G and I only recently stumbled into these community gardens. They're cute. And just next to Westerpark.

Tuinpark Nut & Genoegen

Bring a snack and coffee and settle down on the grass, watching the eclectic array of people rollerblading, picnicking, and jigging to their tunes. Or come for a run or bike ride.

Vondelpark

I love the industrial vibe of the Westergas area. And have fond memories of skating here and having drinks at Pacific and Troost.

Westerpark

Really good milk-based coffees, a cool selection of beans, plus a few shelves of coffee gear.

Coffee District

My absolute new favorite in town. I always go for the batch brew, which tastes like a fancy manual filter. G loves the cortado. Their bakes are from Ulmus Bakery. And the daily Ten Kate market at their doorstep.

Five Ways

I come for the mellow hood vibe and to get beans.

Friedhats FUKU Café

Good, good coffee. Pair with a sweet from SUE Bites Bar down the street.

Rum Baba

With so many wines by the glass on the menu, why not create a flight with a white, orange, and red. Then hand your reins to the staff and let them pick the dishes to suit your wines. I recommend scoring one of the sidewalk tables for an early dinner, but reserving inside for a late one.

Bar Pif

Famed for their Broodje Bert Burger - A baguette with grilled lamb koftas and salad. Too busy? Consider take-away and find yourself a spot on the canal edge. Don't forget napkins.

Broodje Bert

Plenty of great wines by the glass, a regularly changing three-course menu (served at a perfectly lazy pace), and delicious bites on the side, all in a cozy spot. Makes for a swell dinner with a couple of friends as you can just let go and let the staff serve you well.

Café De Klepel

Café Parlotte

An old tram depot turned into a meeting spot with shops, a cinema, Hotel de Hallen, cafe Karavaan, the popular Food Hallen with 20 different food stands (The Butcher's burgers are legit), and more.

De Hallen

I think this was one of the first places in Amsterdam to popularize poached eggs and brunch. You can bet they have perfected the craft by now.

Greenwoods

Both the Döner and Turkish Pizza are worth a bike ride. Buns are baked in-house.

Leeman Döner

Comfort food for those craving more than a typical Dutch cheese-sandwich-lunch. Expect french toast, kedgeree, brisket, potato hash browns, and fermented chili bloody maries with olive and lemon.

Little Collins

Original, bold Mexican taco and salsa flavors with in-house-made tortillas (from grinding the corn to pressing the dough). Try the Pumpkin (goat cheese, macha) and Cochinita Pibil (pulled pork, refried beans, pickled onions, habanero salsa) tacos. Also nice: the down-to-earth setting and range of Mezcal and Tequila options to make you sing along with a Mariachi band.

MasMais Taqueria

Classic Indian cuisine in a sophisticated, intimate setting. My pick always includes the richly spiced Gosht-E-Avadh (tender lamb in curry sauce) paired with Tandoor-baked Naan and a full-bodied glass of red.

Mayur

Lots of eclectic choices (topping the 2-day-long fermented, rested, and proofed dough), though I tend to stick to the classic Margherita. With quite a few local, European, and worldwide awards, a reservation is a must.

nNea Pizza

My go-to dish is the Roti Kipfilet Speciaal, spiced chicken bits with crumbly curry potatoes, asparagus beans, boiled egg, and roti bread filled with yellow peas and potato, to which I always add a dash of the in-house-made golden sambal (be humble with the latter.) Before this, though, my standard pick was the Roti Vega Speciaal with tofu, tempeh, pumpkin, and eggplant. Also, try the Kipsaté, grilled chicken skewers smothered in peanut sauce.

Ram's Roti

Head for the secret bar in the back and settle for the Big Double Dirty burger and a couple of Dark 'n Stormies (Zacapa 23, Pampero Especial, ginger beer, Angostura & lime).

Rotisserie Amsterdam

Expect a classic ever-changing menu with Antipasti, fresh pasta for starters, meat or fish as the main, plus plenty of Italian wine, all in a nonchalant chic setting.

Toscanini

A gig dedicated to ceviche. Classic is my jam. And the changing fish dishes are worth it.

Sjefietshé

Queue up for a paper cone of crunchy fries at this sidestreet kiosk. Top them with a classic choice like mayonnaise, or go for a local favorite, the Oorlog dip (mayonnaise, peanut sauce, and chopped onions.)

Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx

The oysters and steaks are what you're here for. Which also happens to sum up my last meal before going into labor with Dylan.

Black and Blue

I like to squeeze into one of the window seats in the back for a glass of champagne and a steak tartare–both fitting choices for an art deco treasure like this one.

Café Américain

Café-Restaurant Amsterdam

Cannibale Royale

We go to Mesut for our Adana Kebab (spiced minced lamb skewers) and Pita Shawarma fix.

Grillroom Shoarma Mesut

The tenderloin steak served with a pan butter jus is what the crowd comes for. However, the Bali Steak with sambal jus is entirely on point too. Loetje also offers veal and chicken liver, which you don't see much on a typical Dutch menu.

