Image by Gisela Clarke

If you like vintage design furniture you should really check out Neef Louis. You will find Neef Louis at the North side of Amsterdam (where you will also find Noorderlicht and The Ijhallen, check these article here and here). So even though it is quite a journey to the North, it is worth it!

Neef Louis is a gigantic place and it’s absolutely stuffed with all kinds of old, vintage and design furniture. I would really love to be able to buy just all of it! Unfortunately my budget doesn’t allow me to do so. But still, I love to look around and it gives me inspiration. 

Across the road you will find Van Dijk & Co which is much the same but with more classical type furniture. Also worth a look!

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Neef Louis | Shopping
Papaverweg 46 | North | +31204869354
Tue – Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Image by Gisela Clarke

This is my latest Thai cuisine discovery. Thai food is definitely one of my favorite cuisines, and the food in this place really makes my mouth water.

The place is very small but usually not terribly busy so you will probably quite easily get a table. The people working here are super friendly and the food is absolutely delicious. The food is so delicious because it tastes really fresh and it is just full of taste. I love the minced beef with vegetables and basil, but the green and red curry is also delicious, although it’s very spicy to my taste. My newest favorite is the Pad Thai, it’s fantastic!!! Not only does the food taste nice, the presentation is also beautiful, the lovely authentic dishes are a treat for the eyes.

Another good thing is that you can takeaway your leftovers, which is handy ’cause the portions are quite big. They even give you some freshly boiled rice to go with it.

Good thing to know: They don’t serve alcohol to drink inside but you can get it to take away, and you can only pay cash!

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Som Tam Thai | Restaurants (Thai) | Main meal € 11.50
2e Goudsbloemdwarsstraat 24 | Center | +31206382530
16:00 – 22:30 daily

Image by Gisela Clarke

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 I like the one in the Van Woustraat best because of it’s personal atmosphere and because its ideal for chilling with friends, enjoying some alone time, or working. Upstairs is a living room area which is very comfortable, downstairs is great for working or just enjoying coffee and watching the world go by.

I also find this area very inspiring because its really mixed. Around here you will see lots of different cultures, young and old, students and freelancers. Every once in a while you can also enjoy exhibitions and live music with your coffee.

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Coffee Company | Coffee & tea | Small latte € 2.90
Van Woustraat 153 | South
Mon – Fri 07:30 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 09:00 – 19:00

Image by Gisela Clarke

There is nothing here not to like. Friendly people, great fresh coffee (I love their iced latte), great food (I love their tosti with mango chutney), and a great atmosphere. The coffee they serve here is perfect, and they roast their own coffee here daily. So it’s as fresh as you can get!

Sitting here enjoying your coffee it almost has an feeling of not being in Amsterdam, and because of the location (you really have to know it to find it) it feels like an undiscovered gem. This will definitely become one of my favorite spots, and they’ve just opened a second shop on the Haarlemmerdijk!!

Check their facebook page for when they serve great a great breakfast on Sunday like for instance blueberry pancakes!

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Two for joy | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Small cafe latte € 2.60
Frederiksplein 29 | Center | +31203306735
Mon & Wed – Fri 07:30 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 08:00 – 18:00

Image by Gisela Clarke

I must admit I’m not the best in bargain hunting. Every once in a while I try to do my best at flea markets or vintage stores but most of the time I have to face the facts: I’m incapable of finding the nice clothes in the midst of all the junk. Still I keep on trying because I do know people that do succeed and I can’t stand the idea that I might miss out on a great bargain just because I didn’t give it a try…

So I gave it a try at the IJhallen in the North of Amsterdam. Every month there is a huge flea market here where people sell mostly clothes but also other things. For an entrance fee of 3.50 you are free to spend as long as you want to rummage around the piles and piles of stuff that are on offer.

The market is usually partly inside and partly outside. Make sure you dress up warm cause both places are cold in wintertime!! The stuff people sell is really very cheap so if you do have an eye for a bargain you rally can’t miss this.

Also the trip over to the market is worth while. You take the free ferry from Central Station over to the NDSM part of North, I always enjoy this!

(Check the website for the upcoming markets)

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IJhallen | Relaxing, Shopping | Entrance adults € 3.50
T.T. Neveritaweg 15 | North
09:00 – 16:30, check website