Restaurants / Hotels

5and33

5and33 is a bar, hotel and restaurant as well as a library, lounge and art gallery. You will be surrounded by design furniture and delicious food and drinks… They have managed to make it look modern, stylish and contemporary but cozy at the same time thanks to burning fireplaces and clever lighting. They named the venue after the door numbers on either side of the corner where Martelaarsgracht and Prins Hendrikkade meet… The restaurant offers sharing dishes which I always like because you can pick more than one thing!! We had a big selection of things and it was all very good so I suggest you be creative and get as much as you can afford ;-). I would definitely go here on my own to do some writing on our blog from their lounge or library,  go for here for a cocktail with a friend or go here for an afternoon tea with my mum. Lots of options so I like it! Last but not least it is  near the central station so a convenient place to meet for people who need to catch a train home! Martelaarsgracht 5, Amsterdam | Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks, from 6.30 am to 1.00 am weekdays & 6.30 am to 2.00 am weekends |+31 20 820 5333 | €€€ | Website

Ambassade Hotel

Love this hotel in Amsterdam where I have been coming for a few years now. Was recommended this once by a colleague who always stays here as well. The second time I came I was warmly received by their staff, welcoming me back in their hotel. The fourth or fifth time I came they were fully booked but upgraded me so they could offer me a room anyway. The hotel is located on the Herengracht in the heart of Amsterdam, near the Spui and in the middle of the 9-streets. The hotel has a very cozy, stylish and personal character and not a single room they have looks the same. I stayed in I think 5 different rooms here and all were very comfortable with an enormous bathroom. What I also really like is the fact you can rent a bike €15,- a day (and you really do need a bike in Amsterdam). Ps: I only stay here when I am in Amsterdam for business for which it is perfect. Herengracht 341, Amsterdam|+3120555 0222 | Rooms are €185 to €475 per night (the rates for their different room types vary according to season) |Website

Balthazar’s Keuken

I absolutely adore this place in Amsterdam… Discovered it two weeks ago with two British colleagues who loved it just as much as I did (actually; one loved it so much that he went back the next day). Balthazar’s Keuken is perfectly located in the Jordaan in the heart of Amsterdam and exactly like I love it; small, cozy, packed, open kitchen, tiny tables, super friendly service and gorgeous food. You feel like you’re having dinner in someone’s living room (in a good way). They do not have a menu. You can choose to have either fish or meat and the starter is a sharing platter of appetisers that is mouth-watering and creatively put together… The dessert they served was the most incredible thing; sorbet ice cream with Tequila. Sounds pretty odd, I know, but seriously, what do I say? Just check it out please, it’s perfect. Elandsgracht 108, Jordaan, Amsterdam |+31204202114 | Open; Wednesdays to Saturdays | Nearest Tram; probably Marnixstraat but just rent a bike (much easier) | €€€ | Website | Map

Bar Italia

I find the interior of this place really cool.  The place looks just fabulous. The Restaurant is located near the Dam square on a quite side street where not too many tourists wander. The restaurant has two floors and built in a dramatic and cozy fashion. Antipasti, pizza, pasta and other typical Italian dishes are served from the open kitchen. You can enter the restaurant through their main entrance on the Nes or through the bar entrance on the street parallel to Nes (Rokin). Do note that this bar is really smoky (all smokers join here.. so you may want to consider that before going). The restaurant however is smoke free. Nes 96 / Rokin 81-83 | +31206202442 | €€€ | Tram: Spui | Website

Bar Moustache

Had a fabulous dinner in this restaurant a few weeks ago. My friends were talking about it a lot and I know that it may be nothing new for the Amsterdam followers amongst you, but still.. It is such a nice restaurant for lunch, dinner or drinks that I have to mention it. Bar Moustache consist of two floors and has an open plan. The interior is very stylish and smart, the crowd trendy and the staff friendly. The dishes are great for sharing but if you rather not share you can have your own dish too. Location is very central and on the Utrechtsestraat so the restaurant is ideal for a lunch while shopping! Utrechtsestraat 141 |+31 20 428 1074 |Tram 4/9: Prinsengracht / Utrechtsestraat | €€€ |Map

