Isidore from Amsterdam

Hi! My name is Isidore and I was born and raised in Amsterdam. I have always been a curious person so I decided to make it my job! I am a journalist for a Dutch broadcaster and I make shows about breaking stigmas and about topics that are important in today's society. As a journalist, I also LOVE writing a lot. I have written down everything about my travels, I write poetry and now I write about t...

Apr 27, 2025

Festina Lente Amsterdam

Favorite workspot

"Because it is not known as a place where lots of people work, it is actually a very nice place to work from remotely. And the staff is always so nice!"

Festina Lente is a cafe laid next to a peaceful canal in the city center. It is the classic 'Bruine kroeg' which is a term for cafes with a full-on wood interior: something very Dutch. If you would see the cafe at first, you would probably think it is a place where people drink beer on the weekends and thats it. However, this cafe has more to offer.

In the mornings, they always have the same daily customers that come in for a coffee, a chat and to read one of the morning papers that are laid out in the windowsill. Usually after that, I come in with my backpack. I also order a coffee, but I don't come here for a chat. I usually come here to work on all the deadlines I still have. Because it is not known as a place where lots of people work, it is actually very nice to sit there and work. And the staff is always so nice.

And for a bit of extra fun - every first Monday of the month at 8 pm, they have a poetry night! I would recommend this place for coffee, a chat, deadlines, lunch, poetry, and drinking.

Amsterdam

Antwerp

Art & culture

About this spot

Looiersgracht 40

Soda:

€

Website

+31

0642445740

Find your way with 153 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

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

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.

Restaurants

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jun 18, 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).

Art & culture

Snacks

Olya

Kartcheva

Jun 15, 2025

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...

Coffee & tea

Restaurants

Kristel

van der Burgh

Jun 7, 2025

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...

Art & culture

Ana

V. Martins

Jun 6, 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...

Bars

Restaurants

Kristel

van der Burgh

Jun 6, 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!

Art & culture

Kristel

van der Burgh

Jun 6, 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!

Art & culture

Ana

V. Martins

Jun 6, 2025

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...

Bars

Restaurants

Kristel

van der Burgh

Jun 6, 2025

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!

Restaurants

Snacks

Kristel

van der Burgh

Jun 6, 2025

Café De Klepel

My sommelier experience

"Cafe de Klepel" is a French bistro in Amsterdam that offers a large selection of wines by the glass. I love its front terrace on a small, vibrant street!

Bars

Restaurants

Olya

Kartcheva

Jun 4, 2025

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!

Art & culture

Shopping

Olya

Kartcheva

Jun 4, 2025

What is Happening Here Gallery

Once a bank

"What is Happening Here Gallery" (or WIHH) in Amsterdam is in a building that used to be a bank. Free to visit, with many exhibitions & installations.

Art & culture

Shopping

Olya

Kartcheva

Jun 4, 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?

✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

✓ 153 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download

.single-jet-popup{--wpr-bg-8222afdb-3fcf-452f-910c-47d2623eda3e: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-popup/assets/image/transparent.jpg');}.elementor-widget-jet-map .jet-map-message .jet-map-message__dammy-map{--wpr-bg-552e5334-a7dd-442b-bdf2-0d42feb01569: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-elements/assets/images/dummy-map.png');}.jet-image-accordion__item-loader span{--wpr-bg-d45bf771-b00c-47ef-b5d7-587abbe98454: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-tabs/assets/images/spinner-32.svg');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-single abbr{--wpr-bg-2197390c-b947-4a08-af8a-e0700cef82b3: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-single div b{--wpr-bg-b37eafb9-5247-40fd-90cb-60a58ef79634: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-7ee3c3b2-d499-42df-a96f-ac7af2aaf7a8: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-multi .chosen-choices li.search-choice .search-choice-close{--wpr-bg-2c69697a-926d-4376-b07d-e7e3abc6e93d: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-rtl .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-6fc2b966-cf24-4279-b06e-9b08263ea833: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container .chosen-results-scroll-down span,.chosen-container .chosen-results-scroll-up span,.chosen-container-multi .chosen-choices .search-choice .search-choice-close,.chosen-container-single .chosen-search input[type=text],.chosen-container-single .chosen-single abbr,.chosen-container-single .chosen-single div b,.chosen-rtl .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-cb103452-7c2e-4499-93b9-eae0301b8a71: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite@2x.png');}.elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-97d25e1e-fedd-4661-80a5-b96fd087a974: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/grain-noise-1.png');}.elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-5dc884ff-0606-4bfd-8658-bed7df668291: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/grain-noise-1.png');}.rll-youtube-player .play{--wpr-bg-e8518386-c072-4854-b0da-bb1f9166f76f: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-rocket/assets/img/youtube.png');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-90a13773-578c-4036-b268-3d4ff90ee881: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img-20190925-wa0000_cropped-e1726825913724-1024x1024.jpg');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-2ce76192-405f-41b1-ad3f-47805af085c9: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img-20190925-wa0000_cropped-e1726825913724.jpg');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-b7841b96-fb34-4ff3-a364-dbc75ded5e5e: url('https://edit.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/adrien-olichon-liutvaakyhq-unsplash-groot.jpeg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-49cf3ee6-4f08-46fe-8b5f-c410157fd5dd: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Man-met-Bril-3-scaled.jpg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ff85509:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ff85509 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-1c6cd63c-132a-49b7-9c7c-50eac5a3f592: url('https://edit.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/adrien-olichon-liutvaakyhq-unsplash-groot.jpeg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-cecd4766-eda0-4333-96d8-f8cc91799837: url('https://edit.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/adrien-olichon-liutvaakyhq-unsplash-groot.jpeg');}

Download our app