AMSTERDAM IN BLOOM
Blossom blooms, the canals glisten with the reflection of the tree-lined cobble streets, and the moored boats lose their winter layers. Friends spill from the terraces of the wonky brick brown bars, lunches are taken outdoors with benches, stools, and pavement stones used as perching points, and wooden jetties become the main draw for an urban dipping spot. As a city best viewed from or close to the water, this is the gloobles round-up of the city’s chicest spring addresses.
DE GOUDFAZANT
NOORD, WATERFRONT
Portioned off from the rest of the city by the IJ River, the riotously chic Amsterdam Noord is home to a bona fide collection of restaurants, cinema clubs, breweries, and creative studios. Take Hotel de Goudfazant, a former, bare-bones mechanical repair store and car garage, which is now an industrial, gourmet restaurant. The steel frame beams remain, a vintage teal Volvo is parked inside, and red canteen chairs contrast the white tablecloths illuminated by the ludicrously large glass chandelier. Impressive interiors, a creative French-inspired, seafood-heavy menu, and remarkable views; head here for a late lunch or early dinner and watch the light change over the water.
Aambeeldstraat 30, 1021 KB Amsterdam
DE KAS
GREENHOUSE DINING, PARK FRANKENDAEL
Many of Amsterdam’s fine dining restaurants are fused with a chic, casual cool and though de Kas does the same, it still takes the essence of fine dining eating seriously. Its philosophy, ‘harvested in the morning, on your plate in the afternoon’, captures the freshness of the ingredients. Fruits, herbs, and vegetables from the gardens in Amsterdam and the Beemster are at the core of the daily-changing, tasting menu. As one of the first farm-to-fork restaurants, this greenhouse dining experience is superb. Here, it’s less about the water and more about the feeling of space and seasonality. Best for a long lunch.
Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam
‘t SLUISJE
NIEUWENDAMMERDIJK
A true hidden gem overlooking the water. With the laidback, extra gezellig vibe that characterises Noord, it should come as no surprise that one of the best, most chilled brown cafés is smack bang in the middle. Café ‘t Sluisje is an old school pub where Noord locals have been filling up on bitterballen (deep fried ragout croquette balls) and a biertje (beer) for more than 100 years. It’s the perfect pit stop when exploring Noord by bike.
Nieuwendammerdijk 297, 1025 LM Amsterdam
BRASSERIE MARIE
THE TERRACE FROM DE L’EUROPE
Provençale-style Brasserie Marie’s Amstel-hugging terrace reopens ahead of the summer season. Inside, mahogany walls and floor-to-ceiling mirrors complement the bistro chairs and transparent drapes. Outside, restaurant-goers can arrive by boat and take the prime canal-side tables. Sip on a glass of Champagne and graze on the French-influenced classics, where grilled cod is served on a bed of warm cider butter sauce and steak tartare is spiked with an anchovy mayonnaise, with the best waterside views of the city.
H’ART MUSEUM
GARDEN & QUAY
Though a lot of Amsterdam’s museums are clustered together in the Museumkwartier, one of our go-to spots for soaking up culture is just across the Magere Brug (translated to ‘Skinny Bridge’, this is a traditional Dutch bascule bridge connecting the Amstel). Thanks to partnerships with the British Museum, Centre Pompidou, and Smithsonian American Art Museum, H’ART has a dizzying rotation of stellar exhibitions. Combine a trip with a quiet moment by the water and bring a book to read in the serene inner courtyard gardens, which also hosts seasonal markets and open-air cinema nights.
Amstel 51, 1018 EJ Amsterdam
A MICHELIN-LEVEL DINNER CRUISE
THROUGH THE CANALS
Less about the boat, more about the perspective: gliding past some of the city’s best restaurants while dining at that same level. It’s quietly spectacular, especially in the evening light.
Our Concierge Team is there to assist with bookings and inquiries.
RESTAURANT AAN DE POEL
AMSTELVEEN, ON THE WATER
Just outside Amsterdam, but worth the 30-minute journey by bike. This urban hotel and two-Michelin-starred restaurant dishes up a mix of beloved Dutch delicacies and more international flavours. Even better than the food is the gorgeous view of the water. Be sure to ask for a table by the window.
Handweg 1, 1185TS Amstelveen
