It's all about the grill — Jesse's personal pick is the smoked ribs with baked potato and freshly poured beer. No reservations, so come a bit early.

Specializes in South Indian cuisine — the fish dishes are a highlight, especially the Gramathu Meen Kozhambu. The dosas and tandoori chicken starter are also a must.

A mandatory stop — authentic Thai dishes in generous portions. Jesse almost always orders the Panang curry with beef. Grab a table outside and watch the street go by.

Wonderfully authentic Syrian food — from mezze like hummus and babaganoush to Sodahdjaaj (chicken liver with pomegranate syrup) for the adventurous.

5 minutes from the bike shop — perfect for a quick bite before or after the tour. Definitely add the extra grilled vegetables for 1.50€: it makes the sandwich twice as good.

Classic Dutch home cooking, just like mom used to make. The Stamppot national dish is a must here — the walls covered in mother photos make the atmosphere unique.

One of the best things about eating is sharing — and Ethiopian cuisine turns that into an art form. A big selection of dishes on an injera platter, all eaten by hand.

A genuine insider tip: build your own plate from a wide selection for around €10. Then head straight into Vondelpark — it's right around the corner.

Spicy broth, endless ingredients, everyone gathered around the pot — a unique experience. Easy to combine with the Albert Cuyp Market or Museumplein nearby.

Fresh fish and seafood in every variety. Jesse's personal highlight: the daily oyster happy hour from 3–5pm for €1.50 per piece.

A Japanese 5-course menu, entirely vegan — even devoted meat-eaters are impressed. The restaurant is small and very popular, so reservations are essential.

A tasting menu inside a historic greenhouse — the vegetables grow right next door. Hard to beat for a special occasion in Amsterdam.

A modern industrial-style restaurant at the NDSM wharf with a large terrace — perfect for a sunny afternoon away from the city center. Reachable by ferry.

Tucked in an alley near Spui square, not far from the bike shop: original Flemish fries with an almost endless sauce selection. A true Amsterdam classic.

On one of the city's most picturesque canal corners — Prinsengracht, right in the Jordaan. Dark wood, Delft tiles, a wood stove, beer since 1642. The homemade apple pie is among the best in Amsterdam.

This small café hides behind the Oude Kerk — a quiet corner right in the center, homemade cake, warm light, and the feeling of sitting in someone's living room.

Set inside Vondelpark — perfect for a summer evening on the terrace overlooking the park, with a cold beer or a small snack.

The former lock-keeper's cottage on the Nieuwendammerdijk — charming, right on the water, freshly poured beer, typical Dutch snacks, and a complete absence of hustle.

Less than 10 minutes from the bike shop — excellent coffee, tasty pastries, and a relaxed atmosphere. Ideal for anyone who likes to start the morning slowly before the tour begins.

Good coffee and excellent savory Greek pies — perfect for a small pick-me-up before exploring the Jewish Quarter or the Botanical Garden.

Dark, covered in posters, loud, warm, and completely unbothered by tourism — the real Amsterdam. Jesse prefers the courtyard on the canal, with what's probably the cheapest beer in the city.

Daily live music from young bands, freshly poured beer. Gets really full on weekends — only come if you're after energy and movement.

One of Amsterdam's largest terraces, right on the water — ideal for big groups. Dancing inside to modern music until late. Genuinely appeals to everyone.

A genuine windmill, right on the water, with its own brewery — handcrafted beers, rotating selection, outdoor seating by the mill. Hard to beat on a sunny afternoon, best reached by bike.

An institution: a band has played here almost every night for decades — free admission, live jazz jam sessions. Perfect for a quieter evening out.

Jenever since 1679, tucked in a small alley behind the Krasnapolsky Hotel. Low ceilings, ornate bottles lining every shelf, no beer, no music. Take your first sip standing at the counter — that's tradition.

Founded in 1782, with a lovely seating area on the Herengracht. Jenever meets Dutch cuisine — about 10 minutes from the bike shop, ideal as a small reward after the tour.

One of Jesse's favorite activities — pure relaxation on the water. Choose a small, open boat from an independent operator instead of the big glass-roofed tourist boats: more personal, closer to the water, more memorable.

