Jun 30, 2025

OBA Amsterdam

Public library

""OBA", the public library in Amsterdam's Oosterdok, has all the usual books to borrow, but I like going to the basement & reading a newspaper in the quiet."

East of Central Station, there's the new artificial island Oosterdok, built around 2005. The whole area is a nice example of modern architecture and one of its most beautiful exponents is OBA, the public library. As a lover of literature, I often come here to borrow the latest publications or classics- novels, fantasy, thrillers, science, everything... The collection is rich in Dutch and English, other languages are not really worth mentioning and you have to be an Amsterdam citizen to get the membership...

But there's another great thing to this library: in the basement, I often just grab my favourite international newspaper or magazine, order a coffee and sit down in a comfortable fauteuil... no membership needed for that. Here you'll find quiet people focused on their own reading, no background music or other noises -- a lovely oasis for a moment of peace! I also recommend lunch on the top floor with a stunning view of the center!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Oosterdokskade 143

free

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

Cafe de Tuin

Your typical cafe

Cafe de Tuin has such a nice atmosphere. The interior is classic and the customers are diverse, which makes it the perfect mix between modern and dated.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Isidore

van Westing

Jul 11, 2025
Pension Homeland Amsterdam

Pension Homeland

One of the city's own breweries

"Pension Homeland" at Marine Terrain in Amsterdam is a great restaurant that also has its own brewery! It's also a vintage hotel. So cool@

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 11, 2025
Marine Terrain Amsterdam

Marine Terrain

Amsterdam's best-kept secret

Parks in Amsterdam are packed with people, especially in summer. So my recommendation for a nice spot where you can also swim is "Marine Terrain!"

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 11, 2025
American Book Centre Amsterdam

American Book Centre

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!

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

by

Ana

V. Martins

Jul 11, 2025
Latei Amsterdam

Latei

Coffee, vintage & rock'n'roll

"Latei" is the rare breed of neighborhood Amsterdam cafe that's so hard to find these days! It's in the touristy part but still has an authentic charm...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Ana

V. Martins

Jul 11, 2025

A. van Wees

Authentic vibes and jenever

"A. van Wees" in Amsterdam has its own jenever distillery, the Ooievaar, the only one left in the city. Come here for a jenever tasting under the stairs!

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

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025
Scandinavian Embassy Amsterdam

Scandinavian Embassy

Coffee, coffee, COFFEE!!!

"Scandinavian Embassy" in Amsterdam is a pretty small and cute coffee shop. You may have to queue up, but their coffee is 100% worth your while...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025

SUE

Bites bar

"SUE" in Amsterdam is a vegan, sugar- and gluten-free pastry shop. Their specialty are their 'bites', square-shaped delights in about 20 different flavors!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025

Carla Palermo

A living room store

"Carla Palermo" in Amsterdam is a living room that's been turned into a second-hand vintage clothing shop! The best store in the Jordaan if you ask me...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025
Yusu Amsterdam

Yusu

The new coffee culture

"Yusu" in Amsterdam is what the perfect coffee company a-la twenty-first century should look like. Also, if you're a lover of matcha, it's the place to be.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025

Bar Botanique

Jungle home in East

"Bar Botanique" in Amsterdam East makes you feel as if you've stepped inside a jungle! You should really see it from both the inside and out...

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

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025
Flevopark Amsterdam

Flevopark

Hidden gem of a park

"Flevopark" in Amsterdam is a hidden gem of a park! You can barbeque wherever you want here and it's way less crowded than other parks like the Vondelpark.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 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 Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Amsterdam

Our team loves Amsterdam

Get to know our other Spotters from Amsterdam

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7283
Filters