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This is a daily audio course you can listen to on the go to improve your listening comprehension, practice speaking, and finally understand native speakers – entirely in WhatsApp.

Amsterdam culinary guide for expats – HearSay

Dutch A2

Practice your Dutch while exploring Amsterdam's best restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. Learn to speak confidently on the go, whether ordering wine or asking for recommendations. For more, check out Aa Magazine.

Lessons

  1. Coffee at Café de Linden

    Sophie and Bram meet up on a Saturday morning at Café de Linden, a local favorite for coffee and Bloody Marys.

    Vocabulary

    • de ochtend (the morning)
    • de koffie (the coffee)
    • het drankje (the drink)
    • bestellen (to order)
    • gezellig (cozy)

    Objectives

    • Greet someone in the morning
    • Order a hot beverage
  2. Drinks at Twee Prinsen

    Bram discovers a crowd-favorite terrace in the Jordaan known for orange wine and daytime drinking.

    Vocabulary

    • het terras (the terrace)
    • de wijn (the wine)
    • de zon (the sun)
    • kletsen (to chat)
    • de vriend (the friend)

    Objectives

    • Suggest sitting outside
    • Talk about the sunny weather
  3. Smashburgers at Kikkie

    Right next to Twee Prinsen, the friends grab dinner items like smashburgers while people-watching.

    Vocabulary

    • de menukaart (the menu)
    • de hamburger (the hamburger)
    • buiten (outside)
    • kijken (to look)
    • de mens (the person)

    Objectives

    • Read a dinner menu
    • Describe people walking by
  4. Watching at Café Luxembourg

    Sophie takes Bram to this top spot in the city center to relax and observe the busy crowds.

    Vocabulary

    • het centrum (the center)
    • de straat (the street)
    • druk (busy)
    • zitten (to sit)
    • het water (the water)

    Objectives

    • Describe a busy location
    • Find an empty seat
  5. Drinks at Café Fonteyn

    The duo meets up with other friends before a night out at this cult classic spot for cheap drinks.

    Vocabulary

    • goedkoop (cheap)
    • het bier (the beer)
    • de avond (the evening)
    • afspreken (to meet up)
    • de rekening (the bill)

    Objectives

    • Meet friends for a drink
    • Ask for the bill
  6. Wine at Glouglou

    Enjoying the terrace at a popular natural wine bar in the vibrant De Pijp neighborhood.

    Vocabulary

    • de buurt (the neighborhood)
    • het glas (the glass)
    • rood (red)
    • wit (white)
    • lekker (tasty)

    Objectives

    • Order a glass of wine
    • Ask for a recommendation
  7. Snacks at Turbo

    A quick stop for snacks near Oosterpark at a multipurpose café and snackbar.

    Vocabulary

    • de snack (the snack)
    • het park (the park)
    • wandelen (to walk)
    • de honger (the hunger)
    • de boom (the tree)

    Objectives

    • Order a quick snack
    • Talk about walking in the park
  8. Vibes at La Dilettante

    Bram and Sophie find a cozy natural wine bar tucked away on a side street in De Pijp.

    Vocabulary

    • klein (small)
    • het straatje (the little street)
    • knus (cozy)
    • de sfeer (the atmosphere)
    • proeven (to taste)

    Objectives

    • Describe a cozy atmosphere
    • Ask to taste a wine
  9. Sun at Café Soleil

    Basking in the sun with refreshing dishes in Amsterdam Noord.

    Vocabulary

    • het noorden (the north)
    • koud (cold)
    • warm (warm)
    • de pont (the ferry)
    • verfrissend (refreshing)

    Objectives

    • Discuss taking the ferry
    • Talk about the temperature
  10. Cinema at FC Hyena

    Catching a movie at a boutique cinema and petit restaurant on the banks of the IJ.

    Vocabulary

    • de film (the movie)
    • de bioscoop (the cinema)
    • het restaurant (the restaurant)
    • de oever (the shore)
    • leuk (fun)

    Objectives

    • Buy movie tickets
    • Order food before a show
  11. Sunset at Café de Ceuvel

    A waterfront sunset spot in Noord where guests sometimes bring swimsuits to take a dip.

    Vocabulary

    • de zonsondergang (the sunset)
    • zwemmen (to swim)
    • het zwempak (the swimsuit)
    • de zomer (the summer)
    • genieten (to enjoy)

    Objectives

    • Talk about summer plans
    • Describe a sunset
  12. Spritz at Bar Centraal

    Trying the famous Yuzu Spritz at a charming natural wine bar in Amsterdam West.

    Vocabulary

    • het westen (the west)
    • de cocktail (the cocktail)
    • de smaak (the taste)
    • zoet (sweet)
    • bitter (bitter)

    Objectives

    • Describe cocktail flavors
    • Ask what someone is drinking
  13. Flair at Cantine de Caron

    Enjoying wine on a French-style terrace recommended for its unmistakable French flair.

    Vocabulary

    • de taal (the language)
    • de ober (the waiter)
    • de fles (the bottle)
    • groot (big)
    • Frans (French)

    Objectives

    • Order a bottle for the table
    • Compliment the service
  14. Buns at 4850

    Grabbing delicious cardamom and cinnamon buns followed by a relaxing stroll.