Bar Mick

A home away from home. This bar works for every occasion. Whether you’re alone and in need of a coffee and a magazine, feel for homemade cakes and tea with friends, looking for a really tasty lunch or dinner, after work or after dinner drinks, Bar Mick has got you covered. The owners of the place Marijke & Dick are good friends of mine and have done a brilliant job in getting the feel, food, atmosphere and interior just right. A happy place. I went to check it out on Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago and ended up staying for hours trying lots of different dishes, whoops! My tips: Loved the Big Mick hamburger and recommend getting the ‘Brandt&Levi’ sausage sandwich for lunch. If you’re visiting from abroad ask for the ‘Borrelkaart’ and order different things from the typical dutch bar snacks. So good!!!Spaarndammerstraat 53, Amsterdam | Tram: Haarlemmerplein | Tel: +31(0)20 3702273 | Website | €€

Cafe Brecht | Amsterdam

A few weeks ago I enjoyed an amazing elderflower / prosecco cocktail here and I found the place so inspiring and different that I had to share it with you on Our Little Black Book. Cafe Brecht is a small, Berlin style living-room-cafe in Amsterdam. To sketch the atmosphere you have to think flaked 60’s wallpaper, old vintage armchairs, lampshades that you will find at your granny’s and board games piled up to challenge your date. Bertold Brecht was a German writer, poet and playwright and the owners of this little cafe were so inspired by him and the German literaire culture that they named the place after him.  To celebrate German culture they regularly host events like film, poetry, a play or a reading at the cafe and you can find the agenda on their website. They do not take reservations but are open for Italian coffee and sandwiches, German beers, cocktails, snacks and cake from noon to 1am. A perfect place for a cocktail and deep late-night conversations if you ask me… Weteringsschans 179, Amsterdam | +31206272211 | Tram: 4 / 7 / 16 / 24 / 25 (stop: Weteringcircuit) | €€ | Website

Cafe Lennep | Amsterdam

Great place in a great city and exactly the kind of place I love. Cafe Lennep is a brown cafe with an industrial twist and reminded me a lot of New York; Brick walls, industrial lamps, wooden tables, high stools and candles. It is quiet spacious and they also have tables outside so also a good option if the weather is nice. To start the evening we had a draugt beer (I choose B.Z.B… really good) and a sharing platter. Best sharing platter I had in long time. We were sitting at the bar next to the chicken grill so I obviously had to pick Poussin as my main dish… Didn’t regret that either. The Poussin was juicy and tender and so was my friends Rib-eye. On top of all this I found the staff super nice and friendly. For the not-live-in-Amsterdam readers of our blog the restaurant is located in Oud West which has a lot of nice pubs and restaurants. Jacob van Lennepkade 334, Amsterdam | Tel: +31 20 233 5201 | Tram 1 (Jan Pieter Heijestraat/Kinkerstraat, 7, 17 (Jan Pieter Heijestraat/Overtoom) | Website

Cafe Schiller

When I still lived in Amsterdam I worked here for a short time. The location is perhaps a little touristic but it’s very central and the bar is fantastic. Cafe Schiller still has it’s original decor from late 19e century; Art Deco. A lot of writers, poets, comedians and actors come here to talk about art, music and politics and to have a beer after they gave or visited a show at ‘De Kleine Komedie’ which is a small theatre just around the corner. On top of all this they have a fabulous cook. Daily they have 5 ’cafe-dishes’ on the menu which includes original Dutch dishes. They also offer some great fine tasting choices so there is something for everyone. The owner Florien stretches that she is more a bar then a restaurant so you can’t have dinner at the few tables they have on the square outside. You can have your snacks and digestives here though. Caro Emerald worked here with me and made her a star  Rembrandtplein 24-a, 1017 CV Amsterdam | +31206249846 |Tram: Rembrandtplein (4, 9 , 14) | €€€ |Website

