Exploring Indie Amsterdam
Amsterdam — The city of canals, coffee shops, tulips, and window ladies is buzzing everywhere, from the newly developed Westergasfabriek to the hipster De Pijp neighborhood. Hop on a bike on a sunny day and discover the historical port’s hidden charms, far from the crammed Red light district. Here are a few cool neighborhoods to explore.
The North: Amsterdam’s Williamsburg
Take a ferry (with your bike) across to the Noord, where artists and creative professionals live in a friendly boho atmosphere. Start with a coffee or lunch at Hotel de Goudfazant, a trendy spot on the waterfront where regulars flock. This 1200 sq meter space, with its unpainted walls, rugged decor, red canteen chairs and wine glass chandeliers, seems just right for the local arts crowd. In summer, sit on a picnic table on the water and chill, Amsterdam style. For cocktails, check out IJ Kantine, an all-transparent brasserie also on the water. There's sangria, Pimm's, a huge terrace and a fireplace to relax.
The West: a dream cultural district
Amsterdam has newly developed this vast area in the west, a former site of gas factories. There is a cultural park, avant-garde music venues, and lots of cool shops that make it feel like a Marais or the Lower East Side. Westerpark is a quaint hood with boutiques, a cinema, and the famous Restaurant Amsterdam, a former engine room from 1900 where young chefs whip up delicious and cheap meals. At the Westergafabriek, a former industrial complex turned cultural mecca, there are bars, restaurants, offices for creative teams and performance spaces.
De Pijp: bohemian life
This former working class neighborhood now known as the local Quartier Latin is where you'll find artisanal cheese mongers, french bistros, cool coffee shops, lovely brown cafes, ceramic workshops and stylish mothers pushing their design strollers on the quaint narrow streets. There is also the Albert Cuypmarkt, a daily market (and Holland's largest) that is as lively as it is appetizing, with its huge choice of fresh fish, cheese, flowers and even clothes and perfumes. At the Blackboard Canteen, everything is black and sleek, and there are chalk drawings on the blackboard. Have a Clunito, a mojito in a jam jar. And of course for beer lovers, the Heineken Experience, a museum in the former brewery, is just steps away!
The Jordaan: shopping frenzy
If you've had enough culture and are ready for serious action, head to the Jordaan for a shopping excursion. First, check in at the refined Canal House, a new boutique hotel decorated in black and jewel tones by design firm Concrete. Rooms have views on the canal and trees; the restaurant looks out onto the luxuriant garden. Head out to Sprmrkt, a massive bunker-like store with black and white photographs, white walls and a very cool selection of designers from Martin Margiela to Raf Simons.
