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HOLIDAY
FONDUE VAN DE KAASKAMER AMSTERDAM
This winter, you can enjoy the best cheese fondues from De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam in the Westerpark when their ‘extraordinaire’ pop-up fondue restaurant opens. De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam is a local cheese shop that has been on Runstraat since the mid-nineties, serving a wide variety of delicious cheese. For four months, from 1 November to 1 March, you can enjoy a cosy cheese fondue with friends and family with the tastiest French, Swiss and Dutch fondue in combination with delicious wines.
OLIEBOLLENKRAAM MERCATORPLEIN
Finding the perfect oliebol, the amazing Dutch pastry tradtionally eaten during the holiday season, can be harder than you think. They must be just the right amount of soggy, airy and crispy all at once. The stand on Mercatoplein, located in Amsterdam West, makes oliebollen that magnificently balance all of these things.
OUDERENFONDS
Everyone deserves a warm Christmas. You can show your support for the Dutch elderly by donating a Christmas dinner. From their website, you can choose to donate either €5 for dessert, €15 for a full dinner or €30 for 2 elderly people to enjoy a pleasant evening. Let’s spread the Christmas spirit together and make sure no one is left alone. Learn more here.
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ARTS & CULTURE
PLLEK
Amsterdam North is a breeding ground for new, young and experimental, and you get there by a free ferry. One of the best restaurants there is Pllek, and its menu is 75% vegetarian and 25% vegan. It also has a stage, and every genre takes the mic. During the summer, it becomes an outdoor cinema, a mini-festival venue, an art gallery and a yoga school. Check out their website for all their upcoming events.
DE CEUVEL
If you want to visit the future, go to De Ceuvel. The former shipyard in Amsterdam North has been converted into a scientific playground for those innovating sustainable technology. You’ll even see houseboats that have been brought on land and converted into offices. There’s also a sustainable café for when you need a bite.
FOAM
FOAM, located on the pituresque Keizersgracht, is a photography museum featuring national and international talent. The exhibitions vary from photography to visual installation to graphic works. The combination of the exciting exhibitions in the historic building is an experience in itself. Keep an eye on the website for updates on the current exhibition.
ONS’ LIEVE HEER OP SOLDER
Built in 1663, this immaculately preserved canal house in the middle of the city’s center has a little secret in the attic. In the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, Catholic masses were forbidden under Protestant rule. That didn’t stop a merchant from buying and combining three canal houses and building a hidden Catholic church on the top floor. It’s one of the most cherished museums in the city.
HUIS MARSEILLE
This stately canal house from 1665 has a little secret of its own. Walk inside and you’ll soon realize you’re in the city’s first photography museum and among some of the most world-renowned photographs in the world. The building’s historical architecture and design are worth the trip alone. Check out their website to see what exhibitions are currently on display.
PROEFLOKAAL A. VAN WEES
If you really want a taste of Dutch culture, go to this genever proeflokaal (tasting room). Genever is the Dutch precursor of gin, and its main ingredient is the juniper berry. Here, you can try 17 different genevers, and when you inevitably need some food with that, order their variety of Dutch cheeses and charcuterie. If you want to stay for dinner, the proeflokaal always offers old school Dutch dishes.
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AMSTERDAM ON A DIME
THE BEGIJNHOF
On Spui, right in the middle of the buzzing city, there’s a door that leads you to an oasis of silence: The Begijnhof. It housed unmarried religious women between the 13th and 20th centuries, and today it’s still a women-only community. We definitely recommend a visit to experience the sacred feel and gorgeous architecture. Oh, and the entrance is free!
BUURTBOERDERIJ ONS GENOEGEN
Go here for the scenery and generous three-course meal for only €9.50, facilitated by the Rainbow Group, an organisation that supports people in social poverty. The farm is located in Westerpark, so after your meal, you can take a leisurely stroll.
CONCERTGEBOUW
Every week—with exception of the months of July and August—a Free Lunchtime Concert takes place in The Royal Concertgebouw located on the edge of Museum Square. The concerts range from public rehearsals by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra to chamber music performances by young up-and-coming artists.
