Neighborhood guide: The Museum Quarter
Museum Quarter
In 1874, the Expropriation Act was passed for the construction of the Rijksmuseum and an upscale residential area. Construction of the residences delayed until the Royal Candle Factory, located between what would later become Pieter de Hoochstraat and Nicolaas Maesstraat, closed in 1906. The street pattern was created in 1902 and was based on designs by Pierre Cuypers from 1891. Construction of the Museum Quarter began in 1907. Many consider Jan Luijkenstraat to be the most beautiful street. The houses here are characterized by many Art Nouveau elements. The Museum Quarter is considered the cultural heart of Amsterdam. The name says it all: this neighborhood is named after Amsterdam's three major museums, the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum, and the Van Gogh Museum. These are all located on Museumplein. This neighborhood is the perfect combination of the dynamism around Museumplein and the tranquility of the streets behind it.
A Neighborhood with Character
The Museum Quarter has an undeniable allure. The stately mansions, built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflect Amsterdam's prosperity during the Golden Age and the subsequent industrial boom. The wide streets, paved with cobblestones, and green avenues give the neighborhood a subdued luxury that enchants residents and visitors time and time again. This neighborhood attracts a mix of locals, expats, and tourists looking for culture, tranquility, and refinement.
Architectural Splendor
Walking through the Museum Quarter is like taking a journey through architectural masterpieces. The streets are dominated by stately buildings in the Amsterdam School style, interspersed with neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau elegance. The main attractions are the imposing museum buildings, such as the Rijksmuseum, designed by Pierre Cuypers, and the Concertgebouw, a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture that is still one of the best concert halls in the world.
Art and Culture at Your Fingertips
The Museum Quarter is home to some of the world's most prominent cultural institutions. The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum together form the cultural heart of the neighborhood. Here you can admire masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and contemporary greats. But it's not just about museums; the neighborhood also offers galleries, exclusive auction houses, and the world-famous Concertgebouw, where top-level classical music is performed.
The Vondelpark: A Green Oasis
In the heart of the city, adjacent to the Museum Quarter, lies Vondelpark: a beloved spot for Amsterdammers and visitors alike to relax. The park offers a welcome contrast to the city's hustle and bustle. Whether you want to have a picnic, take a stroll among the flower beds, or enjoy a performance in the open-air theater, Vondelpark is always a peaceful retreat.
A Rich History
The Museum Quarter was created in the late 19th century, when Amsterdam wanted to reflect its prosperity in a modern urban expansion. The construction of the neighborhood and the large museums were part of the large-scale urban development of the time. The area quickly became a symbol of Amsterdam's culture and prosperity, and it status retained that status to this day.
Atmosphere: Rustic and Dynamic
What makes the Museum Quarter unique is its atmosphere. During the day, it bustles with visitors exploring the museums and shops, while the evenings are characterized by the tranquility of the green streets. Here you will find exclusive boutiques, charming cafés, and stylish restaurants. The neighborhood exudes a refined, international atmosphere while offering a warm welcome to anyone who loves beauty and art.
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1071 DJ Amsterdam
Sandberg
Café Restaurant Sandberg is named after Willem Sandberg, the innovative former director of the Stedelijk Museum, a name that Immediately says something about the ambitions behind this restaurant. It was set up by the same young Amsterdam hospitality entrepreneurs who are also behind Entrepot and Metro. During the day, the bakery works together with the kitchen to provide sweet treats to accompany coffee, sandwiches to take away, or an extensive lunch. For dinner, the curtains close and the young team serves creative, but recognizable and classic dishes.
1071 HD Amsterdam
Coffee District
Owners Adil Loukane and Rosa Loukane started with a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop in a fashion store in the South. When the store closed its doors, Adil and Rosa seized their opportunity and decided to open their own coffee bar. They now have multiple locations. The coffee is made with a proprietary blend roasted by Lot Sixty One. They also offer sweets such as the now-famous cinnamon buns and banana bread.
1071 DB Amsterdam
Taiko
Taiko is located in the five-star Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam. Chef Schilo van Coevorden is in charge of the kitchen. As a chef, he was trained in classic French cuisine, but soon became fascinated by the exotic flavors of Asia. Together with his team, he has created a menu that includes sushi, dim sum, curries, and meat and fish dishes. Vegetarian options are also available, of course.
1071 LK Amsterdam
Café Welling
Café Welling is a cozy neighborhood café on J.W. Brouwersstraat; near the Museumplein. Here you can enjoy a nice beer at the bar or on the terrace when the sun is shining. This neighborhood café has a long history. The café has been around for more than 70 years but has only been called Café Welling since 1963. This history may explain the familiar atmosphere that always seems to be present in this café. Interesting for music lovers: Café Welling regularly organizes Jazz evenings.
