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Tried & True: Where to Eat and What to Do in Amsterdam
Published on May 10, 2025
Here are my tried-and-true picks! Listed below are places I’ve eaten and activities I’ve loved. When possible, I recommend reserving restaurants and activities in advance. For tips on finding and booking great activities while traveling, click here.
The asterisks (*) indicate what I’d prioritize if you’re short on time.
Food & Drink
Restaurants & Cafés
- Dignita Hoftuin* (A bright brunch spot in a beautiful garden setting)
- The Cottage* (British-inspired brunch with a cozy ambiance)
- Box Sociaal (Australian owned café known for creative brunch and great coffee)
- De Bakkerswinkel (Bakery café with delicious quiches, scones, and cakes)
- Harmani (Delicious café with a modern Middle Eastern twist on brunch dishes)
- Café de Jaren* (Café with a terrace on the Amstel River perfect for lunch and drinks)
- Café de Schreierstoren (Located in a 15th-century tower with classic Dutch vibes)
- Pancakes Amsterdam Westermarkt (Conveniently-located spot for Dutch pancakes)
- De Carrousel Pannenkoeken Amsterdam (Family-friendly pancake house with a nostalgic feel located in a carousel)
- Pancakehouse Upstairs (Tiny, quirky pancake place tucked in an old Amsterdam house)
- Eethuis Pondok Indah (Casual, authentic Indonesian food with big portions)
- Foodhallen (Indoor food market with a great mix of global street food and drinks)
- Moeders (Dutch home-cooking restaurant covered in photos of local moms)
- The Pantry (Classic Dutch dishes in a warm, traditional setting. Great for first-timers)
- Café Sonneveld (Laid-back café serving hearty Dutch meals near the Jordaan)
- Café de Klepel (Cozy French-style bistro with an excellent wine list and warm service)
Snacks
- Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx* (Serves crispy, golden fries with endless sauce options)
- Fabel Friet (Trendy fry shop with perfectly thick-cut fries and homemade toppings)
- Winkel 43* (Famous for its legendary Dutch apple pie. Worth the hype.)
- Het Papeneiland (Historic brown café with cozy vibes, also serving Dutch apple pie)
- De Koffieschenkerij (Peaceful café in a former church, ideal for a break from the crowds)
Bars
- Wynand Fockink* (Historic tasting room serving Dutch jenevers and liqueurs with a unique twist)
- Brouwerij’t IJ* (Local brewery under a windmill with craft beer and outdoor seating)
- Café t’Smalle (Classic canal-side brown café with candlelight charm and local beers)
- Café Gollem (Cozy beer bar with a vast selection. The De Pijp location comes with a cute kitty roaming the premises!)
- Café Hegeraad (Timeless and traditional brown café perfect for a quiet pint)
- De Eeuwige Jeugd (Playful brewery bar with retro decor and a youthful vibe)
- Waterkant (Lively, waterside hangout)
- Three Little Bottles (Intimate local bar with a laid-back feel serving Dutch jenever)
- Proeflokaal Arendsnest (Pub serving 100+ local brews. Must-visit for Dutch beer lovers!)
- Kaasbar Amsterdam (Sleek wine and cheese bar with a fun converyor-belt twist)
- Bubbles & Wines (Upscale wine bar with a cozy, elegant atmosphere)
- Hiding in Plain Sight (Inventive cocktail bar with speakeasy vibes)
Activities
Canal Cruises
Amsterdam has canal cruises for every vibe – relaxing guided tours, party boats, and even private rentals you can captain yourself! Here are some I’ve tried and recommend:
Tours
- Sandemans NewEurope* (walking tour)
- Secret Food Tours (food and beer tour available)
- Henri Willing cheese-tasting experience
Markets
Dutch Culture
- Anne Frank House*
- If you’re unable to get tickets, this tour is a good alternative.
- Heineken Experience*
- Rijksmuseum
- Van Gogh Museum*
- Moco Museum
- Rent a bike or enjoy a guided bike tour
- Note: I recommend biking at a relaxed pace through an open area like Vondelpark unless you’re confident and familiar with the rules of the road in Amsterdam. Biking on their roads there is a skill, and locals won’t have much patience for hesitation. For most, it’s their main mode of transport, not just a leisurely ride!
- A’DAM Tower
- Amsterdam Cheese Museum
- Museum of Prostitution
- Rembrandt HouseMuseum
- Rembrandt’s Amsterdam Experience
Day Trips
- Keukenhof*
- Book here for a ticket including a round-trip shuttle from central Amsterdam
- Zaanse Schans
- Madurodam
- Utrecht (travel guide coming soon)
- The Hague (travel guide coming soon)
Souvenirs
Below are spots where you can find authentic, well-made souvenirs, ideal for bringing a little piece of Amsterdam home.
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Tried & True: Where to Eat and What To Do in Amsterdam
There’s something about Amsterdam that’s captured my heart and keeps drawing me back. Maybe it’s the gezelligheid – a Dutch word that captures a sense of warmth, coziness, and connection. This 5-day itinerary is a curated collection of recommendations highlighting the experiences I’ve loved and that make the city truly special. I hope this guide helps you craft a trip that ends on a high note – no pun intended!
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