Coordinates to be up to date with what is happening in the city
The new design capital goes beyond canals and flowers. cradle of Jenever and lover of street cuisine, amsterdam It is also a benchmark for its beer gardens, an eternal nightlife and that impeccable –and unparalleled– sense of aesthetics.
WHERE TO SLEEP
Sand _(Gravesandestraat 55) _ From €80
One of the prides of this city is the impeccable work of preservation and restoration of old and unique buildings.
A good example of this is this Boutique hotel , an exercise in Dutch contemporary design in a former 19th-century Catholic orphanage. All the rooms are different and the park restaurant It has views of the park. A good option if you want to stay in a quiet place near the center. It offers bicycle rental.
Ready for an extremely cool getaway?
soho-house _(Spuistraat 210) _
Last fall, the British group landed in Amsterdam giving new life to the iconic Bungehuis , a building art deco which in the 1930s was the Office of Commerce, university headquarters in the 1970s and, recently, a squat house.
Overlooking the Singel Canal, now houses 79 rooms with the unmistakable touch of the Soho House, and the other classics of the house: the Italian restaurant Cecconi's, the Cowshed Spa, and the rooftop bar and pool.
Einstein Was Here _(Plantage Muidergracht 6A) _ From €150
That's right, Einstein was here when this was the physics laboratory of the University of Amsterdam. Today it is a family bed & breakfast run by Claartje Borren . Only two double rooms with bathroom and breakfast based on french muffins, coffee, eggs, granola and fruit which, when the weather is good, is served on the terrace by the canal. It's in plantage , away from the tourist bustle (and conventional guides), but within walking distance of the center.
The Hoxtons _(Herengracht 255) _ From €120
Overlooking the Herengracht canal, the first Hoxton outside the UK opened four years ago on a property of five interconnected houses from the 17th century that at the time were the residence of the mayor of the city. Behind its classic façade, 111 rooms and a modern atmosphere, work of the Nicemakers studio.
Brass chandeliers, vintage furniture, hardwood floors, paneled walls, and spectacular ceilings. The icing on the cake is The Apartment , four differently designed rooms facing a beautiful green patio and with a kitchen in a space that imitates a greenhouse.
Generator Hostel _(Mauritskade 57) _ From €75 (private rooms) and €15 (shared) .
In an imposing building – the former Faculty of Sciences, from 1917 – at the gates of the Oosterpark, This hostel offers 168 double and quadruple rooms with bathroom included.
The restoration of the facade is a Dutch project IDEA Ontwerp, who added a glass roof to one of their star rooms, the sky-suite , a luxury apartment for six people, with a kitchen and views of the lush park. The old main hall is today a lounge with a chill out bar and a wonderful terrace.
Views from a hotel room
Sir Hotels _(Overhoeksplein 7; Albert Cuypstraat 2-6) _
Sir Adam has the soul (and the design of it) surrendered before music and, upon check-in, along with the key You will receive a vinyl for your room. It's in the north, across the IJ canal, in an industrial tower from 1971 So imagine the views.
While, Sir Albert is the elegant brother, That's why he lives in an old diamond factory in the neighborhood of By Pijp and is full of artwork and design pieces. The best thing is the service of local experts that they offer tailor-made visits.
** The Dylan ** _(Keizersgracht 384) _
Loxura, Serendipity, Loft and Amber. That's what they're called four types of rooms with which this perfect example of Small Luxury Hotels seeks to connect with each guest, always within the parameters of the new luxury. A modern and classic that also boasts a Michelin star in one of its restaurants, Vinkeles.
WHERE TO HAVE BREAKFAST
Bakers & Roasters _(Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat 54 and Kadijksplein 16) _
A young Kiwi and a Brazilian dreamed one day of opening a place that combined everything they missed from their countries of origin: the their mothers' cooking, their favorite street food and coffee the way they like it.
