8 Amsterdam Hidden Gems that Reveal the True Soul of the City

To get to know Amsterdam the way locals do, seek out these authentic bars, restaurants, neighbourhood markets and cultural spaces that are leading the way.
©Copyright Sonia Mangiapane

29 December 2024

4 minutes

There's no better way to find the true soul of a huge and multi-layered metropolis like Amsterdam than by seeing it through the eyes of local people. Authentic bars, unique dining experiences, neighbourhood markets and independent art spaces are waiting to be discovered, if you know where to look. Here are some of the best hidden gems Amsterdam has to offer.

Galleries - Smaller and independent showcases for art

Stevenson

This compact hidden gem gallery in Amsterdam's bohemian De 9 Straatjes neighbourhood has an international exhibition programme with a particular focus on contemporary artists from Africa and the diaspora. The Amsterdam gallery is the latest space – the collective is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Cape Town location and also has a branch in Johannesburg. Along with paintings and sculptures, rotating exhibitions feature inventive installations that provide immersive experiences using multimedia elements such as video and tangible elements.

  • Address: Prinsengracht 371B, 1016HK Amsterdam
  • Open: Thursday to Saturday - 12 noon to 6 pm
©Jonathan de Waart

Galerie Fons Welters

Among the many captivating, lesser-known art museums and galleries in Amsterdam, Galerie Fons Welters stands out for its history as well as the two exhibition spaces for contemporary paintings, installations and sculptures. The venue opened in 1989 in a former garage set within the hip Jordaan district, and even the front door is a striking creation designed by the artist and sculptor Joep van Lieshout. The gallery is particularly known for giving young and emerging artists a place to shine. If you love the arts, stay at INK Hotel Amsterdam - MGallery, a boutique design hotel just 15 minutes' walk from Galerie Fons Welters in the old centre.

  • Address: Bloemstraat 140, 1016 LJ Amsterdam
  • Open: Tuesday to Saturday - 1 pm to 6 pm or by appointment


© Exhibition view, Magali Reus - Shadow Tonics, 2022, Galerie Fons Welters, Sonia Mangiapane
Courtesy the artist and Galerie Fons Welters, Amsterdam

©© Sonia Mangiapane

Insider tip: If you find yourself in the Vondelpark area, head to Vondelbrug bridge on the east side of the park, underneath which you'll find sculptures by Hildo Krop built into the walls. During the 20th century, Krop was known as the city sculptor of Amsterdam because many of his works can be seen while people go about their daily lives. Viewing the sculptures is, of course, completely free!

Food Markets - Fresh produce in neighbourhood hubs

“To have a basic ingredient that can be prepared a million different ways is a beautiful thing” – Alice Waters

Ten Katemarkt

Every day except Sundays, Ten Katestraat street in Amsterdam-West turns into a market popping with colour and activity, with street food vendors to be found alongside stalls selling fresh groceries. The market dates back to 1912 and has been a focal point of local life ever since. One of the reasons why Ten Katemarkt is an Amsterdam hidden gem that food lovers will want to delve into is the variety of things on offer. The street food has diverse flavours from around the world, ranging from Turkish snacks to Indonesian satay, while fresh produce like fruit and vegetables comes from regional producers. Even if you're not planning to take any veggies home to cook, the stalls make great photos, and the market will give you a sense of daily life in this part of the city.

  • Address: Ten Katestraat, 1053 CG Amsterdam
  • Open: Monday to Saturday - 9 am to 6 pm

Dappermarkt

Set on Dapperstraat in Amsterdam-East, Dappermarkt has more than 250 stalls selling fresh produce and street food along with clothing and much more. But before we get into the delights that those stalls offer, let's take a quick look at the market's unusual history. Now open every day except Sunday, Dappermarkt started way back in 1910 and used to be open from Tuesday to Saturday. However, enterprising traders who couldn't get a stall site on those days began offering goods informally on Mondays to anyone who passed along the street. More traders set up next to them until Monday eventually became an official opening day. These days, the market is known for its international flair, with specialties from Suriname, Turkey and Morocco among the global foods and other products on offer.

