Discover Amsterdam’s 200 best Local Soul spots for your trip

Tjin's Toko

★ 4.5 · 800 reviews

Discover Tjin's Toko, a De Pijp-area market that smells of spices and fried snacks. Browse shelves of Indonesian and Mexican ingredients, then grab a Suriname sandwich from the deli counter.

Watergraafsmeer

Head east to Watergraafsmeer, a local Amsterdam neighbourhood few visitors see. Walk its quiet residential streets and take in the everyday, understated charm that the canal-ring crowds miss.

Eethuis Sinbad

★ 4.5 · 1,777 reviews

Head to Eethuis Sinbad, the Amsterdam-Oost spot locals name when asked for the best kapsalon in town. Tackle a heaped tray of fries, meat, cheese and salad at a relaxed, late-night pace.

Bos en Lommer

Wander Bos en Lommer, a low-key western neighbourhood where Amsterdam's early 20th-century housing still defines the streets. Explore brick courtyards and local shops for a view of the city beyond the postcards.

Nieuwendammerdijk

Slip away from central Amsterdam to Nieuwendammerdijk, a hidden dyke street in the north. Stroll past rows of charming little houses along the water and enjoy a slower, village-like side of the city.

Rembrandtpark

★ 4.5 · 5,303 reviews

Slip into Rembrandtpark, a peaceful green stretch of Amsterdam Nieuw-West that locals favour over busier parks. Circle its small lakes along tree-shaded paths, with plenty of quiet corners for a picnic or a long walk.

OT301

★ 4.6 · 587 reviews

Discover OT301, a community-run cultural centre in Amsterdam-West that turns into one of the city's most genuine club spaces after dark. Dance to drum and bass or techno with a friendly local crowd and a cheap Czech beer in hand.

De Baarsjes

Cross into De Baarsjes, the diverse west-side neighbourhood where Amsterdam's creative crowd has made its home. Browse the Ten Katemarkt, wander past murals and cafés, and linger into the evening on a busy terrace.

Café Restaurant De Reiger

★ 4.5 · 745 reviews

Step into De Reiger, the veteran Amsterdam café that has been feeding locals since 1896. Settle into its warm, art deco-accented room and work through hearty Dutch plates like stamppot with meatballs or a crisp schnitzel.

New Draver Restaurant

★ 4.4 · 508 reviews

Try New Draver, the Oost restaurant where Amsterdam goes for Surinamese cooking. Tuck into roti or tender roast chicken with fried rice in a relaxed, local setting.

Erasmuspark

★ 4.6 · 1,056 reviews

Stroll through Erasmuspark, a peaceful local favourite in Amsterdam-West. Admire the flower beds, loop the running track or settle by the water at the cafe.

Westerpark

Wander into Westerpark, a favourite green space of Amsterdam's trendy western neighbourhood. Stroll its paths, find a spot on the lawns, and soak up the relaxed local mood that builds through the afternoon and early evening.

Park Frankendael

★ 4.6 · 2,865 reviews

Step into Park Frankendael, a former estate in Amsterdam-Oost built around a 17th-century manor house. Drift between wooded paths, the allotments and the reed-edged pond, then pause at a restaurant in a historic building.

Oosterpark

★ 4.5 · 6,891 reviews

Wander into Oosterpark, Amsterdam-Oost's lively local green space centred on a pond and its birdlife. Follow the loop path past sculptures and fountains, then settle on a bench or watch children splash in the wading pool.

Flevopark

★ 4.6 · 1,025 reviews

Unwind in Flevopark, a leafy green escape in Amsterdam-Oost. Picnic on the lawns, follow the jogging paths under the trees and cool off at the big outdoor pool in summer.

New Fusion

★ 4.4 · 577 reviews

Head to New Fusion in Amsterdam-Zuid for a generous, no-nonsense lunch or dinner. Dig into moksi meti rice with pork belly and char siu, plus satay and salt-and-pepper prawns to share.

Noordermarkt

Wander Noordermarkt, the open-air market beside the Noorderkerk in Amsterdam's Jordaan. Spend an unhurried hour on a Saturday morning drifting between stalls the way locals do.

Sarphatipark

Take a break in Sarphatipark, a local green space tucked into Amsterdam-Zuid. Follow its paths at an easy pace, find a bench or patch of lawn, and enjoy a quiet hour alongside neighbourhood regulars.

Amsterdam-Oost

Head east into Amsterdam-Oost, where everyday city life plays out away from the tourist trail. Stroll Oosterpark, then push through the stalls of Dappermarkt before stopping at a neighbourhood café.

Noorderpark

★ 4.4 · 3,403 reviews

Cross over to Noorderpark in Amsterdam-Noord for a green break far from the tourist crowds. Stroll the meandering paths, let the children loose on the playgrounds or splash pool, and stop at a cafe.

Roopram Roti

★ 4.3 · 1,449 reviews

Join the line at Roopram Roti, the Amsterdam-Oost institution for Surinamese cooking. Tuck into lamb roti with its spicy sauce or a roti roll with chicken, beans and potatoes, the way locals have for years.

Leeman Döner

★ 4.4 · 1,846 reviews

Stop by Leeman Döner, the unfussy Amsterdam-Zuid takeaway that kebab fans rate as the city's gold standard. Grab a doner in house-baked bread and eat it on the go.

Gardens of West

★ 4.5 · 159 reviews

Seek out Gardens of West, a quiet garden hideaway in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. Sip a coffee among the plants, browse healthy produce and pick your own fruit from the garden.

Beatrixpark

★ 4.6 · 2,938 reviews

Slip into Beatrixpark, a graceful 1930s city park in Amsterdam-Zuid. Follow the landscaped paths past the pond, picnic on a quiet lawn and let children splash at the wading pool.

Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx

★ 4.5 · 5,981 reviews

Grab a cone at Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx, the legendary fries kiosk in central Amsterdam. Pick a sauce from the long list and eat your hot fries on the move.

Albert Cuyp Markt

★ 4.5 · 1,785 reviews

Walk Albert Cuyp Markt, the beating heart of De Pijp's street-food and shopping scene. Sample tacos, grilled cheese and fresh seafood from the stalls, then browse fruit, clothes and bargains along the busy street.

The Cottage

★ 4.7 · 1,982 reviews

Settle in at The Cottage, an Oost favourite where the kitchen runs from breakfast through to late evening. Order the duck leg or a generous traditional plate, and take a seat outside if the weather allows.

café twee prinsen

★ 4.3 · 598 reviews

Discover Café Twee Prinsen, a laid-back Amsterdam wine bar with a loyal local following. Grab a spot outside, order a glass of orange wine with nuts or bread, and watch the sunset slip by.

Amsterdam Forest

★ 4.6 · 18,943 reviews

Escape the city in Amsterdam Forest, a huge woodland just south of the centre. Cycle or walk the shaded trails, rent a boat on the water and visit the organic farm along the way.

Nelson Mandela park

★ 4.4 · 3,257 reviews

Visit Nelson Mandela Park, a lively green space in Amsterdam-Zuidoost laid out around waterways. Fire up a barbecue, watch football and cricket on the fields or check out the skate park.