    Vocabulary

    • de bakkerij (the bakery)
    • de kaneel (the cinnamon)
    • lopen (to walk)
    • het broodje (the bun)
    • het gebak (the pastry)

    Objectives

    • Order a pastry
    • Suggest a walk
  15. Lunch at Fonda

    Stopping for a post-museum coffee and lunch near the Stedelijk Museum.

    Vocabulary

    • het museum (the museum)
    • de lunch (the lunch)
    • de kunst (the art)
    • de soep (the soup)
    • de salade (the salad)

    Objectives

    • Discuss a museum visit
    • Order light lunch items
  16. Games at Café 't Sluisje

    Playing board games with hot tea at a historic, cozy spot by the water in Noord.

    Vocabulary

    • het spel (the game)
    • de thee (the tea)
    • historisch (historic)
    • spelen (to play)
    • verliezen (to lose)

    Objectives

    • Suggest a board game
    • Order hot tea
  17. Music at Contra

    A night out featuring no-fuss food, fun cocktails, and live music.

    Vocabulary

    • de muziek (the music)
    • live (live)
    • het concert (the concert)
    • dansen (to dance)
    • de band (the band)

    Objectives

    • Talk about music genres
    • Invite someone to dance
  18. Dates at Bottleshop

    Bram gets advice on taking someone to this favorite date spot with a long wine list.

    Vocabulary

    • de date (the date)
    • de liefde (the love)
    • romantisch (romantic)
    • kiezen (to choose)
    • het menu (the set menu)

    Objectives

    • Express romantic interest
    • Choose from a set menu
  19. Talks at De Engelbewaarder

    Having a low-commitment deep conversation at an authentic literary brown cafe.

    Vocabulary

    • het bruin café (the brown cafe)
    • het gesprek (the conversation)
    • praten (to talk)
    • de schrijver (the writer)
    • het verhaal (the story)

    Objectives

    • Have a deep conversation
    • Describe an authentic place
  20. Pizza at Europizza

    Taking the ferry to Noord for delicious pizza and wine on a sunny terrace.

    Vocabulary

    • de pizza (the pizza)
    • de kaas (the cheese)
    • de tomaat (the tomato)
    • delen (to share)
    • de korst (the crust)

    Objectives

    • Order a pizza
    • Offer to share food
  21. Seafood at Café Restaurant Amsterdam

    Experiencing the lively energy and mighty terrace of a classic seafood establishment.

    Vocabulary

    • de vis (the fish)
    • de zee (the sea)
    • het gebouw (the building)
    • de oester (the oyster)
    • vers (fresh)

    Objectives

    • Order seafood
    • Describe a building's architecture
  22. Dinner at Klaproos

    Organizing a group dinner at a popular hotspot for wood-fired pizzas in Noord.

    Vocabulary

    • de groep (the group)
    • reserveren (to reserve)
    • het vuur (the fire)
    • de tafel (the table)
    • vol (full)

    Objectives

    • Make a group reservation
    • Ask if a table is available
  23. Sourdough at Bakkerij Wolf

    Bram visits a sourdough paradise in the 9streets to buy bread for the week.

    Vocabulary

    • het brood (the bread)
    • het zuurdesem (the sourdough)
    • kopen (to buy)
    • de bakker (the baker)
    • de Negen Straatjes (the Nine Streets)

    Objectives

    • Buy fresh bread
    • Ask the baker a question
  24. Food at Rijsel

    Waiting for a table at a constantly packed French-Belgian comfort food establishment.

    Vocabulary

    • de kip (the chicken)
    • de aardappel (the potato)
    • populair (popular)
    • wachten (to wait)
    • de rij (the line)

    Objectives

    • Wait in line for a table
    • Order comfort food
  25. Groups at Hotel de Goudfazant

    Celebrating a birthday with a large group in a high-energy restaurant set in a former garage.

    Vocabulary

    • de garage (the garage)
    • de ruimte (the space)
    • luid (loud)
    • vieren (to celebrate)
    • de verjaardag (the birthday)

    Objectives

    • Talk about a birthday celebration
    • Ask for a quieter table
  26. Mexican at Coba

    Enjoying elevated Mexican food and handmade tortillas tucked away in Noord.

    Vocabulary

    • pittig (spicy)
    • de maïs (the corn)
    • het zout (the salt)
    • de limoen (the lime)
    • handgemaakt (handmade)

    Objectives

    • Describe spicy food
    • Order Mexican cuisine
  27. Breakfast at Rise Bakery

    Starting the day with scrumptious bread and a chat with the friendly bakery staff.

    Vocabulary

    • het ontbijt (the breakfast)
    • vriendelijk (friendly)
    • de medewerker (the employee)
    • de boter (the butter)
    • de jam (the jam)

    Objectives

    • Order breakfast items
    • Compliment the friendly staff
  28. Bagels at Breadwinner

    A relaxing Sunday morning grabbing highly-rated bagels to finish the weekend.

    Vocabulary

    • de zondag (the Sunday)
    • de bagel (the bagel)
    • vroeg (early)
    • uitslapen (to sleep in)
    • het weekend (the weekend)

    Objectives

    • Talk about weekend routines
    • Order a bagel