All About Amsterdam: Cafes, Museums, Shopping, and More!
I LOVE Amsterdam. It’s probably one of my favorite European cities. The people are chic, the food is creative and tasty, the shopping is indulgent yet affordable, and the culture is warm and inviting. There’s truly something for everyone!
I was really blown away by Dutch culture. Amsterdam invokes a sense of Gezellig that took my mind away from To-Do’s and set me free to truly relax. Gezellig is a Dutch word meaning coziness, warmth, and togetherness. I experienced so many levels of Gezellig on my four day trip in Amsterdam.
A bicycle parked along the canal
In this post, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Amsterdam cafes and restaurants, museums, shopping spots, and more! I want to make this post as concise as possible, including only the best heavy-hitters. I’ll include a more detailed itinerary in another post. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
*Pro Tip: Be sure to check these spots on Google Maps for the latest hours of operation. I am not liable for any missed reservations!*
A chilly November day in Amsterdam!
Cafes and Restaurants
As a gluten-free traveler, I had endless food options. Danish culture is inclined towards healthier fair, which made travelling much more enjoyable as I was fueling myself with the right foods. If you’re looking for treats, you can certainly find those, too!
Pluk Amsterdam
Pluk is a MUST if you’re visiting Amsterdam. Check out their Instagram, because pictures speak louder than words.
Owned and operated by a business-woman powerhouse, Pluk serves Instagram-worthy drinks, the best matcha, delicious baked goods, fresh smoothie bowls, and more. One day, I want to open my own bakery/cafe just like Pluk. Every detail is curated to be just-so. Pluk even sells cute homewares that might just make it into your carry-on. You can get food for takeaway or sit inside – just be warned that there is limited seating because it is so busy!
There are plenty of gluten-free drink options. For food, I went with a smoothie bowl just to be safe. Be sure to tell the employees you have Celiac, and they will take care of you.
A smoothie bowl at Pluk with blueberries, banana, coconut, bee pollen, and chia seeds
Pancakes Amsterdam
You can’t go to the Netherlands without trying a Dutch Pancake. Dutch pancakes are so much better than regular American pancakes in my opinion. They are thinner (almost like a crepe) and filled with sweet or savory toppings. My smoked salmon and zucchini pancake was chef’s kiss.
Pancakes Amsterdam has several locations throughout the city. If allowed, make reservations in advance to avoid waiting hours for a table.
Lox and Zucchini Pancake
La La Ijs
If you’re looking for a cold sweet treat, La La Ijs is your place! I have never actually gotten ice cream here, but my friend used to work here and reports there are many gluten-free and vegan options.
Craft Coffee & Pastry Amsterdam
Croissant from Craft Coffee & Pastry
Karavaan
In the cold winter months, dip into Karavaan for a hot coffee or ginger tea. This laptop-friendly spot serves drinks and a small lunch menu.
Foodhallen
This high-energy food hall has a tens of stalls of varying cuisines. My friends and I went for dinner, and we all found something we liked. I tried smoked herring, which was so much better than the creamed herring from my childhood :)
De Luwte
This is an upscale and moody dinner restaurant owned by Pluk’s Iris Zielstra. The interior is dreamy and dishes are artfully curated. Lots of gluten free options. The menu changes seasonally. De Luwte needs a reservation!
Museums
Van Gogh Museum
The Dutch are famous for their artists. Names like Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and others are international household names today. If you only have stamina for one art museum, check out the Van Gogh Museum. It includes an extensive collection of Van Gogh’s works, including a few of my favorites: “Sunflowers” and “Almond Blossom.” The museum is laid out in chronological order, so you can learn how Van Gogh’s work progressed with his age and mental state.
You need to purchase tickets BEFOREHAND on the Van Gogh Website. Tickets are 24 Euros at the time of writing this post.
Van Gogh’s Almond Blossom
Anne Frank House
Seeing the Anne Frank house’s annex is an important pitstop on your trip. Be sure to book tickets ahead of time on the museum website (6 weeks in advance if possible)! My friends and I tried to snag tickets 2 weeks beforehand, and it was completely booked. The museum is strict about not allowing walk-ins. I was sad to miss the stop, but it’s just another excuse to visit Amsterdam in the future. Tickets are 16 Euros at the time of writing this post.