FREE GALLERIES
If you want to see some art but don’t want to pay an entrance fee for the bigger museums, stick to the smaller galleries. Besides the fact that you don’t have to pay to get in, owners are usually very excited to talk to you about the works. You can find loads of smaller galleries around Spiegelgracht, which is close to the Rijksmuseum.
LUNCH IN THE PARK
Depending on the weather, a lunch in the park is a good way to save some money. You can go to Albert Heijn, the famous dutch supermarket, to buy some lunch. If you come from the galleries, settle down on Museum Square. From there you have a good view on the beautiful Rijksmuseum. The most famous park, Vondelpark, is just around the corner from Museum Square as well. This park is huge, vibrant and filled with lush, green trees.
VINTAGE SHOPPING
Who says shopping has to cost a lot? If you don’t want to spend too much but still feel like going on a little shopping spree, go vintage. You not only pay a fraction of the retail price, but it’s also better for the environment. Here are some options:
IJhallen (every three weeks at NDSM-wharff)
Bij Ons Vintage (has several locations in Amsterdam)
The Zipper (has several locations in Amsterdam)
We Are Vintage (has several locations in Amsterdam)
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AMSTERDAM’S INDULGENCES
TONI LOCO
If you’re looking for a glass of champagne and an elevated slice of pizza, look no further than TONI LOCO, the quick, casual Italian-American pizza spot right in Amsterdam’s buzzing De Pijp neighborhood and just down the street from famous Albert Cuyp Market. Get the exact giant slice you want by choosing your own toppings, and be prepared to lose your train of thought when you take a bite.
G’s A REALLY NICE PLACE
This is a really nice place for brunch after sleeping in one of Max Brown’s famous beds. G’s a Really Nice Place offers a range of lavish American dishes. If you want to feel like you’re in the South, go for the Dirty South—cheddar waffles with fried chicken, bacon, sour cream and topped off with hot sauce. And being the ultimate brunch spot, G’s has a separate Bloody Mary menu. While you’re at it, go for the Bloody Ridiculous, where “ridiculous” refers the toppings, which includes bacon, fried chicken, celery and much, much more.
THE BUTCHER
Feel like having the best burger in town? (Who doesn’t?) The Butcher is where to go. You can choose from one of four locations in Amsterdam. Each location, just like the food, has an easy-going vibe, and any dish you order is great. We strongly recommend the truffle burger accompanied by some sweet potato fries. If you have room for a milkshake, don’t hesitate to order a spiked one.
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CONSCIOUS AMSTERDAM
CHARLIE + MARIE
If you want to shop some sustainable fashion and lifestyle products, make sure to stop by Charlie + Mary in De Pijp on Gerard Doustraat. The employees of this finely curated store are always up for a little chat.
VEGAN JUNK FOOD BAR
If you’re in need of a hangover cure but want to avoid meat and cheese, a visit to Vegan Junk Food Bar is essential. This playful vegan chain has several locations in the city, and even better: they do home deliveries. Luxury!
MR. & MRS. WATSON
This cute restaurant is fully vegan, and their specialty is a cheese platter. Yes, they have an award-winning vegan cheese platter, because they understand that giving up cheese is a hard thing to do. Even if you’re not vegan, this restaurant in Amsterdam East is definitely worth a visit.
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FANCY AMSTERDAM
ENTREPOT
If you want a locally-sourced, mesmerizing dinner experience, go to this restaurant located on a small dock and in a former warehouse space. For once, veggies are the stars of the show and meat takes a backseat. We recommend that you to go all out—order as much as you possibly can and get the wine pairing. It’s worth every penny.
THE DUCHESS
A former bank, now a magnificent restaurant. If you have something to celebrate or simply feel like having a fancy dinner, we highly recommend The Duchess. When you go, don’t miss the Spaghetti with Beluga Caviar. Fancy galore.
IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar
The words “Asian fusion” don’t do IZAKAYA justice. If you can get a reservation, the concept of this sleek Amsterdam hotspot is Japanese with a South American twist (think padron peppers with yuzu miso), and their cocktail menu will change the way you think of sake.
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