The best of Amsterdam (West)
My favourite neighbourhoods
Welcome to Amsterdam❌❌❌ So many places to explore. Where to start? If you only have time to visit 1 or 2 neighbourhoods, I would recommend Negen Straatjes (to see historic Amsterdam in its full glory) and Amsterdam-Noord (for Berlin vibes Dutch style). Do you have a little more time? Head to de Pijp (trendy boutiques and eco-fashion) or de Jordaan (scenic streets and lively cafés).
Amsterdam canals and historic houses, boutiques and many lovely restaurants (reserve ahead).
1405 habitants recommandent
De 9 Straatjes
Amsterdam canals and historic houses, boutiques and many lovely restaurants (reserve ahead).
Amsterdam North is a redeveloped Wharf area. Many artists have relocated to this part of town. It's urban and creative. Explore the NDSM wharf (my favourite) or the area around the Amsterdam lookout / Eye Amsterdam. If you rent a bike, you can easily explore both areas. The ferries to Amsterdam North are free and you can bring your bike along (also for free).
WORTH VISITING:
Have a drink or grab a bite in the sun: Pllek, Noorderlicht, de Ceuvel, Hangar (and many more) | Dinner: Hotel de Goudfazant, Cafe Modern (and many more) | Hunt for vintage treasures: IJ-hallen flee market (1 weekend p/month), Van Dijk and Co, Neef Louis, Woodies aT BerLin | Watch a movie with a view: Eye film institute | Feel the good vibes at a festival
49 habitants recommandent
Amsterdam-Noord
Amsterdam North is a redeveloped Wharf area. Many artists have relocated to this part of town. It's urban and creative. Explore the NDSM wharf (my favourite) or the area around the Amsterdam lookout / Eye Amsterdam. If you rent a bike, you can easily explore both areas. The ferries to Amsterdam North are free and you can bring your bike along (also for free).
WORTH VISITING:
Have a drink or grab a bite in the sun: Pllek, Noorderlicht, de Ceuvel, Hangar (and many more) | Dinner: Hotel de Goudfazant, Cafe Modern (and many more) | Hunt for vintage treasures: IJ-hallen flee market (1 weekend p/month), Van Dijk and Co, Neef Louis, Woodies aT BerLin | Watch a movie with a view: Eye film institute | Feel the good vibes at a festival
Amsterdam's Latin Quarter. I feel spoiled having lived here for 5 years. It's a popular place for shopping, eating and drinking. Visit the famous Albert Cuyp market and enjoy one of the many terraces.
499 habitants recommandent
De Pijp
Amsterdam's Latin Quarter. I feel spoiled having lived here for 5 years. It's a popular place for shopping, eating and drinking. Visit the famous Albert Cuyp market and enjoy one of the many terraces.
Probably the most famous neighbourhood in the Netherlands. Once a place for the working class, now a lively area with that same old vibe.
66 habitants recommandent
Jordaan
Probably the most famous neighbourhood in the Netherlands. Once a place for the working class, now a lively area with that same old vibe.
Eating & drinking in Bos en Lommer
(200m) This cafe, restaurant and music venue is literally around the corner. I go here if I'm up for something between a simple and a fancy meal. The international cuisine (breakfast, lunch, dinner) is tasty without exception. On Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 3pm they serve their famous Turkish breakfast. This breakfast is from various traditional Turkish hot and cold dishes, bread and unlimited Turkish tea.
181 habitants recommandent
Podium Mozaiek
191 Bos en Lommerweg(200m) This cafe, restaurant and music venue is literally around the corner. I go here if I'm up for something between a simple and a fancy meal. The international cuisine (breakfast, lunch, dinner) is tasty without exception. On Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 3pm they serve their famous Turkish breakfast. This breakfast is from various traditional Turkish hot and cold dishes, bread and unlimited Turkish tea.
(700m) Not your ordinary pizza, but the best pizza in town (and beyond if you ask me). You can also order a pizza and have a picnic in the nearby Erasmuspark.
117 habitants recommandent
Eetwinkel Buurman & Buurman
171 Mercatorstraat(700m) Not your ordinary pizza, but the best pizza in town (and beyond if you ask me). You can also order a pizza and have a picnic in the nearby Erasmuspark.
