A wanna-be-lokal's guide to Amsterdam

Dutch cuisine isn't exciting, some might say it just...is, but that doesn't mean awesome places to eat don't exist. • Fries are your best friend in the Netherlands! Especially when they come in a cone with a sauce of choice. A MUST when it comes to fries is their local peanut sauce Pindasaus. • For finger food, pubs are the place to go. Hostels for the most part house a restaurant and/or pub on their ground floor and their food usually slaps! I'll link my favorite sport: The Winston, in central Amsterdam 👌🏼 • Sandwiches are also pretty common and they do it well. There are a few sandwich shops laying around, but my recommendation is: Little Paradise. For something sweet: • Stroopwaffles. This is a famous Dutch dessert. Two very thin waffles filled with caramel. It is as heavenly as it sounds, especially if you get it warm and on the go. Contrarily to popular belief, my favorite stroopwaffle spot was called: Strooperie, and in my opinion it doesn't need any toppings. • Second lokal option are oliebollen. Also called, for my fellow Greeks, loukoumades but bigger. It's a Dutch dessert commonly served topped with powdered sugar but the options are endless. I'll link a good spot, but if you want my opinion, the best oliebollens are served in stands, but those are never at the same spot for too long. • Cheese. Cheese is famous, hyped and delicious in the Netherlands. For good reason! Every couple of steps you'll most likely stumble upon a cheese shop and it's in your best interest to get in. Endless flavors, with multiple free samples available in every store and some of them are to die for. My personal favorite: Herbs and Garlic. • Lastly, another common snack are bitterballens. Dutch people will fry anything...literally. Bitterballen is a savory, fried ball made out of mixed meats. It's exactly what it sounds like, but it's lokal!

Pubs and bars are lively after hours wherever you are and central Amsterdam is no exception. You can find all kinds of entertainment, based on your tastes. ❗️Remember that pubs and bars usually close around 12am-1am on Fridays and Saturdays (with some exceptions) Exceptions to this rule are usually clubs, which could be your "after" option. Yes, there is a Greek spot. Yes, their Freddo espresso is awesome. Yes, the people are amazing and welcoming. Yes, of course I'll link you, it's called Kafeneion and it deserves all the love and hype ❤️ Dutch people love to go out after work! Thursdays especially because it's what they call a "domibo". It basically celebrates the day before Friday at your workplace and it's meant to give you the courage to work one more day till the weekend. Aka, drinks with coworkers after work. From smoking bars, to underground raves (you have to know a guy), to clubs with...company and pubs with live shows. A walk around central Amsterdam is enough for anyone to find a place they're interested in, but I'll link my favorite just in case. The Red Light District is also an option, but most windows close when the sun goes down. Happy drinking! But don't drive afterwards 🫣