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The 16 Best Places to Eat, Drink, Shop and Explore in Amsterdam
Enriched by its history and unique canal-oriented setting, Amsterdam is a city that has something for everyone. If your European summer tour happens to bring you to the Northern European region, we've rounded up both traditional spots and local city goers' favorites to make the most of the city.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Amsterdam was in full celebration mode as it rang in its 750th anniversary this year (officially on October 27). An annual gathering, the Celebration of the Ring — what locals described as a 'rave mixed with official wedding ceremonies, block parties and a food festival' — took place on A10 Ring Road and the entire region was buzzing with good energy.
Whether you're looking for a party, a foodie who learns the ways of a new region by diving headfirst into local flavors (like Dutch classics bitterballen or pickled herring) or a beer enthusiast who wants to be immersed into the rich history of the iconic Dutch brand, Heineken, Amsterdam has more than enough to offer. In our second city guide for the city, we curated a list that defies tourist traps and expected haunts.
Dive into can't-miss restaurants, bars, cafes, stores and more below.
Afura is an expertly curated concept store with offerings from some of today's hottest independent and established brands, specifically showcasing those from the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Racks display the latest from Ganni, OperaSport, Isa Boulder, Arc'teryx and more. If you're after unique pieces with Northern Europe's effortless cool, this is your spot. The store also embraces local run culture, teaming with Amsterdam-based Bambas Sports Club for a stylish community run coming up this July.
Address:Vijzelgracht 13, 1017 HM Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Stepping into Amsterdam Vintage Clothing feels like bringing your favorite online vintage grails into a relaxed, stylish Dutch setting. AVC offers curated finds, from dependable, worn leather jackets to designer finds from Prada, Gucci and more. It's a classic archive boutique in the heart of the city and many locals stop in to discover pre-loved pieces.
Address:Prinsengracht 226, Amsterdam, Netherlands 1016HD
Hunting for vintage home goods? Van Dijk & Co offers 2,500 square meters of secondhand treasures. The space is located within an industrial warehouse that's filled to the brim with dated Hungarian furniture, seating, home accents, ceramics, glassware, Danish design gems and more.
The operation began as a humble stall in Noordermarkt and has now become a mainstay for consigned furniture and decor. The business is dedicated to showing the beauty of furniture with a history, and proudly promotes reuse and sustainability.
Address:Pieter Ghijsenlaan 12A 1506 PV Zaandam
Cornerstore spotlights East Asian and European flavors in a retro setting, and the funky restaurant brings good vibes with music played on vinyl throughout the week. The menu is a delectable blend of cultures, offering classic Asian flavors with intriguing twists — like shrimp soup dumplings and red chili king fish.
In between enjoying Cornerstore's diverse menu, you can catch special DJ sets, which are recorded and shared online. And if you're looking for some comfort food, the restaurant serves dim sum on the last Sunday of every month.
Address:Papaverweg 11, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Euro Pizza brings classic flavors to you, but in a fine dining atmosphere. The location serves a small pizza menu with not-so-basic flavor combinations — from bolognese with green chili to pecuillo and calamari — fine wine, snacks and dishes that really show off the region's fresh, local ingredients. The best part is, you can even enjoy Euro Pizza at home. The restaurant also sells its signature, handcrafted sourdough in frozen batches.
Address:Gedempt Hamerkanaal 79, Amsterdam Centrum, Noord-Holland, Netherlands 1021KP
Locals say HappyHappyJoyJoy serves some of Amsterdam's best Asian street food — its playful name mirrors the joyful, vibrant atmosphere inside. It's decorated from floor to ceiling with eye-catching wallpapers and neon lights, while the menu boasts authentic, comfort dishes like Gaeng Phed Neua curry and pad thai noodles. A fan favorite item is the multicolored bao buns. The restaurant also hopes to expand beyond brick and mortar, with plans to distribute sauces, cookbooks and more.
Address:George Gershwinplein 1 1082 LS Amsterdam
This is a 'hole in the wall' unlike any other. The sandwich shop — which is a favorite of locals — produces its own fresh homemade sourdough every day, which acts as the perfect canvas for mortadella, piccante, porchetta sandwiches and more.
