Amsterdam Travel Guide: 3 Amazing Days in Amsterdam Where to Eat, Stay & Do

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It’s my second time visiting Amsterdam. The first time I did a long stop-over for around 23 hours on my way to Houston in 2013 a VERY long time ago. This time I got a nice deal via Eurostar (£70 RT) and wanted to go and see what all the hype was all about with with the Amsterdam food spots soo booked a ticket a few months ago 3 days in Amsterdam.

If you’re planning a visit to Amsterdam and looking for an Amsterdam travel guide. You’ve come to the right place. I recently did three days, where I visited Amsterdam and it was actually better than expected. I wanted to go, and explore Amsterdam as a foodie destination, after seeing all the Amsterdam viral spots for food and just knew I had to go.

In this Amsterdam travel guide, I’ll share the best Amsterdam viral food spots, with all the desserts worth trying, restaurants that are overhyped, where to stay in Amsterdam, give you 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary, and the key things to know before visiting Amsterdam.

Related Post: 5 Amazing European Destinations for Food Lovers

About Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands (which I am sure not everyone knows, because many people speak of Amsterdam, but not of Netherlands. Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. The city is today famous for its canals, historic architecture, bike culture and as the place for the best Amsterdam viral food spots. You can certainly visit Amsterdam for a weekend city break or a longer trip, as the city offers a mix of culture, food and history that makes it a great European getaway.

Amsterdam is a great destination to visit all year-round, but the best time to visit is between March and May, when spring begins and the city starts to bloom and then September and October. Of course the summer will be the busiest season with warm weather and festivals, while autumn offers fewer crowds. In terms of how long to stay I think 3 days in Amsterdam is actually perfect.

How to Get to Amsterdam

Many people have asked “Can I get an Eurostar to Amsterdam?” The answer is yes! I’ve done Amsterdam via flight and train now. You can get to Amsterdam from the UK by:

• Flying to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (it is only an hour)
• Taking the Eurostar train from London directly to Amsterdam Central (is about four hours).

Personally, if you can’t get an affordable flight (less than £50- 100 from the UK) then I would recommend the Eurostar during the sales, as it’s comfortable and takes you straight into the city centre.

Entry Requirements for Netherlands

Anyone travelling from the US, UK, Canada and visiting Amsterdam do not require a visa. They will however need a valid passport and have a passport that is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date. However, for Nigerian passport holders will require a Schengen via (short-stay <90 days) travel insurance, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds. If you are looking for any other country you can check via iVisa here.

I will always suggest that anyone travelling should check via the Foreign Travel Advise Website here.

Key Things to Know Before Going to Amsterdam

• Internet: You’ll definitely want internet while exploring the city. I usually use Airalo for an eSIM, which allow you to get mobile data as soon as you land.
• Travel Insurance: I recommend anyone travelling should have travel insurance which you can get via SafetyWing here.
• Payments: Most places in Amsterdam accept card payments, so you rarely need to carry much cash.
• The British Embassy: The Embassy is in Hague. Here is the address: Lange Voorhout 10, 2514 ED Den Haag, Netherlands. You can always check your countries Embassy on Embassies.info. You should always do this before you travel.

Getting Around Amsterdam

Amsterdam is an extremely walkable city, with the use of GoogleMaps you can be somewhere within 20-45 mins. Most of the places we visited on foot. You can also use trams, bicycles and Uber or taxis. Public transport is reliable and super easy to use via GoogleMaps.

Please be careful of the bikes, Amsterdam is a very bike friendly city and they literally come out of anywhere and everywhere!

3- Day Amsterdam Travel Guide Itinerary For Foodies

If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, here’s exactly how I spent 3 days in Amsterdam:

• Day 1: Arrival Easy Food Spots: If you’re travelling from the UK, I recommend taking the early train with Eurostar (around 6:15 am or 8am). Please get to the station at least an hour before the train leaves as it is like airport style check-in. You’ll arrive just after lunch, which gives you enough time to settle in and still enjoy your first day. Check into your hotel (we stayed in Zaan Hotel Amsterdam in Zaandam, freshen up and head straight into the city centre. We first headed to Chun where I ordered the ribeye sandwich and Lourens for my pistachio croissant. You will defo want to do the A’DAM LOOKOUT Swing that was the actual highlight of my trip! It was so nice to have a look over the city on a swing. If you still have energy in the evening head to Nomi Nomi for Korean BBQ (just go with an open mind).
• Day 2: Explore & Full Food Tourist Day: We started our day early and explored a bit of Zaandam. It’s quiet, really colourful, pretty and worth a short walk around before heading into Amsterdam Central. Then head into the city for a full day of walking, exploring and eating.
  • Van Stapele Koekmakerij the BEST cookie with white chocolate.
  • Stroopwafel (a must, even if just once)
• Around lunch time we did a canal tour which was nice to see the city of Amsterdam, you can book the same canal tour via GetYourGuide here. You can then take your time and walk through the city, and explore some of the random side streets. We then headed over to the Barbie Museum which was actually not bad. The final thing we did was head over to Anne Franks House which is great if you want a bit of history. For dinner we headed out to Jerk Bay for some Jamaican food.