Loetje Amsterdam aan 't IJ

A whole roasted chicken with your choice of sides and a fluitje of draft beer makes for one perfect dinner for two. It also works well for takeout.

Van 't Spit

Tiny, dim-lit, seat-only cocktail bar. No reservations, so you need to be early or very lucky.

Bar Oldenhof

Have a flight of beers with a range of traditional Dutch snacks. Like, cheeses (Abdijkaas, Skeapsrond), sausages (Droge Worst, Grillworst, Ossenworst), boiled eggs, and peanuts from local producers.

Brouwerij 't IJ

A good spot for craft beers with a group of friends. Depending on the season, you can start outside and move in.

Brouwerij Troost Westergas

One of the very few winebars that was around when G and I met. Start with a flight.

Bubbles and Wines

Canal-front terrace away from the bustle. I never come for the food, but I like the outside vibe.

De Ysbreeker

Café Thuys

If the sun is out, there are few more charming places than Van Zuylen's terrace over a bridge. There's a range of beers on tap and some classic Dutch snacks, like Bitterballen (ball-shaped beef croquettes).

Café van Zuylen

My kind of hotel lobby lounge: spacious, serene, and grand.

Conservatorium Hotel

I like to come here on cold, dark days and cozy up inside with a specialty tap beer and a typical deep-fried Dutch snack, like Bitterballen (though the menu also features Dutch brown cafe classics like soup, eggs, carpaccio, steak, chicken satay, and cheese toasties.) If you can score one of the terrace spots during sunnier times, the cafe also makes for an excellent people-watching spot since it's at the rim of the active Spui square.

De Brabantse Aap

Back in the day, when G and I discovered Door 74, they only had a phone number published. It was one of the first high-end speakeasies in town. The venue is a classic and harbors a dear place down memory lane.

Door 74

Gent aan de Schinkel

Hiding in Plain Sight

Plenty of space and a mellow ambiance, as it never gets too busy. Also pleasant, they have fine champagne by the glass.

Karavaan

A cozy, traditional cafe for those dark, early winter evenings.

Papeneiland

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

With 30+ wines by the glass, you better clear your afternoon schedule.

Shiraz

Spanjer en van Twist

Large canal-side terrace, where you can work a tan and watch the boats go by.

Waterkant

Head straight to the tasting room for a range of jenevers and many liqueurs.

Wynand Fockink

Mostly a cheese shop, strategically located in-between a bakery and wine store. Try my favorite: The Italian La Tur–a soft ripened cheese of sheep's, cow's and goat's milk. Or get a good chunk of Dutch cheese.

Caseus

Caulils will put all your grilled cheese sandwich chases to rest with their flawlessly engineered toastie with two blends of cheese (the local Wilde Meadow + Swiss Etivaz d'Alpage) and a mixture of finely chopped leek, red onion, and spring onion. The shop itself, by the way, is a Burgundian dream come true.

Caulils

Spices, legumes, nuts, and fatty Medjool dates.

De Volkskruidentuin

I come here for the sourdough bread. You can get half a loaf too, and ask to have it sliced. I always do my very best to ignore all the flakey things behind the glass showcase.

Fort Negen

Although a local chain, they only import wines from small wine farmers whom exclusively sell to them. That's how I found one of my favorite Portguese wines, Fitapreta.

Grapedistrict

Come here for the beautiful serrano hams or, as I do, for the sideshow: the baguettes rubbed with tomato and layered with serrano ham. (Take the sarnies to the nearby Westerpark, if you can wait that long.)

Ibericus

Kaashuis Tromp

I like to pass by the farmer's market on the less-crowded Mondays (09:00-13:00). Though, also open Saturdays from 09:00-16:00. Happy coincidence that the best apple pie in town is near (see Sweets).

Noordermarkt

A wine boutique with beautiful wines from small producers in Spain and Portugal. Do ask for recommendations, though grab a bottle of the Toro from Botas de Borra if available.

Petit Celler

Charming local farmer's market with stalls offering everything from organic olives and 36-hour simmered bone broths to pasture-fed meat and sustainable fish directly from the ships of the North Sea. Every Saturday, 09:30-17:00.

ZuiderMRKT

Pick up a tompoes, the Dutch variety of the mille-feuille.

Ad Straathof Marktbakkerij

Melly's Cookie Bar

Petit Gâteau offers French pastries like eclairs, macarons, and madeleines but is mainly known for its tiny tarts (miniminis), which come in 20+ flavors. I like the raspberry vanilla cream, lemon meringue, and everything pistachio. They also do baking masterclasses and have another branch in the Foodhallen in Amsterdam Oud-West.

Petit Gâteau

The salted caramel bite, which gets its sweetness from dates, is my favorite. I also like the coconut and date truffles. Let Sue's sweets come to room temperature and then gorge them down quick.

SUE Bites Bar

There's no apple pie like this one. Moly, that crust. Go over the top, and have it with cream.