1071 AP Amsterdam
L'Entrecôte et les Dames
L’Entrecôte et les Dames embraces the concept of a formula restaurant, as the French call it. Within an attractively decorated French brasserie, the entrecôte takes center stage, always lightly cooked 'bleu' from Maas-Rhein-IJssel cattle. This is served with fries and a refreshing salad. If you are still hungry afterwards, you will be served another portion. Prefer not to eat meat? As an alternative, they serve sole fried in butter with ravigotte sauce. Same formula and same price as the entrecôte menu.
1071 BJ Amsterdam
Esh Pitabar
Esh Pitabar is the new chapter for brothers Ilan and Joël Benamara, who previously ran Café Martinot since 2015 until the building was forced to close in 2022 due to foundation repairs. After a successful crowdfunding campaign, they decided to rebuild their business, this time with more space for their Israeli roots and inspiration from Tel Aviv. Chef Ilan Benamara himself is in the kitchen and enforces a simple but clear rule: everything is homemade, from the hummus to the pita bread. The menu features street food such as pita falafel, hummus with warm chickpeas, and fresh pizzas, just like you would eat them in Israel.
1071 HK Amsterdam
George W.P.A
George W.P.A is the ideal place to settle down for a good glass of wine and delicious food with a chic touch. The brasserie in Zuid describes itself as a combination of classic French cuisine, packaged in New York style, and is known for signature dishes such as grilled lobster and Blackened Tuna. Step inside (by reservation) in Amsterdam's "Upper South" and see for yourself!
1071 BP Amsterdam
Café Georgette
Café Georgette is the little sister of Café George. It is a beautiful place with a French, elegant, and charming atmosphere. Early birds can come here for an espresso and night owls for a cocktail. Located on the chic P.C. Hooftstraat, this place is a dream for every foodie. The menu is full of lunch classics such as avocado toast and croque-monsieur, but also timeless French classics such as oysters and steak tartare.
1071 NE Amsterdam
Pizzeria Le 4 Stagioni
Visitors to the Concertgebouw are no strangers to Roman-style pizzas with thin crusts. Since 1978, the pizzeria in Oud-Zuid has been providing many groups and (large) families with authentic Italian food. The interior has a Mediterranean touch and the menu offers something for everyone, from fresh pasta and tender meat to indispensable antipasti and vegetarian alternatives.
1071 BG Amsterdam
Brasserie van Baerle
The French brasserie van Baerle has become an indispensable part of the Amsterdam cityscape. With a lifespan of 41 years in Amsterdam-Zuid, it is a familiar place. The compact lunch and dinner menu consists of classic dishes from the predominantly French brasserie cuisine and innovative contemporary dishes. In season there are always oysters, asparagus and lobster. In addition to à la carte, there is a changing 3-course choice menu for both lunch and dinner that has been awarded a 'BIB Gourmand' annually by Michelin since 2010. Grootspraak, the restaurant guide for wine lovers, has ranked Brasserie van Baerle as one of the best 'wine restaurants' in Amsterdam for years.
1071 KK Amsterdam
Edible Treasures
The concept store Edibe Treasures is located in a former butcher shop in Amsterdam Zuid. In addition to the 'edibles and drinkables' in the coffee shop, you will find a beautiful selection of everything for the table, such as silverware, ceramics, table linen, but also cookbooks and accessories. Pop-ups and workshops are also regularly organized.
1071 NH Amsterdam
Franzen
Chef and owner Jesse Franzen grew up in a catering family in Haarlem. His father worked in the kitchen, his mother worked in the service. His own professional journey began in the kitchen of the two-star restaurant Chapeau, after which he gained experience at places including Aan de Poel, Ron Gastrobar, and Lars Amsterdam. With Franzen, Jesse creates a place that feels like a modern living room for the city. Accessible and warm, but always with a high standard. The menu is classic and recognizable, with a surprising twist here and there.
1071 XX Amsterdam
State (*)
In the Rijks, Joris Bijdendijk has put the culinary taste of the Rijksmuseum on the map. He mainly works with ingredients from his own country. Be sure to taste his signature dish, a millefeuille of fine layers of beetroot with a beurre blanc that has been enlivened with soy sauce from Tomasu and fresh parsley oil. Don't forget to take a look at the delicious wine list compiled by sommelier Isabelle Chow.
1071 DT Amsterdam
Café Loetje
In 1977, Café Loetje was established as a billiards café by Ludwig 'Loetje' Klinkhamer, but it wasn't long before they traded the billiards for the tenderloin steak that was served. More than forty years later, Loetje is a huge chain, and the original 'Café' is a household name in Amsterdam. The tasty steak is served with homemade fries and fresh gravy - it's finger-licking good!
1071 BL Amsterdam
Sama Sebo
Sama Sebo is an Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam where time seems to have stood still. The interior has remained unchanged for years, as have the classic dishes on the menu. A visit to Sama Sebo is a journey back in time to the 1960s and 1970s, when Indonesian food was extremely popular in the Netherlands. The service is friendly and attentive, and the food is deliciously old-fashioned.
