Looking for tips for Amsterdam’s Staatsliedenbuurt neighborhood from a local? Well, you came to the right place. Staatsliedenbuurt is the neighborhood (buurt in Dutch) that I’ve called home for the last three years.
The Staatsliedenbuurt is one of the best places in Amsterdam to visit. Why? There’s no tourists here.
And we’ve got plenty of great restaurants, bars and takeaway spots to try. We’ve also got a few gyms and yoga studios, and some cozy shops. The Staatsliedenbuurt neighborhood doesn’t appear too often in guidebooks, but that’s all the more reason to visit.
Here are some of my favorite local spots, close to home.
Just click the link to jump to that section or check out the GoogleMaps to get a sense of where things are.
Of all the spots on this list, I visit Ao most often. The cool blue walls, modern beech furniture, Japanese accents and bright Gerbera daisies, always cut fresh, one per table, make me smile from the inside out.
The tattooed owners and their staff always make you feel at home. Plus, the morning sunshine is hard to beat. Art exhibitions are on display, and there are even pop up taco nights in summer time. Ao doesn’t just do coffee. They have a cocktail menu with some creative coffee and tea inspired drinks too.
Go to Ao for coffee, matcha or one of their famous Japanese or traditional baked goods – lots of choices, but my go to is the cornflake chocolate cookie or on the weekends, the layered matcha cake.
Whilst Ao is the new kid on the block, Back to Black is the OG neighborhood cafe. They’ve got a gezellig vibe (that’s cozy in Dutch), excellent coffee and plenty of outdoor seating in front. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to snatch a seat on their back patio and escape the city for a while. Back to Black’s coffee is available for takeaway and is also served in other cafes, bars and restaurants throughout the city.
Go to Doardi for ice cream and fries. It might seem like a strange combo, but ice cream and fries are the two things Doardi is most famous for. They also have burgers, croquettes and other food for takeaway. There’s a window where you order and just two picnic tables out front. Grab a cone of frites with mayo or a few scoops of ice cream before heading to Westerpark to relax in the sunshine.
Go to De Buurman for falafel and Turkish pizza. It’s a small place with big energy, and it’s popular! At peak hours, the line is out the door and swarmed with delivery drivers. Is it worth the hype? I vote yes. De Buurman’s falafel comes with pomegranate seeds and has this freshness that a lot of other places just can’t seem to achieve. They also have excellent sweet potato fries and creative kimchi croquettes. Best for takeaway.
Dumplings is of my favorite and most frequented take away spots in Amsterdam. Just at the edge of Westerpark, you’ll find a little dumpling stand with, more often than not, a very long line. Dumplings serves Chinese crepes, dumplings, bao, spring rolls and other snack foods. They have a couple tables outside, but otherwise you can get your food to go and eat in Westerpark.
Pie-Nong Thai is the smallest Thai restaurant I’ve ever seen. It’s an iconic pagoda shack placed on the bridge between Staatsliedenbuurt and the Jordaan. They only accept Tikkie (like Dutch Venmo) or cash. There’s one picnic table out front, so it’s best to takeaway. They’ve got all your favorite dishes like curry and pad thai and the friendly husband and wife work shoulder to shoulder to whip up your order. Even if you don’t want Thai, take a peek inside, it’s impressive what they can do in that little kitchen.
Whether you’re vegan or not you’ll likely love the vegan food truck, Vleesch Noch Visch. While it may look like a food truck, it’s always parked in the same location with picnic tables and retro twinkle lights outside. They have a few options to choose from but I’ve only ever tried the pita. It’s like a Greek gyro but totally vegan.
When you go to Bella Storia you are transported from the Amsterdam streets to a trattoria in Italy, just for a minute. The decor is simple, no frills – wooden booths and a narrow dining room. Though they did renovate recently and added additional seating. Next door you’ll find the takeaway side of the restaurant, where you can see the pizza oven in the back and a small shop with Italian specialty foods and cheeses.
Go to Bella Storia for some of the best pizza in Amsterdam. I love their Neapolitan style pies, but if that’s not your thing, they also have pasta dishes. The gnocchi alla sorrentina is melt-in-your-mouth good, though I haven’t seen it on the menu lately. I’ll need to make a request!
Note: Next door is Piccola Storia, not quite as good in my opinion, but still great if you are looking for takeaway.
