Amsterdam

Windmills, Waffles & Where to Go

Tried and tested by friends and family – all solid options:

Conscious Hotel Vondelpark – Eco-chic and steps from the park.
Hotel De Hallen – Once a tram depot, now effortlessly cool.
Sir Adam Hotel – Killer views, funky energy, and a free ferry to Centraal.
The Hoxton – Stylish, central, and a trusty classic.
Hotel De Hallen - Stylish boutique hotel in a converted tram depot, with industrial-chic interiors and a prime spot in lively Oud-West.

Good vibes, great food, and not wallet-crushing:

Night Kitchen Amsterdam - Mediterranean restaurant
Cecconi’s Amsterdam – Glam Italian in the city centre.
Lotti's – Crowd-pleaser at The Hoxton.
Café George – Paris meets Amsterdam.
MOS - waterfront eatery spotlighting high-concept local cuisine & desserts paired with wine.
NENI - Eastern Med magic worth the tram ride.
De Foodhallen (Dutch for ‘Food Hall’) - 20+ gourmet street food options under one roof.
Café Americain - Grand old Art Deco dame.
Bar Strangelove / Lab 111 - Cinema and supper vibes (great pizza!).
The Singing Swan (De Zingende Zwaan) – Dutch gastropub, very cool.
Gitane - Top-tier and very tasty.
BAK Restaurant - Fancy pants, in a good way.
Europizza (Noord) - Hipster pizza done right.
Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant - The floating Chinese one. Iconic.
Ron Gastrobar - Casual Michelin-level eats.
Yamazato - High-end Japanese, very special.

Staring at Jacob - soulful brunch in a trendy spot
Benji's Nieuw-West - Epic all day brunch
Dignita – Brunch of champions.
Breadwinner – Bagel heaven (with Flo’s as close second).
Flo's Appetizing Amsterdam – NYC-style bagels, Amsterdam charm.
Bar Strangelove / Lab 111 – Great vibes, odd the beaten track, amazing pizza.... and a cinema.
Cecconi’s Amsterdam – Glam Italian in the city centre
Lotti's – Crowd-pleaser at The Hoxton.
Café George – Paris meets Amsterdam.
Blue Amsterdam – Café & bar with panoramic city views - right in the centre.
De Foodhallen – 20+ gourmet street food options under one roof.
Café Americain – Grand old Art Deco venue with the wow factor.

Museumplein – The 4 big museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and Moco Museum), and fab gardens at the Rijksmuseum (no ticket needed!).
Winkel 43 – Best apple pie in the country (voted for by Dutchies who have a thing for apple pie).
Walk around the Jordaan – lovely canal streets (the ones you see on postcards), independent shops and cafés, and a good way to escape the tourist madness.
De Negen Straatjes (9 Streets) – quirky little shops, perfect for a mooch and a coffee stop.
Anne Frank House
Pancakes – Amsterdam takes them seriously.
The Eye – Film buffs + foodies unite.
Hortus Botanicus – Peaceful, and Insta-worthy.
Tony’s Chocolonely – DIY chocolate bar with your name on it.
A'DAM Lookout – Swing into the sky (literally).
Blauwe Theehuis – Drinks in Vondelpark? Yes please.

Playhood – Play paradise (book in advance!)
NEMO – Science museum that kids actually love.
Canal Boat Ride – Classic, always fun.
Goat Farm Ridammerhoeve – Baby goats = joy.
Fab gardens at the Rijksmuseum (no ticket needed!).
WOPL! (World of Play & Learning) - Indoor playground
Zimmerhoeve – City farm + playground combo.
ARTIS Zoo – Animals galore.
Amstelpark - a café, restaurant, two galleries, an orangery, a petting zoo, a mini-golf course, kids car racing track, train, and more
Public Library (OBA Oosterdok) – Cool kids' area and views.
Candy Castle Speelparadijs – Soft play kingdom. Slides, ball pits, and energy well spent.
Best playgrounds: see this guide
VROG - An underground soft‑play paradise for kids up to 12, packed with climbing frames and trampolines
Nio House - multifunctional lifestyle and community space with an interactive space designed for children to discover and play
Club Abbey

Nio House - multifunctional lifestyle and community space with a cafe and areas where you can work (head straight to the lifts from the ground floor, and buzz yourself up to the 1st floor cafe).
Taal Coffee - specialty coffee spot with latpop tables
BounceSpace Coffee & Coworking - Meet, sip, type, repeat.
Cecconi’s Amsterdam – Italian restaurant / lounge in the city centre. Order a drink and some nibbles and they'll let you stay to work.

These spots come highly recommended by our Italian buddies living in the city:

nNea Pizza – Consistently ranked among Europe's best pizzerias, nNea offers Neapolitan-style pizzas with a modern twist. Their dough undergoes a 50-hour fermentation process, resulting in a light, airy crust that's a true delight.
Pizza Project – A nice spot known for its authentic Neapolitan pizzas. Friendly atmosphere for a genuine Italian pizza experience.
PIZZERIA DOPE – Located in De Pijp, DOPE serves up classic and gourmet pizzas that have rave reviews for their flavor and quality.
Europizza – it's a bit of a trek in Amsterdam Noord, but Europizza combines Italian pizza-making traditions with local Dutch ingredients, offering a unique twist on classic flavors.
Focacceria – not a pizzeria, but deserves a mention for its amazing Genovese-style focaccia. Handmade daily & a must-try for bread lovers looking for authentic Italian flavors.