Got a free day in Amsterdam and you’ve already done all the touristy stuff? Take a gander at these ideas based on my most recent visit so you can come up with our own easygoing outing in one of Europe’s most engaging destinations.
My ‘guide’ omits most of Amsterdam’s biggest tourist attractions. But by no means am I suggesting that you shouldn’t visit them. To be sure, the Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt House Museum, the Anne Frank House and De Wallen (to name but a few) are definitely worth checking out. It’s just that I’ve been to them during prior visits. I’ve even written about some of those experience in other post on this blog. Besides, a ton of info already exists about practically every nook and cranny you can access in Amsterdam .
So rather than say what’s been said (ad nauseam in many cases), my aim is to tell you the highlights of my last visit to help you fill your itinerary with more than just the standard stuff and must-see places.
Kimpton De Witt
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, 1012 RC Amsterdam
What’s always appealed to me about Amsterdam has been the opportunity to go full-on flâneur – dipping in and out of its quaint neighbourhoods, grabbing something inexpensive to eat and drink at cosy little cafes and eateries along the way, and enjoying my downtime in one of Europe’s most fascinating and accommodating cities. An ideal base to do all of that in style and comfort was the Kimpton De Witt.
Just a couple of minute’s walk from Central Station, the four-star boutique hotel was superbly set for urban explorations offering convenient access to top tourist sights while being removed from the fray.
A combination of two late 20th century buildings with three from the Dutch Golden Age, the Kimpton was a lovely setting for milling about in its own right, especially during the free “Wine Hour” hosted by the hotel in the early evening.
Find out more at kimptondewitthotel.com.
Super Lyan
At the Kimpton De Witt, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 3, 1012 RC Amsterdam
Another brilliant reason to stay put at my hotel was to enjoy the food, drink and conviviality at the bar downstairs. In fact, that was actually the reason I was in Amsterdam. I attended the late April launch of Super Lyan at the Kimpton De Witt, the first venture outside of London for bartending superstar, Ryan Chetiyawardana, of White Lyan and Dandelyan renown. Lively and welcoming with delicious cocktails, excellent all day menu and damn fine coffee too, it was a fun setting for enjoying an evening.
For more about Super Lyan visit superlyan.com. And for more about Ryan’s plans for Super Lyan and beyond, be sure to check out my interview with him recorded during my Amsterdam visit for the All Consumed podcast:
C * T Coffee & Coconuts
Ceintuurbaan 282-284, 1072 GK Amsterdam
Venturing beyond my hotel, a wise choice for craft coffee was C * T Coffee & Cococnuts. Set inside a spacious and open multi-storey defunct Art Deco cinema in the perpetually trendy neighbourhood of De Pijp, this cafe offered a comfy furnishing and big windows for prime people watching. My Coconut Coffee (double espresso with coconut milke, agave and ice, €4) was such a treat. Food menu looked good too, but my plan was to continue ambling around to find my lunch.
Details at coffeeandcoconuts.com.
Benny’s Chicken
Albert Cuypstraat 177, 1073 BG Amsterdam
Lunch was found not so far from Coffee & Coconuts at Albert Cuyp Market stalwart, Benny’s Chicken. This food truck served grilled chicken to perfect. I spent a very few euros for a juicy and filling chilli and cheese chicken sandwich. When you go, look for the queue. But don’t fret. It moves quick, and Benny and team are exceedingly friendly. Total street food win!
More at albertcuyp-markt.amsterdam/kraam/bennys-chicken.
The Dutch Weedburger Joint
Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47, 1053 RJ Amsterdam
Another very agreeable and lowkey meal was enjoyed as The Dutch Weedburger Joint. And in this case, “Dutch weed’ means seaweed. This Oud-West joint does plant-based junk food to a satisfyingly yummy standard. Stacked high with a seaweed and soy bean patty, lettuce, tomato, pickles, fried onions and weed sauce and served on a sesame and seaweed green bun with addition of kimchi and miso (€11 + €3.50 for the kimchi and miso), the house signature burger was an epic eat but didn’t leave me feeling weighed down or bloated. I had a side of fries too – as good as any in Holland!
Find out more at dutchweedburger.com.
Outsider Art Museum at the Hermitage Museum
Amstel 51, 1018 EJ Amsterdam
No, my trip was not only about gobbling down lots of food and roaming around aimlessly. I also managed to take in some official cultural sightseeing. I stopped by the Outsider Art Museum at the Hermitage Museum to admire its eclectic collection (originally compiled by Art Brut hero Jean Dubuffet). The only museum in the Netherlands and one of very few in the world that shows leading works by international outsider artists (not formally trained, creating unconventional art outside the confines of the “art world”), it was a fine spot to scope some unrefined art.
Go to outsiderartmuseum.nl for information.
