Guidebook for Amsterdam

Alice Jane
Guidebook for Amsterdam

Food Scene

Good food & great people watching. Four-seasons indoor-outdoor seating (heated/shaded). Considered by many Oud Zuid locals as a swanky living room away from home. Lunch & dinner. Great breakfast, too.
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Brasserie Van Dam
8-10 Cornelis Schuytstraat
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Good food & great people watching. Four-seasons indoor-outdoor seating (heated/shaded). Considered by many Oud Zuid locals as a swanky living room away from home. Lunch & dinner. Great breakfast, too.
Friendly and cosy. Good wine, a lovely terrace, and decent food. This is one of our locals, and it's literally a block away from our house. This restaurant is only open for evening dining.
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Affourtit Eten & Drinken
209 Koninginneweg
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Friendly and cosy. Good wine, a lovely terrace, and decent food. This is one of our locals, and it's literally a block away from our house. This restaurant is only open for evening dining.
Local cafe with good light meals and WiFi. They call it all day brunch and it is less than a block away.
Casa E Cucina
218 Koninginneweg
Local cafe with good light meals and WiFi. They call it all day brunch and it is less than a block away.
Good location and basic, but satisfying, fare. You can get breakfast or lunch here.
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Le Pain Quotidien
2 & 4 Cornelis Troostplein
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Good location and basic, but satisfying, fare. You can get breakfast or lunch here.
Charming, friendly, little cafe for breakfast, lunch, or happy hour. Great people watching and only a block from our house. They also have WiFi. This is a top pick for breakfast in the neighbourhood.
Amstelveenseweg 196, Schinkelbuurt
196 Amstelveenseweg
Charming, friendly, little cafe for breakfast, lunch, or happy hour. Great people watching and only a block from our house. They also have WiFi. This is a top pick for breakfast in the neighbourhood.
Called the Nine Streets because of the grid of nine streets that criss-cross the canals here, this district is a lovely shopping and cafe destination.
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Wolvenstraat
Wolvenstraat
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Called the Nine Streets because of the grid of nine streets that criss-cross the canals here, this district is a lovely shopping and cafe destination.
Killer-strong coffee if that's what you need. They usually have muffins so you could tell yourself it's breakfast, too.
Brandmeester's B.V
84 Van Baerlestraat
Killer-strong coffee if that's what you need. They usually have muffins so you could tell yourself it's breakfast, too.
A favourite stop for lunch. The food is delicious, not too expensive, and the staff is renowned for their good-natured friendliness.
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Small World Catering
14 Binnen Oranjestraat
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A favourite stop for lunch. The food is delicious, not too expensive, and the staff is renowned for their good-natured friendliness.
Big plates of tasty lunch much-frequented by local students. On a fine day, you can sit outside by the canal. Great location near everything downtown, but without a tourist feel. Service is relaxed.
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Eetcafe Singel 404
404 Singel
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Big plates of tasty lunch much-frequented by local students. On a fine day, you can sit outside by the canal. Great location near everything downtown, but without a tourist feel. Service is relaxed.
This is a favourite place for lunch or dinner. They don't take reservations. The menu is mostly verbal. But the food & drink are delicious and inventive. Arrive early to ensure an evening table. Yum!
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Café restaurant van Kerkwijk
41 Nes
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This is a favourite place for lunch or dinner. They don't take reservations. The menu is mostly verbal. But the food & drink are delicious and inventive. Arrive early to ensure an evening table. Yum!
Authentic Italian cuisine in a charming setting. A bit spendy, but worth it for the tasty food. Delicious, inventive pizzas like beef and rucola. Lunch and dinner. Yum!
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De Italiaan
29 Bosboom Toussaintstraat
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Authentic Italian cuisine in a charming setting. A bit spendy, but worth it for the tasty food. Delicious, inventive pizzas like beef and rucola. Lunch and dinner. Yum!
An excellent neighbourhood cafe with cozy indoor and airy outdoor tables. The food is surprisingly good and not too pricey. Great for lunch or dinner any day.
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De Italiaan
29 Bosboom Toussaintstraat
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An excellent neighbourhood cafe with cozy indoor and airy outdoor tables. The food is surprisingly good and not too pricey. Great for lunch or dinner any day.
A bistro feel in a neighbourhood setting. Great people watching. Lunch and dinner.
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GEORGE W.P.A.
74 Willemsparkweg
