My 5 favorite areas in Amsterdam

1. The "Oudemanhuispoort"

This 17th Century building is located in the centre of Amsterdam, near the Spui and Waterloo Square. In the old days it used to be an elderly home for men, now it's home to the law school of the University of Amsterdam. Not only did I study here, this is also the place where I met my future husband and where we shot our wedding pictures. So yeah, this is my favorite spot in Amsterdam!

Before you enter the law school, look for the little book shops, which have been in use since 1757.

How to find the Oudemanhuispoort: 
- walk from the Rokin/Spui through the Langebrugsteeg and over the Grimburgwal;
- go left on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal and directly turn right, entering the Oudemanhuispoort-area.

2. Utrechtsestraat

The Utrechtsestraat is a street just a little east from the centre. In the last ten years is has become one of the most popular streets of Amsterdam. Besides shops there are many cafés and restaurants. The Utrechtsestraat is also great for groceries shopping; there is not one, but two good butcher's shops, a fabulous cheese store and a fantastic pastry store called "Kuyt". Gift boutique "JAN" is great for buying presents and I love to browse at "Concerto", a record store scattered over four houses.

My Utrechtestraat-favorites: 
- Gift boutique "JAN" at No. 74
- Record store "Concerto" at No. 52-60
- Women's fashion store "Centre Neuf" at No. 139h
- Award-winning Patisserie Kuyt at No. 109A
- Wine store "Van Bakel & Cavé" at Kerkstraat 383-BG
- And last, but not least: the house on the corner of the Utrechtsestraat & Utrechtsedwarsstraat, where we lived for two years!

3. The 9 Streets

Berenstaat (one of the nine streets)

In between the canals Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, west of Dam Square, there is an area called "The 9 Streets". These are tiny streets- nine in total- with lovely boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and cafés. Every time I visit The 9 Streets, I am treating myself to some careless shopping, just going from one boutique to another. The area is just a few minutes walk from Dam Square. 

Or you can start from the other side, nearby Herengracht 368. If you do, please take a look at the building on the corner, next to the Biblical Museum, which is one of my favorite buildings of Amsterdam!

Places to look out for: 

- Italian restaurant "Quatro Gatti" (you don't get better Italian food anywhere else in town!) at Hartenstraat 3

- Jewelry "Pretty Rings" at Berenstraat 26

- Paper store "Cortina Papier" for note books and beautiful stationary, at Reestraat 22

- Chocolate store "Pompadour" at Huidenstraat 12

For a detailed shopping map of The 9 Streets, click here. 

4. The New North

Restaurant Hotel De Goudfazant

I love that the city is constantly improving itself. Up until a few years ago, Amsterdam North was industrious, scarry and dull. Now, the factories have moved out off town and the buildings have been transformed into restaurants instead. And so, more and more Amsterdammers are crossing the IJ-river to seek new (restaurant) ventures, like restaurant "Hotel De Goudfazant" (after Jacques Brel's chanson). The building has kept its raw and industrial feel. Also, the new film museum "EYE" has opened just last week on the shore of Amsterdam North.

The city has arranged for free ferry transfer to the North (you see, we still have to be persuaded to go there...). If you cross the river by night, you will see the grand Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, the Concert Hall of the 21st Century (and my working place!)

Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ

What to do in Amsterdam North:
- have dinner at restaurant "Hotel De Goudfazant", Aambeeldstraat 10H

- or eat at fish restaurant "Stork", Gedempt Hamerkanaal (opposite of No. 96)

- visit the new film institute "EYE", IJ Promonade 1

5.De Pijp

Ah, neighborhood De Pijp. It has been my home for four years now and I don't get tired of it at all. In the center of it, is the famous Amsterdam street market, the Albert Cuyp Markt. Here I buy  food such as oysters, lobsters, meat, fish, poultry, herring on a bun and Dutch waffles ("stroopwafels"), but also flowers and clothing fabrics. De Pijp has some of the best terraces in the city, where you can enjoy the hustle and bustly of The Cuyp. It is often compared to Paris' Quartier Latin and New Yorks' West Village.

I have so many De Pijp-addresses to share! here are a few:  
Albert Cuypstraat:
- French butcher's shop "Alain Bernard" has the best French sausages and meat! Albert Cuypstraat 133
- Poulterer "Chris Kip" for poultry, such as turkey and partridge. In autumn they also sell wild boar and hare. Albert Cuypstraat stand 116
- For fish, oysters and lobster go to "Siem Schilder". Albert Cuypstraat, just around the corner of the 1st van der Helststraat, in a wagon stand
- "Jan de grote kleinvakman" for sewing products, Albert Cuypstraat 203A
- French bakery "Bakken met Passie", Albert Cuypstraat 51-53

Just off the Albert Cuypstraat:
- Lunchroom "Van Dobben", for typical Amsterdam sandwiches. 1st van der Helststraat 7
See also the blog article I wrote about Van Dobben in december!
- "De Kinderfeestwinkel" for kids toys and gifts, Gerard Doustraat 65