Zero Zero also sells select Italian goods, bringing an authentic taste of Italy to the Netherlands. If you're down for a quick bite, you're in luck, there are multiple locations, which means you might just be steps away from one.
Address(es):Gerard Doustraat 56Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 3AGustav Mahlerlaan 399Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 3A, Amsterdam, Netherlands 1017 DB
Benji's serves up all-day brunch with coffee and matcha options across three different locations in the city. It's a great pre-canal tour stop to get your fill before exploring Amsterdam's historic streets. Menu favorites include homemade falafel, Bloody Mary's and Salmon Avocado Teriyaki Toast.
Address(es):Wibautstraat 196 (Oost)Baarsjesweg 188 (West)Maassluisstraat 243 (Nieuw-West)
Hotel De L'Europe, established in 1896, is a historic location on this list. It oozes authentic Dutch culture, built on the same site as the first-ever inn in Amsterdam. The Heineken family donated priceless Dutch art to the hotel, which decorates its ornate rooms. It also hosts an array of fine dining restaurants, including Flore (which earned 2 Michelin stars in its debut year), Marie, and Trattoria Graziella.
Address:Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14, 1012 CP Amsterdam, Netherlands
Located in Amsterdam's East District, Volkshotel blends boutique charm with late-night bites, an underground soundbar and rooftop saunas for mid-sightseeing breaks. The sauna area, or Badplaats, offers saunas and hot tubs with rooftop views so you can soak up some steam with rare views of the city.
Address:Wibautstraat 150, 1091 GR Amsterdam, Netherlands
Freddy's bar is a historic mainstay named after Alfred 'Freddy' Heineken. The cozy space is decorated with dark wooden tones and leather furniture, and guests can enjoy specialty cocktails, like a Dutch highball, while listening to live jazz. The best part is that you can do all of that while taking in a scenic view of the canals.
Address:Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14, Amsterdam
Skatecafe is a funky bar complete with a skate ramp and outdoor seating. Whether you want to practice your kickflip or just kick back and enjoy a cold beer, this is a one-of-a-kind experience that brings the energy. The hangout spot hosts DJ sets, live performances and parties multiple times a week, and during the Spring and Summer months, it's usually where you'll find locals in-the-know. There's also the Skatecafe Karin & Yvonne, Dick & Dick Game Cafe and Bar-Bodega if you're in the mood for a meal.
Address:Gedempt Hamerkanaal 42, 1021 KM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Arie is a cafe and bistro with a local neighborhood vibe. On a Saturday night, the space is full and lively. Locals can also be spotted enjoying pancakes, fresh salads and Dutch cheese plates during the day. The bistro also occasionally hosts watch parties for Amsterdam's professional football club, Ajax, making it the place to be on gameday.
Address:Ferdinand Bolstraat 24, Amsterdam, Netherlands 1072 LK
Heineken's presence is hard to miss in Amsterdam — its logo waves outside nearly every pub, and locals sip it alongside classic Dutch dishes. What started as a family brewery over 150 years ago now spans 190 countries and holds the title of first imported beer post-Prohibition in the U.S. For a deeper dive into its legacy, head to the Heineken Experience in the heart of the city.
The Heineken Experience offers a deep dive into the brand's legacy — from its signature four-ingredient brew (featuring the special Heineken A yeast) to its modern innovations, like alcohol-free Heineken® 0.0. Visitors can explore the brewing process, view rare artifacts in the Private Archives, and even sample Mokum 750, a limited-edition beer made for Amsterdam's 750th anniversary and blended with coriander seeds, citrus peels and Heineken A yeast.
Address:Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands, holding impressive artworks that tell the city's history. Rijks, one of Amsterdam's best Michelin star restaurants, also resides on the museum's property – it's recommended to spend a day at the museum and to top it off with a great meal. Rijks has an expansive wine list and inventive menu offerings, including beet millefeuille, glazed sweetbreads and more.
Address:Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands
A canal tour in Amsterdam is the ideal way to get a proper taste of what the city has to offer. You can usually take them from the city center and venture out into the lesser-traveled canals, taking in views of the over seven-century-old landscape and intricate houseboats — it's one of the best vantage points for people watching too.
Address:City Center, recommended to take off from Stationsplein, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
