This quite bright and clean looking restaurant masters a wide variety of cuisines. The food you order can be Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian or something in between.

The restaurant is located close to Nieuwmarkt, on the lively Zeedijk. This area on the border of Chinatown and the red light district is worth visiting, especially around the evening when the pubs and the restaurants are filling up.

There are plenty affordable restaurants on this street that serve kinds of food from all around the globe. You can try any one of them, but A-fusion is certainly an excellent choice. The restaurant has a very favorable review from Amsterdam’s biggest restaurant expert, Johannes van Dam, to prove it.

The service is efficient, but the waitresses are nevertheless friendly and more straightforward than I’m used to in other Asian restaurants. The huge meals are served attractively in two connected black bowls.

I am renowned for my ability to gulf up incredible amounts of foods, but a dinner at this place takes all the strength out of me, and when I finished my plate I am truly exhausted and satisfied.

Details about this spot
A-Fusion | Restaurants (Asian) | Main course from € 10.00
Zeedijk 130 | Old center (area map) | +31203304068
12:00 - 23:00 daily

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The area of the UvA called Binnengasthuis is usually remarkably quiet. Although you will always be aware of the presence of the students through their bikes that are parked in front of the buildings and alongside the canal-fence, it is also a residential area that is somewhat closed off from the traffic on the busy Rokin street nearby.

Even in some of the buildings connected to those of the university you will see the laundry hanging in front of the windows. I don’t know who they are housing, but they provide colorful backdrops against an environment that is otherwise dominated by the university and its students.

Binnengasthuis translates, a bit awkwardly perhaps, to Inner Guesthouse, which refers to the inner-city hospital for the elderly that used to be located in the university buildings.

The old entrances are located at the south ends of the Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Oudezijds Achterburgwal, and they will lead you to a gateway that gives shelters to a small book market. Sometimes the sound of jazz music from a salesman’s radio will float from one end to the other. At the whole hour it will be briefly disrupted by the students rushing in and out, but the peace is quickly restored after the next classes have started.

Another gate in the middle opens onto the courtyard of the faculty of Law. This beautiful little garden-like square is completely closed off from the city, quiet during classes and otherwise filled with students, smoking cigarettes or drinking coffee.

If you turn back, cross the gateway and keep on walking straight, you will end up at the faculty of Philosophy. The buildings surrounding the small yard aren’t very special, but in the twilight, with the twining branches of the few trees cutting through the yellow lights behind the windows, the arrangement looks a little bit like the set of a Tim Burton movie. It is a peaceful place, sparked by the knowledge that in the minds and books inside the brick buildings.

By crossing through the university complex you will become aware of the contrast that exists in Amsterdam between the crowdedness of the shopping streets and the noise of the traffic, and the serenity that is always near.

The quietness of the Binnengasthuis can be found right in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle, a bit like the eye of a storm. It is strategically located, a perfect start or end of a day of city-strolling, or, if it suits you, a relaxing break in the middle of it.

Details about this spot
Binnengasthuis | Art & culture | Free
Binnengasthuis | Old center (area map)
Mon - Sat 09:00 - 18:00 (mostly)

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At the beginning of the Spuistraat you find a small club called Bitterzoet (Bittersweet). Its interior is not very sophisticated, but the beats they play in it are.

The music they offer ranges from reggae to hip-hop to dub-step, and occasionally a little bit of pop or electro. I have spent many nights shaking my ass off on the crowded dance floor.

If you are into the styles they serve, go there for some serious partying. If you want to cool down from a long bouncing session, you can go upstairs to play pool or overlook the sweaty crowd.

On the club nights that are less mainstream, the club is filled with a selective crowd that comes to experience the music. There is always the chance that you won´t feel at home, but I always feel comfortable when I am surrounded by people that are thoroughly enjoying the DJ´s labor.

Go to the Bitterzoet in optimal physical shape, because you are going to work up some sweat.

Details about this spot
Bitterzoet | Music | Beer € 2.00
Spuistraat 2 | Old center (area map) | +31205213001
Sun - Thu 22:00, Fri- Sat 22:00, 04:00

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I am one of those cats that is unable to study in a quiet environment. What I need is a lively environment, with chattering people in it having a pleasant time.

Café Crea is located on the grounds of some of the most beautiful buildings of the UvA (University of Amsterdam), and it is a haven for students looking for a break. As the place is divided into three smaller parts, the conversations of the guests do not bounce around against the walls, but fill the rooms with a pleasant humming.

Crea is one of my favorite places to go to when I need to study or write, want to drink coffee and read a newspaper, or drink a beer with fellow students. Located in a quieter part, but right the middle of the centre, it is a perfect base of operations to plan your explorations in.

