Neighborhood guide: around the Apollobuurt

The 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.

Roberto's Restaurant Amsterdam

Roberto's should not be missing from the top ten Italian restaurants in Amsterdam. The restaurant is located in the Hilton hotel, where the iconic Italian cuisine has been filling the plates for 25 years. The restaurant revolves around pure and simple flavors with dishes such as thinly sliced eggplant, green farfalle pasta with lobster sauce and Lava cake.

Wine Bar QV

At Winebar QV you can basically spend the whole day as if you were in Italy. You start with an Italian espresso, have lunch with a hot meal and end with a good glass of wine with an Italian aperitivo. It is cozy and stylishly decorated and you can sit on the high stools at the bar, at the lower tables or on the small terrace.

Et Claire

Et Claire is located on Beethoven Street. Et Claire arose from a love for the best viennoiserie, coffee, (ice) tea in combination with endless sweet and savory options. The motto at et Claire is ''ne vous contentez pas de moins'', which means that you should not settle for less.

Umeno

Umeno is one of the oldest Japanese restaurants in Amsterdam and is beloved by its regular local guests. As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by an intimate space with traditional Japanese authenticity, created by the handmade wooden interior, the shamisen and shakuhachi music, and the enormous hospitality of Ayumi and Atsuhito Hosono. The nigiri sushi is highly recommended, as the quality of the fish is excellent.

Cafecito

Cafecito, a minimalist coffee shop, offers high-quality coffee from gleaming white machines. It is part of the Cafecito franchise, an Amsterdam-based coffee roastery that decided to open coffee shops to stimulate their own sales when sales to catering establishments stagnated during the pandemic. Cafecito already has three branches in Amsterdam and one in Rotterdam. Cafecito is a business reduced to its essence. You can drink top-quality coffee from white machines there.

Castell Zuid

Castell Zuid is the stylish new location of the iconic Amsterdam grill restaurant Castell, located on Valeriusstraat in Oud-Zuid. Where the original in the center is known for its no-nonsense steaks and late dinners, this location brings the same flavors in a refined setting. "Same taste, same vibe, different look" is the motto – and that's right: recognizable and yet completely new.

Carter

Carter is a modern brasserie in Amsterdam-Zuid where international classics are served with flair and finesse. Located on Valeriusstraat, this place feels like an elegant neighborhood café – informal, refined, and always welcoming. The menu features timeless dishes such as steak tartare, burrata, and lobster pasta, accompanied by a solid wine selection.

Barolo

Bar Barolo brings the atmosphere of northern Italy to Valeriusstraat, in the heart of elegant Amsterdam-Zuid. The wine list is extensive and carefully curated, with Barolo as the obvious centerpiece. On the menu: homemade pasta, classic antipasti, and unpretentious seasonal dishes. The interior is warm and understated, as is the hospitality—everything here is done with care.

Juliette

Tozi

TOZI means "a group of friends" in Venetian dialect, and you feel that Immediately you walk in. It's like stepping into one big family. The menu features a selection of small Venetian-inspired dishes to share, known as cicchetti. There is also an Italian wine list and a cocktail bar serving Italian gins and negronis.

LOT61 Coffee Roasters

Born in Sydney, raised in Brooklyn, and now firmly rooted in Amsterdam: LOT61 is anything but an average coffee shop. As an independent coffee roaster, the brand combines international flair with local craftsmanship. Slow coffee brewed with precision and care. The aesthetics are raw yet refined, the atmosphere informal and creative – a place where neighborhood and barista come together. With their B Corp certification, LOT61 also demonstrates that taste and Sustainability can go hand in hand.

Cucina casalinga

Giovanni Carmelitano is the owner of Cucina Casalinga, an Italian restaurant located at Stadionweg 271 in Amsterdam-Zuid. Born in Rome, with a mother from Puglia, Giovanni brings his Southern Italian roots to life in his restaurant. For more than twenty years, he has been a dedicated interpreter of Italian cuisine, combining traditional flavors with a modern approach. The intimate atmosphere and limited seating provide a personal dining experience reminiscent of dining at an Italian 'nonna's' home.

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.

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.

Visque Restaurant

Restaurant Visque is located on the beautiful corner of Amsterdam South, where fish plays the leading role. Our menu is flexible and depends on the daily choice for the freshest and most flavorful products. Chef Menno gives his own twist to simple French dishes, such as scallops, Dutch shrimp, slip sole and our famous Tuna Wellington.

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.

