Restaurants
Marius
At Barentszstraat 243 (tel. 020-4227880) a bit off the beaten trail, you will find many fans on the web touting this restaurant's food and friendly format. The chef is Dutch but trained in French culinary arts. What I will remember of my experience at this restaurant is as follows: meeting Carlos and Brian there, having an intimate reunion in a cozy country-decorated place, great food (But can't remember what I ate) and a big bill at the end that can only be paid with a local bankcard or cash (the chef offered to give us a ride to the nearest ATM!).
Bottom line: will come again for a special occasion.
Nearby the Amsterdam Historisch Museum (see below) this little bakery sells something called a Hopjes Wafel, which is like a thin crispy cookie sandwich filled with honey caramel.
Bottom line: a good after-museum tea and snack and a friendly cat to greet you.
Off the Prinsengracht, this restaurant has a set menu around 30 euros (not including drinks) and has limited tables but friendly service and very good food. I've been twice and would go again. The food is sort of French/Dutch and offers a meat and fish main dish choice.
Bottom line: small, friendly, good food.
Many say this place serves the best appeltaart in Amsterdam. I have to admit I haven't tried any better (so far..). It's served with slagroom (whipped cream). The Jordaan Saturday fleamarket and foodmarket is right outside. In summer there are picnic tables set up to accommodate the hoards who come for their apple pie.
Bottom line: Mmmmmm
A restaurant/bar/nightclub (and bedroom)...where you reserve a 'bed' on which you and friends will spend your evening eating and drinking. Servers are also performers and after dinner the venue is opened to the public as a night club. This is definitely a one-time experience for me but is a fun evening out for a big group.
Bottom line: a grown-up's night out, maybe getting a tad tired?
One of the Dutch specialties is pancakes and in Amsterdam there are plenty of places to try to the traditional flat panekeuken. At this small restaurant I had the best American-style pancakes I've ever eaten - I think maybe they put a little heroin in the batter as I couldn't stop eating them and ended up eating off of everyone else's plate.
Bottom line: great place for a delicious breakfast on a street full of cute shops.
Pubs and Bars
De Wetering
On Weteringstraat 37 (just off the Prinsengracht) this 'brown bar' is cozy, very local and warmed by a nice fireplace. My favorite brown bar in Amsterdam.
Bottom line: authentic 17th century pub with fireplace.
On Prinsengracht canal, this place's gimmick is that it is totally self service, where each group gets a key to a mini bar and drinks are tallied up at the end of the visit. There are about 30 mini-bars along one wall, with groovy music playing and spacey images floating on the opposite wall. We started our night here at 9:30 and were the only ones in the place - then got busy around 10:30 as we were on to the next place.
Bottom line: a fun gimmick - let's see how long it lasts. Could use some chips and chocolate bars in the mini-bar though...
This bar/restaurant has a bartender that is on speed or happy pills or possibly both. He also makes a cocktail called the Thriller. Something like a long island ice tea but with a hollowed out half of a passion fruit shell floating on top with a shot of Barcardi 151 and grenadine and set aflame as it's delivered to your table. Very chic, modern, dark ambiance, nice soundtrack.
Bottom line: if my description of Thriller leaves you confused, worth a visit to see what I'm talking about.
Not a kinky spot in the red light district, rather a great old producer of specialty liqueurs that can be tasted in their 17th century pub next door to the 'factory'. This place is right near the Begijnhof (see below) and I HIGHLY recommend a visit for something truly unique. You can also bring home a bottle of one their many flavors as a souvenir or gift.
Bottom line: makers of unique liqueurs since before the U.S. was founded!
Sites
Not far off the Dam Square in the center of Amsterdam, this fantastic museum charts the long history of the city in a manageable and interesting way. I could have spent 5 hours in here with all the interesting artifacts and vignettes on display.
Bottom line: after Anne Frank and Van Gogh, this could be next on your list.
Vondelpark, Westerpark
For great runs, jogs, walks, or bike rides I recommend these parks. Vondelpark is smaller and busier but has a nice loop that can be run twice around in about 45 minutes or so. Westerpark enormous, has a more natural landscaping and longer trails. In both parks you'll find eateries we've tried and both are nice locations to hang out for a sunny afternoon.
Bottom line: famous parks of Amsterdam after you've had enough of canals and cute shops.
This is where widowed women were given shelter back in old times and is a peaceful 'secret' place in the heart of Amsterdam. Worth a quick look at no charge. Women are still living here.
Bottom line: yet another bit of Amsterdam's interesting history.
On the Herengracht canal you can visit this amazing mansion filled with original furnishings and see how a wealthy Dutch family lived. The home was left by the family to the city of Amsterdam specifically to be set up as a museum.
Bottom line: well cared-for mansion with original furnishings makes a great house tour.
When Catholics were being persecuted in Amsterdam they built a hidden church in a 17th century building in the red light district of Amsterdam. Now I see they are doing some restoration so double check the status before you visit. But you'll see here another 'Anne Frank' - like space which reveals another facet of Amsterdam's past.
Bottom line: visit this check off 2 boxes on your Amsterdam visit: this and the red light district.
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