De Pijp is one of Amsterdam’s most curious corners. Snazzy boutiques, third-wave cafes and a global array of restaurants have turned the neighborhood into a yuppie-hub with beatnik spirit. Here’s our guide.
TO STAY:
Sir Albert Hotel
With De Pijp’s food and shopping hotspots right on its doorstep, the Sir Albert Hotel makes for an excellent base to discover the district. Housed in a former diamond factory, this hipster honeypot blends industrial cool with a touch of Dandy – think leather sofas, coffee tables from metal trunks, and sleek black bathrooms. Well-connected local insiders organize art tours, wine tastings, and bar crawls.
TO EAT/DRINK:
101 Gowrie
Amsterdammers may dismiss Dutch cuisine as bland and boring. 101 Gowrie’s young-gun chef Alex Haupt proves that it doesn’t have to be. Borrowing cooking techniques from the izakayas of his mother’s native Japan, he turns Dutch ingredients into finely plated cross-culture creations.
ARIE
With candy-striped awnings and brass-accented interiors, ARIE is a 21st-century answer to Amsterdam’s ‘bruine kroeg’ (Dutch pub). The unfussy vibe draws both hipsters and old-timers, and the drink list spans from locally brewed IPAs to Genever cocktails.
TO VISIT:
Albert Cuypmarkt
Strolled down the Albert Cuypmarkt, a cacophonous street market with vendors hawking everything from raw herring to farm-fresh fruit and more than 30 types of licorice. Snack on free samples, but make sure to leave room for ‘poffertjes’ – fluffy mini pancakes dusted with sugar.
Sarphatipark
The Sarphatipark is a magnet for dog walkers, joggers, and local yuppies carrying toddlers on their cargo bikes. A coffee cart often pops up at its west-facing entrance, and unlike at the tourist-thronged Vondelpark, you can still nab a lakeside picnic spot on sunny days.
Anna + Nina
For an all-in-one shop-stop, head to Anna + Nina on the boutique-packed Gerard Doustraat. This kaleidoscopic concept store stocks colorful glassware and textile goods from global artisans, but their playful jewelry is what makes it a hit with local fashionistas.