• Day 3: Brunch, Slow Morning & Departure: Your final day! Today we took things a bit slower after a busy day and a long journey home. We really wanted to have a relaxed breakfast at one of these Jacob’s,(was closed) Jennie’s, Loop 51 (we went and didn’t like the look of the food). If you’re near Loop 51 make a stop by Crema for a cookie. We ended up at Lagom Amsterdam and I was sooo over eating that I didn’t even order anything. I also was on a lookout for my bouquet of chips/fries from ‘t Pareltje and that I got! We then headed back to Amsterdam Central for our train (we took the 8pm Eurostar back).

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

I mentioned the hotel earlier but wanted to share my views on the hotel. We stayed at the Zaan Hotel Amsterdam in Zaandam (also know as Legoland), it is located just outside the city centre. The hotel is about 12 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central Station, (only two stops). I would say the hotel is a very convenient base for exploring the city. I liked that it was in Zaandam and that it was easily accessible into the city. However, for a 4* hotel I would have expected more from them. One thing I’m noticing lately is hotels are just not giving the guests what they need.

You can also check other hotels for your Amsterdam trip via Expedia and Agoda. I have added a visual map below so you can see the other hotel locations in Amsterdam:

Amsterdam Travel Guide

I found that the Amsterdam viral food spots quite interesting. They are not quite what I anticipated, like I loved the desserts but the actual food for like dinners and lunch weren’t that great. Let’s just say that I wasn’t blown away by everything I ate. Here are my honest views of the Amsterdam viral food spots. In another post I will do a rating of all the places with a post on all the best places to eat in Amsterdam.

I will say that you can take my views with a pinch of salt, and then you can decide if you want to go and try it for yourself. Otherwise use this as a useful Amsterdam food travel guide below:

Where and What to Eat Over 3 Days in Amsterdam

1. ‘t Pareltje

These are are a big Amsterdam viral food spot! ‘t Pareltje litreally does fries with all types of toppings. They were absolutely massive and properly the biggest chips I have ever ordered in my life, it could easily feed four to five people. The highlight was the curry sauce and mayonnaise, which were both incredibly tasty. If you enjoy Dutch-style fries, this Amsterdam viral food spot is definitely worth visiting because it’s just an experience.

2. Jerk Bay

At Jerk Bay, I ordered the meal with rice and peas, jerk chicken and a ginger and apple juice. It also came with festival. My friend also ordered mac and cheese with jerk chicken, saltfish fritters and festival, which I now wish I also ordered because the mac and cheese was actually good. It was nice to see Caribbean food in Amsterdam, but unfortunately it didn’t completely hit the mark for me.

3. Van Stapele Koekmakerij

Van Stapele Koekmakerij is litreally seen everywhere on my TikTok. It’s the Amsterdam viral food bakery and is famous for selling just one cookie, and honestly it lives up to the hype. The gooey white chocolate centre combined with the warm cookie made it absolutely delicious. If you only try one dessert in Amsterdam, make it this one.

4. Restaurant Nomi Vijzelstraat

So the Nomi Restaurant wasn’t my fave. The restaurant does Korean BBQ and sushi restaurant, I went because it is also know and seen as an Amsterdam viral food spot and saw that it was very popular on social media, but unfortunately the food didn’t live up to expectations for us. Personally, I would say this place is a bit overhyped.

5. Lagom Amsterdam

Another Amsterdam viral spot that unfortunately didn’t quite deliver for us. My friend ordered the Korean Burger with chips and the burger wasn’t great.

6. Lourens

Oh Lourens was great. I love anything pistachio and getting a pistachio croissant here was incredible. We also tried the orginal chocolate cookie, which was fresh and just soo good.

7. Chun

Ok so I wasn’t sure what to think about Chun, but after seeing it a million times i knew it had to be on my Amsterdam food itinerary. It is a very popular sandwich spot. I ordered the ribeye sandwich, while my friend ordered the prawn and egg sandwich. Now despite being told to not order the ribeye I would say both were delicious and perfect for a quick lunch.

8. Canela

I’m not usually a big cinnamon bun fan, so was pretty hesitant with going to Canela. In the past I’ve never liked cinnamon buns in the past, but I’ve only ever tried them in the UK (London). I’m glad I tried it though, because the pistachio cinnamon bun in Amsterdam was sooo good. It seriously changed my mind towards cinnamon bun. The staff asked me if I wanted it warm and I did and it changed everything for me. It was soft, rich and absolutely delicious. I am actually thinking about it now! This definitely deserves being on the on the Amsterdam viral foods spots.