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A bistro feel in a neighbourhood setting. Great people watching. Lunch and dinner.
A beautiful location to enjoy a delicious coffee or very-Amsterdam-style fresh-mint tea (verse munt thee) in the heart of Vondelpark.
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The Blue Tea House
5 Vondelpark
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A beautiful location to enjoy a delicious coffee or very-Amsterdam-style fresh-mint tea (verse munt thee) in the heart of Vondelpark.
Authentic, delightful Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price. Eat-in dinner or takeaway.
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Issa
249 Stadionweg
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Authentic, delightful Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price. Eat-in dinner or takeaway.
A Michelin-starred restaurant just a couple of blocks from my house. Make a reservation to avoid disappointment. Pricey but delicious.
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Ron Gastrobar
55 Sophialaan
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A Michelin-starred restaurant just a couple of blocks from my house. Make a reservation to avoid disappointment. Pricey but delicious.
The best neighbourhood bakery that I have found. Dangerously delicious bread, cake, and other goodies.
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Broodbakker Simon Meijssen
162 Van Baerlestraat
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The best neighbourhood bakery that I have found. Dangerously delicious bread, cake, and other goodies.
Excellent Thai food. Open for evening dining.
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Ko Chang Thai restaurant
91 Westerstraat
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Excellent Thai food. Open for evening dining.
Excellent Thai food. Open for evening dining.
Ko Chang Thai Restaurant
60 Bosboom Toussaintstraat
Excellent Thai food. Open for evening dining.
Lovely, down-to-earth, hidden cafe that only locals seem to know about. Inexpensive, tasty food. This is a charming spot for lunch and dinner.
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WG Café
52 Marius van Bouwdijk Bastiaansestraat
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Lovely, down-to-earth, hidden cafe that only locals seem to know about. Inexpensive, tasty food. This is a charming spot for lunch and dinner.
Chocolate. Coffee. Light lunch. All in the heart of the nine streets.
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Chocolaterie Pompadour
12 Huidenstraat
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Chocolate. Coffee. Light lunch. All in the heart of the nine streets.
Lovely canalside location for lunch or dinner. Close to the Anne Frank House. You can be near the water if you sit outside, or go upstairs inside and snag a window seat. In either case, great views.
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Spanjer en van Twist
60 Leliegracht
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Lovely canalside location for lunch or dinner. Close to the Anne Frank House. You can be near the water if you sit outside, or go upstairs inside and snag a window seat. In either case, great views.
Authentic, delicious Italian food and friendly Italian staff in a canalside location with great views from any window table upstairs. This location is open for evening dining.
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Casa di David
426 Singel
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Authentic, delicious Italian food and friendly Italian staff in a canalside location with great views from any window table upstairs. This location is open for evening dining.
Local pub turned eatery. You can lounge on the terrace and feel like a local because tourists don't seem to know about it. You can eat here, too (lunch or dinner).
Verhulst, food and drink
105 Johannes Verhulststraat
Local pub turned eatery. You can lounge on the terrace and feel like a local because tourists don't seem to know about it. You can eat here, too (lunch or dinner).
Lovely, relaxed local bar and eatery. Go for a drink or a meal (lunch or dinner). Sit by the canal, but not in the touristic centre. Not many tourists know about this place. Enjoy it!
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Stadscafé Van Mechelen
96/97 Sloterkade
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Lovely, relaxed local bar and eatery. Go for a drink or a meal (lunch or dinner). Sit by the canal, but not in the touristic centre. Not many tourists know about this place. Enjoy it!
A sunny spot for coffee and I think they have free WiFi, too. This is a local hang out about a block from my house. The terrace is relaxed, languid, and unbeatable on a sunny day.
Biscuit
4A Valeriusplein
A sunny spot for coffee and I think they have free WiFi, too. This is a local hang out about a block from my house. The terrace is relaxed, languid, and unbeatable on a sunny day.
Lovely, unusual, artisanal restaurant with a casual atmosphere and delicious food. You can have lunch or supper here. Largely unknown by tourists. Win!
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Restaurant As
19 Pr. Irenestraat
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Lovely, unusual, artisanal restaurant with a casual atmosphere and delicious food. You can have lunch or supper here. Largely unknown by tourists. Win!

