• Museum Platz- Amsterdam is home to many museums almost all located in the famous Museum Platz. Rjikes Museum is the center and just out front is the famous “IAMSTERDAM” sign. Van Goh Museum, discount tickets sold with NewEurope tour and a cocktail hour on Friday nights with museum ticket.

• Anne Frank House- A very moving experience, the Anne Frank House is a much smaller museum but incredibly worth it.

• The Red Light District- Due to a new project by the government, the red light district is shrinking but it is still a sight to see.

• Dam Square- the absolute center of Amsterdam, home of the New Church, National War Monument, and Royal Palace.

• Oudezijde (The Old Port)- It is now a daily market and an amazing restaurant.

• Bagijnhof- St. Ursula’s home for women. Communities were built inside of the squares of wealthy homes as an out-reach project by the upper class. This specific location is one of the only communities that still follows its original tradition for housing only unmarried women.

• NewEurope Free Walking Tour- our favorite free walking tour where you pay what you thought your experience was worth (so nothing if you hate it) but this is the best of them all. A great way to see all of the highlights and get a locals advice on where to eat, drink, and partake in the Amsterdammer traditions.

• NewEurope Red Light District- a unique, night time tour that gives you the history of the Red Light District.

• NewEurope Coffee Shop Tour- if you are more interested in the coffee shop aspect of Amsterdam, this is the tour for you. You are taken around to different coffee shops and museums. There is no smoking on this tour.

• NewEurope Bike Tour- A great way to see the city as a local while also getting the history.

• Boat Tour- discount tickets can be purchased with NewEurope if you take the walking tour. Amsterdam is a canal city and boat tours give you a ducks-eye view.

The city is littered with coffee shops and all are usually really good. We have found the three best spots for what you pay for. 

Grey Area- a classic coffee shop if you are looking to learn a little more about the product you are getting and find one that is right for you. It is not a sit down place but the staff is incredibly cool and helpful

Dampkring- Famous for its appearance in Ocean’s 12, they offer the experience of sitting in a coffee shop and edibles.

Barney’s Coffee Shop- A chill coffee shop but has a long line, don’t be intimidated!

JUST REMEMBER: 

Follow the three main rules of Amsterdam

1.    Is it hurting anyone? 

2.    Are you being discrete? 

3.    Are you good for Amsterdam business?

• Greenwoods- melt in your mouth delicious traditional Dutch meatball served on homemade soda bread.

• La Place- More of a market/cafeteria but has a boatload of food. Fish, chicken, salads, cous cous, and the delicious apple dessert.

• Brouwerij’t IJ- A windmill brewery serves only their own craft beers brewed in-house for a pretty cheap price. A must see.

• Febo - this is a Dutch fast food restaurant, the best drunk food! It originally started as a bakery but turned into a fast food out of vending machines! It’s so good. HOT TIP: grab from the bottom, they are they most fresh, and the food only stays on the heated shelf for an hour so don’t freak out about that.

• Volendammer Vishandel- Guys, I don’t do herring, but this is the best place in a very cool neighborhood. If you’re brave and want to try it this is the place to go.

• Bazar - Traditional Turkish food. The building used to be a church! This restaurant is hidden behind the Alber Cuup Market and one of the few restaurants that can hold large groups. This place is a must!! The green lentil soup is heartwarming.

• Stroopeafels, the traditional location of these thin, sweet waffles, SO GOOD!

• Vleminckx- The best fries in Amsterdam. The line is always long but it moves really fast so just wait, its worth it. The bar across the street lets you eat your fries in there if you buy a drink so send one person over to get you a beer while the other gets fries!

• Bar Do - a cute little bar with great outdoor seating, blankets and heaters for when its cold, good place to get a glass of wine and appetizer!

• Pizza Nnea - Napoli style pizza

• Street Food- there are hundreds of kiosks around the city where you can grab a hot dog or herring, if you are feeling adventurous. 

  • Hollandse Gebakkraam- 3 months out of the year they sell traditional New Year’s pastries and the rest of the year they sell seafood but this little food truck is great!

• The Albert Cuup Market - this market is open 6 days a week and has so many different types of food from the delicious

  • Poffertjes, which is little fluffy delicious pancakes

  • Stroopeafels, the traditional location of these thin, sweet waffles, SO GOOD!

• Hidden Markets

  • Toko Ramee - an indonesian market that started in 1961, you order at the counter in the back of the market and the food is incredible, if you want to grab a unique quick bite while on your walk. Get the Indonesian pasty, its like an empanada.

  • Tjin’s - A world market, sells foods from all over the world but has a little deli up front and is so great!

• The Local Recs- these are the restaurants I didn’t have time to get to but were the top recommended from locals!

  • Sonny- the best felafel

  • Vegan Junk Food - very instagrammable

  • Le Tulip - great for drinks, in the Mari Heineken Square

  • Bar Do - great place for apps and a quick drink

  • Ramen Kingdom - best ramen

  • Nnea - Napoli style pizza

  • Blauw - fine dining Indonesian

  • Sam Purna - casual Indonesian

  • Flying Dutchman - cocktail bar

  • In de Wildeman - craft beer bar!

  • Fu Lu - the best Chinese

  • Sel Mu Era - South American street food

Amsterdammers 

Learn from us, don't eat the entire brownie at once.