I’ve had a few people contact me over the past year or so asking for recommendations for their trips to Amsterdam. I have been sort of dragging my feet writing this post because I think that recommendations for what to see and where to eat in a city is fairly personal, so what I recommend may or may not fit what you’re looking for. But that being said, I’ve put together a list anyway. Obviously a lot of what is below is kid-friendly, since we live here with our two little ones, but there are some bars and date-night options included for those of you who are lucky enough to be traveling sans-babies.

Click on the links for more info.

Groceries, Basics, etc.:

• Lidl (takes cash or PIN)
• Albert Heijn (takes cash or Maestro PIN cards only)
• Marqt (cards only)
• Etos (drugstore)
• Kruidvat (drugstore)
• Albert Cuypmarkt (good for: cheese, nuts, fish, fruits/veggies, flowers, etc.)

Breakfast/Brunch:

• Bij Paul (our favorite croissants in the city)
• Bakers and Roasters
• Drovers Dog (outdoor seating is nice on warm days)
• Dignita (especially good for kids)
• Omelegg
• De Carrousel (pannenkoeken — Dutch pancakes)
• Bagels and Beans (multiple locations) 

Lunch:

• De Wasserette
• Hutspot
• Bakhuys (sandwiches/pizza/bakery/coffee – best bread in Amsterdam, in my opinion — I go roughly once a week to buy bread.)
• Vlaamsch Broodhuys

Dinner:

• De Foodhallen (lots of choices)
• Spaghetteria
• Dim Sum Now
• De Pizzabakkers
• The Seafood Bar*
• Los Feliz (Mexican)
• Fa. Pekelhaaring*
• Thrill Grill (burgers)
• Bistrot des Alpes* (fondue)
• Riva*
• De Wilde Zwijnen*

*adult/date night options – less kid-friendly

Coffee:

• Coffee Company (multiple locations)
• Scandinavian Embassy
• Coffee and Coconuts (also good for breakfast)
• De Koffie Salon

Beer:

• Gollem (any of the locations)
• Craft & Draft
• Arendsnest (only Dutch beers)
• Beer Loves Food
• Beer Temple (American beers)
• Brouwerij ‘t IJ (brewery under a windmill)
• Brouwerij Troost

**There is a pub crawl you can easily do over the course of a day or night (visit this site for more info). You have one beer at each: Arendsnest, Beer Temple, Beer Loves Food, and Craft and Draft, then present your receipts from each bar at Craft and Draft at the end and receive a free t-shirt. (Easiest/Fastest way to do this is on a bike.)

Other:

• Tales and Spirits (delicious cocktails, also good for date nights)
• Ijscuypje (ice cream)
• Gall and Gall (liquor store for beer/wine/spirits)
• Stach (beer/wine, snacks, treats)

Favorite toy stores:

• Oude Muis & Kleine Beer
• Mikado
• De Kleine Parade*
• Mini Markt*
• Goochem
• Blender Concept Store*
• De Zaailing

*These are kid cafes as well as toy stores

Favorite Tourist Activities:

• Canal cruise
• Rijksmuseum
• Anne Frank House (book tickets wayyy in advance if you can)
• Vondelpark (you can bike through the park if you’re brave!)
• Albert Cuypmarkt
• NEMO Science Museum (fun for kids and café on top is great on a nice day, also you can visit the café and outdoor area on top of the Museum without having a Museum ticket)
• Artis Zoo (great for kids!)
• Red Light District (not kid friendly!)
• Sunday Market at Westergasfabriek (only the first Sunday of each month)

A little outside the city: 

• Keukenhof Gardens (only open in Spring)
• Zaanse Schans
• Rotterdam
• The Hague