Shortly thereafter, Bakers & Roasters, with two addresses in Amsterdam, It became the essential brunch of the city. The kitchen is open 24/7 and prepares hearty breakfasts of organic eggs, avocado, baked beans, bacon, salmon, fresh fruit, granola and porridge bowls, and homemade New Zealand sweets. The cakes are freshly made and the Ozone coffee is always served double.
Scandinavian Embassy _(Sarphatipark 34) _
In front of Sarphatipark, in the bohemian neighborhood De Pijp , this small embassy of the Scandinavian explores the hygge concept. Its owners, committed to the perfect cup of coffee, offer different preparations, work with small niche providers and adapt to the seasonality of the products.
Its menu offers healthy and organic food, and the place is a sanctuary of Nordic design, intimate and warm, with white walls and exposed beams of light wood.
dignita _(Koninginneweg 218h and Nieuwe Herengracht 18A) _
The two Dignita are in very special places: in a beautiful greenhouse in the garden courtyard of the Hermitage museum and the other, next to the Vondelpark.
Its star dish is zucchini and chickpea frittata, served with mint yogurt, grilled halloumi cheese, a poached free range egg, cashew dukkah, lime and a slice of fresh avocado.
With a very clear motto, "Eat well, do good", it is part of the business model Not For Sale , an international organization that offers training and support programs for people in vulnerable situations.
CT Coffee & Coconuts _(Ceintuurban 282-284) _
Enter now to Ceintuur Theater, an old cinema from the 1920s, it is like setting foot in an oasis in the middle of the city. Three floors full of light, with whitewashed walls and a clever way of combining pipes and exposed brick with rustic furniture and linen cushions, communal tables and greenery.
Healthy and happy food, for the most part organic and locally sourced, various coffee specialties (and double load) and original fresh juices, like Djamu Jamu, a Balinese herbal tonic that contains turmeric, ginger, honey, tamarind and lime.
The Butcher's burgers, probably the best in Amsterdam
WHERE TO EAT
The Butcher _(Albert Cuypstraat 129; Bellamyplein 51; Paleisstraat 14; and Overhoeksplein 1) _
We are before an entire institution. With a gastronomic culture given over to international influences, we could say that Amsterdam is the birthplace of the European hamburger. And this is the place to eat the best: the Cowboy Burger , unique and very tasty thanks to a compendium of fresh spices, jalapeños and 'the cowboy effect' It has four locations around the city.
Mama Makan _(Spinozastraat 61) _
The passion of the Dutch for asian cuisine has its origins in its colonial empire in Indonesia. Here you can try a delicious gado-gado (vegetarian dish with peanut sauce), rendang and goreng rice and noodles with spices, as well as c cocktails inspired by Indonesian spices, herbs and plants.
your chef, Rosmina Napitupulu , she grew up admiring her mother's good hand in the kitchen and now she recovers those recipes in proposals such as her rice tasting table They also prepare the unique indonesian brunch that you will find in the city.
kinaree _(Eerste Anjeliersdwarsstraat 14) _
Among the infinite offer of Thai restaurants in Amsterdam, it is difficult to choose. We love Kinaree for its location, in the heart of Jordan, the coolest neighborhood in the city, and for its Great value for the price.
Variety of starters to try its famous Thai sauce, made with peanuts, and spicy soups, and stir-fries –the reason you'll want to come back here– of chicken, beef or shrimp accompanied by rice with oyster, black pepper or chili sauce.
Fou Fow Ramen _(Elandsgracht 2A and Van Woustraat 3) _
If your idea of Japanese cuisine doesn't go much beyond sushi, so you have to try the traditional long noodles of Fou Fow Ramen. Their tonkotsu ramen, simmered for over six hours, it's known as the Holy Grail of ramen broths. It is a perfect dish for gray or rainy days.
food hall _(Bellamyplein 51) _
The Dutch are devoted to street food and this temple of good eating is dedicated to her, in the modern neighborhood of Oud West. Housed in an industrial warehouse, here you will find –in addition to a library, a bike workshop, design shops and a cinema– more than 20 kitchen stalls from around the world , of great quality and made at the moment to be tasted in a central area with communal tables.
