Bakers & Roasters
A sunny De Pijp brunch spot with a Kiwi-Brazilian streak – fluffy pancakes, big breakfast plates and strong coffee. No bookings, so expect a weekend queue that’s worth it.
Amsterdam
Foodhallen
A buzzy indoor food hall in a converted tram depot in Oud-West – dozens of stalls from dim sum to bitterballen around a central bar. Great for groups who can never agree on one cuisine.
Ikkoku
A sleek, minimalist counter hidden behind a matcha tea bar in De Pijp, with seating around the open kitchen. A quietly excellent, in-the-know spot for Japanese small plates and tea.
Winkel 43
A corner cafe on the Noordermarkt famous across the city for one thing above all: towering slices of warm Dutch apple pie with a mountain of whipped cream. Come on a Saturday market morning.
La Perla
A cult Jordaan pizzeria turning out blistered, thin-crust Neapolitan pies from imported Italian ingredients. Grab a slice-of-life seat by the canal – locals swear by it.
Gifu
Refined Japanese comfort food in the Jordaan – deeply savoury ramen and perfectly grilled izakaya skewers that draw locals and in-the-know visitors for the craft and authenticity.
Moeders
A cosy Jordaan institution serving hearty traditional Dutch home cooking – stamppot, hutspot, split-pea soup – amid walls of family photos and mismatched plates donated by diners. Book ahead; it’s tiny and beloved.
Canal Belt (Prinsengracht)
The UNESCO-listed ring of 17th-century canals that defines Amsterdam – gabled merchant houses, humpback bridges and houseboats. Simply walking the Prinsengracht or Brouwersgracht is one of the city’s great free pleasures.
NDSM Wharf
A former shipyard across the IJ reborn as a gritty creative hub – vast street-art murals, studios, festivals and the monthly IJ-Hallen flea market. Take the free ferry for Amsterdam’s alternative side.
Begijnhof
A hushed medieval courtyard hidden in the middle of the city, once home to a lay sisterhood and holding one of Amsterdam’s oldest wooden houses. A pocket of calm – enter quietly; people still live here.