Where to actually go in Amsterdam

Foodhallen

Market · Oud-West

An indoor food hall in an old tram depot: stalls for every taste and long shared tables.

Best for: a group dinner where everyone picks

Price: $ — roughly $6–17 a dish

Best time: dinner

Vleminckx de Sausmeester

Restaurant · Centrum

A hole-in-the-wall frites stand with a long list of sauces, serving for over 60 years.

Best for: a cheap snack, late fries

Best time: any time

Skek

Cafe · Centrum

A student-run café-bar with a student-ID discount and regular events.

Best for: a cheap student hangout

Best time: lunch or evening

Moeders

Restaurant · Jordaan

A restaurant covered in photos of mothers, serving Dutch comfort food like stamppot.

Best for: trying Dutch food

Booking: Reserve ahead.

Best time: dinner

FEBO

Restaurant · all over the city

Coin-operated wall of hot snacks: croquettes and frikandel, an Amsterdam night-out ritual.

Best for: a cheap late snack

Best time: late night

Winkel 43

Cafe · Jordaan (Noordermarkt)

Famous for its apple pie with whipped cream.

Best for: apple pie

Best time: morning or afternoon

Anne Frank House

Museum · Jordaan / Prinsengracht

The secret annex where Anne Frank hid. Quiet, small and moving.

Best for: the most important visit in the city

Price: $ — roughly $19

Booking: Online only, never at the door. Tickets release Tuesdays for six weeks ahead and go fast.

Best time: any booked slot

Rijksmuseum

Museum · Museumplein

The Dutch national museum: Rembrandt's Night Watch, Vermeer and the Golden Age.

Best for: Rembrandt and Vermeer

Price: $$ — roughly $29–31

Booking: Book a timed ticket a few days ahead.

Best time: morning

Van Gogh Museum

Museum · Museumplein

The largest Van Gogh collection anywhere, told as the story of his life.

Best for: Van Gogh fans

Price: $$ — roughly $29–31

Booking: Online only; dates sell out.

Best time: late afternoon

Vondelpark

Garden · Oud-Zuid

The city's big park, full of cyclists, picnics and people lying in the grass.

Best for: a free slow afternoon, a picnic

Best time: afternoon

De Pijp and the Albert Cuyp Market

Area · De Pijp

The Albert Cuyp street market by day (try a fresh stroopwafel), terrace bars by Sarphatipark by night.

Best for: a market morning, cheap food

Best time: late morning

NDSM wharf

Area · Amsterdam-Noord

An old shipyard turned art and food area, reached by free ferry from Centraal.

Best for: street art and a ferry ride

Best time: afternoon

A'DAM Lookout

Viewpoint · Amsterdam-Noord

An observation deck across the IJ with a swing over the edge.

Best for: the city view

Best time: sunset

Jordaan brown cafés

Pub · Jordaan

Old wood-panelled 'brown' pubs on the canals: a beer, a bitterbal and a local crowd.

Best for: a classic Dutch drink, a cosy night

Best time: evening

Leidseplein

Area · Leidseplein

The busiest going-out square: bars, music venues (Paradiso and Melkweg are next door) and clubs.

Best for: a big night out with live music options

Best time: from about 10 PM

Shelter

Club · Amsterdam-Noord (under A'DAM Tower)

A techno and house club in the basement of the A'DAM Tower, reached by the free ferry.

Best for: a serious techno night

Best time: after midnight

Heads up: Strict door; presale tickets are cheaper.

Paradiso

Live music · Leidseplein

A legendary concert hall in a former church.

Best for: a gig or a club night

Best time: evening concerts, club nights late

Melkweg

Live music · Leidseplein

A multi-room venue in an old dairy: concerts, then weekly club nights.

Best for: gigs and student club nights

Best time: evening

Café Hoppe

Pub · Spui

A brown café pouring since 1670; the crowd spills onto the square.

Best for: a classic Amsterdam beer

Best time: early evening

Café Belgique

Pub · Centrum (behind Dam Square)

A tiny bar with a big list of Belgian beers on tap.

Best for: Belgian beer

Best time: evening

Tales & Spirits

Cocktail bar · Centrum

An award-winning cocktail bar with a vintage feel.

Best for: a top cocktail

Best time: late evening

Brouwerij 't IJ

Pub · Oost (by the De Gooyer windmill)

A brewery taproom next to a windmill, with a big terrace.

Best for: local beer by a windmill

Best time: afternoon