They are legendary vietnamese snacks of Viet View, the dim sum served in Dim Sum Thing banana baskets, the famous bitterballen (the Dutch croquette) from De Ballenbar, the oysters of Le Big Fish, the snacks of L'Entrecôte or the mediterranean tapas (half Greek half Turkish) from Maza.
Mr & Mrs Watson _(Linnaeuskade 3h) _
Mr and Mrs Watson were the ones who coined the term veganism in 1944 and, in their honor, this place has been proposed change the world through good vegan food. Here everything is free of animal products, from the menu to the synthetic leather chairs, the candles on the tables or the shoes worn by the local team.
The best thing is their great selection of Homemade "cheeses", creamy salads with "egg", vitamin soups, baked dishes, vegan tiramisus... It is located outside the tourist ring of Amsterdam, in ostport , a vibrant neighborhood in the east of the city.
Crazy Tony _(Albert Cuypstraat 59) _
It is universal: sometimes what one is looking for is a good pizza, without pretensions or magic formulas. A pizza delicious, satiating and, if possible, with the ingredients that one wishes . That's what Toni Loco is for, a new place located in the Pijp neighborhood with very long hours, which is good both for those who extend the night and for visiting Spaniards, who are not always willing to have dinner at 7 in the afternoon.
Here the pizza is Italian-New York: this means that the sizes are very large ( They have a diameter of 50 centimeters. ), fully customizable (with fresh ingredients) and baked in an industrial stone floor oven (against the trend of traditional wood-fired ovens).
As a particularity, they add a touch of sesame on the edges, a detail that makes them an authentic boccatto di cardinale . The concept is casual, but with a layer of elegance: here the pizza is accompanied by a glass of champagne.
Crazy Tony
The ingredients: San Marzano tomatoes (which grow near Vesuvius) , buffalo milk mozzarella with denomination of origin and ground italian flour with a specific degree of fineness. A bocatto di cardinale that does not exceed 16 euros.
Moders _(Rozengracht 251) _
Dutch cuisine sums up all its essence in the stamppot. The national dish combines mashed potato, cabbage, bacon and sausage (or meatball) . A good tip is to come here with an appetite and not get distracted by the starters.
The place is typical Dutch, with wooden furniture and walls lined with photographs of mothers. After all, he dedicates his name and his star dish to them.
Mr Porter _(Spuistraat 175) _
One of the trendy places in Amsterdam is also the restaurant where to find the perfect steak , an unusual hit between a modern steakhouse and a chic club, with low lighting, sophisticated decor and a late-night vibe. As soon as you reach the sixth floor of the building where it is located (next to Dam Square and the Royal Palace) We are received by the chambers where the pieces of meat that are served are aged for three weeks, an impressive picture that makes the most carnivorous salivate.
In the letter they are from Lady Mignon (200 grams) to Mr Porter (1100 grams), both from Dutch cow, and the chateaubriend with foie gras and wine sauce deserves a separate chapter.
However, Mr Porter thinks of everyone: there are many options for vegetarians (the mushroom carpaccio is almost a sin and the wood-fired smoked leek is something worth trying) and all dishes are designed to share . The desserts are also a bit sinful: the apple tatinde or the pistachio fondant are delightful.
WHERE TO DRINK
Wynand Fockink _(Pijlsteeg 31) _
Tasting house, distillery, cocktail bar and liquor store for tastings, its history dates back to 1679 and, although it has changed owners on different occasions, it has managed to maintain its essence with a very varied selection of Jenever, the Dutch juniper flavored gin that gave rise to the famous spirit.
The Dutch take their national liquor very seriously
The Dutch take their national liquor very seriously and it even has instructions for use: With a glass full to the brim, put your hands behind your back, lean over and take a sip. Forbidden to raise the glass with the hands.
