Latest news with #Amsterdammers
Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
The 10 best brunches in Amsterdam
Brunch is a relatively new phenomenon in Amsterdam, defined more by a sense of adventure than tradition. That said, you'll still find old favourites from both sides of the Atlantic – eggs Benedict, stacks of sweet pancakes – alongside breakfast stalwarts like granola and yogurt. But Amsterdammers often opt for something different, whether daring flavours or dishes from other countries. If you're new to town, a canalside location or a quirky interior adds local charm. A cocktail or something sparkling can accompany the meal, but here the emphasis is on conversation and good food rather than extending the boozy revels of the night before. All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best brunch in Amsterdam. Find out more below, and see our other Amsterdam guides, providing inspiration for hotels, restaurants, shopping, bars and cafés, attractions and free things to do. Belly Pepper Usually packed with a jolly, friendly crowd, Belly Pepper serves homecooked Turkish delights, including çilbir – buttery, peppery poached eggs in garlic yogurt (quite literally 'to die for') – along with soft, sesame-studded simit bread, sweet Turkish tea, salads, and more. The Living Kitchen by Zoku Unheralded by signs outside and tucked inside a nondescript concrete office block, reached after an unpromising lift ride, Zoku reveals a delightful rooftop garden terrace and a spacious, comfy lounge, filled with cosy nooks, designer sofas, and communal tables. Eggs, shakshuka, seasonal dishes (featuring fresh herbs from the garden), and the usual breakfast favourites make for a brunch worth lingering over. Little Collins A trailblazer for brunch in Amsterdam, the Australian owners introduced local palates to classics like kedgeree, alongside eggs with hollandaise, cauliflower-and-fennel fritters and coconut feta. Brisk and bustling, with plain walls, scrubbed wood and a charming alley terrace, it captures the very essence of De Pijp. Area: De Pijp Nearest metro: Trams: 3, 4, 24; Metro: De Pijp Website: Price: ££ Reservations: Walk-in basis only Oeuf Gentle morning sun filters onto Oeuf's quiet terrace, while inside, it's a classic café (think bentwood chairs and marble-top tables). Dishes are inspired by – and are almost worshipful of – the egg: a perfect eggs Benedict, Norwegian-style with salmon, or spiced up in shakshuka. It's great for a late, languid breakfast. Dignita Hoftuin Stretched out languidly in a courtyard garden, this spot radiates tranquillity in a busy part of town. Seasonal fare and sustainable local produce feature in dishes like eggs Florentine, kadaifi with aubergine and courgettes, mango-mustard toasties, and excellent cakes. As an added bonus, 100 per cent of profits support training programmes for people who have faced hardship and exploitation. Area: Centre/East Nearest metro: Trams: 4, 14; Metro: Waterlooplein Website: Price: ££ Reservations: Recommended Box Sociaal Jordaan Housed in a 17th-century canalside building with Vermeer-style black-and-white floors beneath white-painted roof beams, Box Sociaal echoes with cheerful chatter. The atmosphere is easy-going and friendly, as diners tuck into bagels piled with avocado and crab-claw salad, buttermilk pancakes, or hearty Cumberland sausages with bacon. A few tables sit right on the waterside, adding extra charm. Staring at Jacob A hip canalside brunch bar tucked on a quiet residential street. The long space, with tall windows and a pavement terrace, makes it worth securing a table with the best view of the canal houseboats. Upbeat music, often hip-hop, lifts the atmosphere without drowning out conversation. Don't miss the shrimp tacos or the buttermilk fried chicken with waffles, coleslaw and maple syrup. Area: Oud West Nearest metro: Trams 1, 17; Metro: Postjesweg Website: Price: ££ Reservations: Essential Miri Mary Beneath towering plane trees on one of Amsterdam's prettiest squares, diners can enjoy piles of fluffy naan bread and dishes meant for sharing. The chef embraces new trends in Indian cuisine while playfully reworking classics: think a 'butter-chicken benny' (butter chicken meets eggs Benedict) or smoky spinach-and-endive saag with a surprising dollop of burrata. Lotti's at The Hoxton Amsterdammers and visitors alike flock to Lotti's for weekend brunch, a lobby brasserie nestled within The Hoxton hotel on the Herengracht. A large covered atrium provides both warmth and much-needed light in winter, while the menu balances old favourites, like avocado mash on sourdough, with inventive new creations, such as coconut yogurt with matcha. Area: Canal Belt Nearest metro: Tram: 2, 4, 12, 14, 17; Metro: Rokin Website: Price: ££ Reservations: Recommended Ceintuur Theater This bright and boisterous spot in a repurposed art deco cinema now stretches up through two separate mezzanine levels. Couples, boozers at the bar and groups at communal tables all join in the fun while enjoying cocktails, good coffee or the excellent pastrami toast with sauerkraut. Area: De Pijp Nearest metro: Trams: 3, 4, 24; Metro: De Pijp Website: Price: £-££ Reservations: Recommended How we choose Every restaurant on this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited in person to provide an insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred spots, to suit every traveller's taste. Our recommendations take into account the food, service, best tables, atmosphere, and price. The list is updated regularly to reflect the latest openings and provide up-to-date guidance. Return to top About our expert Rodney Bolt I first visited Amsterdam nearly 30 years ago after flitting through Greece, Germany and the UK – and nothing could persuade me to leave. I have written about everything I love about the city for publications worldwide, and co-author the Peter Posthumus mysteries, all set in Amsterdam. Even now, strolling along the canals remains one of life's greatest pleasures.
