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!
Find your way with 153 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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.
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"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@
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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!"
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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!
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"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...
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"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!
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"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...
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"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!
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"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...
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"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.
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"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...
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153 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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