# Amsterdam culinary guide for expats

**Language:** Dutch  
**CEFR Level:** 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](https://doubleamagazine.com/).

**Setting:** Follow two friends as they explore the bustling streets, cozy cafes, and sunny terraces of Amsterdam. Sophie shows Bram, a recent transplant from the South, the ultimate guide to eating, drinking, and speaking Dutch in the city.

## 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