La Cacerola

This is the perfect place for romantic and intimate dinners in the heart of Amsterdam. It opened as a Spanish restaurant more than 50 years ago, and even though there have been many different owners since then and it’s now serving Brazillian barbecue inspired dishes, you can still feel that authentic atmosphere which makes the restaurant so special. It’s a very relaxed, almost homely place, and the food is amazing. I would especially recommend the picanha btw, it was delicious. The chef is super dedicated bbq-ing away upstairs and he tends to come down after dinner to have a drink with the guests. It’s that type of a place. Weteringstraat 41, Amsterdam | Halte: Leidscheplein | 020 627 93 97 | €€€ | Website

Restaurant Chow NOW UNFORTUNATELY CLOSED DOWN!

This week I am working from Amsterdam for a week, so it is time to do some updates on our home town! Finally! Chow is located over two floors in an alley on the Rozengracht. It is winter now so too cold to try but in the summer you’ll be able to sit at the tables they have outside on the street-side. The place is owned by Casper Reinders who is also the owner of Lion Noir (see other post) and I directly recognised his style which I think is very cool. The interior is a combination of chic, trendy and rustic; Wooden tables on black and white tiled floor with some contemporary and industrial details. There is a funky snake skeleton in the middle of the dining room downstairs. Chow has a Pan Asian Kitchen; Asian with western influences. I adore Asian food and loved my duck salad that I had as a starter… The Dim Sum and spring rolls were also to die for. Overall; I loved it. It is a great place to go with a group or with your date. I was with a group of 7 but we were surrounded by lovebirds who seemed to have a good time too. Rozengracht 106, Amsterdam | Tram: Marnixstraat / Rozengracht (1, 2, 13, 14, 17) | +31206245752 |  €€€ | Website | Map

Conservatorium Hotel

Just before Christmas I was able to stay in this awesome hotel in Amsterdam on the Museumsquare. This luxurious hotel is one of the trendiest in Amsterdam and opened in 2011 so still fairly new. The location is awesome. I would always recommend tourists to stay either somewhere on the canals or on the Museumsquare. The hotel is very close to the recently reopened Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum as well as the Royal Concertgebouw. The hotel is set in a neo gothic very big building that was originally designed by the Dutch architect Daniel Knuttel and has 129 rooms, various restaurants and bars and is styled very tastefully in a contemporary modern fashion by the famous designer Piero Lissoni. The hotel also has a spa with a delicious pool, sauna and more… Conclusion; should you want to stay in your hotel all day and night when you are visiting Amsterdam, you can. You can eat, drink, shop, relax and exercise within its walls. Obviously, you need to go out and see Amsterdam so go for a swim in the morning, have breakfast, go and explore Amsterdam, come back to the hotel for a high tea and a massage in the afternoon (after a long day walking through our beautiful city)! Van Baerlestraat 27, Amsterdam | +31 20 570 0000 | Tram; Van Baerlestraat (2, 3, 5, 12) | €€€€ | Website

Citroën | Amsterdam

A really cool restaurant in an empty Citroën parking garage. The space is huge and you’d think it would be pretty hard to make something like this feel warm and cosy but they (one of the guys behind the restaurant Hotel Goudfazant) did a really really good job. You enter the restaurant in the same way all cars used to enter, no big signage. When you arrive on the deserted second floor you kind of know this is where you’re supposed to be as you can smell the food and hear something’s going on. The flamingo pink furniture, lighting and the lovely food menu all work together perfectly. Something to note: If you’re planning to come with a group they might put you at the big round table. We ended up swapping this table as it felt a little bit separated from the rest of the restaurant and it’s harder to communicate with each other. Other than that, I was very excited about this place and will be back to check out their roof terrace, and the art fair that’s planned on the first floor for the end of May. Stadionplein | Tram: Stadionplein | No website | Tel: +31203626454 | €€€