The Anne Frank House is centrally located and within walking distance to several cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Outside of the Anne Frank House
Shopping
Amsterdam is one of my favorite places to shop! Seriously, the clothes and homewares rival anything I’ve bought in Paris. Amsterdam has high-quality shopping because there are tons of boutiques, as opposed to big-box retailers. I prefer to shop at boutiques, where I can find more unique pieces. Amsterdam’s clothing prices are also highly affordable in my opinion, so you can shop ’till you drop and feel good about it!
In Dutch, Reestraat means street. De 9 Reestraat is the best street for shopping with a range of boutiques and cafes.
A colorful canal in Amsterdam
The Gamekeeper
This is actually the coolest little store full of every game and puzzle! If you’re looking for a souvenir to take home, this store will deliver.
Address: Hartenstraat 14, 1016 CB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Muze has a ton of unique brands (or at least, unique to an American)! I got the cutest olive green turtleneck from Muze that I still wear today.
Address: Reestraat 17, 1016 DM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Accessories, accessories, accessories! I got a stunning pair of woven gold earrings from Atelier. It’s only a few shops down from Muze!
Address: Wolvenstraat 13H, Amsterdam, Netherlands 1016 EM
Hats and sweaters in Atelier
If you’re looking for a good quality leather handbag, O My Bag has good options. This brand is unique to Amsterdam and focuses on sustainability with clean, minimalistic designs.
Address: Wolvenstraat 15, 1016 EM Amsterdam, Netherlands
This is THE BEST SPOT for elegant homeware! From plates, mugs, and candlesticks to furniture, you can find it all. Styles are Nordic, with clean lines and minimal colors. I bought the nicest ceramic spoons from this store, which I sadly broke. My friend’s friend made a special trip to this store to buy me a replacement set, which actually made my entire year! There are three locations in Amsterdam and may be opening a new store soon. Be sure to check Google Maps beforehand. The address below is centrally located.
Address: Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 25-27, 1054 BP Amsterdam, Netherlands
Homewares in Things I Like Things I Love
La Savonnerie
You know I can’t travel anywhere without buying soap! It’s the perfect souvenir for any beauty lover, and La Savonnerie has you covered.
Address: Prinsengracht 294, 1016 HJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Other Things to Do
Hunt a windmill! (De Gooyer Windmill and Brewery)
It’s hard to believe that windmills are going extinct in the Netherlands. While there are still over 1,000 traditional windmills remaining, they are primarily preserved for historical purposes. Who knew a building could be an endangered species?
The De Gooyer windmill in Amsterdam is not a far walk from the city center. It doubles as a museum and brewery!
The De Gooyer Windmill
Peruse a vintage flee market
Amsterdam has no shortage of thrift stores. I’ve never seen anything like NDSM flea market. It’s a huge warehouse with graffiti art and hundreds of vendors. To get there, take a ferry from Amsterdam Centraal station. Warning: you will have to pay a small fee for entry to the flea market. I did not like the idea of paying to see other people’s trash (just my cynical opinion on thrifting!) but my friends had a blast.
A mural outside of the flea market
Check out a farmers market
Amsterdam has tons of farmers markets, all selling Dutch specialty items like mini Dutch pancakes, licorice, Stroop waffle, and cheese!
Dutch licorice at the farmers market!
Mini Dutch pancakes at the farmers market
Visit the Floating Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt)
The Bloemenmarkt is the world’s only floating flower market, built on houseboats along the Singel canal. There are thousands of varieties of flowers and bulbs to peruse. Be sure to check your country’s restrictions before buying any tulip bulbs, or else they mahy be confiscated by TSA. According to the US Embassy website, you can bring tulip bulbs back to the US from Amsterdam, but they need to be in a sealed package with a phytosanitary certificate. Some vendors at this flower shop are geared towards American tourists and have safe bulbs for purchase.
Outside view of Bloemenmarkt
Lots of flowers!
Walk (or bike) along Amsterdam’s many canals
Walking and biking are the best ways to see this city. I recommend skipping any gondola experience – they’re tourist traps!
A look across the water
I hope this blog post is useful to craft your next Amsterdam itinerary. Let me know which places you visit. I can’t wait to hear about your trip!