1071 TR Amsterdam
Café wildschut
Café Wildschut is located on Roelof Hartplein and is an ideal base for a drink. It is especially nice in the summer, as the terrace is sunny from early morning until evening. Because the café is located on a square, there is always activity. The café is housed in a monumental building of the Amsterdam School style and has a cosmopolitan interior with 1920s elements. It attracts a mixed crowd and has been a household name among Amsterdammers for decades. You can also come here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
1071 AA Amsterdam
Vertigo Café
Café Vertigo is part of a group of Amsterdam hospitality entrepreneurs, known for Cannibale Royale, Hannekes Boom, Nieuw Amsterdam, and De Vergulden Eenhoorn, among others. Together with partners Thomas Anderiesen, Pim Evers, Teun Vermaas, and chef Casper Moolhuizen, they gave the historic Vondelpark pavilion a new lease on life. Their shared vision was to turn Vertigo into a contemporary grand café with a distinct urban and cultural signature. The spacious terrace overlooking the park is a natural extension of the café, where city and nature meet.
1071 WZ Amsterdam
Breadwinner Too
Breadwinner Bagels was founded by Jon Fairclough, who translated his love of artisan baking into hand-rolled sourdough bagels with his own signature. What started in the Jordaan neighborhood grew into a beloved concept with multiple locations, including this branch in De Pijp. The kitchen focuses on natural ingredients and bagels baked fresh daily, combined with creative and classic toppings.
1071 GZ Amsterdam
Brasserie de Joffers
With a large terrace in the summer and winter, brasserie Joffers has been a well-known hotspot for 15 years, just a stone's throw from the Vondelpark and the Museum Quarter. If the sun is not shining, there is plenty of space inside - a space decorated with art and mirrored walls, which creates a homely atmosphere. The meeting place for the neighborhood is ideal for breakfast, lunch and dinner or simply for a nice cup of coffee.
1071 JH Amsterdam
Brasserie van Dam
Brasserie van Dam is known for its simple but effective formula: a concise menu with high-quality products, reasonable prices, good coffee, a pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff.
1071 DJ Amsterdam
Municipal Museum
The Stedelijk Museum is the place where everyone can discover and experience modern and contemporary art and design. Open 365 days a year. In the building of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, old and modern architecture merge into one. Architect Mels Crouwel used the white of former director Willem Sandberg as a starting point for 'the bathtub' in the renovation of 2012. The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam has been hiring 15 new Blikopeners every year since 2008. Blikopeners are open-minded young people from Amsterdam who work in the museum for a year to open the eyes of the public and staff.
1071 LN Amsterdam
The Concertgebouw
The Concertgebouw is one of the monumental buildings on Amsterdam's Museumplein. The building dates from 1888 and was completed in the style of Viennese classicism; although it also has features from the neo-Renaissance. The building was designed for classical concerts but also served as a pop venue for a while in the 60s and 70s. Famous stars who have performed here include Led Zeppelin and Aretha Franklin. Nowadays, almost a thousand concerts and other cultural activities take place in the Concertgebouw every year. There are also free lunch concerts for those on a smaller budget. For a visit to a lunch concert, it is best to check the website first. You can often reserve free tickets in advance there.
1071 DJ Amsterdam
Van Gogh Museum
In the Van Gogh Museum on Museumplein you will find the most beautiful works by the famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. The museum has a permanent collection with Van Gogh's masterpieces and a changing exhibition showing works by both contemporaries and contemporary artists. Exhibitions have been held in the museum by David Hockney and Maurice Denis, among others. In addition to showing art, the Van Gogh Museum also conducts research into Vincent van Gogh and his time. On the museum's website you can find a lot of information about the research Projects and restorations carried out. The museum is very popular, especially among international tourists, to avoid disappointment and long queues it is useful to order tickets online in advance.
1071 DE Amsterdam
Moco
The Moco museum (Modern Contemporary museum) is one of the newest museums on the Museumplein. This museum was founded in 2016 and also has a branch in Barcelona. The Moco museum is an independent museum that shows pieces by Banksy and Yayoi Kusama, among others. The Moco museum focuses on contemporary art, such as (post)modern visual art and street art. In Amsterdam, the Moco museum is located in Villa Alsberg. The building from 1904 was designed by Edward Cuypers, the nephew of the architect of the Rijksmuseum and was one of the first private villas on the museum square.
1071 HK Amsterdam
Hama Gallery
At Hama Gallery, they believe that a gallery is a boundless meeting place where art and people come together. The goal is to make art more accessible by offering a unique experience that breaks with tradition. The gallery welcomes visitors with open arms, whether you walk in for a spontaneous visit, want an intimate private viewing, or want to celebrate art together with others during our festive openings and garden events.
