Thursday 6 October 2016

Amsterdam x Hotspots


Endless lines of bikes, museums, infamous coffee shops and bars - Amsterdam's trademark features that define its culture for the average traveller. With its architectural gems and good vibes, this city has so much on offer but, what about the food? There's no lie in stating that the foodie movement is definitely trending among city breaks and taking a photo of what we eat has become routine. Hence having visited Amsterdam before, this time round I decided to round up a list of trendy & tasty food hotspots.. All of the spots named below were personally tested and here are the ones that managed to make it to the top of my list:

Coffee & Coconuts 

 What's a day without a good cup of coffee? Situated in a renovated 1920s theatre, this place is not only charming but a great spot for a coffee or a bite to eat. Palm trees, high ceilings and the tasteful decor really create a great atmosphere & make you not want to leave this space. Coffee & Coconuts also offers a wide selection of herbal teas teas, freshly made exotic juices and alcoholic beverages. On top of this you can start your day here with a filling granola, lunch on salads or simply drink a coffee with their home made pastries. If this isn't enough they offer a wholesome evening menu that includes a wide range of fusuion dishes. Amongs those you'll find Korean shrimp tacos, beetroot burgers or even ramen bowls. You definitely won't be stuck for choice! 


Open everyday 8am - 11pm
Ceintuurbaan 282-284, 1072 LR

Juice Brothers 

As you can tell by the name this is definitely a great spot for juices. Juice Brothers' offer a wide variety of 100% organic cold pressed juices. Whether you want to grab a one off juice on the go or equip yourself with a 5 day detox juice artillery- this is the place for you! There are many flavours to choose from their rainbow selection of juices that stock the shelves. Having tried their Almond Acai Bowl I would definitely recommend it. Being a self proclaimed Acai junkie - it's not easy to impress me - but this bowl is totally one of the best I've tasted in Europe. They use their own granola, which along with their other dried goods and sweets you can also buy for home use. It's important to note that they also deliver - what can be better than an Acai bowl in bed!?

Opening hours:
Mon- Sat                             7.30 am - 9.00 pm
Sun-                                     9.00 am - 9.00 pm
Van Woustraat 151, 1074 AJ 
Raamsteeg 2, 1012 VZ  

Bakers & Roasters

On my first morning in Amsterdam I really wanted a filling breaky and following a suggestion from a friend we decided to try out Bakers & Roasters - 'a New Zealand style cafe, served with a heavy dose of Brazil'. On that morning I went for the blueberry 'American style' pancakes and Alex decided to try their banana nut bread french toast. Both which were very delicious as well as filling for our day of activities ahead. As you can see from the photo above the coffee was just too good to make it to the photo in time! One thing is clear: Bakers & Roasters surely didn't disappoint us. What I loved the most about this charismatic cafe is its breakfast choices- offering savoury (eggs of any kind: benedict, florentine, huevos rancheros - to name a few) and sweet breakfasts (acai bowls, pancakes, granola, musli). Smoothies & juices are in abundance too, if you only fancy a drink. Along with its this huge breakfast selection B&R also offers a choice of savoury eats if you'd like to lunch there. It's definitely next on my list to try for lunch!

Open everyday  8am - 4pm
Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat 54
Kadijksplein 16


Lavinia Good Food            

Hidden among residential, yet central street of Kerkstraat this adorable restaurant was a great find! Its cosy and relaxed vibe is very welcoming, along with the friendly staff - it was a very hard one to leave! 
Initially wanting a quick bite to eat we tried their own much healthier version of a pizza - a pizzetta - a thin spelt flour base with a selection of toppings (ranging from salmon, mushrooms, aubergines or lamb). Light and flavoursome, yet filling - the pizzetta is a great option as an alternative afternoon snack. They also offer a fresh salad buffet which I'll definitely have to try on my next visit. Our Lavinina experience didn't end there - just as we were about to leave, we noticed their nut banana bread on the counter & simply had to try it! It definitely was one of the best breads I've tasted - the fig was a great touch to its rich taste - I'll definitely come back for more! It is worth to mention that Lavinia offers many vegan options and most importantly it serves breakfast all day long! It doesn't get much better than this..


Opening hours:
Mon, Tue                  8.30 am - 4.00   pm
Wed, Thurs, Fri       8.30 am - 10.00 pm
Sat                             9.30 am - 10.00 pm
Sun                            9.30 am - 6.00   pm
Kerkstraat 176, 1017 GT Amsterdam


KOKO Coffee & Design


On one of my days in Amsterdam it was raining really bad & I decided to find shelter at KOKO. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, KOKO is more than just a coffee place or a standard hangout it's a really cosy concept store stocked with a variety of pieces from independent designers. The place has a gentle feminine touch, yet it also sells mens' apparel. I couldn't agree more with the store's ethos - unique basics meet exceptional pieces. Inside you'll find labels such as Libertine-Libertine, Stutterhein or Garment Project, to name a few. Additionally, you can browse all of these with a good cup of coffee (one of the best I've tasted in Amsterdam) peacefully in a totally stress free environment. When in Amsterdam, make sure to drop by KOKO!

Opening hours:
Mon               10.00 am - 18.00 pm
Tues, Fri         9.00 am  - 18.00 pm
Sat                 10.00 am  - 18.00 pm
Sun                12.00 pm - 18.00 pm
http://ilovekoko.com

I have to say I still have more places to add to this list as the amount of cool hangouts in Amsterdam is never-ending - stay tuned for more!











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