American Book Centre Amsterdam
Jan 9, 2025

American Book Centre Amsterdam

Three-storey book heaven

"The "American Book Centre" in Amsterdam is a trustworthy bookstore to call home, with plenty of English books, a spiraling staircase and even a cozy cafe!"

Anywhere I go, I need to find a trustworthy bookstore to feel at home. In Amsterdam it was easy. You might think that Amsterdam, as the capital of The Netherlands, is not the ideal place for English language books. There is, however, a place that will defy your expectations. The American Book Centre, right on bustling Spui square, has it all; all the books in English that you're looking for, distributed over three storeys. I can't tell you how many hours I've spent there, reading and daydreaming.

The ABC also has the charm: the staircase bookshelves spiraling upwards, the knowledgeable employees, the seats scattered across the place, the book presentations and events. And, of course, the cosy cafe where you can quench your thirst -- which, by the way, also has a great view over the Spui. This is a good address for those looking to buy postcards, a souvenir, or magazines as well. The offer is never-ending. Unsurprisingly, once you enter the place, it's difficult to leave.

Here's the pitfall: you're most probably ending up buying more books than you had promised yourself to. But then again, who can resist a three-storey book heaven?

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

About this spot

Spui 12

Book:

10

+31

206255537

Explore Amsterdam like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Amsterdam guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Amsterdam

Mangiassai Amsterdam

Mangiassai

Blindly pick your pizza

Mangiassai is this very lovely Italian place, where all of the pizza makers speak Italian. What do we recommend? Close your eyes and pick blindly.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Kristel

van Pinxten

Feb 16, 2025

Bar Babar

My candlelit wine heaven

Bar Babar is a wine bar on the bright Utrechstsestraat in Amsterdam, serving natural wines and carefully selected bites (the bread they have is yummyyyy).

002-building
Art & culture
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Olya

Kartcheva

Feb 13, 2025
uncommon Amsterdam

uncommon

Aesthetically pleasing café

"Uncommon" in Amsterdam is a café that's so aesthetically pleasing it hurts. 'Good coffee is for good people', they say...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Kristel

van der Burgh

Feb 6, 2025
Transvaalbuurt Street Art Amsterdam

Transvaalbuurt Street Art

Ten vibrant murals

The old neighborhood of Transvaalbuurt in Amsterdam is full of impressive, massive street art murals. Makes you stop your bike to take a pic...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Ana

V. Martins

Feb 4, 2025

Local Dealer

A colorful Mexican food addiction

"Local Dealer" in Amsterdam deals in addictive, authentic Mexican food! My favorite dishes? The tacos with fermented pineapple or the chicken stew...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Kristel

van der Burgh

Feb 4, 2025

The Upside Down

Dutch Instagram experience

At "The Upside Down" in Amsterdam, your world is quite literally turned upside down! But here you can also learn a thing or two about the Dutch - win win!

002-building
Art & culture

By

Kristel

van der Burgh

Feb 4, 2025

City Archives

So many treasures!

When exploring Amsterdam's famous canal belt, make sure to visit the art nouveau "City Archives", the most extensive municipal archives in the world!

002-building
Art & culture

By

Ana

V. Martins

Feb 4, 2025
Pompet Amsterdam

Pompet

Hidden hipster haven in Noord

"Pompet" in Amsterdam Noord, with its bright furniture, jeu de boules area & outdoor bar with the the enormous croissant, gives new life to Floradorp...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Kristel

van der Burgh

Feb 4, 2025
Eiburgh Snacks Amsterdam

Eiburgh Snacks

Arguably the best fries in town

"Eiburgh Snacks" makes the best, extra-crispy fries in Amsterdam, hands down. What makes them so great? Just take a peek inside the next container!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Kristel

van der Burgh

Feb 4, 2025
Zuiderziel Amsterdam

Zuiderziel

My favorite bohemian store

"Zuiderziel" in Amsterdam is a shop with a great selection of home decoration items, flowers, artistic jewelry and more. I can't resist buying something!

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Olya

Kartcheva

Feb 2, 2025
Local Hero Amsterdam

Local Hero

My all-day brunch!

"Local Hero" is a spot in Amsterdam West that offers an all-day brunch menu! What can be better than that? Forget getting brunch just at 11:00...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Olya

Kartcheva

Feb 2, 2025
Bar Oldenhof Amsterdam

Bar Oldenhof

Old-fashioned cocktail bar

"Bar Oldenhof" is an old-fashioned, hidden, intimate, high-end cocktail bar located right in the trendy Joordan neighborhood of Amsterdam...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Olya

Kartcheva

Feb 2, 2025

Heading to Amsterdam?

153 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Amsterdam?

153 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

Our team loves Amsterdam

Get to know our other Spotters from Amsterdam