Words by Lucy Kell
There’s nowhere quite like Amsterdam in the summer. Sparkling canals, bicycles bobbing over bridges, and residents perched on their front stoops with an ice-cold Heineken in hand. It’s a feast for the eyes – and, dare I say, your phone camera – so here’s my little black book of the chicest spots in the city that will have your DMs filling up in no time…
Eat & Drink
Café Restaurant De Ysbreeker
Inner city terraces don’t get more generous than this all-day café on the Amstel. Pull up a chair and share some garnalenkroketten (shrimp croquettes) as you partake in some top-tier people watching.
Café Slijterij Oosterling
When the sun shines in Amsterdam, locals spill out of the many brown cafés that line the streets, sipping elegant 30cl beers and nibbling on a bowl of bitterballen fresh out of the fryer. Dip these bad boys in mustard, but be careful, they’re piping hot!
Pen Yen at Soho House Amsterdam
Two words. Rooftop sushi. That is, if you’re lucky enough to be or know a member…
Massimo Gelato
A summer city break requires an ice cream a day, and this pretty corner gelateria tucked away in the student neighbourhood of De Pijp does the job. Opt for a scoop of sorbet (or two) and then wander over to the dainty Sarphatipark.
Cornerstore
Never heard of Noord? You’ll want to make the hop over the River IJ to this former studio where the restaurant of the moment lies. With impeccable design, an Asian-fusion menu (say yes to a Yuzu Spritz) and DJs spinning disco tracks all evening, the party’s just getting started at Cornerstore. The only reason to leave early? Catching the sunset on the free ferry home.
Do
Oosterpark
Little-known to outsiders but filled with charm, Oosterpark is often overlooked for the more famous Vondelpark. But a few hours in the east of the city, with its pretty cafes and relaxed vibe, will have you feeling like a local.
Zandvoort Beach & Kayuca Beachclub
That’s right, beach clubs in the Netherlands. When the temperature soars, hop on a train to this coastal town and stop by Kayuca, a Balinese-style beach club with sun loungers and a toes-in-the-sand restaurant.
Stay
It doesn’t get more classic than Canal House. Located on the Keizersgracht Canal, this boutique of three 17th-century townhouses is filled with delights at every turn. From the secret courtyard to the open kitchen, you’ll feel right at home.
Canal House | Book Now
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park may be new to the scene, but this striking listed building is already making waves within the style set, on the fringe of Oosterpark. The Spring Brasserie terrace shines the most in the summer months, so sink into a cushioned chair and sip on a glass of rosé as you watch the local park life go by.
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park | Book Now
If everything, everywhere, all at once is your vibe, this opulent hotel is the one for you. Situated on Dam Square, every inch of TwentySeven Hotel has been considered, from the wide-ranging windows in the corner bedrooms to the eclectic photography embellishing the walls. Don’t miss the infamous DJ sets at Bar TwentySeven…