In the meantime you can enjoy a delicious coffee, French toast, a sandwich or a bowl of soup, or even a decent and decently priced dinner between five and eight-thirty. With a different atmosphere in each of the rooms and a small patio on the canal side, you can be sure to find a spot that fits your mood.

The view from the patio is picturesque in a way that is typical for Amsterdam. Since I have been studying at the UvA, I have found the surroundings of Crea very inspiring. You feel very close to the history of the city and the university. When you are there, take the time to enjoy the atmosphere and stroll around between the university-buildings.

Details about this spot
Café Crea | Coffee & tea, Bars, Restaurants (international) | Beer € 2.00
Turfdraagsterpad 17 | Old center (area map) | +31205251423
Mon - Sat 10:00 - 01:00, Sun 11:00 - 19:00

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It is a well-known place in Amsterdam right next to Hotel de L’Europe. A nice looking place from the inside, especially because of the extremely high ceilings.
In the summer this is one of the best outdoor cafes to sit with loads of boats passing by. The beer company Grolsch still owns this building, so in the summer you can enjoy your beer on one of the most beautiful terraces of Amsterdam.

On not so sunny days, loads of magazines are there to get you through a rainy day. You can sit here for hours with one drink without waiters looking at you like “go away or order something else”. Maybe this is because they do not notice you either if you want to order something.

The sandwiches are fine, but personally I would stick to the beverages only.

Details about this spot
Café de Jaren | Bars, Coffee & tea | Coffee € 2.00
Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20/22 | Old center (area map) | +31206255771
10:00 - 00:00 daily

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This brown colored pub on the Kloveniersburgwal was here when my father was studying in Amsterdam. It is supposed to be a literary café, a place where you can read a book or newspaper in peace, but I usually find it quite lively.

It has a layout that is typical for Amsterdam: quite narrow and deep. There is only sunlight in the front, but bars like these are not supposed to be bathing in light. The crowd is usually positioned in the narrow space in front of the bar, in the smoke free area back you can sit down in relative peace; take a look at the photos that are exhibited, or play a board game.

This place has an atmosphere that you will not find in newer bars, but what is more, they serve beers that you will not find anywhere else in Amsterdam. It is not a beer café per se, but the beers they have on tap are exquisite. I would not know where to find a tastier beer on a hot summer day. You can enjoy it on the patio facing the canal, in front, across the street.

During the day you can have a tasty lunch, served on proper, thick slices of bread. After five in the afternoon you can pick your dinner from the small menu written on a chalkboard in front of the bar. The food is tasty and far from expensive; the meal of the day will set you back about Euro 8.50. It is no haute cuisine, but it is good and healthy and you can flush it away with a delicious beer.

Details about this spot
Engelbewaarder | Bars, Restaurants (Lunch) | Beer € 2.00
Kloveniersburgwal 59 | Old center (area map) | +31206253772
Mon - Thu 12:00 - 01:00, Fri - Sat 12:00 - 02:00, Sun 14:00 - 01:00

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The lunch is fantastic over here. This restaurant has a tratorria on the Overtoom as well, so you can imagine that the food is of high quality.

It is a Italian cuisine with sandwiches like goat cheese, vitello tonato and spicy chicken. They always have fresh made fruit juices.

On Sundays there’s life jazz music with singers. The place is a little bit small for a band, so it sounds loud, but still it is very nice.

The view is great, you are overlooking the canals and the Waterlooplein. To be honest, I have never been here for diner, but I definitely will.

Details about this spot
Frenzi | Restaurants (Italian) | Sandwich € 10.00
Zwanenburgwal 232 | Old center (area map) | +31204235112
10:00 - 00:00 daily

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Gartine is one of my favorites for a unique breakfast, excellent lunch and English high tea. I visited the place several times and mostly for breakfast. All raw products come from the owner’s vegetable garden. I experienced the dishes always as super fresh and of good quality! The atmosphere is easy and pleasant.

The dishes are served on antique chinaware, which is collected by the owners with tender loving care during the past years. If you like antique chinaware only this is a reason to visit the place!

On top of that Gartine adopted 58 chickens at the foundation ‘Adopt a Chicken’ and these chickens provide the farm fresh eggs. Next to that the staff works with products of the ‘Ark van Smaak’ from Slow Food Netherlands. So when you eat there, you eat ‘eco and green’!

Gartine is in a small alley called ‘Taksteeg’ in the old centre of Amsterdam, between Rokin and Spui.

Details about this spot
Gartine | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Big breakfast € 10.95
Taksteeg 7 | Old center (area map) | +313204132
Tue - Sun 08:00 - 18:00

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A Kantjil is a small deer, and the Tiger, yeah that’s the tiger, but the fairytale tells about this small but extremely smart deer, which remains alive after all.