Batoni Khinkali

In the Netherlands, Georgian cuisine is unfortunately underrepresented, despite its rich and fascinating culinary heritage. Fortunately, Batoni Khinkali offers an introduction to this flavorful cuisine. This restaurant, founded by Georgian clarinetist Levan Tskhadadze, combines his love of music with his passion for cooking. Here, guests can enjoy Georgian classics such as khinkali, katschapuri and lobio, as well as a vegan and meat menu, all served with the characteristic Georgian hospitality.

Vascobelo

Vascobelo, originally from Antwerp, was intended to be a café where people would come for a unique coffee experience. Nowadays, the Vascobelo Café-Brasseries chain is known for much more than that. The location on Rijnstraat is unique thanks to its cozy interior and open kitchen, making it ideal for intimate gatherings or business meetings.

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.

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.

Simply Fish

Simply Fish is located in Oud-Zuid on Koninginneweg. As the name suggests, the restaurant specializes in preparing fish. Jan and Francis Rijk previously owned a similar restaurant in Zeeland, a province well known for its delicious fish and seafood. The menu includes fruit de mer, shrimp croquettes, oysters, and their famous lobster bisque.

Bonnie

Bonnie, a charming bistro located in Amsterdam-Zuid. At Bonnie, it's all about enjoyment; from tasty meals to carefully selected wines that are a perfect match. Bonnie's double cheeseburger is especially recommended. The ambiance ensures that you quickly feel at ease. A lunch here can easily turn into a cozy drink, making you feel like you don't want to leave at all.

NENI

NENI is a Middle Eastern restaurant located on Stadionplein. The name is a composition of the initials of the four sons of Haya Molcho; the driving force behind this business. Haya was born in Tel Aviv and studied psychology there. She always loved to cook and started her first restaurant in 2009. Over the years, the Mocho family has become a well-known family in the culinary world and they also have other NENI locations in Vienna and Berlin, among others. In all their restaurants, family, togetherness and sharing dishes are central. The Middle Eastern dishes are excellent and the freshly prepared hummus is one of the best Amsterdam has to offer.

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.

Ron Gastrobar (*)

At Ron Blaauw's first gastrobar in Amsterdam, a low-threshold atmosphere goes hand in hand with a Michelin star. Style and conviviality come together for a tasty experience. From details to amuse-bouches, cocktails, sandwiches on the table, new dishes, delicious wines and attentive service. Everything revolves around the credo: "going out to dinner should be a party". For BBQ lovers there is even a separate section on the menu. Of course, the classics, such as the spareribs "The Original," are not missing; a dish that will always remain.

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.

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.

Restaurant Wils (*)

This unique culinary hotspot opened its doors in 2019 thanks to chef Joris Bijdendijk. The restaurant is located next to the Olympic Stadium. Before the opening, Joris gave a sneak preview by cooking on an open fire on the center spot of the stadium in Amsterdam-South. Wils is now fully living up to the high expectations. The 4 to 6 courses are prepared on an open fire and are full of surprising elements.

Wils Bakery & Café

In Amsterdam Zuid you will now find Wils Bakery Café on the ground floor. A mix of bakery and French bistro. Wils is a new venture from chef Joris Bijendijk and the Vermaat Groep (Vermaat owns Rijks and Wils). At Wils Bakery Café they combine the craft of a bakery with the cosiness of a French bistro. On the menu you will find recognizable dishes, prepared with the same craftsmanship as in Michelin star restaurant Wils. Taste the pastries of Tania, the dishes of Rudolf, lunch with the bread of Maxim and have a drink with the wines of Barbora.

Sotto Pizza

Sotto Pizza is one of the top 10 Italian restaurants in Amsterdam. The restaurant opened its doors in 2021, but has since become a household name among pizza lovers. The diverse selection reflects the skill of the chefs, but their classic Margherita is unbeatable. The interior resembles a modern Spanish tapas bar, with a pleasant atmosphere. At Sotto, you can enjoy a leisurely meal or quickly grab a pizza at the bar. The staff is helpful and friendly.

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!

L'Amuse

According to some, this is the best cheese shop in the Netherlands. They have an impressively wide range of the most delicious cheeses. Delicious wine, salami, ham, and olive oil are also For Sale here. You will receive excellent service, and the cheese is truly of a different caliber. Highly recommended!

Sébastien's Bakery

Le Fournil is the brainchild of Susan and Sébastien, who, after years of baking experience in France, came to the Netherlands in 2007 to open an authentic French boulangerie. Its strength lies in its artisanal craftsmanship, sourdough, and conscious choice for small-scale, pure, traditional bread making.