9. Van Wonderen Stroopwafels

We tried a pistachio flavoured Stroopwafel at Van Wonderen Stroopwafels, (yes there is a pattern I love pistachio) which was nice but not particularly memorable. For me it was overpriced, but all the same it is still worth trying as it’s a classic Dutch snack/dessert.

10. Crema

The pistachio white chocolate cookie at Crema Amsterdam was good and worth grabbing if you’re nearby. It’s not a Amsterdam viral food spot, but it certainly should be in my opinion. You can also get these warmed up which makes them taste even better.

11. The Lebanese Sajeria

I was really craving a proper meal and saw a Lebanese restaurant and saw The Lebanese Sajeria. I ordered the salad with crackers which sounded nice at the time. However for me, it just didn’t impress me.

Other Restaurants to Visit

There are number of other Amsterdam viral food spots that I didn’t get to have the food or just got to the place and just wasn’t feeling the vibe or food.

• Jacob’s (this place was closed)
• Smash burgers if you like burgers (also went here but not a big burger fan)
• Loop 51 (did go here wasn’t feeling it though)

Where to Eat in Amsterdam by Neighbourhood

Amsterdam is very walkable, which I absolutely love, but knowing which neighbourhood to go to for these Amsterdam viral food spots are in can make planning so much easier.

Amsterdam City Centre

This is where many first-time visitors spend most of their time. This area is ideal if you want to walk between food stops while exploring the canals. You’ll find plenty of cafés, bakeries and famous dessert spots here. Food spots in this area include:

• Van Stapele Koekmakerij – famous for its gooey chocolate cookies
• Chun – known for its viral sandwiches
• Crema – great for cookies and sweet treats

De Pijp

De Pijp is one of Amsterdam’s most vibrant neighbourhoods and a great place for food lovers. You’ll find:

• trendy cafés
• international restaurants
• bakeries and brunch spots

It’s also home to the Albert Cuyp Market, one of the most famous street markets in Amsterdam where you can try fresh Amsterdam viral food stroopwafels and other Dutch snacks.

Jordaan

Jordaan is one of the most beautiful areas of Amsterdam with charming canals, boutique shops and cosy cafés.It’s a great neighbourhood to explore if you want a relaxed afternoon wandering between bakeries and coffee shops.

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Map of the Best Food Spots in Amsterdam

To make planning easier for you, here are the locations of the Amsterdam viral food spots mentioned in this Amsterdam travel guide. This includes all the places I ate and mentioned earlier throughout this post.

Things to do in Amsterdam

Other than diving into the Amsterdam viral food spots, there is actually of plenty things to see and do beyond the food scene, below are some popular attractions that you will want to add to you list:

• A’DAM Lookout Swing – I loved this swing because you get panoramic city views and a little thrill, swing over the edge of Amsterdam’s skyline.
• Canal boat cruise with Lovers Canal Cruises – The best way to see Amsterdam’s canals and learn the city’s history in under an hour. You can book a tour here.

• Anne Frank House – A powerful and emotional museum offering insight into World War II history book ahead here.
• A day trip to Zaandam – Just 12 minutes away from Amsterdam Central you get to see some colourful well known unique architecture. However if you are already staying in the area then you are good.
• Barbie World Museum – A fun, aesthetic stop that allows you to get into your inner child vibes. Oh and perfect for photos and something a little different! You can book your tickets here.

More Travel Tools & Resources for Amsterdam

• My Instagram and TikTok have quick snap videos on the specifics of my visit to Amsterdam and DM me if you have any questions about your trip.
• Before going to any of these countries, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
• Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific tours for Amsterdam. Please read the reviews before booking!
• Get travel insurance, I recommend anyone travelling should have travel insurance which you can get via SafetyWing here.
• I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279 for a discount.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam Food

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Closing the Amsterdam Travel Guide Here

And there you have it a genuine, honest Amsterdam travel guide where I share my experience for you, with all the Amsterdam viral food spots with where to stay and things to do while in Amsterdam.

I think it was important to write this post honestly for my readers. Despite the Amsterdam viral food dinner spots not hitting the spot, overall I had a great time exploring Amsterdam.

However, I will be honest with you and say that the Amsterdam viral food like desserts and pastries were definitely the highlight of my foodie experiences, while some of the typical Amsterdam viral food restaurants that everyone goes too or like the savoury spots just didn’t completely live up to the hype.

Nonetheless, Amsterdam is still a beautiful city full of canals, cosy cafés and unique neighbourhoods. If you’re planning a trip, I recommend exploring for a few days because you will defo go back. Make sure you go and try the bakeries and decide for yourself which Amsterdam viral food spots are worth the visit.

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I hope you enjoyed this Amsterdam travel guide for just three days you will be full with sugar!

Speak soon,

Adebola MBV xx