Your Healthy-ish Guide to Amsterdam

Heading to Amsterdam? Here’s a point in the healthy-ish direction

A friend and I went to Amsterdam a few weeks ago and I was absolutely blown away by the city! It is so beautiful, fun, friendly, mysterious, clean, and delicious! I was there for a long weekend and left already planning my next trip back.  Given my new (and huge) crush on this city, I wanted to share all of my favorite healthy-hits and indulgent-musts with you, so here is my healthy-ish Amsterdam guide! And something that ups the health-game for every vacation is my emergency snack kit, I never leave home without it and neither should you.

TO STAY:

• We stayed at the Pulitzer Amsterdam. It is in a great location with a fun bar/lobby scene and serves up a baller breakfast buffet.

TO LUNCH or BRUNCH:

• Buffet van Odette- sleek and trendy, this was my favorite daytime spot. So many great healthy options and few great indulgent options too, it was hard to narrow it down.  I went with their roasted seasonal veggie bowl and added a poached egg for some protein.
• Bakers & Roasters– this place gets super crowded, but it’s worth the wait. Just put your name down first and then go explore the adorable area near by.  I went with their hearty squash soup because it was cold AF that day, but their egg dishes, open-faced sandwiches, grain bowls, and smoothies all get the BZ stamp of approval.
• Foodhallen– this place has a variety of different food stalls so there is literally something for everyone.  Do a lap first to check out all the options and then decide if you’re going veggie-heavy or making it more of a treat meal.

TO DINNER:

• Van Kerkwijk– owned by two sisters, this place changes the menu daily so it is always seasonal and super fresh.  Every main course is served with both a salad and fries because, balance!
• Gerb. Harting– owned by two (very cute) brothers, this place was my favorite dinner spot…for the food though, I promise :).  This tiny kitchen turned out some of the most delicious and creative vegetables I’ve ever had. For their mains, their menu offers one fish, one red meat, and one vegan option. I went fish, my friend went vegan, and then we both got their creme brulee…no sharing!

TO MATCHA (or COFFEE):
This matcha-loving girl was thrilled to see her favorite drink available in so many coffee places throughout the city.  But, like in NYC, they are not all made equal. My favorite spots for a latte, matcha or coffee were:

• CoffeeCompany
• Toki

TO INDULGE:

• Van Stapele Koekmakerij– this bakery makes one thing, a chocolate cookie with a white chocolate center and it is amazing.  In the 4 days we were there, we hit this place twice…and brought some back home too.
• Van Wonderen Frieten– throughout the city there are small eateries serving up French fries. This particular fry shop had the most amazing truffle mayo to dip said fries in.  They have ketchup too, but go go truffle mayo.
• Gouda Gallore– this cow’s milk cheese is from the Netherlands and is all over the city. Delicious and plentiful, don’t miss the chance to pop into a cheese shop and sample all the different aged versions of Gouda.

TO COFFEESHOP:
Not to be confused with cafes, “coffeeshops” offer up coffee, weed, and edibles.  I am definitely not a pro at this (nor am I becoming one) but, Amsterdam!

• I really liked the vibe, non-touristy-feel, and friendly product assistance at Tweede Kramer.
• For the more proficient toker, check out Grey Area, a recommendation from a friend who definitely is a pro at this.

TO DO:

• Wander The 9 Streets- super cute shopping area with fun cafes
• Museums- Anne Frank’s House, Van Gogh, Rijks, Moco
• Flowers- the gardens, the tulips, and personally I walked into every floral shop I passed because the flower arrangements the Dutch come up with are like artwork.

TO EAT AT NEXT TIME:
Balthazars Keuken
Dignita
Vinnies
Cafe de Klepel
Cafe Schiller
De Japenner

Have you been to Amsterdam? Any spots I missed that I need to try?

AFFILIATE COMMISSIONS: PLEASE NOTE THAT BRIGITTE ZEITLIN AND/OR BRIGITTE ZEITLIN NUTRITION PLLC (BZ NUTRITION) MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION ON PURCHASES MADE USING CERTAIN LINKS PROVIDED ON THIS SITE. WHEN BZ NUTRITION LINKS TO RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, THOSE LINKS MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS. IF YOU CLICK ON ANY OF THOSE AFFILIATE LINKS AND MAKE A PURCHASE WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME FRAME, BZ NUTRITION WILL EARN A COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION IS PAID BY THE RETAILERS (SUCH AS AMAZON, TARGET, ETC.), AT NO COST TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.