RESTAURANTS
- De Kas
- Cafe de Klepel
- Coffee and Coconuts
- Van Stapele
- FOODHALLEN
- The Pancake Bakery
- Het Koekemannetje
- Izakaya
- Winkel 43
HOTELS
THINGS TO DO
RESTAURANTS & BARS
If you’re looking for a fabulous fine dining experience, you absolutely must make a reservation at De Kas. It is the ultimate farm-to-table meal, considering De Kas has it’s own greenhouses on site (and farmland a little further outside of Amsterdam). The ambiance is modern, open and light, with a bit of an industrial feel to the architecture and design. The menu is fixed and changes daily, and the wine pairings for the fixed menu are very on point. Every bite we had was mind blowing! This was one of my favorite meals ever. Ever, ever, ever. I wish my food pics did it justice, but they don’t, so instead you’ll find a photo of the restaurant from the outside if you scroll down!
For a more casual lunch, take a little walk over to Coffee and Coconuts – it’s just about a quarter of a mile from Sir Albert and features incredibly delicious (healthy) food. The space is actually quite massive – there are three different levels to the restaurant, with the highest being sort of a loft-life atmosphere. The menu contains everything from the best hummus I’ve ever had to light salads and spicy shrimp tacos. They also have plenty of fresh-baked goods (check out the iced and fruit-topped pound cake by scrolling down) and fresh Thai coconuts for drinking.
If you’re craving something sweet, make sure you stop in to get a cookie from Van Stapele. This bakery specializes in only one flavor of cookie, but I promise it’s the only one you’ll ever want for the rest of your life. This chocolate cookie features dark, milk and white chocolate melted in the center. Flavor explosion! If only they would sell me the recipe…
While I never had the opportunity to actually eat in Sir Albert’s restaurant, Izakaya, I did manage to have drinks in the bar twice while at Sir Albert. My friend Katherine and I managed to test nearly every cocktail on the menu (and there are a lot). Each and every one was superbly delicious and artfully prepared – you may have seen them being decorated on my Snapchat? I’ve included a photo of two of them below – so pretty, right? Izakaya was very, very busy on the weekend with every table and bar stool occupied – I was kinda mad at myself for not making a reservation! I guess I’ll just have to try it next time…
Another little spot we passed on our last day (but unfortunately didn’t have time to try) is Blushing. This is the cutest cafe (based on the decor, anyway) we saw – the website doesn’t really show that, but trust me! I’ve included a pic of the space below with the copper hanging lights and printed tile floors for you to see. If one of you tests out this restaurant, let me know how it is! I really wish we’d seen it the first day.
While I don’t have specific restaurants to recommend for the following items, these are must-eats while you’re in Amsterdam. For an appetizer, make sure you try Bitterballen. Katherine and I loved these little snacks! The only way I can really describe it to you is to tell you it tastes like deep fried gravy. It rocks. On the sweeter side of things, be sure to get a stroopwaffel. The stroopwaffel is basically two flattened waffle cones with honey in the middle. I suggest pairing it with ice cream! Last but not least, break your diet and try a Dutch pancake. It’s pretty much a crepe (savory or sweet), but not as thin as a Parisian crepe and not as thick as a pancake. Sooooo good. Check out some of the food pics I snapped below!
THINGS TO DO
The Van Gogh Museum was our favorite touristy activity in Amsterdam. It was incredibly fascinating to learn about the painter’s life, especially in regard to Van Gogh’s friendships with other great artists throughout his lifetime. In addition to highlighting letters to and from friends and family, and of course, the many paintings he did throughout his somewhat short lifespan, the museum also features works by his friends and art Van Gogh was inspired by. There’s a lot to learn, so be sure to get there early and plan to stay for a couple hours!
In addition to the many antique shops along the canals, there are quite a few great clothing boutiques to discover as well. For more modern, avant-garde designers like Dries Van Noten, J.W. Anderson and Maison Martin Margiela, visit Van Ravenstein. Another one you’ve gotta check out is PAUW. In addition to housing brands like J BRAND, Sigerson Morrison and Vince, PAUW also has an in-house label of relaxed, minimalist womenswear. Finally, if you’re looking for more of a department store setting, hop on over to de Bijenkorf!
Similar to the Van Gogh Museum, you’ve gotta get to Anne Frank House early. The line is give-or-take about two hours long throughout the day, so the best plan is to get there an hour before it opens and just get in line. It’s right off one of the main canals, so after Anne Frank House, spend a few hours wandering around. The canal houses and boats are all so charming – I got so many photos, but below are the ones I’ve narrowed down for you.
