Amsterdam
“It’s such a fantastic place, so charming, exciting, invigorating, open-minded, warm, delicious... and I love that Amsterdam is an international city where people from all over are welcome. That’s how the rest of the world should be.”
PHIL'S Amsterdam LOCATIONS
Albert Cuyp Market
Phil meets up with chef Joris Bijdendijk (from the acclaimed restaurants RIJKS and Wils) to explore the Albert Cuyp Market before grabbing some lunch. This enormous market is a great place to walk around and grab a bite, and is very popular among tourists and locals alike!
Address: Albert Cuypstraat 101, 1072 VV Amsterdam, Netherlands
Volendammer Vishandel
For their first lunch stop, chef Bijdendijk takes Phil to his favorite herring place, Volendammer Vishandel. Herring is a necessary part of any trip to Amsterdam, and this might be the best place to try it. The brined fish is usually served with pickles and onions, but don’t be afraid to grab it from the tail and eat it by itself!
Address: Eerste van der Helststraat 60, 1072 NX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Spang Makandra
After herring, chef Bijdendijk brings Phil to his favorite Surinamese restaurant, Spang Makandra. Blending Chinese, Indian, Portuguese, Jewish, African and more flavors together, Surinamese food is a deliciously complex cuisine that is very popular and influential in Amsterdam. If you're a fan of spicy food, make sure to try the madame jeanette chilli sauce!
Address: Gerard Doustraat 33, 1072 VK Amsterdam, Netherlands
Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels
For dessert, chef Bijdendijk and Phil stop for some obligatory stroopwafels at Phil’s favorite place to get them, Rudi’s. Stroopwafels are an iconic dessert in the Netherlands, and Rudi’s stroopwafels are made fresh, slathered with syrup right in front of you, and served piping hot.
Address: Albert Cuyp Straat, t/o 182, 1073 BK Amsterdam, Netherlands
De Kas
Phil meets actress Claudia Jessie at one of the best restaurants in Europe, De Kas. Translating to greenhouse in Dutch, De Kas takes farm to table to the next level, harvesting ingredients from their own gardens in the morning to be served the same day. Chef Savannah Hagendijk treats Phil and Jessie to a breathtaking vegan meal. Phil recommends going to De Kas in late summer, when the produce is at its peak ripeness.
Address: Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Upstairs Pancakes
Phil walks up a set of 500 year old stairs to Upstairs Pancakes. This tiny restaurant has only 4 tables, but you want to make sure you’re at one of them. These unbelievable dutch pancakes are unlike any you’ve had before. Phil tries a bacon, brie, and honey pancake, and a strawberries and cream pancake. The best he’s ever had!
Address: Grimburgwal 2, 1012 GA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Pulitzer’s Bar
Phil meets up with cocktail expert Dennis Tamse at his favorite place to get a martini, Pulitzer’s Bar. Dennis’s order: Kettle One martini on the wet side (an extra splash of vermouth) with a twist. Along with their drinks, they share a plate of bitterballen, fried balls of meat ragu that are a very popular bar snack in the Netherlands.
Address: Prinsengracht 323, 1016 DZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
De Hapjeshoek
Phil meets up with chef and TV personality London Loy to celebrate his birthday at his favorite Surinamese restaurant, De Hapjeshoek. Located inside of a subway, this cafeteria-style is a perfect place to grab some grub on the go! Phil recommends the chicken and the pom sandwich.
Address: Metrostation, Waterlooplein 6, 1011 MS Amsterdam, Netherlands
Nolet Distillery
Founded in 1691, the Nolet family has been making vodka in this distillery for more than 300 years! Phil meets Bob and Carolous (the 11th generation of Nolets to operate this distillery) for a tour of Nolet Distillery and to learn about how Kettle One vodka is made.
Address: Hoofdstraat 14, 3114 GG Schiedam, Netherlands
Gouda
Did you know that there’s a town called Gouda? Phil heads there for the Gouda Cheese Market, a weekly festival held every week during the summer in Gouda. Phil rings the bell to signal the opening of the market, and haggles for some cheese. Fans of gouda cheese should absolutely visit this one-of-a-kind cheese market.
Address: Markt 35, 2801 JK Gouda, The Netherlands
Brownies & Downies
After the cheese market, Phil needs something chocolate. His new friend Charlotte takes her to an amazing local brownie shop, Brownies & Downies. This special bakery doesn’t only serve delicious brownies, they also employ people with down syndrome and other learning disabilities. They have many locations all around Amsterdam, so check out their website to find a location near you!
Road of Hope
Phil meets up with Patricia Silva to learn more about her organization, Road of Hope. Patricia founded Road of Hope to help the growing number of refugees in Amsterdam better integrate into Dutch society. Check out their website to learn more and see how you can get involved with this incredible nonprofit.
Friese Palingroker
Phil meets Bas Oosterbaan for a ride on his boat, where he sells smoked eel and other smoked delicacies to passers-by along the Amsterdam canals. Bas has been doing this for 25 years, and his smoked eels are delicious. If you’re on the canals and hear a man singing about smoked eel, make sure you grab some!
Wils Bakery Café
For his final meal in Amsterdam, Phil meets up with all of his new friends at Joris Bijdendijk’s casual restaurant Wils Bakery Café. They share a feast including escargot, ham, steak, and much much more. Wils also has a great upscale restaurant (Wils Restaurant), but those looking for more of a casual dining experience should definitely check out Wils Bakery Café.
Address: Stadionplein 24, 1076 CM Amsterdam, Netherlands