C.T. Coffee & Coconuts

Now that I’m spending some time in Amsterdam as part of my maternity leave I finally have time to check out what’s new and fun in one of my favourite cities. CT’s is situated in an old twenties style cinema building so think extreme high ceilings, various floors and open plan everything.. A unique space. They did a really good job in making it feel relaxed with a natural look while still keeping it buzzing. Love the black & white photographs on the walls. Probably one of the reasons why it feels good is because it’s almost always busy – be prepared to wait in line for a table on the weekends. On the menu are fresh juices, smoothies, herbal teas, granola, coconut pancakes ( made from almond flour), different salads, a selection of bites and they do dinner too, all very delicious. Ceintuurbaan 282 | Tel: +31203541104 | Website | €€

Cotignac | Amsterdam

My dear friend Ymkje took me to this cute French Bistro in the Rivierenbuurt last week and we had a fabulous dinner. The restaurant may be calling themselves a French Bistro.. which it is (serving delicious Rillete de Canard and other delicious French dishes) but their style is also very Amsterdam… The restaurant is called after a French village I come A LOT because it is the village where they serve the best escargots in the world in the restaurant La Table de la Fontaine…(see post) Anyway, Cotignac in Amsterdam is laid-back, fun, cozy, has a nice terrace, some industrial details and really good French food (breakfast, lunch and dinner). I had a delicious spring chicken and Ym a very tender Bavette…One little comment to make is that I would not recommend tourists to go to this part of Amsterdam if you only go for a few days to Amsterdam. Closed on Sundays and Mondays (from June 30 ’14 until end of summer they are only open on Thurs, Fri and Sat)| Trompenburgstraat 111, Amsterdam | Tram; 12 Victorieplein | +31 20 786 0369| €€ | Facebook page

Door 74

Believe it or not but I lived across this door for two years and didn’t know of this place (Our Little Black Book didn’t exist yet so I was maybe less focussed or door 74 didn’t exist yet when I was living there…I think and hope the latter) Stylish, beautiful prepared cocktails is what you get here. The cocktail bar is hidden behind door no. 74 on the Reguliersdwarsstraat in the heart of Amsterdam. Their business card shows nothing but a mobile telephone number which indicates their desire to stay exclusive. I love the brown cafe’s and cozy restaurants in Amsterdam but it’s nice to have a swanky place added to the list. Tip: Call in advance if you are planning to go. Reguliersdwarsstraat 74 | +31(0)634045122 | Tram: Rembrandtplein or Koningsplein or Muntplein | €€€

G&T’s

I adore this little lunch spot in Amsterdam. I had some friends mentioning it to me on several occasions so I booked a table on a Saturday with 4 friends. G & T’s is located in the Jordaan (walking distance from the Noordermarkt) The place is small, buzzing, cute with big wooden tables, cushions, blue varied porcelain and flowers on the table. It looks homely and everyone inside seems to be having a good time. I love the quote they have on their website:
G’S IS A PLACE.
IT’S AN ECLECTIC HOT MESS OF LOVE, LUST, HUNGER & THIRST.
ITS SIMPLE; WE SERVE FOOD, DRINKS, EXPERIENCES.
WHERE YOU TAKE IT FROM THERE, WE LEAVE UP TO YOU
You should check the website for when they are open because this is not every day. On Saturday & Sunday they serve brunch from 10.30 to 16.00 on Thursday & Friday night they transform into a bar and turn up the music and they are also available for private hire… Goudsbloemstraat 91, Amsterdam | Tram: 3 Nieuwe Willemsstraat |€€ | Website |Map

Juuls

Because my brother couldn’t stop talking about a dish he had here a few months earlier, we decided to go here again when I visited Amsterdam. The restaurant is located on the Albert Cuypstraat in de Pijp and they have a few tables outside where it is great people watching. Again, we had an insanely delicious dinner and because it was Monday night they had tasting day… On tasting day they don’t have an a la carte menu but make you choose between a 3, 4 or 5 course tasting menu. (5 courses for 55 euros if I remember right). They ask you to give feedback on all courses and decide as a result of the feedback if dishes will be integrated in their a la carte menu. We simply didn’t have anything negative to say about any of the dishes…. Really great place! Albert Cuypstraat 19, Amsterdam | +31204710711 | Tram: Ruysdaelstraat | €€€ | Website

