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  • Paris
  • Amsterdam
  • Collection
City guide

What to do in Amsterdam: Maison ELLE’s guide to the city’s best places

From its iconic canals and world-class museums to its stylish boutiques and inspiring restaurants, Amsterdam reveals a new side of itself around every corner. Maison ELLE Amsterdam invites you to discover a vibrant, creative and effortlessly elegant city through a selection of our favourite places.

Agenda
Coffee
Vondelpark

Koffie Academie

One of Amsterdam’s pioneers of specialty coffee. Expect perfectly roasted beans, homemade pastries and a calm, design-led atmosphere you’ll happily linger in.
Willemsparkbuurt

Coffee District – Willemsparkweg

A bright, contemporary café serving some of the city’s best specialty coffee. A favourite among locals who take their flat whites seriously.

Jordaan – Centrum

Saint-Jean Bakery

Amsterdam’s cult bakery. Entirely plant-based, yet famous for buttery croissants, seasonal pastries and beautifully crafted viennoiseries that rival the classics.

Drinks
Oud-West – Helmersbuurt

De Zingende Zwaan

A laid-back neighbourhood café where locals gather from afternoon drinks to cosy dinners. Relaxed, welcoming and full of authentic Amsterdam charm.

De Pijp – Nieuwe Pijp

GlouGlou

A favourite among natural wine lovers, offering an ever-changing selection of carefully sourced bottles in an effortlessly cool, intimate setting.

Jordaan – Amsterdam-Centrum

Café Thijssen

A Jordaan favourite with a sun-soaked terrace and relaxed neighbourhood feel. The kind of place where one drink easily turns into two.

Restaurants
Helmersbuurt

Pastis

A charming French bistro bringing a taste of Paris to Amsterdam. Classic dishes, timeless interiors and a touch of French art de vivre that perfectly reflects the spirit of Maison ELLE.

Dapperbuurt

Turbo

One of Amsterdam’s hottest tables. An elevated snack bar where nostalgic comfort food gets a bold, creative twist in a buzzing atmosphere.

Dapperbuurt

De Tros

Just around the corner from Turbo, this warm neighbourhood restaurant offers a more classic take on Dutch-inspired cuisine, always executed with care.

Jordaan

Kikkie aan de Prinsensluis

Canal-side dining with one of Amsterdam’s best smash burgers. Casual, generous and ideal for a laid-back lunch or dinner by the water.

Nightlife
Grachtengordel-Zuid

Door 74

Hidden behind an unmarked door, this legendary speakeasy serves some of Amsterdam’s finest cocktails. Elegant, intimate and well worth finding.

Grachtengordel-Zuid

Vault Bar

Set beneath the Waldorf Astoria, this glamorous cocktail bar pairs timeless interiors with inventive signature drinks for an effortlessly chic evening.

Strolls
Oud-West

Vondelpark

A neighbourhood favourite and one of Amsterdam’s specialty coffee pioneers. House-roasted beans, homemade treats and a relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect start to the day.

Grachtengordel-West

De 9 Straatjes

Amsterdam’s most charming shopping district, where independent boutiques, vintage treasures and cosy cafés line the city’s iconic canals.

Centrum

Jordaan

Once a working-class neighbourhood, now one of Amsterdam’s most beautiful quarters. Wander its flower-lined canals, hidden courtyards and effortlessly cool streets.

Museums
Museumkwartier

Van Gogh Museum

Discover the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s work and explore the extraordinary life of one of history’s most influential artists.
Museumkwartier

Stedelijk Museum

A must for lovers of modern art and design, featuring iconic works by Mondrian, Warhol, Kandinsky and contemporary international artists.

Museumkwartier

MOCO Museum

Amsterdam’s boldest museum, bringing together Banksy, Basquiat, Kusama and immersive contemporary exhibitions in a grand canal house.

Wellness
Kinkerbuurt

The Spa Amsterdam

A serene wellness address in the heart of Oud-West, offering tailored massages and restorative rituals in an intimate setting designed for complete relaxation.

Museumkwartier

Akasha Holistic Wellbeing

One of Amsterdam’s most beautiful spas. Tucked inside the Conservatorium Hotel, it combines holistic treatments, a stunning pool and serene interiors designed to restore body and mind.

Dam / Paleiskwartier

AWAY Spa – W Amsterdam

A stylish urban retreat inside W Amsterdam, offering innovative treatments, a vibrant atmosphere and sweeping views over the city from its rooftop location.