(1.6km) One of my favourite places in Amsterdam. This former School -therefore the name- is a cafe, high end restaurant, night club and creative space in one. It's a bit of a hipster place but welcomes all kind of people. I personally love the warm vibe. In cafe DS you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or a simple fresh meal in the evening. Reserve upfront to enjoy the high end restaurant. The night club is one of the best techno clubs in Europe.
355 habitants recommandent
De School
3 Doctor Jan van Breemenstraat(1.6km) One of my favourite places in Amsterdam. This former School -therefore the name- is a cafe, high end restaurant, night club and creative space in one. It's a bit of a hipster place but welcomes all kind of people. I personally love the warm vibe. In cafe DS you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or a simple fresh meal in the evening. Reserve upfront to enjoy the high end restaurant. The night club is one of the best techno clubs in Europe.
(850m) Informal place for brunch/lunch or a drink at night (they close between 1-3 AM). It's a bit of a hidden gem in Bos en Lommer, cause hidden ;-) Their Sunday brunch comes recommended.
92 habitants recommandent
Wilde Westen
1 Bos en Lommerplantsoen(850m) Informal place for brunch/lunch or a drink at night (they close between 1-3 AM). It's a bit of a hidden gem in Bos en Lommer, cause hidden ;-) Their Sunday brunch comes recommended.
My favourite food & drink shops in Bos en Lommer
(400m) Not a hidden gem, but the local supermarket and the place I would recommend to stock up on food and drinks.
109 habitants recommandent
AH Bos en Lommerweg
117 Bos en Lommerweg(400m) Not a hidden gem, but the local supermarket and the place I would recommend to stock up on food and drinks.
Bos en Lommerweg 136
136 Bos en Lommerweg(350m) Friedhats FUKU - best coffee in town.
Bureau Wijn
325 Admiraal de Ruijterweg(300m) Favourite local organic wine shop. Excellent personal advice.
Eating & drinking outside Bos en Lommer
So many places I could recommend, happy to provide you with a personal advice.
(6km) One of my favourite hangouts in Amsterdam. The restaurant is constructed from old shipping containers. Pllek offers great river views, lunch and dinner are made of the best quality organic products and there's often live music.
1052 habitants recommandent
Pllek
59 T.T. Neveritaweg(6km) One of my favourite hangouts in Amsterdam. The restaurant is constructed from old shipping containers. Pllek offers great river views, lunch and dinner are made of the best quality organic products and there's often live music.
(1.8km) Wonderful industrial venue. It feels cosy and high end at the same time. Varied lunch and dinner menu.
284 habitants recommandent
Café Restaurant Amsterdam
6 Watertorenplein(1.8km) Wonderful industrial venue. It feels cosy and high end at the same time. Varied lunch and dinner menu.
(2km) It's all about drinking (natural) wines and special beers here. They serve a weekly rotating seasonal menu with a focus on vegetables.
57 habitants recommandent
Café Binnenvisser
36 Bilderdijkstraat(2km) It's all about drinking (natural) wines and special beers here. They serve a weekly rotating seasonal menu with a focus on vegetables.
(2km) Amazing natural wine & spices combinations. A cosy and romantic kind of place. It's small, make sure to arrive early.
51 habitants recommandent
Bar Centraal
16 Ten Katestraat(2km) Amazing natural wine & spices combinations. A cosy and romantic kind of place. It's small, make sure to arrive early.
(2km) An indoor street food market and bar in a magnificent building. I have to admit that it has become a bit touristy, but the complex (incl. a library, cinema and creative shops) is still worth a visit.
1500 habitants recommandent
Foodhallen Amsterdam
16 Bellamyplein(2km) An indoor street food market and bar in a magnificent building. I have to admit that it has become a bit touristy, but the complex (incl. a library, cinema and creative shops) is still worth a visit.
(1.8km) Bubbles, cocktails, wine, bites and great service. Bring your lover or friend for a notable night out.
28 habitants recommandent
Five Brothers Fat Champagneria
56 De Clercqstraat(1.8km) Bubbles, cocktails, wine, bites and great service. Bring your lover or friend for a notable night out.
