My favorite walking tour

Beethovenstraat – Roelof Hartstraat – Ferdinand Bolstraat – Albert Cuypstraat (and market) – Utrechtsestraat – Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) – Portuguese Synagogue – Bloemenmarkt – de 9 straatjes (“the nine streets”) – Jordaan/Anne Frank House

*Starting point is Beethovenstraat, which is where I live, which incidentally, is an amazing street to walk in. But you can start from any point south of Roelof Hartstraat

**De 9 straatjes is not a street, it is actually a shopping area in Amsterdam-Centre. The nine streets connect the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel. Walk through them all (Reestraat, Hartenstraat, Gasthuismolensteeg, Berenstraat, Wolvenstraat, Oude Spiegelstraat, Runstraat, Huidenstraat, Wijde Heisteeg)

***The end stop is het Anne Frank Huis in de Jordaan area, but it doesn’t mean you actually have to visit it. It is definitely worth a visit but in the context of the walking tour, you can consider it to be your end stop.

****My favorite walking tour does by no means cover all the beautiful spots in Amsterdam. It is just my favorite walking tour and the one I deem “most walkable” and encompassing of my favorite areas/spots. If you have the legs for it, return walking from the Jordaan to the Beethovenstraat but passing through het Leidseplein, de PC Hooftstraat, Museumplein and het Vondelpark.

Eat

• SORA Sapporo (Ramen – Noodles – authentic Japanese)
• Pho 91 (Pho – Vietnamese)
• Pizza Beppe (the first authentic Neapolitan pizza in the Netherlands)
• Nnea Pizza (also pretty awesome Neapolitan pizza place)
• Pizzabakkers (not Neapolitan but fantastic nonetheless)
• Tanuki (think of it as small Japanese dishes) – there are two locations. Choose the location in Amstelveen, which is more authentic Japanese.
• At Seven (brunch in de Rivierenbuurt) – try their vega club sandwich with fries. Oh my word.
• Staring at Jacob – (New York Style Brunch – come hungry)
• Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx (kiosk where you can order amazing fries – don’t ever let anyone tell you “they miss Dutch fries”, there is no such thing)
• Alfonso’s (Mexican)
• Le Fournil (French bakery) – up to now, the most delicious croissants and madeleines I’ve eaten in Amsterdam. Their bread is nothing to write home about. Go for the croissants, the madeleines and their pain au chocolat.
• Buy candy at Jamin when you feel sad. Or happy. Or all the time.
• Anne en Max (brunch – try their vegan cheesecake)
• Mana Mana (Israeli)

Movie theatres

Simple: Tuschinski for the authentic exterior (the most beautiful movie theatre I’ve ever seen. I actually wanted to propose to my wife there but at the time there was a movie festival being held there which was going to last for about a month. Worth a visit even without a film.

For the films: Rialto, Eye film museum, de Balie or Filmtheater Uitkijk (for the art house kind of films). Pathé Arena or Tuschinski (for the mainstream films).

Bookshops

• Scheltema (mostly Dutch but some English)
• American Book Center
• Waterstones
• Lambiek (a comic book shop – they have absolutely everything, from vintage/limited edition Suske en Wiskes to newest releases. Friendly staff)

Record stores

• Waxwell Records
• Concerto (this place is my Mecca. They serve coffee and soup as well)

Nerd heaven/Game stores/Game centers

• Friends and Foes
• Gamekeeper