Getting Around

Reliable, affordable, bicycle rental. Bring ID and a credit card for a deposit.
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MacBike | Bike Rental Amsterdam | Museum District - Leidseplein
2 Weteringschans
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Reliable, affordable, bicycle rental. Bring ID and a credit card for a deposit.
This is where you get on/off bus 197 to/from Schipol. The bus ride takes 15-20 minutes and costs approximately 5 euro. (A taxi is at least 35 euro.)
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MACY'S Haarlemmermeerstation
266 Amstelveenseweg
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This is where you get on/off bus 197 to/from Schipol. The bus ride takes 15-20 minutes and costs approximately 5 euro. (A taxi is at least 35 euro.)

Arts & Culture

Famous, large, lovely park. This is the green, beating heart of our neighbourhood. There are cafes at either end and two in the middle: Groot Melkhuis and 't Blauwe Theehuis (great for breakfast).
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Vondelpark Openluchttheater
5a Vondelpark
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Famous, large, lovely park. This is the green, beating heart of our neighbourhood. There are cafes at either end and two in the middle: Groot Melkhuis and 't Blauwe Theehuis (great for breakfast).
Jazz and other shows. Look online for programme details.
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Bimhuis
3 Piet Heinkade
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Jazz and other shows. Look online for programme details.
Music and other shows. Look online for programme details.
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Paradiso
6-8 Weteringschans
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Music and other shows. Look online for programme details.
World-class music-student shows almost always free. The quality is usually so amazing that you will think you have paid top price. Look online for programme details.
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Cva Online | Online Music Courses
151 Oosterdokskade
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World-class music-student shows almost always free. The quality is usually so amazing that you will think you have paid top price. Look online for programme details.
Amsterdam's new library building rated in the top 3 worldwide with a restaurant on the top floor -- unparalleled views and not at all touristy.
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OBA Library of Amsterdam
143 Oosterdokskade
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Amsterdam's new library building rated in the top 3 worldwide with a restaurant on the top floor -- unparalleled views and not at all touristy.
Dance, theatre, music, and other shows. Look online for programme details.
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Internationaal Theater Amsterdam
26 Leidseplein
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Dance, theatre, music, and other shows. Look online for programme details.
Jazz, world, classical, and other shows. Look online for programme details.
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Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ
1 Piet Heinkade
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Jazz, world, classical, and other shows. Look online for programme details.
Classical, voice, jazz, world, and other shows. Look online for programme details.
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Il-Kunċertgebouw
10 Concertgebouwplein
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Classical, voice, jazz, world, and other shows. Look online for programme details.
Music and other shows. Look online for programme details.
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Melkweg
234A Lijnbaansgracht
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Music and other shows. Look online for programme details.

Parks & Nature

Very large, lovely, forested park with all kinds of outdoor activities including a climbing centre (Fun Forest), boating, cycling, running, and even a carefully hidden naturist meadow for sunbathing.
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Il-Ħarba ta 'Amsterdam
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Very large, lovely, forested park with all kinds of outdoor activities including a climbing centre (Fun Forest), boating, cycling, running, and even a carefully hidden naturist meadow for sunbathing.
Want to go for a refreshing run or walk? Head towards the Olympiaplein. This big green rectangle has a fountain at one end, a skateboard park at the other, and is surrounded by tall, graceful trees.
Sportpark Olympia Square
31 Olympiaplein
Want to go for a refreshing run or walk? Head towards the Olympiaplein. This big green rectangle has a fountain at one end, a skateboard park at the other, and is surrounded by tall, graceful trees.
A lovely, large park bordering the Amstel river. Great for a bike ride or a leisurely wander. If you ride down as far as Oudekerk aan de Amstel, there is a seasonal ferry you can take; then take back.
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Amstelpark
Amstelpark
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A lovely, large park bordering the Amstel river. Great for a bike ride or a leisurely wander. If you ride down as far as Oudekerk aan de Amstel, there is a seasonal ferry you can take; then take back.
A large lake with a small ferry that can take you and your bicycle across, and swimming spots known only to locals. Unforgettable, lazy restfulness on a hot day. A pleasant jaunt on a cooler day.
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Nieuw en Meer
53A1 Oude Haagseweg
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A large lake with a small ferry that can take you and your bicycle across, and swimming spots known only to locals. Unforgettable, lazy restfulness on a hot day. A pleasant jaunt on a cooler day.
A lovely, large park with waterways, meandering paths, and lazy areas to relax in. Not as busy as Vondelpark, but absolutely worth visiting.
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Beatrixpark
21 Diepenbrockstraat
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A lovely, large park with waterways, meandering paths, and lazy areas to relax in. Not as busy as Vondelpark, but absolutely worth visiting.

Shopping

A long, busy, vibrant street market open every day except Sunday. If it exists, you can probably find it here.
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Suq Albert Cuyp
Albert Cuypstraat
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A long, busy, vibrant street market open every day except Sunday. If it exists, you can probably find it here.
Excellent high-end shopping, people watching, and lots of cafes (although I find the food lackluster). If you are here to look at gorgeous things, a stroll down the PC Hooftstraat is not to be missed.
tiffany
86-88 Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat
Excellent high-end shopping, people watching, and lots of cafes (although I find the food lackluster). If you are here to look at gorgeous things, a stroll down the PC Hooftstraat is not to be missed.
The best chocolate maker that I have found. So, so good. Spendy. Worth it. This is one of two locations (the other one is behind the Waterlooplein).
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Puccini Bomboni
17 Staalstraat
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The best chocolate maker that I have found. So, so good. Spendy. Worth it. This is one of two locations (the other one is behind the Waterlooplein).