1071 HR Amsterdam
Galerie Bildhalle
Bildhalle was originally founded as a Swiss gallery specializing in classical and contemporary photography. The gallery now has branches in Zurich and Amsterdam. Since its founding by Mirjam Cavegn in 2013, the gallery has developed into one of the most respected photo galleries in Switzerland. In October 2021, Bildhalle continued its growth with the opening of a second gallery on Willemsparkweg in Amsterdam. Here, the gallery presents a carefully selected collection of Dutch and international artists, ranging from emerging talent to established photographers.
1071 XX Amsterdam
National Museum
The architect, Pierre Cuypers, had made a design in historical style for the Rijksmuseum, a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance and full of national symbolism. After years of hassle - many thought it was too medieval, too Catholic and not really Dutch enough - construction started in 1876. It was officially opened in 1885. In addition to the existing collection, almost all older paintings from the City of Amsterdam were hung in the Rijksmuseum, such as Rembrandt's Jewish Bride, which the banker A. van der Hoop had bequeathed to the city. There was also art from Haarlem, part of the Cabinet of Curiosities was given a permanent place and the print room was given its own space. A worthy collection, in a magnificent building.
During the last renovation (2003-2013), the building was given back Cuypers' original structure. The building has been modernized, but at the same time the interior has become more like Cuypers' building again, in all its grandeur. Painting, applied arts and history can no longer be seen in separate parts of the building. Everything together forms one chronological story: the story about Dutch art and history, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
1071 AP Amsterdam
Cosentino
Cosentino Group is a globally renowned Spanish family business that produces and distributes high-quality innovative surfaces for the world of design and architecture. Their inspiration center is located on Van Baerlestraat, where visitors can compare colors, materials, and applications for architecture and design Projects. Cosentino City offers an extensive inspiration platform where architects and designers can meet and work.
1071 AL Amsterdam
Carl Hansen & Søn
Carl Hansen & Søn, a Danish family business led by the third generation, embodies over a hundred years of craftsmanship in modern design. At Carl Hansen & Søn, they believe that iconic design stems from simplicity, aesthetics, and functionality, with attention to craftsmanship and high-quality materials. Their focus on preserving Danish design classics goes hand in hand with welcoming new influential designers to create a diverse collection of the best modern furniture classics.
1071 ZD Amsterdam
Ruud van Oosterhout design
Ruud van Oosterhout's studio and showroom are located next to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The showroom reflects his passion for interior design with refined simplicity, clean lines, and subtle color combinations. With a close-knit team, he works on recognizable interior designs, where design and art come together in collaborations with galleries and artists. Van Oosterhout is known for his passion, craftsmanship, and collaborations with artisans.
1071 JC Amsterdam
Menno Kroon
Menno Kroon's exuberant and atmospheric display window showcases such enchanting and special flowers that you simply have to take a look inside. Budding love, delight, the inevitable farewell. Each bouquet from Menno Kroon gives meaning to a special moment. Nothing is too crazy for them at Menno Kroon, and you can go there for the most special and diverse bouquets.
1071 AR Amsterdam
Renzo's Delicatessen
Renzo’s Delicatessen is all about homemade, culinary and Italian products. All dishes are made fresh here every day. In addition to Renzo’s classics, there is also a varied menu. For some, Renzo’s is a neighborhood store and for others a place to have lunch or dinner. You can also go there for groceries, an Italian take-away menu or a sandwich. And especially the Dino sandwich: ground beef or warm chicken thighs with the infamous dinosaus, sun mayo, arugula and sun-dried tomatoes.
Southern Market
The zuiderMRKT is a small, cozy, weekly neighborhood market. Unique due to its cooperative character. The cooperative consists of members - enthusiastic local residents - who warmly support the market and help out at the market and in the vegetable stall. The members jointly determine the range of all stalls. They buy vegetables and fruit directly from the farmer, to sell them for fair prices on the zuiderMRKT square.
1071 ZJ Amsterdam
De Wijnkaart
De Wijnkaart is located in the Museum Quarter in Amsterdam-Zuid. All kinds of wines from the forgotten Eastern European wine countries are served here. Although the history of wine making started here, these countries are often forgotten in the wine world. If you have become curious about all kinds of wines, you can do a wine tasting in the wine bar, where you can choose which ones you want to taste. In addition to the appetizer platters that change weekly, there are also main courses on the menu.
1071 NL Amsterdam
Greengrocer Tom Ensink
Greengrocer Tom Ensink ensures that customers can choose from an exclusive range of honest products. In addition to vegetables, cheeses, fruits, nuts, oils, wines and meals are Sold - carefully selected for the true gourmets in the South. Specific wishes can be fulfilled when ordering products, but also for the fresh meals.
Neighborhood guide: The Museum Quarter
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