Being 25 kilometres (15 miles) from the sea, Amsterdam was hardly anyone's choice for a beach holiday until sand was tipped on the artificial islands of IJburg, where 45,000...
Bert Haanstrakade 2004Despite its Swiss origins, the Dutch adopted the cheese fondue as a 'national dish' long ago. Sample its culinary conviviality at this suitably cosy brown bar that was...
Nieuwmarkt 9From the Taittinger poster to the glowing fittings to the midnight-blue leather seats, this place oozes understated class, though it's not in the slightest bit snooty. Half of...
Sarphatistraat 23All of Amsterdam - students, tourists, lesbigays, cinema-goers, the fashion pack - come here for lunch, coffee or something stronger all day long, making it sometimes difficult...
Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22Cheap, cheerful, tasty, filling. That's what the food is like at this sparkly diner at the back of the thoroughly mixed lesbian and gay lounge. On Wednesday night all burger...
Warmoesstraat 51A hidey-hole down a poetically named alleyway: 'Prayer Without End', from the Santa Clara convent that stood here in the 17th century. Now it's a light-drenched, multi-roomed...
Gebed Zonder End 5Still trendy after all these years, and great for a market pit-stop or bar crawl kick-start. Inside is sleek and pared down in style - like the punters. If full, try Finch next...
Noordermarkt 4A big bow window lets light in to every nook and cranny of this classy, split-level bar. Inside, décor is simple yet self-conciously styish - a '50s Juliette Greco poster, '70s...
Utrechtsestraat 51Many people come here for the Frenchified food, but, as the name implies, the wine is the star at this compact yet airy boozer on the edge of the Pijp's main nightlife strip....
1e van der Helststraat 50Through the large windows of this cubic building you get great views of the eastern docklands. Come for soup and sandwiches by day and a daily menu of Mediterranean dishes by...
Noordwal 1