This is one of the newest and hippest spots in town. Vegetarian and no reservations. The prettiest people are always gathered around outside on sunny days sipping rose and champagne. Like a magazine. On cooler evenings, the drippy candles and bistro-interior welcome you off the not-so-pretty street. When my cousin came to town she even visited twice, it’s that good!
Opened in 2023, Chez Nina is another hot spot known for vegetarian comfort food and inventive cocktails. They have a sunny terrace and bright decor – offering both a la carte and set menu options. Chez Nina was recently featured in the KLM airline magazine, Dutch Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. I went for a girls night out, had the set menu and fully indulged. We left impressed. Try the bread – it’s a fluffy taste of heaven.
Pendergast is an upscale American-style barbecue restaurant, known for having some of, if not the, best barbecue in Amsterdam. Definitely book ahead as the dining room is small and fills up quickly. The ribs were by far my favorite and I loved the chocolate pecan pie – save room for dessert.
Checkpoint Charlie is somewhat of an institution in Staatsliedenbuurt. A popular hangout for a diverse crowd of artists, old timers and real Amsterdammmers. Vintage decor and that late night bar odor give it its charm. There’s a pool table and couches inside, but hanging on the adirondack chairs out front is just as popular. Go here for laughs and people watching.
A classic bar with burgers and other dishes for lunch and dinner. Cafe Nassau is located on the Nassaukade canal and gets pretty good afternoon sun on the terrace. If you want a classic meal or a beer it’s a good place to visit. No frills and nothing special. They also host regular trivia nights and other events.
When the sun is shining Piet de Gruyter is the place to be. Dutchies line up in neat rows at tiny tables all facing the sun, sunnies on and biertjes in hand. A great spot to grab a drink on a sunny afternoon. Of course they’ve got an inside as well and it can be a cozy hangout in winter too.
More popular with an older crowd, and filled with regulars catching up over koetjes en koefjes (that’s chit chat in Dutch, literal translation: little cows and calves) the Piano Bar is another one of those spots that’s been there forever. It’s tucked away on a residential street so it can be a bit harder to find unless you know where to go. The Piano Bar is famous for hosting live music on Thursday and Friday nights. If you want a taste of the real Amsterdam it’s a good place to start.
Barios is my go-to mini market. I go here for produce and groceries, as the selection is often better than that of an Albert Heijn or Jumbo, the two main supermarket chains in the Netherlands. But my favorite things to buy at Barios are the hummus, feta and olives. He has an excellent selection of all three. You grab a container and take as much as you like. My favorite is the spicy mango hummus. I know, sounds weird right? Just try it.
The second bodega I love in the Staatsliedenbuurt is Mini Alba. Mini Alba is also a package pick up and drop off point, so lots of visits here. The produce out front is always fresh and they also have a selection of pantry items in back. Service is friendly and it’s a great stop if you’re coming back from Back to Black.
Just like every Amsterdam neighborhood, we’ve got a plant shop in Staatsliedenbuurt too. This is one of my favorites. The prices are fair, the selection is large and they are even open on Sundays. Super rare for plant shops in the city. At Christmas time, they fill the street corner with little trees of all sizes, making for a festive corner.
Another new kid in town! Italy Padilla opened FORM East a couple years back. Last year, she opened her second studio, FORM West. FORM is a barre and yoga studio with a clean aesthetic. It’s the perfect place to start your morning or end your day. Looking to feel the shakes? FORM is the place.
If you’re in need of a calming atmosphere and a deep Yin class or classic Vinyasa, White Door is for you. The minute you walk in the door a sense of serenity is guaranteed to overcome you. My favorite spot if I need a reset. They also have some fiery pilates classes, check out my friend Brittany’s classes!
Need a hotel by the Staatsliedenbuurt? Conscious Hotel Westerpark is the place. The Conscious Hotel is located in Westerpark itself. It’s the perfect location to explore the city from, and a great little respite away from the city center. I even stayed here myself before officially moving into my apartment. The rooms are modern and simple, there’s a great bar and restaurant downstairs with a vertical garden, and the park is your backyard. You can also rent bikes directly from the hotel to get around more easily.
That’s it for the Staatsliedenbuurt, here’s plenty more places to visit in Amsterdam. If there’s a favorite spot in the neighborhood I should add to the list, let me know!
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