  • Address: Dapperstraat, 1093 BS Amsterdam
  • Open: Monday to Saturday - 9 am to 5 pm

Insider tip: Check out Casa Bocage, a Portuguese deli where locals go to pick up wine, olive oil, and sweet and savoury Portuguese snacks. The deli can be found at Haarlemmerstraat 111A close to Central Station.

Restaurants - Amsterdam hidden gems for gourmets

Bierfabriek

There are so many hidden gem restaurants in Amsterdam to visit, but happening Bierfabriek stands out for its micro-brewery, regular live music, and location close to the main train station and city centre hotels. The micro-brewery is actually set right in the middle of the restaurant. Charcuterie boards and 24-hour marinated chicken are some of the standout items from the menu. You can also book a table with your own private beer taps for a memorable experience!

  • Address: Nes 67, 1012 KD Amsterdam
  • Open: Sunday – 1 pm to 11 pm; Monday to Thursday - 3 pm to midnight; Friday - 3 pm to 1 am; Saturday – 1 pm to 1 am
©Bierfabriek
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Ctaste

To experience something special, book a table at Ctaste along the Amstel River in the De Pijp district. This dining-in-the-dark restaurant aims to heighten other senses; not least taste and scent! The restaurant's sight-impaired waiters will guide you safely to your table, where you can select from set dinner menus, or even try chocolate tasting or craft beer tasting. If you had your fill of the bright lights of Amsterdam on Saturday night, you'll be glad to know that Ctaste is also open for brunch and lunch on Sundays.

  • Address: Amsteldijk 55, 1074 HX Amsterdam
  • Open: Monday and Tuesday open only for groups; Wednesday to Saturday - from 4:30 pm; Sunday - from 11 am

Insider tip: If you like a little dancing after dinner, there are some venues in Amsterdam where you'll find everything in the same building. Pacific on Polonceaukade 23 in the Westerpark area and BRET at Orlyplein 76 in Sloterdijk are both restaurants that transform into buzzing night spots with DJs later on. To get back to your hotel quickly after a late night, stay at Mercure Hotel Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station just five minutes' walk from BRET and five minutes' drive from Pacific.

Bars - Authentic hangouts that locals love

Proeflokaal De Ooievaar

"Step across the floorboards, pull up a stool and take your pick from old or young jenever tipples"

You can literally taste the history of the city at this tucked-away bar that operates as a tasting spot for jenever (also spelled genever), the juniper-flavoured traditional drink of the Netherlands. Proeflokaal De Ooievaar is a storied tavern that has been around since 1782 as a tasting room for the Ooievaar distillery, and the sense of the past is strong in the snug, wood-furnished interior. Step across the floorboards, pull up a stool and take your pick from old or young jenever tipples that the bartender will be happy to advise on. Draft beers are also available.

  • Address: Sint Olofspoort 1, 1012 AJ Amsterdam
  • Open: daily from noon

De Nieuwe Anita

Referred to by locals as a cultural cafe, De Nieuwe Anita focuses events such as stand-up comedy, poetry and movie screenings, as well as live music and DJ sets. There's a weekend cocktail bar featuring classic and inventive drinks, as well as a collective kitchen with an informal restaurant that sets up on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Vegetarian dishes are whipped up by professional chefs who also share chats and ideas with customers.

  • Address: Frederik Hendrikstraat 111, 1052 HN Amsterdam
  • Open:
  • Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 6 pm to midnight
  • Friday and Saturday - 8 pm to 1:30 am

Insider tip: To truly get to know Amsterdam's local drinking culture, you'll need to discover the phrase "brown bar" or bruin café in Dutch. The term refers to traditional, often historic bars with an informal atmosphere where locals have sat down to drink, chat and enjoy themselves over the centuries.

These Amsterdam hidden gems will start you off on a trail of discovery that should help you to uncover even more treasures tucked away all around the city.