Amsterdam/Jordaan

By tram

The tram is the easiest way to get around central Amsterdam, and the Jordaan is no exception. From Central Station, tram lines 13 and 17 bring you to the stop Westermarkt at the beginning of the Jordaan-district. Two stops further of tram line 17 is Elandsgracht at the south side of the district.
No tram lines attend the Haarlemmerbuurt at the northern side of the district, but it's a walk of less than 5 minutes from Central Station.

• BrouwersgrachtThis canal is sometimes cited as the "most beautiful street of Amsterdam". The name, "Brewer's Canal", refers to the many beer breweries along the canal in the 16th and 17th centuries. Nowadays, there's just one distillery left, De Ooievaar, that has been located here since 1782 and specializes in Dutch jenever and liquors. The warehouses here used to store goods such as coffee, spices and leather, but now serve a residential purpose. Traditional warehouses with the row of spout gables can be found at Brouwersgracht 196–188, and at 204, 206, 208 and 210. Also check out the wide-open red shutters at Groene Valk (192) and Grouwe Valk (194). Geloof, Brouwersgracht 218, shows the typical "neck" gable designed by Philips Vingboons.

• Noorderkerk

  phone: +31 20 626-6436
  address: Noordermarkt 48

• Pianola Museum

  phone: +31 20 627-9624
  address: Westerstraat 106
  A museum about Pianolas from the early 1900s. About a dozen are displayed at any one time, and every month a piano concert is held.

The Jordaan is a great place to just stroll through taking in the beautiful architecture. The canal houses are always a pleasure, but also don't miss out on the backstreets.

• Boom Chicago

  phone: +31 20 530 7300
  address: Rozengracht 117
  The Amsterdam comedy institution since 1993. English language sketch and improv comedy show with extensive use of video, music and the internet. The troupe is sharp and skewers current events, trends and life and local events in Amsterdam. Perhaps the best comedy show in any city. Good food is served before the show and drink service continues all night.

• Ken Tui Massage

  phone: +31-6-15053174
  address: Rozengracht 234
  Offers a quality massage.

The main three shopping streets in the Jordaan are, from north to south, Westerstraat, Rozengracht and Elandsgracht. These offer a mix of clothing stores, design, art galleries, bars and restaurants. In the side-streets (Tweede Anjeliersdwarsstraat/Tweede Tuindwarsstraat/Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat), you'll find more nice restaurants. And in another side-street, Hazenstraat, there's a lot of galleries and quirky stores. On Saturday there is a (pricey) biological market on Noordermarkt and a (cheaper) normal market around the corner on Lindengracht. It's great to stroll around on both these markets. On Monday there is a (second hand) clothing market on Noordermarkt and Westerstraat.

• Lapjesmarkt

  address: Westerstraat
  A specialist market concentrating on selling cloth and material for making clothes, curtains etc. Mondays only.

• LindengrachtSelling a wide range of goods, fruit and vegetables, fish and various household items. Saturday only.

• NoordermarktOn Monday morning the Noordermarkt is a flea market selling fabrics, records, second-hand clothing etc., and forms part of the Lapjesmarkt mentioned above. On Saturday, the Noordermarkt is a biological food market, selling a wide range of ecological products like organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, cheese, mushrooms etc. There is also a small flea market.

• Kinnaree

  phone: +31 20 627 71 53
  address: 1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 14
  Amazing Thai food. Good atmosphere, good service despite being quite busy, but the food is why you would come here. Highly recommended.

• Mazzo

  address: Rozengracht 114
  This used to be a famous techno club but they turned it into an Italian restaurant with a nice modern look. You can have breakfast, lunch or dinner here. On the weekends it's smart to make a reservation as it can get pretty busy

• Long Pura

  phone: +31 20 6238950
  address: Rozengracht 46-48
  Indonesian food, try the rice table.

• Burgermeester

  address: Elandsgracht 130
  Yes, they serve burgers here. But don't expect a McDonalds wannabe. They are quality meat, fish or vegetarian burgers. The place is so popular that they opened 2 more branches in the city. Great if you want to have a quick and inexpensive bite. Order the 'mini trio' so you can taste three different small sized burgers.

• Barney's

  address: Haarlemerstraat 98
  A gorgeous brasserie owned by the well known coffeeshop with outside seating which has the best breakfasts in Amsterdam for very reasonable prices. Their strawberry milkshakes are to die for.

• De Korte Prins

  address: Haarlemmerdijk 8
  De Korte Prins is a lunchroom café on the Haarlemmerdijk 8, in the heart of the Jordaan area in Amsterdam. The friendly staff serves great bagels, rolls and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon the café is filled with coffee lovers who enjoy a rich coffee with a delicious brownie or cheesecake. Regulars often drop by for cookies and muffins takeaway as well.

