hairdresser available in the shop.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Spoiled | Shopping
Wolvenstraat 19 | Canals | +310206263818
Tue – Wed & Fri – Sat 10:00 – 18:00 , Sun & Mon 12:00 – 18:00, Thu 10:00 – 19:00

Hartogs Bakery is an institution in Amsterdam. Lots of people swear by this bakery and don’t get their bread anywhere else.

The bakery exists since 1896 and what makes it special is that exclusively wholemeal flour and no preservatives are used. Their fresh bread tastes so great that you don’t even have to put anything on it! They bake new bread a couple of times a day so you will never leave empty handed.

I’ve recently moved near to the bakery, and while I was cycling to work really early I noticed the bakery was already open, I found out it opens at seven in the morning! I know bakers always start really early but I couldn’t believe this.

So many people love the shop and that makes it always very busy. People usually queue up all day long and the queue usually goes till outside. But it is worth it.

Since less than a year the bakery has opened another shop just a couple of meters around the corner. In this shop (Hartogs sandwiches) they sell sandwiches made of their own delicious bread. The sandwiches are no nonsense, ham cheese, peanut butter etc. sandwiches. It is great for lunch or breakfast.

They also sell cold drinks and coffee but every thing is very simple and basic. Traditional sandwiches which taste so good because the bread is fresh, the sandwich filling is simple but good, and as I said it is all no nonsense. This makes it all very affordable as well.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Hartogs Bakery | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Loaf of bread € 2.00
Ruyschstraat 56 | Plantage/Oost | +310206651295
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 18:00, Sat 06:30 – 16:30

In a street that crosses the Albert Cuyp Market you will find The Emaillekeizer.

Emaille is the Dutch word for Enamel. So as you can imagine this shop is full of it. Mostly cups, plates, teapots, bowls and many other kitchen utensils. All the stuff is very colourful and often painted with floral prints. Whenever I walk into the shop for a look around I always get a happy feeling. Besides the enamel plates and other kitchen stuff the shop also specializes in signs made of enamel. For instance house numbers, street names, and many other (funny) signs.

Despite of the name of the shop, enamel is not the only thing you will find.
There are lots of other things like colourful braided baskets in different shapes and sizes. You will also find funnily shaped chairs that look ideal for in the garden, in the park, or on the beach. And it’s not all. Except for al the things to fill your living room and kitchen, there are also things to decorate yourself with. Lots of handmade jewellery from Africa, made mostly out of beads and shells.

As I said I always feel happy when I visit the shop and I also get a summer vibe. This is mostly because of the music which is usually reggae-like. It won’t surprise you to hear the shop also sells lots of this kind of music.

All in all the combin

ation of colours, floral prints, a variety of different stuff and summery happy music makes this shop a nice one to visit. It is great for presents, and for all price categories. The combination of the somewhat old fashioned enamel and the original African stuff seems strange but it works wonderfully well.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
De Emaillekeizer | Music, Shopping
1e Sweelinckstraat 15 | De Pijp | +310206641847
Tue – Sat 12:00 – 18:00

I really love the Javanese Surinamese cuisine. This is why I love the Pijp so much. This area is filled with these kinds of restaurants. Most of them don’t look very nice on the inside. It’s all about the food and not about atmosphere. Usually it is not the ideal place for a romantic evening out. But in the case of Spang Makandra it is slightly different.

In a little street just a couple of minutes away from the famous Albert Cuijp Market you will find a little restaurant called Spang Makandra. This place is different than your usual Surinamese restaurant and this is mostly thanks to the interior of the restaurant and the presentation of the food. Now it would be too much to say that the restaurant is perfect for a romantic evening out. This is due to the giant television screen that fills one entire wall of the restaurant. This isn’t exactly romantic but it is nice for people that are waiting for their take out or for the people that are eating alone. But still despite the television the place has quite a nice atmosphere. The lights are dimmed and the interior looks really nice and is very comfortable.

The guy that owns the place is really friendly and all in all the atmosphere is very relaxed. And I haven’t even mentioned the food! This is in one word DELICIOUS! The menu is big and you can choose from lots of different main meals with rice or noodles, snacks, and sandwiches. The food is served nicely on big plates which makes the presentation much nicer than in most of the other Surinamese restaurants.

Last but not least: the portions are big so don’t order too much. Even if it is very tempting…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Spang Makandra | Snacks, Restaurants (Javanese/Surinamese) | Main meal € 8.00
Gerard Doustraat 39 | De Pijp | +310206705081
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 22:00, Sun 13:00 – 22:00

Like lots of people I have to admit I’ve gotten so used to downloading music that I hardly ever buy a CD. But step one foot inside this shop and you will instantly feel the urge to listen to and buy lots of CD’s. It’s really kind of dangerous!

The shop actually consists of five shops stuck together. There are different areas specializes in pop music, classical music, jazz, world music, rock music, dance music. And they also have a DVD section. Once you get inside you can easily spend hours rummaging around the special offers, special editions, and CD’s of artists you forgot existed.

In the DVD section they’ve got complete selections of all the great TV series you can imagine. When I walk around there I always start getting greedy and I really don’t know where to start!

The shop has lots of different little corners where you can withdraw yourself from everything else and just listen to music. The people in the shop all know a lot about all the different sorts of music so they can always help you further when you don’t know how to make a choice between everything they’ve got to offer.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Concerto | Music, Shopping
Utrechtsestraat 52 – 60 | Canals | +31206235228
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Thu 10:00 – 21:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00