The Dutch national museum — Rembrandt, Vermeer, 800 years of history. Pierre Cuypers' building is an experience just from the outside. Buy tickets well in advance.

The largest Van Gogh collection in the world — over 200 paintings and 500 drawings. The museum tells not just the paintings, but the man behind them. Book tickets online, it's very popular.

One of the most moving experiences in Amsterdam. Tickets must be bought six weeks in advance, on Tuesdays at 10am — last-minute chances are slim. The official site occasionally has leftover tickets.

The largest street market in the Netherlands — Dutch specialties like herring and stroopwafels, produce, household goods, and street food from around the world. Daily 9am–5pm (except Sundays), easy to combine with De Pijp or Museumplein.

Founded in 1638, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Tropical greenhouses with over 6,000 plant species — a lovely retreat on rainy days, with a small café.

102,000 names on bricks in Hebrew script — one of Amsterdam's most moving memorials (2021). Next door, the 17th-century Portuguese Synagogue, still lit by candlelight today.

The former shipyard is now one of the city's most creative spots — street art, studios, flea market, rotating festivals. Reachable by free ferry in 15 minutes, with the best skyline view.

There's hardly a better way to understand Amsterdam than from the water. Electric boats are allowed without a license. Jesse recommends smaller rental spots away from the center — cheaper and less crowded. Bring some food along.

One of the quietest and most elegant canals in the city — less famous than the Herengracht, and all the more special for it. Narrow bridges, old gabled houses, hardly any tourists. Most beautiful in evening light, when the lanterns reflect on the water.

Behind an unassuming wooden door on the Gedempte Begijnensloot hides this enclosed 14th-century courtyard. Early in the morning, before anyone else arrives, it feels almost magical.

The city's most beautiful bridge, with the best view of the Amstel. Tip: come just after sunset — the warm lamplight against the deep blue evening sky is one of the classic Amsterdam photos.

Hardly anyone knows that the rooftop of the NEMO Science Museum is free to access — without even entering the museum. Up top, one of the best 360-degree panoramic views of the whole city.

The city's highest viewpoint — old town, Centraal Station, the IJ, all in one view. If you're not afraid of heights, try the "Over the Edge" swing on the outdoor platform.

Not just an activity, but a hidden gem as a photo spot too: greenhouses of glass and iron, tropical plants lining the paths, old gates. Especially beautiful outside in spring bloom.

Jesse's absolute insider tip — small Dutch houses from the 17th/18th century, as if time stood still. Best explored by bike. Plan a stop at Cafe 't Sluisje, and go for a swim if it's warm enough.

Amsterdam's classic beach day — direct train connection, a typical Dutch beach experience. Jesse's tip: go on a weekday, when the beach is quiet. On weekends, half of Amsterdam has the same idea.

From late March to mid-May, the surrounding countryside turns into fields of blazing red, yellow, and purple. If you'd rather see the fields than the park, just drive through the Bollenstreek between Haarlem and Leiden — free and unforgettable.

Jesse's favorite half-day trip — a beautiful Dutch old town without the tourist crowds. Grote Markt, St. Bavo's Church, cozy canals. One of the region's best weekly markets on Saturdays.

Windmills, cheese farms, traditional wooden houses — a touristy spot that's still worth it. Definitely go early morning: empty village, best light, no tour buses.

One of the least-known but most beautiful spots in Amsterdam. Locals come here to camp, swim, and sunbathe, escaping the crowds — the best of Amsterdam on a nice day, far from the masses.

1,000 hectares of city forest — hiking, picnicking, rowing, visiting a goat farm, open-air theater. Jesse prefers to cycle here to explore the park in its full size.

Amsterdam's living room — picnics, music, sport, dogs, and countless bikes. Not for nothing does the tour stop here. Best on summer weekends, when all of Amsterdam gathers.

Not a single attraction, but a landscape — wide polders, waterways, windmills, small villages. Jesse's private tours come here because it's Holland straight out of a picture book, just 20 minutes from the city center.

The eastern counterpart to Vondelpark — a bit smaller, but quieter. The surrounding Amsterdam-Oost neighborhood is one of the most diverse in the city: Surinamese food, Turkish bakeries, galleries. Sometimes concerts on the lawn in summer.