• Proust

  phone: +31 20 623 91 45
  address: Noordermarkt 4
  Proust is a little off the beaten path, near the intersection of Brouwersgracht and Prinsengracht, but it's worth a visit for the inexpensive and satisfying meals as well as the company: it's a favourite with locals.

• STOUT!

  phone: +31 20 616 36 64
  address: Haarlemmerstraat 73
  Nice and modern bar/cafe/restaurant with young people as customers and mattresses on the terrace.

• Vliegende Schotel

  address: Nieuwe Leliestraat 162
  Since Green Planet is closing, you better look for alternative vegetarian hang-outs. Believe it or not, but Vliegende Schotel is even better than its Australia-moving competitor. It has big portions of unbelievably good vegetarian food, in an unpretentious but authentic atmosphere. Minimalistic service and a little walk from the centre, but seriously worth it. Small selection of organic and fair trade wines and a non-smoking room.

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

• Proeverij 274

  phone: +31 20 421 18 48
  address: Prinsengracht 274
  Small, cosy restaurant at one of the main canals. Business but also romantic dinner. Small menu, new Dutch cuisine with classic French influences. The menu features mainly organic regional produce. Personal service, nice wine advice and fresh seasonal food in a relaxed environment.

• Bordewijk

  phone: +31 20 624 3899
  address: Noordermarkt 7, 1015 MV Amsterdam
  High end French restaurant with funky interior. Popular among locals for special occasions. English menu available.

Unlike the mainstream bars and clubs in the Canal District, the Jordaan offers a different atmosphere with obscure rock, metal and alternative music. But there's also plenty of old fashioned neighbourhood bars and 'hip' places.

Bars and pubs

• Maloe Melo

  address: Lijnbaansgracht 163
  Small blues bar which is separated in two parts: a free part in the front, €5 entrance fee in the back where blues or rock 'n' roll bands play live every night of the week.

• 't Smalle

  phone: +31 20 623 96 17
  address: Egelantiersgracht 12
  Some say this place has the most beautiful terrace in Amsterdam. It's not big but you sit right beside the canal. And if it's too cold to sit outside check out the beautifully restored interior in this laid-back place.

• Cafe P 96

  phone: +31 20 622 18 64
  address: Prinsengracht 96
  Great character at this pub, lovely outdoor terrace on a houseboat makes for a nice evening or afternoon. Good selection of Dutch and Belgian beers.

• Soundgarden

  phone: +31 20 620 28 53
  address: Marnixstraat 166
  Top metal/grungy/punky pub, most relaxed drinking atmosphere in town. Really nice, secluded terrace for drinking beer in the sun. can smoke, but not buy, puff.

• Bar Brandstof

  phone: +31 20-4220813
  address: Marnixstraat 357, corner with Rozengracht
  Relatively new bar with a big and often busy terrace. Gets absolutely crowded on Friday after work hours

• Bar Struik

  phone: +31 20-6254863
  address: Rozengracht 160
  Hangout for the urban 20 and 30-somethings. Every day except Friday they serve 1 dish for €7,50. Gets really crowded in the weekends.

• Cafe Chaos

  address: Looriegracht 144
  Typical Amsterdam brown bar. Throw your peanuts shells on the floor while looking at the furniture.

Nightclubs

• Korsakoff

  phone: +31 20 625 78 54
  address: Lijnbaansgracht 161
  A more alternative, run-down but cheap place that often has live music. Alternative nightspot for fans of metal, industrial, goth, and techno. Some live music and popular club nights. A bit off the beaten path but worth it.

• Maloe Melo

  phone: +31 20 420 45 92
  address: Lijnbaansgracht 163
  Live 50s rockabilly bar. Drinks are cheap and the crowd are mostly Dutch rockers, but the music is good.

Coffeeshops

• Barney's

  phone: +31 20 6123987
  address: Haarlemmerstraat 98
  Multiple Cannabis Cup winner known for its internationally-acclaimed marijuana strains.

• Coffeeshop Relax

  phone: +31 20 639 1058
  address: Binnen Oranjestraat 9
  Cozy little coffeeshop with a homely relaxed atmospheres.

Budget

• Shelter Jordan Hostel

  phone: +31 20 624 47 17
  address: Bloemstraat 179
  An alcohol and drug-free Christian youth hostel. Single-sex dormitories (including breakfast, bed linen).

Mid-range

• Hotel de Paris

  phone: +31 20 622 55 87
  address: Marnixstraat 372
  The hotel has 48 rooms, and is located near the Waterlooplein flee market. Average to good online ratings.

• Hotel De Looier Amsterdam

  phone: +31 20 625 18 55
  address: 3e Looiersdwarsstraat 75
  The hotel is a 3 star hotel located near many of the main Museums of Amsterdam. Hotel De Looier Amsterdam was built as a diamond factory in 1886.

• Marnix Hotel

  phone: +31 20 664 6111
  address: Marnixstraat 382
  2 star hotel with dorm beds.

Splurge