Amsterdam

I lived in Amsterdam long enough to stop planning my days around museums and start planning them around bakeries and specialty coffee shops. It’s a city that rewards exploring: stopping for a canal side drink, a long brunch, and trying some unusual local favorites.

Most of the center is easy to explore on foot, the trams cover the rest, and neighborhoods like De Pijp, Oud-West and Amsterdam-Noord are home to some of my favorite places to eat and drink. You don’t need a car, and you definitely don’t need to spend a fortune to eat well here.

These Amsterdam travel guides cover the restaurants, bakeries, specialty coffee shops, wine bars and brunch spots I kept returning to while living here, plus some of my favorite unusual things to do when you want a break from the standard Amsterdam itinerary.