Amsterdam Awaits: Where to Eat, Shop and Chill According to Jean School Students
Home to Denim City, Denim Days, Kingpins Amsterdam, Denham, Tenue De Nimes, PVH Denim Center, G-Star Raw and so much more, Amsterdam is a true denim city on the radar of fans and innovators, alike.
There’s more to love about the city, however.
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Whether you’re going to Amsterdam for the first time or the 10th time this spring, the city’s iconic canals, eclectic boutiques and cozy cafes always have something new to offer visitors. Here, local and international Jean School students and participants in the House of Denim Talent Incubator Program share their recommendations for shopping, dining and soaking up the best of Dutch culture.
Noortje Key, 20, Amsterdam East
Best denim store: Vintage shops in Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk.
Just wander through the streets. There are so many stores with great treasures.
Best café: De Koffieschenkerij, Oudekerksplein 27
It’s a cute place in a former church in the middle of the Red Light District where you can sit in the garden and enjoy coffee and pastries.
Best restaurant: De VerbroederIJ, Johan van Hasseltweg 21
Located by the water on the north side of Amsterdam, it’s a place where neighbors come to meet and eat or drink on the sandy terrace.
Best place to chill: Marineterrein, Kattenburgerstraat 5
A lot of students and young people come here to swim and hang out with friends. Markt Centraal is also a great place for pizza, drinks and dancing to live music from many different genres.
Anna Velling, 25, Ashburn, Va.
Best denim store: Concrete Matter, Gasthuismolensteeg 12
Concrete Matter is a vintage store founded in the heart of Amsterdam. It sells premium quality goods and rare finds. It is always a hit because everything is curated selectively, and the people working are equally excited to share the stories their denim tells.
Best café: Five Ways, Kinkerstraat 186
They have the best chai latte in the city, and it’s right outside of Denim City—perfect for a quick break from school.
Best restaurant: nNea Pizza, Bilderdijkstraat 92
They have a fun and experimental menu with great pizza and cocktails, and the atmosphere inside is cozy. Plus, it ranks as one of the best pizzas in all of Europe.
Best place to chill: Zandvoort beach
On the weekends I like to relax with my friends by recharging at the beach, which is just a short train ride away.
Anna Mae van Gorkum, 18, Delft, Netherlands
Best denim store: Denim City, Hannie Dankbaarpassage 22
Denim City sells the best sustainable denim you can find in Amsterdam. Also, there is a really nice energy because of the people that work there. Great service and you can see my brand there.
Best café: Lot61, Kinkerstraat 112
The coffee beans there are really nice—not too strong and not too light. It also has a great place to sit outside.
Best restaurant: Rossini, Reguliersdwarsstraat 3-5
It’s a delicious Italian restaurant. The service is perfect and the food is reasonably priced for the location.
Best place to chill: Vondelpark
In the warmer months, the park is peaceful to chill with friends. In the winter, it’s also very nice to have a walk or run there.
Pascale Numan, 29, Amsterdam
Best denim store: Denim City, Hannie Dankbaarpassage 22
There are incubators and ex-students of Jean School selling items, which are unique, beautiful and creative. The denim that they sell comes from sustainable sources and brands take quality and sustainability in consideration.
Best café: Pamela, Jacob van Lennepstraat 86H
It’s a queer bar/restaurant close to Denim City. They have a nice terrace with a view of the canals and lovely people there.
Best restaurant: Matto, Aambeeldstraat 12
It’s a pizzeria inside of an indoor skatepark located in the North of Amsterdam. The pizzas are fresh—one of the best in Amsterdam—it’s affordable and the vibe is relaxed and playful.
Best place to chill: The harbor
I like to relax on my boat in the harbor located at NDSM, the northern part of Amsterdam. I have a hammock and like to lay in the sun there when the Dutch weather allows it.
Bowie (David) Klaassens, 22, Venlo, Netherlands
Best denim store: Denim City, Hannie Dankbaarpassage 22
The best place to connect to small brands directly in Amsterdam is through Instagram. You can find some at the Denim City Store in de Hallen including my own brand.
