Carmen Guesthouse offers two private en-suite rooms: the Big Room on the first floor, where original wooden fixtures from the 1980s add character and warmth, and the Standard Room below, a cozy, inviting retreat. Each space is thoughtfully designed to provide both comfort and a heartfelt connection to the home’s rich heritage. With only two rooms, staying at Carmen Guesthouse is an intimate, personal experience—it’s as if you’re truly living in the heart of a cherished canal house.

A sprawling pier in the Houthavens with built-in sunbeds invites you to bask in the sun for an entire day. Steps away lies a public swimming area, perfectly positioned in front of The July Hotel, with an outside terrace restaurant, Vessel, where you can also lounge and enjoy the views of Het Eikenhout's bustling dock. In the summer, the scene comes alive with locals anchoring their boats, diving into the water, and turning the area into a vibrant hotspot for swimming and socializing.

Every Saturday morning, Noordermarkt in the heart of Amsterdam’s Jordaan buzzes with life, drawing both locals and visitors. The market is filled with fresh produce, artisanal goods, and handmade crafts filling the stalls, while nearby cafes offer the ideal place to sit back and people-watch. For a true taste of Amsterdam, don’t miss grabbing a bite from the local food stalls, whether it's creamy Dutch cheese or a freshly baked pastry.

In only 30 minutes from Amsterdam, you’ll find yourself at the beach, lined with a strip of lively beach clubs. Our top pick is République, where you can rent a sunbed for the day, granting you access to both the restaurant and terrace for a laid-back lunch. While Dutch beach clubs operate year round, summer is when they truly come alive — with vibrant evening parties and relaxing day lounging. The beaches can get crowded, so it’s a good idea to book ahead.

Fort Negen has an impressive selection of sourdough and pastries. Founded by Maarten, a former baker at the renowned Restaurant De Kas, the bakery emphasizes natural fermentation and high-quality flour, producing sourdough loaves with a signature dark crust and a moist, flavorful crumb. There is almost always a line, but don’t let that discourage you. It will be worth it and moves very quickly.

The thoughtfully curated canteen, food design studio, and shop, Oficina, in Amsterdam-West feels like a hidden gem for those in the know. Co-founded by Zana Josipovic and Naiara Sabandar, the space blends minimalist design with a seasonal, vegetable-focused menu that’s both fresh and inventive, drawing on Basque and Moluccan influences.

CUE is redefining dining on Utrechtstraat, seamlessly blending fine dining with immersive sound. Guided by the expertise of Chef George Kataras and Sommelier Mohamed Aous, the tasting menu artfully marries Japanese-inspired techniques with global influences, delivering standout dishes that exemplify precision and creativity at its finest.

Tannay is a beautifully refined yet effortlessly relaxed fine dining experience. In a corner house between Prinseneiland and Bickerseiland the restaurant is tucked away while still in Amsterdam’s historic heart. Chef Thomas Demuth honors his Burgundy upbringing with a menu steeped in tradition and nostalgia—dishes like wild duck en croûte, hare à la royale, and beetroot with Nantua sauce evoke the flavors of his childhood in the village of Tannay.

Io, Mammeta e Tu is a tiny shop with a rustic interior and a massive pizza oven that instantly transports you to Naples. With just two small tables inside and a bench outside, most of their service is takeaway. This is my go to for dinner on the boat while riding around the canals or sitting by the water after a summer swim.

Where matcha and design blend seamlessly together. Lera is one of the newest matcha cafes in the Pijp neighborhood, designed by architect Ekaterina Shcheblykina of Berlin-based air.atelier. Offering ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan's Uji and Kagoshima regions, alongside specialty coffees and matcha-infused pastries, this is my top recommendation for those either curious or serious about matcha.

Nestled on the corner in Amsterdam’s Jordaan, TOKI is a minimalist café where Japanese simplicity meets Scandinavian chic. The interior is filled with Marmoreal terrazzo surfaces by British designer Max Lamb, a moss-green canvas sofa by LA-based Stephen Kenn, and a bamboo counter that adds warmth to the space. TOKI's menu reflects the same international flair, serving Berlin's Bonanza Coffee, teas from Brooklyn's Bellocq Tea Atelier, and pastries from local patisserie Petit Gâteau.

Extreme Cashmere is an Amsterdam based label reimagining luxury knitwear with a focus on inclusivity and timeless design. Their unisex, one-size-fits-all pieces are crafted from high-quality Mongolian cashmere, incorporating elastane for added comfort and adaptability. By blending classic aesthetics with modern functionality, Extreme Cashmere offers versatile garments that are guaranteed to become a staple in your closet.

Tucked off a side street of the Utrechtstraat, Laan Amsterdam feels like a hidden treasure chest of archival vintage. Laan curates a broad range of garments and accessories from designers who have shaped the fashion landscape over the last decades. In addition to its retail offerings, Laan maintains an archive of garments available for professional styling or rental inquiries.

Housed in a beautifully restored former butcher shop, Edible Treasures is a seamless blend of boutique, café, and library. It’s the kind of place where every detail feels considered, making it one of my go-to spots for finding thoughtful gifts for those who live to entertain. From artisanal pantry staples to handpicked cookbooks and elegant tableware, everything here inspires a sense of timeless hospitality

Amsterdam Noord's Bacalar is a taqueria where Chef Joachim de Buck, formerly of Coba, reinvents Mexican street food with bold flavors and elevated techniques. The menu spotlights tacos crafted with organic purple corn tortillas, filled with inventive combinations like tender octopus with peanut and avocado or blood sausage paired with mango-habanero salsa.

Café Restaurant Metro in Amsterdam Noord is a vibrant culinary destination where Chef Rients de Jong showcases the best of seasonal, locally inspired cuisine. In the summer you’ll find the outdoor pizza oven blazing and the terrace fills up quickly. To complement the seasonal flavors, Metro offers a thoughtfully curated selection of natural wines, alongside non-alcoholic and botanical wines infused with herbs, designed to pair beautifully with the ever-changing seasonal menu.

Salvo Bakehouse is a contemporary Italian bakery in Amsterdam-West with a new location, Salvo Basement on Keizersgracht. Their signature maritozzi—soft, sweet buns filled with rich cream—are a must try, alongside other favorites like pistachio custard cornetti and tiramisu. The space is sleek and modern, with a grab and go culture, though limited seating is available.

Saint Jean Deli is the savory counterpart to the renowned Saint-Jean Bakery (and across the street). This plant-based deli offers a variety of freshly baked ciabattas, sandwiches, and weekly changing dishes, complemented by a selection of natural wines and specialty coffee. With its focus on savory vegan fare, Saint-Jean Deli provides a delightful experience for those seeking flavorful plant-based options for a light and healthy lunch.

Cafe Twee Prinsen mixes the cozy charm of a traditional Amsterdam brown café with a sleek, modern wine bar, highlighted by warm wood accents. In the summer, there are canal-facing seats along the exterior and a small terrace right next to the water—perfect for watching locals zip by on their bikes and boats drift past on the canals. The bar serves a curated selection of organic and biodynamic wines, including sparkling options and pet-nats.

Calisto feels like a piece of Rome in Amsterdam’s Jordaan. Chef Stefano Orofino brings seasonal Italian flavors to life, with handmade pastas and indulgent bites like focaccia and crispy aubergine croquettes. The cozy, candlelit space is perfect for an evening of authentic Roman comfort food with a chic, laid-back interior.