This Indonesian restaurant is located on a busy spot in heart of the city. They serve traditional good Indonesian food. Recommendable is the “Rijsttafel” Kantjil, with several small dishes. Rijsttafel is actually a Dutch phenomenon: we introduced this way of having & sharing dinner during the time Indonesia was a Dutch colony.

They serve great Lumpia Semarang. The Kredok, which is salad but than Indonesian style & the Peteh Oedang are among my favourite dishes in this busy and popular restaurant. Just around the corner, they opened an easy take away for one plate mixed rice or mie dishes. Good food & value for money.

Details about this spot
Kantjil & de Tijger | Restaurants (ndonesian) | Rijsttafel + drinks p.p. € 35.00
Spuistraat 291-293 | Old center (area map) | +31206200994
Mon - Fri 16:30 - 23:00, Sat - Sun 12:00 - 23:00

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If you decide to go shopping in Amsterdam there are some places I would advise you to go to, and some you should definitely avoid. The Kalverstraat, running from the Dam to the Munt, is one that fits into the latter category. It is always overcrowded and it is unlikely that you will find any shops there that you cannot find in another place in another country.

If you are on the Dam, don’t go there; take the Damstraat in eastern direction instead. After about half a kilometer it changes into the Nieuwe Hooghstraat, which is lined mostly with smaller clothing shops.

You won’t find any retailers from the big chains there, or in the Jodenbree straat that crosses it at the end, but independent shops offering their wares to different niches in the market. You can find shops that just sell hats, designer shoes, equipment for jugglers, and so on. I buy most of my clothes in the second hand shops in this area.

If you know your way around you can go to a specific shop to find a specific item. It is perhaps more fun not to look for anything in particular. You just might come across that perfect piece of clothing, and if you do it is likely to be something that you wouldn’t easily find anywhere else.

Details about this spot
Nieuwe Hooghstraat, Jodenbreestraat | Shopping | Free
Nieuwe Hooghstraat, Jodenbreestraat | Old center (area map)
depends

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It is really remarkable to see what is behind the characteristics façade of the house at the canal. You could never imagine that in fact it is a hidden church build in the 17th century. This hidden church in the attic was built because Catholics were not allowed to hold public services.

They had to find a way to come together. It is a great historic building with many hidden secrets. Not only the church and the chapel are hidden, but also the altar and the paintings behind.

At this time, the chapel is still in use. You can even arrange your marriage here.

Details about this spot
Ons’ lieve heer op Solder | Art & culture | Adult € 7.00
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 40 | Old center (area map) | +31206246604
Mon - Sat 10:00 - 17:00, Sun 13:00 - 17:00

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In my quest for an authentic pub experience I’ve been stopping by a small pub called “The Minds” quite often lately.

It is small, brown, and what’s more, smoky! Yes despite the ban on smoking in public places, the clientele is still steadily puffing away over here. It doesn’t matter whether they’d be sucking on a joint or on a cigarette, them smokers do provide this dark and shady atmosphere that even I as a non-smoker have been missing since the ban.

For the health freaks this is obviously not a strong selling point. The alternative, relaxed crowd might be however, just as the stone hard rock music that is constantly being played. From The Doors to Queens of the Stone Age and everything in between. The bartender, who’s been the owner of The Minds as long as anybody can remember, obviously plays just what he likes.

I happen to think that this is the perfect way to attract the people to your establishment that fit in. If you like rock in all its different shapes, cheap beer and smoking, you should go to The Minds. Don’t mind the interior, it’s all rough edges, the atmosphere is better than in most other pubs.

Details about this spot
The Minds | Bars | beer € 1.60
Spuistraat 245 | Old center (area map)
21:00 - 3:00 Su - Thu, 21:00 - 4:00 Fri - Sat

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Although you might as well go to Belgium to try the Flemish fries, it’s a lovely country after all, you can get a taste of them in Amsterdam as well.

At Vleminckx in the Voetboogstraat, near Spui, you can help yourself to a beautiful bag of light-golden fries; thick, crispy on the outside, perfectly textured, slightly crummy on the inside.

They sell no other snacks than these little golden wonders, but you can cover them with a wide variety of Dutch and Belgium sauces.

You do have to wade through a horde of shopping tourists and families to get there, but the reward will be worthwhile.

If you are shopping on the busiest shopping streets of the city, Leidsestraat or Kalverstraat, you can get a quick power boost at this always busy little snack bar.

Don’t be fooled by the line of people standing in front of it; you will be served quickly and efficiently. If you are not in the neighborhood, but happen to be fond of fries, take the trip to have them at Vleminckx.

Details about this spot
Vleminckx | Snacks | Flemish fries (medium) € 2.70
Voetboogstraat 31 | Old center (area map)
Mon - Sat 11:00 - 18:00, Sun 12:00 17:30

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