Best café: Bar MiMi, Potgieterstraat 35
Not a café but a neighborhood bar that is like an extension of your living room. They have finger-licking food and never-ending drinks. It’s a really small bar but not very crowded.
Best restaurant: Kapitein Zeppos, Gebed Zonder End 5
It has a lovely garden inside of a small street. It is a hidden treasure—one of Amsterdam’s best kept secrets.
Best place to chill: Cafe Lux and Cafe Weber, Marnixstraat 403 and 397.
They are lively hangouts with colorful interiors offering ales, pitchers and international bites.
Benjamin Bertram, 20, Rotterdam
Best denim store: Denim City, Hannie Dankbaarpassage 22
Not only do they have a great assortment of sustainable jeans from local brands and startups, they also sell very beautiful fabrics by sustainable mills like Bossa.
Best café: Lot61, Kinkerstraat 112
The people that work there always have a smile on their face. Not only are they kind, but their coffee is also a great way to start the day.
Best restaurant: Knoflookrestaurant Look, ‘s-Gravendijkwal 140B
The people there are also welcoming and funny, and I’ve never had better food at any other place.
Joshi-Jai Tabak, 23, Amsterdam
Best denim store: Waterlooplein Market, Waterlooplein, 1011 PG
In terms of sustainability, the daily market provides hundreds of second (or even more) hand items. You’ll find different styles, unique trims and vintage treatments. It’s not only good for the planet but also your wallet. Just make sure to bring cash.
Best café: Noordermarkt, near Central Station
It has a great view of the coffee, pastry and vegetables sellers. It’s a place where you can enjoy the company of locals while enjoying a hot drink.
Best restaurant: Restaurant Amsterdam, Westergastfabriek
Located next to Westerpark, it’s a French restaurant in a former powerhouse with four water pumps that drained dune water. The prices are fair, and the atmosphere is casual, spacious and uplifting. The wine is good and served by young folks who are friendly and quick. Try the escargots or fried scallops.
Best place to chill: Sarphatipark
Sarphatipark is a beautiful park next to the Albert Cuyp market. It is the perfect place to take some time for yourself or enjoy the company of others.
Lauren Herzik, 26, Houston, Texas
Best denim store: CKX Studio, Sint Annensteeg 6
Vintage, always. CKX Studio is always worth the visit. It’s a true indigo and denim pearl in Amsterdam.
Best café: White Label Coffee, Jan Evertsenstraat 136
They are a specialty coffee roaster from Amsterdam. I love it for the homey, eclectic interior, and no fuss coffee menu.
Best restaurant: Foer Amsterdam, Cruquiusweg 9
Nature forms the basis for a botanical chef’s menu. It is all made from local, sustainable ingredients. The chefs go into the woods or dunes to collect what is growing in abundance at that moment. The setting and the staff make you feel like you’re right at home, but instead of home cooking you’re served a coursed selection the freshest flavors and most innovative dishes. My favorite dining experience.
Best place to chill: Museum Voorlinden, Buurtweg 90
The whole experience is equally restful and inspiring. The museum is excellently curated and overlooks a sprawling but cozy property.
David Tressel, 21, Amsterdam
Best denim store: Mood Indigo, Nieuwe Hoogstraat 8
I love a good vintage store. Mood Indigo accumulates the best the world of denim has to offer—from American craftsmanship jeans, Japanese selvedge denim and original moleskin workwear.
Best café: Lagom, Snoekjessteeg 1-3
Next to being a Jean School student, I’m a barista. Lagom has great food and drinks.
Best restaurant: Kam Yin, Warmoestraat 6
It is the best affordable ‘toko’ in the city.
Best place to chill: Stedelijk Museum, Museumplein 10
Going for a walk and wander through Stedelijk Museum. There are many great exhibitions throughout the year.
This article appears in Rivet’s Spring Issue. Click here to read more.
