My Ideal 48 hours in Amsterdam, arrive early, drop your bags and head into town!
I do have to warn you, my list contains a lot of sweets, I love to eat! Maybe that’s why I cycle a lot! So my first advise would be to rent one of our “The Dylan X Roetz” Circular bikes. It’s just the easiest and coolest way to discover our historic city, in the most flexible way.
So when you’re hooked up, you are ready to go. I would suggest starting with a coffee. Because it’s still early, a great place would be de Koffieschenkerij. It’s in the middle of The Red Light District, they have a unique front courtyard where you can get those first caffeine in. They serve Stooker coffee just like we do, so don’t worry about the quality of the coffee. In the afternoon the Red Light District could be quite crowded, with tourist, not a favourite place for locals.
From there you can take the bike to your next stop, MENDO, this is THE place to expand your coffee table book collection. These guys have their own style of unique books and their newly opened shop gives you the possibility to grab a couch and get some inspiration.
Follow the Amstel river and make your way to Bakhuys, this bakery has it all, a lot to taste and some good coffee options. If I may recommend one thing, it’s the “Muslibol”. I live on these buns, preferably with cheese. I don’t know how many I’ve had, but yes…. This is an addiction. But don’t worry, their homemade Pain au Chocolat, almond croissants, “gevulde koek” and their Pizza’s are all great! It’s quite big and in the middle is their huge oven. They have a lot of seats but don’t expect great service, you have to get everything yourself.
If you want to do some shopping, you are close by the “Utrechtsestraat”, a great shopping street. Mobilia for interior design, Concerto for your music collection, Patisserie Kuyt for their “Appelschnitt” (sort of apple pie), Aesop and one of my favourite restaurants: Zoldering. It’s a great place, easy going with a superb wine selection. Job, one of the owners, is one of my favourite Sommeliers, he never disappoints with his wine suggestions.
From there, it’s easy to head back to the hotel, on your way you have two options for some Photography inspiration. FOAM Museum is my go-to spot. This museum has a great selection and is located at the same canal as the hotel. The same for another recommendation Huis van Marseille. As a photographer I always enjoy looking at original prints, the depth in images you see in real life is so different when you see it on screen. Do you feel like buying photography, I would suggest Kahmann Gallery, they have a great selection. Clean photography, including one of my favourite photographers Stephan Vanfleteren, but have a look at Bastiaan Woudt, Pieter Henket and Linelle Deunk as well. Another suggestion would be Ravenstijn with local Robin de Puy, love her portraits.
So for dinner, if you haven’t already booked Zoldering…. I would suggest to try eat at Kit’s new place. After cooking at a secret spot in our hotel (Kit @ 384) he now started a project of his own UNDERCOVER. His unique Japanese authentic Omakase, offers a unique experience in Amsterdam.
Love German wines? Go to Scheepskameel, a unique spot in Amsterdam with beautiful views over the city. Owner Bob Kaasenbrood worked in restaurant Vinkeles and created a crowded hotspot, with great food and an unique wine selection. They only serve German wines of great quality. Don’t forget to order an extra portion of the Madeleines with Sabayon.
French Bistro? Café Caron, or their smaller option De gouden Reaal, great staff, great food, great night!
If you, by any chance, are as sportive as I am and you still want to go out and burn those calories on your weekender, may I suggest to grab a road bike. Next to The Dylan we have Rapha Clubhouse. If you’re a member, you are able to rent a bike and get those miles in. Not a member? Our local cycling crew at Maats can hook you up. A ride to the beach (Bloemendaal aan Zee) and back, including our famous “mountain” Het Kopje van Bloemendaal, takes about 75 km. Or you could head into the countryside and take the famous local “Ronde Hoep”. Check Strava Amsterdam for more routes.
Are you more of a runner, here are some local routes to do before breakfast. I do recommend the Vondelpark, it’s close by and you won’t be alone. It’s a great place where locals meet for recreation and sports. In summertime it will be too busy but then you could visit one of the other parks as well, like Westerpark or the smaller Sarphati Park in de Pijp Neighbourhood, ideal for hanging out.
Another great place for a stroll is Hortus Botanicus, a unique place with beautiful plants, close to the City Zoo Artis. In this neighbourhood, you can find some interesting and impressive museums about the Dutch resistance.
Wintertime or summertime, it doesn’t matter…. You have to go to Massimo Gelato: the best ice cream Amsterdam has to offer. He has 3 shops now, West (which is closest to the hotel), de Pijp and Oost. If I may suggest…. Pistachio…. And Hazelnut and chocolate… you won’t be disappointed
Some other all-time favourites:
Coffee:
Rumbaba close to the hotel, take their toasted banana bread!!
TOKI Amsterdam
Scandinavian Embassy grab a cinnamon bun!
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Sweets:
Lanskroon for their syrup waffles
Patisserie Holtkamp Anything
Winkel 43 for their Apple Pie, touristy, but hey… it’s good
Unique Bakeries:
Broodbakkerij Ex
Le Vain et Le Vin
Selma’s Bakery
Ulmus Bakkerij
Shopping:
Mick Keus local that makes custom jeans from old Levi 501’s
Restaurants:
Restaurant Kien our former colleagues Joost (bartender) and Bart (sommelier Vinkeles) created their own space!
Parlotte great for wine
Vergulde eenhoorn a small piece of countryside in the middle of the city
Coulisse
Pizza:
Euro pizza
nNea pizza
Pizza Perla
I think for 48 hours….this should cover it! But if you are still in some need of recommendations, like upscale fine dining, or photography spots… Let me know, I’d love to share my Amsterdam with you!
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