Taking place at Westergasfabriek on the first Sunday of the month, the Sunday Market is a monthly gathering of Amsterdam’s finest makers, artists, caterers and designers. More than just a market, the event features delicious food stalls, bars, live music and more, and is a wonderful place to mooch around and enjoy some tasty treats….
De Hallen
Located just behind Kinkerstraat in Oud-West, De Hallen is a former 19th century tram depot that’s been lovingly converted into a beautiful cultural complex housing an arty cinema, independent stores, a hotel, restaurants and the very excellent indoor food hall, Foodhallen. Indoor food hall in Amsterdam In the Foodhallen you’ll find around 30 street food…
Hannekes Boom
Aah. Lovely Hannekes. One of our favourite places in Amsterdam to while away a summer afternoon and evening, Hannekes Boom is a colourful shack style bar by the water behind Nemo (that big green building that looks like a ship). The bar has a massive outdoor terrace with a beachy vibe which gets packed in…
Pllek
One of our favourite Amsterdam hang outs come rain or shine, Pllek is a huge restaurant and bar made from reclaimed industrial materials (think shipping containers and scaffolding) in trendy NDSM Wharf. It’s located directly on the shores of the IJ – the river that separates Amsterdam from Amsterdam North – and it has one…
Worst Wijncafe
A delightful spot in the lovely Western Islands, this cosy little neighbourhood restaurant was one of our favourite spots when we lived just around the corner on the Houtmankade because, well, just look at it. Forget the misleading name… ‘worst’ means ‘sausage’ in Dutch so this is in fact a sausagey wine bar, serving up…
Hidden gem coffee and lunch spots in Central Amsterdam
I have a troubled relationship with central Amsterdam. I won’t go into it all here, but thanks to the wrong kind of tourist and the tacky businesses that cater for them, certain parts of the centre can often resemble a Hieronymous Bosch depiction of hell. (I’m looking at YOU, Damrak on a Saturday). Having said…
Amsterdam Oud-West
This neighbourhood is where we first laid our hats in Amsterdam, and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Little did we know when we panic-signed the contract on our first apartment shortly before moving over that we’d lucked out in one of the loveliest parts of the city – a gorgeous district…
Kanarie Club
Eat, drink, work, play and possibly swim at this newish hotspot in Oud-West. Taking up a sizeable chunk of the De Hallen complex (go through the Foodhallen, or access directly from Bellamyplein), Kanarie Club is all things to all people from morning to night. Go there for breakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee, dinner or drinks. Take your…
This weekend in Amsterdam
I’ve started writing a weekend guide for the I amsterdam blog, which might come in handy ahead of your visit to Amsterdam. The blog is published every Thursday, and contains five or so hand-selected (by me!) ideas of things to do this weekend in Amsterdam. If you need more ideas – Facebook is your friend. You’ll…
De School
Many of you will have heard of De School as the successor of legendary Amsterdam club Trouw. But it’s much more than just a nightclub. The former school building way out in Amsterdam West is also a restaurant, bar, cafe, concert venue, exhibition space and a gym. The 700 capacity subterranean club is located in the…
Ton Ton Club West
Calling all arcade nerds! Ton Ton Club is one of Amsterdam’s funnest (is that a word?) places to spend an evening, with good food, good music and all of those retro arcade games you remember from childhood. There are two locations – one in the Red Light District and a bigger one in the Westergasfabriek…
5 x Record Stores in Amsterdam
Rush Hour Records At Rush Hour, marvel at the selection of rare, world and funk records as well as electronic releases old and new that have been expertly curated by some of Amsterdam’s brightest tastemakers – eg. Hunnee, Antal and the Rush Hour crew. Minimal aesthetic, well organised and friendly staff willing to chat about…
Meneer Nieges
Located on the waterfront in the Westerdok area to the west of Central Station (just far enough away from the centre to be off most tourists’ radars), Meneer Nieges is a restaurant and bar from the team behind Hannekes Boom and Bloemenbar, and lovely place to hang out in all seasons. One of its biggest…
De Oranjerie
This is our current local, and honestly one of our favourite pubs in Amsterdam. Tucked away on a pretty Haarlemmerbuurt side street between Brouwersgracht and Haarlemmerdijk it’s the kind of place where everyone knows your name (or they will do by the end of the evening), and they’re always glad you came. The epitome of…
Gs Brunch Boat
Apparently the only brunch boat in the world, this culinary cruise is operated by legendary Amsterdam brunch hotspot Gs Really Nice Place and sets sail every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10.00, 12:00 and 14:00. I went on the brunch boat whilst pregnant so didn’t get to take full advantage of the Bloody Mary-ness of…
Glouglou
A wine bar with the relaxed atmosphere of a pub, Glouglou is a wine-breath of fresh air in a city dominated by beer. In the heart of the wonderful De Pijp neighbourhood, Glouglou is the kind of place you can spend an entire evening, sipping your way through the selection of only natural wines – no…
My pal in Amsterdam 