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Surrounded by Water, Dutch Swimmers Have Plenty of Places to Cool Off
AMSTERDAM (AP) — While Parisians have recently rediscovered the pleasure of swimming in the Seine, Amsterdammers have been enjoying a cooling dip in the Dutch capital's Ij waterway for years. In a country dominated by waterways, canals, rivers and below-sea-level pastures, wild swimming is on the rise in the Netherlands as climate change increases temperatures and extends the summer season. Amsterdam had just one official open-water swimming location in 2023. This summer, the city has 13 legal options for taking the plunge in a canal, pond or river, though residents frequently avail themselves of dozens of unofficial spots. Tucked off of the Ij, a short walk from Amsterdam's central train station, the Marineterrein, a former base used by the navy since the 1600s, is one of the newest official spots. On a hot afternoon, the jetties and nearby parks are crammed with locals swimming, sunbathing and relaxing in the shade with a full-size replica of an 18th-century Dutch East India Company cargo ship moored nearby. 'I saw a video on Instagram showing some different places you can go swimming and this was nearby so I was like, 'perfect, let's go,'' Noortje Mol, who had just gotten out of the water, told The Associated Press. In famously egalitarian Amsterdam, there are neither showers nor lifeguards and the area is free for everyone to use. The former base was only designated a legal swimming area earlier this year. Before that, locals risked a 170-euro ($200) fine. The city tests water quality regularly and the results are published on a national website. 'People think it's dirty, but it's not dirty at all,' said Argentinian Mike von Hütter, as he sat on a towel on the jetty. ' The early-morning crowd skews older and sportier than the afternoon revelers. A woman on a run stripped off her workout clothing and dove in, swimming a few laps before redressing and continuing her jog. 'Every morning is a light show,' said Myra de Rooy, 68, who started swimming at the naval base during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Dutch swimming areas allow skinny dipping and some so-called 'naked beaches' even require nudity. While bathing suits are supposed to be worn at the naval base, some among the morning crowd flout the rules. There is a changing area but, de Rooy explained, in the morning no one uses it. Despite the expansion of official swimming locations, many locals still jump into the nearest water when they want to cool off. On the other side of the city, Hans, who declined to give his last name because he was swimming in an unofficial location, does his morning laps in a canal alongside passing boats. 'I swim every day, I've never had a problem,' he said.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Washington Post
Surrounded by water, Dutch swimmers have plenty of places to cool off
AMSTERDAM — While Parisians have recently rediscovered the pleasure of swimming in the Seine , Amsterdammers have been enjoying a cooling dip in the Dutch capital's Ij waterway for years. In a country dominated by waterways, canals , rivers and below-sea-level pastures, wild swimming is on the rise in the Netherlands as climate change increases temperatures and extends the summer season.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Surrounded by water, Dutch swimmers have plenty of places to cool off
AMSTERDAM (AP) — While Parisians have recently rediscovered the pleasure of swimming in the Seine, Amsterdammers have been enjoying a cooling dip in the Dutch capital's Ij waterway for years. In a country dominated by waterways, canals, rivers and below-sea-level pastures, wild swimming is on the rise in the Netherlands as climate change increases temperatures and extends the summer season. Amsterdam had just one official open-water swimming location in 2023. This summer, the city has 13 legal options for taking the plunge in a canal, pond or river, though residents frequently avail themselves of dozens of unofficial spots. Tucked off of the Ij, a short walk from Amsterdam's central train station, the Marineterrein, a former base used by the navy since the 1600s is one of the newest official spots. On a hot afternoon, the jetties and nearby parks are crammed with locals swimming, sunbathing and relaxing in the shade with a full-size replica of an 18th-century Dutch East India Company cargo ship moored nearby. 'I saw a video on Instagram showing some different places you can go swimming and this was nearby so I was like, 'perfect, let's go,'' Noortje Mol, who had just gotten out of the water, told The Associated Press. In the famously egalitarian Amsterdam, there are neither showers nor lifeguards and the area is free for everyone to use. The former base was only designated a legal swimming area earlier this year. Before that, locals risked a 170 euro ($200) fine. "People think it's dirty, but it's not dirty at all,' said Argentinian Mike von Hütter, who remained unconcerned about cleanliness as he sat on a towel on the jetty. The early morning crowd skews older and sportier than the afternoon revelers. A woman on a run stripped off her workout clothing and dove in, swimming a few laps before redressing and continuing her jog. 'Every morning is a light show,' said Myra de Rooy, 68, who started swimming at the naval base during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Dutch swimming areas allow skinny dipping and some so-called 'naked beaches' even require nudity. While bathing suits are supposed to be worn at the naval base, some among the morning crowd flout the rules. There is a changing area but, de Rooy explained, in the morning no one uses it. On the other side of the city, Hans, who declined to give his last name because he was swimming in an unofficial location, does his morning laps in a canal alongside passing boats. 'I swim every day, I've never had a problem,' he said.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Climate
- Toronto Star
Surrounded by water, Dutch swimmers have plenty of places to cool off
AMSTERDAM (AP) — While Parisians have recently rediscovered the pleasure of swimming in the Seine, Amsterdammers have been enjoying a cooling dip in the Dutch capital's Ij waterway for years. In a country dominated by waterways, canals, rivers and below-sea-level pastures, wild swimming is on the rise in the Netherlands as climate change increases temperatures and extends the summer season.