Winkel 43

Have a stroll and pick up some fresh produce if you happen to be in the hood.

Ten Katestraat

A cluster of nine streets separated by Amsterdam's most beautiful canals and jammed with boutiques, specialty stores, and cafes. Famous for a reason, so go as early as possible for a stroll and coffee to avoid the crowd.

De Negen Straatjes

I like their games and card sets for dinners, retreats, and gifts.

The School of Life

Catch a movie in Art Deco style at what Time Out Magazine dubbed the most beautiful cinema in the world.

Pathé Tuschinski

Aranda's Grill

I like coming here for the specialty coffee and natural wines. Try a glass of the Uivo PT Nat Curtido from Folias de Baco. It's a pale yellow, cloudy wine with a slight fizz. Tastes like a sour beer or kombucha but wine.

The Capsule Cafe

Likely the best spot in town for a sunset drink (and typical Portuguese snack: canned fish). It gets even better in the summer months when the street is closed off to cars

Mar das Latas

Sporting a Mediterranean menu, blending Portuguese local produce with Middle Eastern flavors. Weather permitting, reserve a table on the ocean-front rooftop terrace. However, stealing a seat on the boulevard for a coffee, a bowl of chocolate tahini granola, and surf-watching isn't bad either.

Balagan

Fresh grilled fish served with whole potatoes baked in coals. Hidden at the beginning of the harbor, it's a local jaunt you'd surely overlook if it weren't for the line of locals waiting in front. Be sure to arrive early, as they don't take reservations

Clube Naval

It could easily pass for a diner in Tel Aviv. Exorbitant wine prices (for Portugal), but the ever-changing menu of sharing platters makes up for it. And so does the in-house baked bread.

Costa Fria

I'm not exaggerating when I say Popular is one of the main reasons we fell in love with Ericeira. No matter the day, it's like stepping into a Woody Allen scene. There's a hidden cocktail menu (Try the Sharon), plenty of wine, and a delicious Spanish tapas menu.

La Popular Taberna

Sushi featuring just the right layer of rice, wrapped around fresh and high-quality ingredients. Also available for home delivery through Ericeira Eats (takes a full hour to arrive, so manage hunger levels wisely).

Onegai

Ribas

For sourdough bread, and other slow food products. The owners  also organize a 'slow breakfast table' experience every once in a while.

Lento

Shelves filled with sourdough breads, and a display counter stocked with pastries.

Terço do Meio

Offering a wide selections of ceramic tableware.

O Casinhoto

One of the seven world surf reserves, with surf for all levels, and a bar and restaurant on site. It's also the starting point of the dunes trail to Coxos beach, which is stunningly raw.

Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas

We've tried the pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) from Lisbon to Belem, but the one from Maria, with its balanced sweetness, caramelized top, and shatteringly crisp pastry, without a doubt, is our favorite.

O Pãozinho das Marias

For a laid-back drink away from it all in a styled space with pastel beach-toned vibes.

Aethos

One of the hotel's recently-opened restaurants, Emme on Fire, features a menu prepared using coal, grill, or the wood-fired oven. Before that, and still, I like to hide in the lobby with a dry gin martini.

Immerso

My favorite beach in the area, long enough for a good beach walk. And with a river that runs into the sea at times.

Praia da Foz do Lizandro

A stunning beach to which you can walk from or to Ribeira d'Ilhas. It's an excellent spot for watching surfers ride some impressive waves.

Praia dos Coxos

The sand and cliffs that made me fall in love with the Ericeira area.

Praia de São Lourenço

Praia de São Julião

I suggest two Vermuts (the special house ones) and a pincho de tortilla.

Café Pavón

Lune Croissanterie Fitzroy

Kawa

Petica

I get all my coffee beans from The Alchemist in Tanjong Pagar. However, this branch of The Alchemist, located in a neo-gothic building, makes for quite an impressive drop-in.

The Alchemist · The Mill

Founder Qing He of Apartment Coffee is the man that sparked my fall into slow coffee.

Apartment Coffee

Stan is my neighborhood café where I come to soak up sweet staff vibes.

Common Man Stan

Whenever I'm nearby, I'll pop in for a filter and chat with some seriously passionate baristas. Also, I buy most of my coffee gear from Kurasu's online shop.

Kurasu

Nylon makes for a nostalgic spot in Everton Park, one of the oldest hoods in the city.

Nylon Coffee Roasters

Hvala · Chijmes

I tend to order Bife de Lomo (beef fillet) or Ojo de Bife (ribeye), but I also love Bochinche's lunch offer. All their meats are super smokey, prepared over a wood & charcoal grill. Plus, they have Argentinian wines.

Bochinche

Get yourself half a dozen oysters, a Dirty Chophouse Martini, and their USDA prime ribeye 'naked style' with confit garlic. I find Luke's lunch menu also a hit.

Sharing my favorite coffee haunts, eateries, and more.

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