De Koevoet

An amazing little place in the heart of the Jordaan in Amsterdam. It basically looks totally old fashioned and Dutch, but it serves excellent Italian food. Especially the Burata mozzarella as a starter (quite big and not cheap, better to share between 2-4) and the tiramisu for desert are not to miss, very fresh and tasteful. Great service too. Lindenstraat 17, Jordaan | +3120 624 08 46 | €€€

Lion Noir

This place is located in the street where I used to live! The reguliersdwarsstraat consists of a lot of bars and restaurants (most of them specifically for gay people but some not). I went here for a drink and was blown away by the tasteful, trendy interior. In the back, outside, they have an amazingly beautiful and spacious garden for that part of Amsterdam. You would not guess if you walk through that street. Upstairs they have a very trendy and tastefully decorated restaurant where you can have really good dinner. It is spacious but romantic and perfect for small groups or dinner-a-deux. I am very excited about this place, however, some people may find it a little pretentious… I don’t agree… Reguliersdwarsstraat 28, Amsterdam | +3120 6276603 | Tram: Koningsplein or Muntplein | Website | €€€

Cafe Loetje

If you’re looking for something laid-back and local (and you love meat), head to Cafe Loetje. The restaurant is usually busy so you might have to wait for a table at the bar first. Make sure to go for the steak as they are famous for serving the best one in town. The interior resembles a brown pub-style look. Nothing fancy. It’s close to the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum. Johannes Vermeerstraat 52 | Amsterdam | +31206628173 | Tram: Ruysdaelstraat | €€

Mata Hari

I ended up in this restaurant with my brother because we were close to this part of Amsterdam (where I actually never really come) and some friends had told me about this place. Well, we did not regret going here.  Mata Hari is a restaurant, bar and living in the Red-Light District in Amsterdam. Imagine the Red-Light district in Amsterdam on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal swamped with tourists, you first want to get through that bit before you get to Mata Hari which is located in a traffic-free  bit.  That said, if you take out the ‘windows’ and tourists it’s a beautiful part of town with amazing architecture and cute little streets. We sat on the terrace and I was pleasantly surprised by the food they serve. We both had a wonderful original and fresh salad to start, the day fish as a main and a cheese platter to finish. All was exceptionally good.  The look inside the restaurant is a mixture of retro vintage and modern. There are comfortable armchairs, cozy lighting and the place consists of two floors. When we were there someone was playing the piano which is always good! Oudezijds Achterburgwal 22, Amsterdam | You can walk from the Dam, Central Station or Nieuwmarkt |+31202050919 | €€€ | Website | Map

Mazzo

A great brasserie style place to visit anytime of the day. The interior is done by the guys that did Supperclub, Envy, Nevy, etc. so you can expect a definite cool factor. I love the way it looks. The food is Italian where you can opt for panini’s and salads during the day and tasty pasta’s, pizza’s as well as fish and meat dishes at night. Very accessible atmosphere. You’ll find families, couples and business men. Rozengracht 114, Amsterdam | +3120 344 64 02 | Tram: Rozengracht | Website | €€

Mossel en Gin Foodbar

When the weather is good and you are looking for a lively relaxed place with picnic style garden, good food and drinks, Mossel and Gin is the place to go. It’s a little gem hidden on the Westergas area. They serve mussel dishes (mossel pannetjes) in all kinds of different versions including Thai and Chilli (with chorizo) which were both great, and we loved the fries! – there are other food options available if you’re not a fan of mussels. Also the gin & tonic menu is crazy with lots of funky options. We’re a big fan! Goschalklaan 12, Amsterdam | Tel: (0031) | Website | €€

