Amsterdam City Guides
Discover the best places to visit, eat, and explore in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Artisanal Cheese & Craft Beer
On a quiet street in the Jordaan, the doorbell at De Kaaskamer rings every time a cheese connoisseur enters. Inside, the smell of aged Gouda lingers. Amsterdam’s cheese heritage runs deep, but it’s the craft beer scene that’s drawing attention across the IJ in Amsterdam Noord. Here, old factories house breweries like Oedipus Brewing, where new flavors are born. Across the city, from brown cafés like Café de Druif to modern bars like Proeflokaal Arendsnest, an intimate world awaits. Behind unassuming facades, the city's true culinary spirit reveals itself , a realm often overlooked by those who never stray from the tourist path.
James Whitmore
Amsterdam Canal Bars & Brown Cafés
Begin your exploration of Amsterdam's authentic drinking spots in the Jordaan neighborhood. On the corner of Egelantiersgracht and Prinsengracht, Café 't Smalle offers a charming introduction to the city's famous brown cafés. These are the haunts where locals unwind after a long day, far from the crowded tourist paths. Here, and along the canals in places like De Twee Zwaantjes and Café de Jaren, you'll find the city's soul. The aroma of fresh coffee mingles with the scent of aged wood, while the soft murmur of Dutch chatter fills the air. Venture beyond the usual spots, and discover intimate cafés with storied pasts, where each sip tells a story few tourists ever hear.
James Whitmore