| CURRENT POPULATION: 743,000
% POP GROWTH: 0.5 %
CITY AREA: 219 KM2
CITY DENSITY: 4,452 INH/KM2
GDP PER CAPITA: €23,900
DIALLING CODE: +31 |
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| WITH FRIENDS
BIHP ART FOOD DRINKS
KEIZERGRACHT 335
TEL. 020 622 4511
Situated in the 9-straatjes (nine streets) area of the Jordaan, this charming restaurant has paintings on its walls plus a great lunch and dinner menu. The artists who pop in make it ideal for people watching – the peeking is best done sipping a glass of the wonderful house wine.
ENTERTAINING A CLIENT
ST JAMES GATE
REMBRANDTPLEIN 8-10
TEL. 020 422 6886
Catering for international customers, this classic grand café is conveniently located near the city centre. The restaurant has a diverse and tasty menu, and the discreet staff allows for serious conversations over meals. The terrace is a popular place to soak up the spring sunshine.
CLOSING THE DEAL
L’OLIVIER
WESTERSTRAAT 40
TEL. 020 625 2756
Influenced by French cuisine, but enhanced with a subtle international twist, Japanese owner and head chef Akiko and his Malaysian partner hit the right heights of cosmopolitanism while still maintaining a laid back Amsterdam feel. The lobster bisque is delicious! |
| STYLE
HARRY’S AMERICAN BAR
SPUISTRAAT 285
TEL. 062 155 8300
Tucked just off the Spuiplein in the centre of the English literary district, Harry’s is a New York-style cocktail bar with its own distinct twist of Amsterdam. The cocktails are creative, the staff superb and the front table is a great place for anyone wanting to see and be seen.
RELAX
CAFÉ ROULEAU
AMSTELVEENSWEG 126
TEL. 020 671 9509
A firm favourite with locals, this chilled out Art Deco hangout is situated just behind the Vondelpark. Its menu combines tasty Dutch dishes with a modern international flourish. Weekends are busy, so reservations may be needed, though waiting for your table on the terrace on a sunny afternoon is a real treat.
MUSIC
MALOE MELO
LIJNBAANSGRACHT 163
TEL. 020 420 4592
Maloe Melo is the retro metro centre for those looking for a little less house and a little more old school in their music. At this throwback to live rock, blues, punk and rockabilly, it’s old, it’s dirty, and it’s raw…that’s what happens when you love music! |
| VALUE
QBIC WTC AMSTERDAM
STAWINSKYLAAN 241
TEL. 043 321 1111
This is budget with the businessperson in mind. Located in Amsterdam’s financial district at the World Trade Center, each Cubi includes a bed, bathroom, safe and high-speed internet, all from €39 (£29). You can even pick your room’s colour – choose from yellow, red or purple.
BUSINESS
MÖVENPICK HOTEL AMSTERDAM
PIET HEINKADE 11
TEL. 020 519 1200
Avoid the stress of the city centre by taking advantage of this fantastic location in the eastern docklands, while still being close to Centraal Station and the Passenger Terminal Building. With fashionable rooms and public areas, this stylish hotel caters primarily for the international business traveller.
BESPOKE
BILDERBERG GARDEN HOTEL
DIJSSELHOFPLANTSOEN 7
TEL. 020 570 5600
This chic boutique hotel is within walking distance of the city’s top museums, trendy shopping district and fashionable terraces. The intimate ambiance of the Bilderberg, with its tastefully decorated, spacious rooms and luxurious accessories ensure a wonderful stay. The hotel restaurant, De Kersentuin, is one of the finest French dining experiences to be had in the city. |
| If you like walking tours but hate being part of a group, why not download a commentary of key attractions on your iPod or mp3 player at www.walki-talki.com. Then you can wander around at your own pace to your heart’s content.
Although the Albert Cuyp is the largest street market in Amsterdam, the Nieuwmarkt hosts a popular daily market (www.amsterdam.info/ markets). Alongside flea market bargains, you’ll find the work of international artists and artisans, such as the funky hats of milliner Jelko Latkovic and the passionate paintings of Herzegovinian artist Mladen Jurkovic.
A fascinating exhibition at the Nieuwe Kerk until 20 April displays an alternative view of Afghanistan (www.nieuwekerk.nl) . Called Hidden Afghanistan, 250 magnificent archaeological objects will be on show, most of which were ‘rediscovered’ in 2004 in the vaults of the Central Bank in Kabul. |
| Queen’s Day is 30 April, when the Kingdom of the Netherlands celebrates the monarch’s birthday (www.koninginnedagamsterdam.nl). It’s the biggest party of the year and Amsterdam floats in the rubbish the following day. But did you know that the mess legally belongs to the Queen until it’s collected by her Royal Refuse Engineers? |
| WORDS BY KIM CHANDLER |
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