Ocha – Thai food
Really tasty Thai food! A very simple and tiny restaurant run by 2 Thai ladies just off the Nieuwmarkt in the city centre of Amsterdam. It’s small but there is a high turnover of people as you can’t order alcohol and the food comes when ready – so good chances of getting a table. I wouldn’t recommend going here on a first date or for a romantic night out, but it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It reminds of some really good Vietnamese places I used to go to in London! We had the spring rolls, green chicken curry and beef vegetables with oyster sauce between the 2 of us and I can’t wait to go back and taste the rest of the menu soon. Binnen Bantammerstraat 1 | Metro: Nieuwmarkt | €

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ree7, Gastrobar| Amsterdam

A new lunch spot in Amsterdam that I love! Ree7 is around the corner of our new house and in one of my favorite little neighborhoods in Amsterdam; de Jordaan. The Reestraat is one of the nine streets (9 straatjes) which is full of little boutique shops, restaurants and cafe’s. Ree7 is a two floor spot in the middle of this tiny, narrow street. It managed to put some tables on the pavement as well which is great for people watching! They serve great sandwiches and salads (I tried the clubsandwich and would recommend it!) I will soon try their evening menu which should be very good as well. Open every day for breakfast and lunch and from Thurs to Sat also for dinner | +31203307639 | Reestraat 7, Amsterdam | Tram; 13, 14, 17 stop Westermarkt or Tram 1, 2, 5 stop Damsquare | €€ | WebsiteRijks restaurant – Rijksmuseum

If you are looking for a fine dining restaurant with the best food you can get in Amsterdam you should go here for sure. This place just completely blew my mind. A little bit stiff perhaps for my taste but on the other hand the place looks spacious, modern, clean and fresh and the service is attentive and nice. We had the tasting lunch menu which was absolutely fantastic. Fantastic is actually an understatement. It was SO good. SO GOOD… I just wanted to keep each bite in my mouth for as long as possible to completely take in all the amazing flavours. Perhaps I start to sound a little cuckoo now but I would just like to convince you! This is a great tip for anyone going to Amsterdam as a tourist. Go to the Rijksmuseum to absorb some great Old Master Paintings and review what you have seen in this restaurant and the day can no longer go wrong if you ask me. Museumstraat 2, 1077 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands | +31 20 674 7555 | Tram 2, 5, Rijksmuseum | €€€ | Website

Singel 404

5 days in Amsterdam and my first hangover morning was spent in this delicious little place on the Singel. This place may be nothing new, but it is oh so good. The thing is, when I still lived in Amsterdam I always went for brunch here after a night out. They make the best club sandwich (single club) and the best smoothies… When the sun is shining, they have some tables on the pavement next to the canal where it is great people watching. The location; near Koningsplein and Het Spui and in the middle of ‘de negen straatjes’, is very convenient if you don’t have a bike to move around with. Although, I highly recommend you to rent a bike when in Amsterdam…(MUCH more fun) Singel 404, Amsterdam | Tram: Spui | +31204280154 | Openings times: 10.30-18.00 | €€

Terpentijn

One of my favourites go-to’s in Amsterdam at the moment. I’m pretty sure it’s because there is a restaurant part upstairs and a really great bar area downstairs. I always love it when you find a place you can start and end at the bar, and you don’t feel you have to leave anytime soon because everyone has gone home or elsewhere. They also tend to have some some really good tunes downstairs that are perfect for Friday or Saturday nights, lots of ‘hitjes’! I must say I liked the french-asian food, especially the starters, but I wasn’t blown away by the main courses. I’m going back soon to check out their new menu (main courses and cocktails!). Rokin 103 | Tram: Spui/Rokin | Tel: +31(0)20 333 0014 | Website | €€€