Bar spek
1 Admiraal de Ruijterweg(1.5km) Love their laidback vibe and yummy lunch menu.
(6km) Restaurant 4850. I wish this restaurant was located in Amsterdam West (instead of East). It's a wine bar, restaurant and coffee bar in one. If Scandinavian dining is your thing, this is your place.
Camperstraat 48
(6km) Restaurant 4850. I wish this restaurant was located in Amsterdam West (instead of East). It's a wine bar, restaurant and coffee bar in one. If Scandinavian dining is your thing, this is your place.
Sightseeing
I'm the kind of person who usually avoids the main tourist attractions, but if I have to make a small selection this would be it. A canal cruise definitely comes recommended.
Enjoy one of the many canal cruises by day or night. It's a great way to discover the historic center of Amsterdam.
138 habitants recommandent
Canals of Amsterdam
Enjoy one of the many canal cruises by day or night. It's a great way to discover the historic center of Amsterdam.
If you like modern art, this place is not to be missed.
1544 habitants recommandent
Musée Stedelijk d'Amsterdam
10 MuseumpleinIf you like modern art, this place is not to be missed.
The national museum of The Netherlands. It features Rembrandt’s The NightWatch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. If you're an art lover, this is a must visit. You can easily spend a day here.
12 habitants recommandent
Rijksmuseum station
The national museum of The Netherlands. It features Rembrandt’s The NightWatch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. If you're an art lover, this is a must visit. You can easily spend a day here.
The house where Anne Frank lived when writing her famous diary. Reserve ahead to avoid the long waiting lines.
2775 habitants recommandent
Maison Anne Frank
20 WestermarktThe house where Anne Frank lived when writing her famous diary. Reserve ahead to avoid the long waiting lines.
Dam square is the historical center of Amsterdam and the most central point if you take a look at the map. I wouldn't recommend to visit this overcrowded part of town, but IF you happen to be in the city center, take a look at some prominent buildings: Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), department store De Bijenkorf, Beurs van Berlage.
61 habitants recommandent
Barrage
DamDam square is the historical center of Amsterdam and the most central point if you take a look at the map. I wouldn't recommend to visit this overcrowded part of town, but IF you happen to be in the city center, take a look at some prominent buildings: Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), department store De Bijenkorf, Beurs van Berlage.
Parks
Erasmuspark is a great hangout or picnic spot just around the corner. Get a drink or bite at cafe Terrasmus.
6 habitants recommandent
Erasmusparkbuurt
Erasmuspark is a great hangout or picnic spot just around the corner. Get a drink or bite at cafe Terrasmus.
The largest park in Amsterdam and certainly the most famous park of The Netherlands. Go here if you're a park lover, otherwise I would recommend to go a bit off the beaten track and chill out in Amsterdam North (NDSM wharf).
4196 habitants recommandent
Parc Vondelpark
The largest park in Amsterdam and certainly the most famous park of The Netherlands. Go here if you're a park lover, otherwise I would recommend to go a bit off the beaten track and chill out in Amsterdam North (NDSM wharf).
Spoil yourself with high end dining
I like a sweet combination of industrial, candlelight, top notch hospitality and pure surprising dishes. There are many more options, but here are a few of my favourites. Please make sure to reserve in advance.
'De Kas' grows its own vegetables. It won't come as a surprise that vegetables play the starting role and are complemented with a little meat or fish. It's a romantic 'wow factor' kind of place.
267 habitants recommandent
De Kast
3 Kamerlingh Onneslaan'De Kas' grows its own vegetables. It won't come as a surprise that vegetables play the starting role and are complemented with a little meat or fish. It's a romantic 'wow factor' kind of place.
I love the balance between industrial and candle light. De School serves a fixed but changing menu.
355 habitants recommandent
De School
3 Doctor Jan van BreemenstraatI love the balance between industrial and candle light. De School serves a fixed but changing menu.
A welcoming restaurant with a Michelin star, minus all the fuzz. That's the philosophy of Ron Blaauw, a Dutch top chef. The warm vibe and uncomplicated pure dishes are a real treat.
181 habitants recommandent
Ron Gastrobar
55 SophialaanA welcoming restaurant with a Michelin star, minus all the fuzz. That's the philosophy of Ron Blaauw, a Dutch top chef. The warm vibe and uncomplicated pure dishes are a real treat.