The Dylan
Amsterdam, Netherlands[view map]
Local restaurants
In De Pijp, Chocolate Bar at 62a 1e van der Helststraat (+31 20 675 76 72) offers great international favourites from 10h to 00h in its cheery yellow-hued retro interior. Another cute canalside pitstop for breakfast, lunch and dinner is Bar With No Name at 23 Wolvenstraat (+31 20 320 0843). Envy (+31 20 344 6407) on Prinsengrache, a few minutes' stroll from the Dylan, brings the fresh flavours of delicatessen produce to atmospheric little restaurant tables. Daily-changing menus offer tasting platters of sweet and savoury gourmet confections. Brasserie Harkema on Nes (+31 20 428 2222) is a former tobacco factory – now a swish restaurant with high ceilings and wooden floors. On the main floor, you can order from a delicious selection of poultry, fish and meat dishes. In the open-plan red-velvet dining room of Cineac on Reguliersbreestraat (+31 20 530 888), the food is classy: lobster, foie gras and truffles. Take a balcony table overlooking the bar, which does great champagne cocktails. Barok on Wolvenstraat (+31 20 330 7470) serves French cuisine with a modern twist. Funky tunes are played in its lounge/bar area. De Kas on Kamerlingh Onneslaan (+31 20 462 4562) is situated in a converted glasshouse in a park on the edge of the city. The restaurant serves Modern European food. Cinema Paradiso on Westerstraat (+31 20 623 7344) is an informal, funky Italian. Odessa (+31 20 419 3010) is a boat near the islands, which serves international fusion cuisine and tends to kick off into a party after dinner. Bond on Valeriusstraat (+31 20 676 46 47) has plush gold Fifties decor, and is intimate and relaxed. The Blonde Hollander on Leidsekruisstraat (+31 20 627 0521) is recommended for a truly traditional Dutch experience in hip surroundings. For a grown-up three-course supper, Silex at 93–95 Daniel Stalpertstraat (+31 20 620 5959) is an elegant option; its cuisine leans towards French and Italian, with a weighty wine list sure to impress oenophiles.
Local bars
Bar Arc on Reguliersdwarsstraat (+31 20 689 7070) is good for cocktails and finger food. Brix on Wolvenstraat (+31 20 639 0351) is a cool DJ bar just around the corner, which serves a starter menu. Vyne (+31 20 344 6408) is a great little wine shop and bar at Prinsengracht 411, just a few minutes' walk from the Dylan. It has a superb selection of bottles to buy, fine wines to sip and small plates of tapas-style nibbles to share. Joia, on Leidsedwarsstraat, is a cool cocktail bar and Cuban restaurant (+31 20 626 6769). Between April and November, on a nice day, the beach at Amsterdam is a great alternative for a drink or lunch: the best bars at Bloemendaal are the Ibiza-style Republiek (www.republiek.tv), and Bloomingdale (www.bloomingdaleaansee.com), owned by an Amsterdam club promoter.
Local cafes
Whether you want a lunchtime sandwich, an afternoon slab of cake with a coffee, or something a little more festive, plot up at Flamingo at 37 Eerste Van der Helststraat (+31 20 620 5959) and get a grade-A serving of De Pijp people-watching right up until 01h or 03h on Fridays and Saturdays. De Taart van m’n Tante on Ferdinand Bolstraat is great for tea, coffee and unusual cakes. Mokoon Amstelveld has a great shady terrace on a picturesque square.
Nightlife
Cineac on Reguliersbreestraat is a bar/club in an old theatre – the only place in Amsterdam with a no-trainers policy. Jimmy Woo on Leidsedwarsstraat is a glamorous nightclub where a clued-up crew go to party; there is an entry fee, but your hotel might be able to get your name on the guestlist.
The legendary Supperclub on Jonge Roelensteeg (+31 20 344 6400; www.supperclub.nl) is still going strong but you may find it more fun to book dinner on its boat (www.supperclubcruise.nl).
Worth getting out of bed for
Viewpoint Owing to topography and building-height restrictions, nothing is that high up,but your best shot is the café on the sixth floor of Metz department store on Leidsestraat.
Arts and culture Van Gogh Museum (+31 20 570 5200; www.vangoghmuseum.nl),
Rijksmuseum (+31 20 674 7047; www.rijksmuseum.nl), the Stedelijk Modern Art Museum (+31 20 573 2911; www.stedelijk.nl).
Something for nothing In April or May, take a drive out to the tulip fields and feast your eyes.
Shopping For designer labels, go to PC Hooftstraat. We prefer the Nine Streets – a grid within the canal network that is packed with boutiques and curiosity shops. We love DOM on Spuistraat, for all kinds of items you never thought you needed. Spmrkt is a warehouse of all things retro and cool: books, fashion, furniture, art. Spiegelstraat is renowned for antiques.
For markets, on Saturdays and Mondays head to Noordermarkt for organic food and bric à brac, or the bigger, touristier Waterlooplein market for good second-hand clothes. Albert Cuypmarkt in the Pijp claims to be Europe’s longest street market. Visit the flower market – it’s the only floating one in the world – and take home some tulip bulbs. it’s located on the Singel canal between the Koningsplein and the Muntplein.
And… Go with the flow in restaurants – Dutch service can be very laid-back.
Diary
30 April Queen’s Day – the whole of Amsterdam is on holiday and the canals come alive. May National Cycling Day on the second Saturday sees thousands pedalling through town. August Classical concerts on the canals; Gay Pride, when the city is awash with revellers (www.amsterdampride.nl). 5 December St Nicholas Day kicks off the Christmas festivities.