Toos & Roos

When you are visiting another city you can sometimes feel totally lost (or grumpy) when you simply want to have a cup of coffee, breakfast or sandwich and can’t find the right place because you keep on walking into the wrong streets where there are just shops…I will share this ‘easy’ place with you that is in the middle of ‘the 9 streets’ (=negen straatjes =shopping feast in Amsterdam) so you won’t miss it! I had a perfect little breakfast here the other day; It was sunny so I had a table outside and I was enjoying my butter croissant and cappuccino while watching people cycle past… Ideal. The couple next to me had started the day earlier than myself and were having lunch. I mention this because the sandwiches they ordered looked freakin’ amazing… Too bad I was just eating a croissant. Anyway..sweet staff and a nice breakfast deal; Fresh Jus d’orange, a coffee (in whatever form you want it), a croissant with butter and jam for €6,95. Toos & Roos is almost next to the Hotel I always stay in (The Ambassade Hotel) so I will definitely go back and check out their sandwiches and salads one day! Herengracht 309 | Tram: Spui | €€ | Website

Venus & Adonis | Amsterdam

This restaurant has been here for little over a year now and I only just went for the first time because a little bird told me the steaks were superb. The location of this restaurant is perfect; right on the Prinsengracht with a few tables outside on the pavement (with heating lamps!!) so it’s great people watching. The restaurant is set over two floors and has quite a simple steakhouse interior with wooden tables and chairs. Didn’t find it super stylish and original but couldn’t really find anything to complain about either. It just looks nice I guess and is perfectly cozy because of candles and stuff. I had an amazing lobster soup and Surf & Turf with a great bottle of red wine and the staff was super attentive and nice. Prinsengracht 274 | Tram 13, 14 17 (Westermarkt) of 7, 10 (Elandsgracht) |€€€ | +4420 421 1848 | Website

Waldorf Astoria

The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam hotel consists of six 17th century canal houses right in the heart of Amsterdam. The hotel is very chic, very big and very grand. Think marble floors, high ceilings, monumental stair cases and superrrr attentive staff. I have to be honest in saying that the interior style in the rooms is not particularly my style but it is definitely very comfortable ;-). They also have a luxury spa with access to the indoor swimming pool, sauna, fitness centre and three treatment rooms for relaxing and massages. Great hotel if you are staying in Amsterdam for business and you want something central, very comfortable and with superb food.. Their restaurant Librije’s Zusje has the former chef of 3 Michelin star restaurant de Librije as their master chef so the food there is absolutely amazing. I also loved their vault bar which you entry through an enormous original steel door (this part of the hotel was originally a bank and the old 19th century vaults are still visible behind the bar) It is very much a gentlemen’s bar (for girls too…) in terms of atmosphere; Dark and chic.  Herengracht 542-556, Amsterdam | Tel: +31207184600 | Tram: 4 (Keizersgracht/Utrechtsestraat) 9, 14 (Rembrandtplein) | €€€€ | Website

Restaurant Willems | Amsterdam

This is a great restaurant in Amsterdam Zuid that you should really try when in this neighbourhood (Museumquarter). I had a tasting menu a while back and it was absolutely delicious. This is a restaurant for fine dining so you can expect creative menus, super attentive staff and a charming, elegant interior. They also have tables outside for when the weather allows this. They are open every day for lunch and dinner (Mondays only dinner and Sundays only from 3pm onwards) Willemsparkweg 177 | +310207521973 | €€€ | Tram: 2 / Cornelis Schuytstraat | Website

 

Woo Bros

A new recommendation for Amsterdam foodies who love Asian food. At Woo Bros you’ll find a mix of Vietnamese, Cantonese, Thai, Japanese and Indonesian flavors. Think Peking Duck, Lobster, Sashimi, Sushi, Gado Gado and lots lots more, all served on small plates so can share and taste all of them (I wish!). Our favourite dish was the Soft Shell Crab Roll, so good.. The staff is really sweet and happy to explain the menu and suggest different options. I thought the the crowd was quite mixed although the interior felt pretty stylish and hip which made it feel cool, but relaxed at the same time. Definitely a great place to catch up with friends and enjoy super delicious food. Jodenbreestraat 144 | Metro: Waterlooplein | Tel: +31204280488 | reservations@restaurantwoobros.nl | Website | €€