Sightseeing

Upmarket shopping street second only to the PC Hooftstraat. This street is more neighbourhood-y and cosy. There are lots of cafes here, too.
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Cornelis Schuytstraat
Cornelis Schuytstraat
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Upmarket shopping street second only to the PC Hooftstraat. This street is more neighbourhood-y and cosy. There are lots of cafes here, too.
The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh museum, and the Stedelijk museum are all here on the museumplein. You can spend a day looking at art safe in the knowledge that home is within easy walking distance.
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Museumplein
Museumplein
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The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh museum, and the Stedelijk museum are all here on the museumplein. You can spend a day looking at art safe in the knowledge that home is within easy walking distance.
Lots of bookshops and a culture market on Fridays.
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Spui
Spui
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Lots of bookshops and a culture market on Fridays.
A great neighbourhood for a wander round, either by bike or on foot. Lovely galleries and narrow, charming streets.
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Jordaan
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A great neighbourhood for a wander round, either by bike or on foot. Lovely galleries and narrow, charming streets.
A great neighbourhood for a wander round, either by bike or on foot. Lovely galleries, high-end art shops, and charming streets. You can get unexpected, un-touristy souvenirs here.
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Nieuwe Spiegelstraat
Nieuwe Spiegelstraat
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A great neighbourhood for a wander round, either by bike or on foot. Lovely galleries, high-end art shops, and charming streets. You can get unexpected, un-touristy souvenirs here.
You can climb the Westerkerk tower, but you must step into the entrance to book a slot. The views are wonderful no matter what the day is like, and you are very close to the Anne Frank House.
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Westerkerk
279 Prinsengracht
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You can climb the Westerkerk tower, but you must step into the entrance to book a slot. The views are wonderful no matter what the day is like, and you are very close to the Anne Frank House.
Do not forget or underestimate Amsterdam Noord. This fascinating area has galleries, weird art installations, parks, cafes, and great views of Amsterdam. Take your bike on the ferry from Centraal.
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Pllek
59 T.T. Neveritaweg
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Do not forget or underestimate Amsterdam Noord. This fascinating area has galleries, weird art installations, parks, cafes, and great views of Amsterdam. Take your bike on the ferry from Centraal.

Essentials

Jumbo has everything -- And it is unbeatably close to home!
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Jumbo
55H Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat
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Jumbo has everything -- And it is unbeatably close to home!
A local supermarket with everything you need.
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AH Johannes Verhulststraat
149 Johannes Verhulststraat
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A local supermarket with everything you need.
A local supermarket with everything you need.
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AH Amstelveenseweg
186 Amstelveenseweg
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A local supermarket with everything you need.
A healthy food shop with everything you need -- and a lot of lovely organics.
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Krits Natuurvoeding
176-178 Amstelveenseweg
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A healthy food shop with everything you need -- and a lot of lovely organics.
A naturist spa (bathing suits on Tuesdays only) with gorgeous landscaped grounds, a swim-in-to-out pool, many saunas & jacuzzis, and all the expected spa treatments. Spendy but romantic and relaxing.
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Spa Sport Hotel Zuiver
8 Koenenkade
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A naturist spa (bathing suits on Tuesdays only) with gorgeous landscaped grounds, a swim-in-to-out pool, many saunas & jacuzzis, and all the expected spa treatments. Spendy but romantic and relaxing.
Need a manicure or a pedicure for your stressed hands and feet? The All Daring team use up-to-the-moment products including OPI, gels, Essie, and more.
All Daring
110 Scheldestraat
Need a manicure or a pedicure for your stressed hands and feet? The All Daring team use up-to-the-moment products including OPI, gels, Essie, and more.
Looking for a manicure or a pedicure? Looking for waxing or a facial or another beauty treatment? SOAP does it all with the best products including OPI, Essie, and more. Closest location.
9 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Soap Treatment Store
122 Van Baerlestraat
9 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Looking for a manicure or a pedicure? Looking for waxing or a facial or another beauty treatment? SOAP does it all with the best products including OPI, Essie, and more. Closest location.
Looking for a manicure or a pedicure? Looking for waxing or a facial or another beauty treatment? SOAP does it all with the best products including OPI, Essie, and more. Spuistraat location.
7 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
SOAP TREATMENT STORE - SPUISTRAAT
281 Spuistraat
7 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Looking for a manicure or a pedicure? Looking for waxing or a facial or another beauty treatment? SOAP does it all with the best products including OPI, Essie, and more. Spuistraat location.