Brouwerij 't IJ _(Funenkade 7) _
The other national drink is beer and in Amsterdam there are numerous breweries that brew your own recipe. Brouwerij 't IJ is next to an old windmill and its terrace is very popular on sunny days.
here is even seven own beers on tap, among them his famous Zatte and Natte and often offer a special seasonal production. To accompany, a ossenworst (raw and smoked sausage) or cheeses and sausages.
flamingo _(Eerste van der Helststraat 37) _
If you want to mingle with the locals, come to the De Pijp neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. Here, the Dutch come to sit in the terrace bars regardless of the cold –the local character and the outdoor stoves mean that they are used all year round–.
The beers are craft (Oedipus, Pampus, De Prael or Brouwerij 't IJ) , and the atmosphere, relaxed and without tourists.
Gate 74 _(Reguliersdwarsstraat 74I) _
It's not easy to see, until you detect the doorbell and call. inside awaits you one of the best cocktail bars in the city. With its sophisticated atmosphere, it follows the aesthetics of the Prohibition era with dark woods, antique kitchenware and tin ceilings.
Its cocktail menu is extensive and extravagant, with proposals as peculiar as the Simon, the Fruit Vendor, a curious mix of Old Simon jenever, Cocchi red vermouth and raspberry brandy.
From School _(Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat 1) _
A hand-painted mural presides over the lobby of this reference club. Behind are those responsible for another classic of the city night, trow . With a 24-hour license and capacity for 700 people, De School It is more than a temple of electronics, with a vegetarian restaurant, a gym from the 60s, exhibitions, raves and concerts.
WHERE TO BUY
hutspot _(Van Woustraat 4 and Rozengracht 204-210) _
In this concept store , which started as a pop-up in 2012, you will find everything from clothing to nordic firms (Samsoe&Samsoe, Second Female or Filippa K) until niche Magazines, accessories for the home and a barbershop.
The bright interior of the Hutspot concept store, a Nordic sanctuary
Marie Stella Maris _(Keizersgracht 357) _
A Dutch brand with a social mission: “clean water for everyone, everywhere” . They sell in the store water in glass bottles and luxury cosmetics for skin and hair, all Organic and made in Sweden. For each sale they donate an amount to projects to obtain drinking water.
sissy-boy
This is where all of Amsterdam draws from objects to decorate your house. Cushions, blankets, tableware, toys, candles... all with a Nordic seal. Also, clothing and office supplies of the Monograph brand.
love stories _(Herengracht 296 and 298) _
Underwear, silk pajamas and clothes to be around the house by Marloes Hoedeman combine two basic factors of Dutch fashion: comfort and style. In Love Stories Archives _(Oudezijds Achterburgwal 145) _ there are sales from other seasons.
DO NOT MISS
Pllek _(TT Neveritaweg 59) _
Built with shipping containers, it has its own artificial beach and a large terrace with picnic tables and a beautiful view of the IJ bay. In Pllek they love vegetables and want to be a place of inspiration, so they organize concerts and film screenings, yoga classes, exhibitions, workshops...
Hortus Botanicus _(Plantage Middenlaan 2) _
The Amsterdam Botanical Garden, Inaugurated in 1638, it is one of the oldest in the world. It has more than 4,000 species distributed in seven greenhouses, and in the café-restaurant By Orangery They serve local dishes.
bluepepper
A romantic and different way to see Amsterdam is by booking one of the 10 candlelit tables on the Blue Pepper Dinner Cruise and sailing through the canals. Dinner strap charge of the Indonesian restaurant Blue Pepper.
Amsterdam Botanical Garden
_*This article and the attached gallery were published in the number 128 of the Condé Nast Traveler Magazine (May) . Subscribe to the print edition (11 printed issues and digital version for €24.75, by calling 902 53 55 57 or from our website ) and enjoy free access to the digital version of Condé Nast Traveler for iPad. The May issue of Condé Nast Traveler is available at its digital version to enjoy it on your favorite device. _