friday next a interior design shop, studio and cafe

Friday next is a concept store where interior design meets fashion meets hospitality. 

What to expect: (Dutch) design products, home-made tarts and pies, free wifi and an interior design studio in the back.

Clientele: girlfriends having a coffee, office people having an informal meeting, passerby’s and a creative soul enjoying the free wifi. 

Recommended to: the esthetically aware and 'home food' lovers.

Click to read more ...

Dutch design souvenirs and gifts

Updated on May 2, 2012 by Kira

Living in Holland, we all realize that the country stands for more than ‘sex, drugs and Delft’s Blue’. Unfortunately, souvenir shop holders’ imagination seems to be limited to porcelain windmills and clogs, which doesn’t help to change Holland’s image.

And then you have Thinking of Holland: an upscale souvenir or Dutch design gift shop.

Click to read more ...

Best Tea Shops in Amsterdam

I had already sworn of Pickwick upon my first visit to the modern Tea Bar a few years ago. Nevertheless, experiencing the art of tea-making at Formocha, inspired me to lead your way through Amsterdam’s world of teas. 

Formocha is the first Chinese tea house in the Netherlands, but tea and Amsterdam go way back; tea and coffee shops 't Hofje van Wijs (1792), Geels & co (1863) and 't Zonnetje (1642) are still open for business. 

Click to read more ...

Most Beautiful Bookshops in Amsterdam

World Book Capital of 2008, Amsterdam remains a noteworthy book loving city. From the chic Taschen shop to the historical UNESCO-protected Jewish library and secret(-ish) book market. For coziness visit The English Bookshop, for artistic photography head to Mendo and you can guess what Nature & Architectura is specialized in.

Also check:

Best English book shops in Amsterdam. 

Click to read more ...

Best Pastry Shop in Amsterdam

To celebrate my friend’s birthday, we went to the Ysbreeker - an unpretentious hotspot with lots of Dutch delights: in terms guys and in terms of pastries. The chocoholics amongst us praised the chocolate cake - and no wonder it came from the kitchen from Van Velze! The Ysbreeker's dessert menu also boasts the apple pie from Kuyt - another important name in the Amsterdam world of pastries.

It became clear to me: write a post about best pastry shops in Amsterdam asap. 

Click to read more ...

Best English Bookshops in Amsterdam

Though most book shops sell some English titles, here’s the complete list of English book shops in Amsterdam.

Opposite the ABC and close to Waterstones, Amsterdam's most famous book market is held on ‘t Spui on Fridays. Though not English-focuse, it's nice to nose around. You’ll find antiquarian booksellers, as well as stalls with rare modern books, mostly about art and photography.

Click to read more ...

Best Chocolate Shops in Amsterdam

Updated on June 29, 2012 by Kira

Be aware, don't trip over colourfully wrapped chocolate eggs. Easter bunnies have arrived in town and left their trail all over supermarkets and department stores.

If you're lucky, the bunnies first paid a visit to one of the chocolatiers below before hopping onto your (roof) terrace. The chocolates are a pure bliss and an excellent treat to spoil yourself and your loved ones!

Click to read more ...

Best French Bakeries in Amsterdam

For those of you who live here, it could not have escaped you how fond the Dutch are of their 'Broodje Kaas'. In the weekend, many families upgrade their breakfast or lunch to a baguette a la fromage. There are two great French bakeries in Amsterdam that would even impress les Francais amongst us. Check also the post about Amsterdam's best cheese shops and best wine shops, to make your (petit) dejeuner complete.

Click to read more ...

Best Shops in the Jordaan

From Scottish game to marmalade and chocolates, we are calling on our English friend Mehul to tell us where to go in his part of town: Bohemian Jordaan.

"The Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk are at the very north end of the Jordaan. It has many specialty stores which makes getting your shoppings done convenient. Below I have listed the shops that I frequently visit."

Click to read more ...