Need help finding your little haven in Amsterdam?

Then you’re in the perfect spot! Here you’ll find a whole list of some of your predecessors’ favorite places to hang out while in Amsterdam. The map is broken into some of the major boroughs of Amsterdam, so you’ll be able to look for something to do in a specific part of Amsterdam.

We hope you find this helpful, and if you find a place that you particularly love and want to see added to the map, make sure to send us an email with a little description and what you love about it, and we’ll add it on here for the future generations of students.

Hidden Treasures of Amsterdam by (future) Forensic Scientists

  1. Zandvoort Beach – Zandvoort Beach, Boulevard Paulus Loot 19, 2042 AD Zandvoort

 

Centrum

  1. Ramen-ya – Oudezijds Voorburgwal 236, 1012 GK Amsterdam
  • This is the third ramen place in our classmate’s Top Three ramen recommendations, so if you’re craving some noodles near Central Station, make sure to stop here.
  1. Vegan Junk Food Bar – Reguliersdwarsstraat 57, 1017 BK Amsterdam
  • There are 3 locations scattered throughout Amsterdam, but the one on Reguliersdwarsstraat is a particular favorite! They have super yummy vegan food and great cocktails!
  1. De Koffischenkerij – Ouderkerksplein 27, 1012 GX Amsterdam
  • Cute café attached to the Old Church. It has a lovely outdoor area, but the inside is super nice too. You can get some really nice coffee and sweet treats here.
  1. Blue Amsterdam – Winkelcentrum Kalverpassage, Singel 457, 1012 WP Amsterdam
  • A café situated high up in a glass building, so you can see Amsterdam. This is a great place for a nice lunch or coffee with a fantastic view.
  1. La Fucina Bloemenmarkt – Geelvincksteeg 4H, 1017 BE Amsterdam
  • An awesome Italian restaurant owned by Italians. They make amazing pizza and great desserts.
  1. Chatime Amsterdam – Kalverstraat 139, 1012 XE Amsterdam
  • You should come here for some great bubble tea!
  1. Manneken Pis Damrak – Damrak 41, 1012 LK Amsterdam
  • To get the proper Dutch welcome, you have to come here and get the fries (my personal favorite is fries with oorlog sauce, mayo, and onions on top, don’t knock it ‘til you try it haha).
  • Note, there is another location at Nieuwendijk 222, 1012 MX Amsterdam.
  1. American Book Center – Spui 12, 1012 XA Amsterdam
  2. Waterstones – Kalverstraat 152, 1012 XE Amsterdam
  • American Book Center and Waterstones are perfect for both the Dutch and international bookworms in our midst. Plenty of book options in multiple languages, you’re sure to find something that suits your interests!

 

Noord

  1. Pllek – (PLLEK )
  • A city beach with a nice restaurant. Often times, events are held here, so keep an eye out for that if you enjoy festivals and the like.
  1. Noorderlicht – NDSM Plein 102, 1033 WB Amsterdam (Noorderlicht)
  • Fun cafe with good food with plenty of vegan/vegetarian options, and seasonal dishes by the river. It has a really cool vibe since it’s in a greenhouse-type building, but you may need to make a reservation on the website, so just make sure you check that before just dropping by.
  1. IJhallen –T. Neveritaweg (https://ijhallen.nl/en/locatie.php)
  • This is the biggest flea market in Europe, held right here in Amsterdam once a monthly! The website linked tells you how to get to the flea market depending on your mode of transport and a calendar telling you when its planned. Plus, you can buy the entrance tickets through there (don’t worry, the tickets aren’t expensive!)
  1. Skatecafe – Gedempt Hamerkanaal 42, 1021 KM Amsterdam
  • Good club, with a cool interior and an industrial feel. A fun blend of skating options, food, drinks, and clubbing.
  1. EYE Filmmuseum and Cinema – Ijpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam
  • A fun, interactive museum. It takes you through the history of film making to making your own green screen film. It has a tasty restaurant/cafeteria, and a proper movie theater where you can watch movies just like any other cinema. If you have the museum card, make sure you bring it, because then the entrance will be free!

 

South

  1. SORA Sapporo Ramen – Ceintuurbaan 49, 1072 ET Amsterdam
  • One of our classmates has a personal rating of various ramen restaurants throughout Amsterdam, and this is on her Top Three list, so if you want some of the best ramen around, make sure to stop here. There’s also a location in West if that’s better for you!
  1. Rijksmuseum gardens – Museumpromenade 1, 1071 DJ Amsterdam
  • If you’re looking for a beautiful place to go and relax, or even study, this is the place for you.

 

East

  1. Volkshotel – Wibau tstraat 150, 1091 GR Amsterdam
  • Has a sauna and hot tubs on the roof that are free to use on Sundays for non-guests. We would recommend maybe giving them a call just in case any regulations have changed, what with COVID and whatnot.
  1. Javastraat
  • Nice street with bars, restaurants and shops.
  1. Studio/K – Timorplein 62, 1094 CC Amsterdam
  • This is a movie theater and restaurant run entirely by students. The café has vegetarian, vegan, fish, and meat dishes, so it’s perfect for everyone!

 

West

  1. Lab111 – Arie Biemondstraat 111, 1054 PD
  • This used to be an old anatomical pathological laboratory that was then turned into cinema! It has lots of variety in the movie genres they show, from in-depth documentaries and modern classics to unconventional genres.
  1. Westerpark
  • A really nice green space to relax in during the day. It transforms into a fantastic place for nightlife, and it’s known to have festivals throughout the year.
  1. Tonton Club – Polonceaukade 27, 1014 DA Amsterdam
  • Good food and a nice arcade and board games, perfect for an evening hangout after classes all day!
  1. SORA Sapporo Ramen-West – Marco Polostraat 223H, 1056 DL Amsterdam
  • Top Three ramen in Amsterdam, according to one of our classmate’s personal ramen rating list. There’s also a location in South, so make sure to check it out if you’re in the area there too!