Zikking & Son Butcher Shop

Butcher shop Zikking & Zoon is located on Marathonweg and is a household name in Amsterdam. Owner Robert Zikking was born and raised in Amsterdam and, together with his wife, started his own business in 1995 with passion and confidence. As he himself says: "It's not a fairy tale, but a delicious reality with a history." The filet americain is made using a recipe from an old Jordanian dam, and the nostalgic Amsterdam beef sausage is a must-try.

Hergo Butcher Shop

Hergo Butcher's is Amsterdam's meat specialist. Back in 1930, Mr. Cantor, a German sausage maker, and his wife, who came from an Amsterdam butcher's family, started their butcher's shop selling typical German sausage specialties. With the motto "The butcher with a chef's hat," Hergo has grown to four different locations and has become an integral part of Amsterdam's streetscape. With hunting sausage, hausmacher, beef sausage, corned beef, and even a filet americain sandwich, Hergo distinguishes itself as a top-tier butcher shop.

De Schuyt Butcher Shop

Butcher shop De Schuyt, named after its location on Cornelis Schuytstraat, has the parakeet as its symbol. Just like the parakeet, this distinctive butcher shop has its origins in the 1970s, and both have carved out a place for themselves in Amsterdam. Inspired by the parakeet, owner Evert Blauwendraat started his butcher shop with the idea of giving it a distinctive, personal, and special emblem that everyone could recognize. This family business with a rich history is the place to go for meat and delicacies.

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.

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.

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.

Amsterdam Winery

Although they have been professionally tasting and selecting wine at Wijnhuis Amsterdam for more than 25 years, the wine house in Amsterdam is a fairly recent addition to their story. After numerous tasting sessions, they were so enthusiastic about the German wines that they were only too happy to give the wines a platform within the Netherlands. In May 2018, they opened Wijnhuis.Amsterdam, initially with only three of their own imports from Germany. They now represent an impressive range of twenty German winemakers, three from Austria and one from Luxembourg. When selecting the wines, elegance, drinkability, low alcohol percentages and minimal intervention in the production process are important.

Stadium Square Market

On the beautiful Stadionplein, in the middle of Oud-Zuid, you will find the Stadionplein market every Saturday. They open at 09:00, making it an ideal market for people who want to do their weekly shopping early on Saturday. They also have beautiful flowers for sale here and you will find many different local residents. The atmosphere is always good and the market is open until 17:00.

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.

Flower fusion

Every Saturday from 9:30 to 17:00 you can find Ilona Bokma from Flowerfusion at the ZuiderMRKT. Unique and beautiful flowers that make you feel like you are standing in the middle of a picking garden. Because Ilona selects different flowers, plants and colors every week that match the season, it is a party every Saturday to visit Flowerfusion.

Perfume Lounge

At the 'Perfume lounge', they focus on creating and advising on fragrances for companies and organizations and what scent can add to a brand or organization. In addition, they have a store with an assortment of the most special perfumes in the world, where they also give personal fragrance advice. Advice for on the skin or in the house. According to the experts, scent adds something that is not visible and tangible. You can use scent in different ways in a space. It starts, of course, with the fact that it should not smell negative. There are quite a few spaces where you smell the sewer or sanitary facilities, where there has been a lot of smoking or where the extraction is not good and it smells like food. The most simple way of scent in the house is that it smells clean. Many people associate cleaning or detergent with a clean, tidy and well-kept house. In addition, you can turn on the ambiance. Just like with light and music, you can soften or strengthen the atmosphere. You can make it smell very homely or very modern. Rural or artistic. Or very minimalist or intimate.

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.

Teunis Veenema

Teunis Veenema is a gem in the heart of Amsterdam-Zuid. Since 2009, you can visit Koninginneweg for the most beautiful bouquets and plants. Teunis Veenema is not your average flower shop, but a shop that works with you to achieve the best results, whether for private or business purposes. Their website also offers the option of ordering fully personalized bouquets for yourself or others.

The Thomas

The Thomas is a monumental church on the edge of the Zuidas business district where religion and culture consciously come together. With its own theater, concerts, and debate evenings, it is a place for meeting and deepening one's knowledge, right in the business heart of Amsterdam Zuid. The building is considered an important example of post-war church architecture in the Netherlands and is designed in an expressive, brutalist style.

Diez Gallery

Diez is an Amsterdam art gallery with an international appeal, founded in 2022 by Diego Diez. The exhibitions are curated in collaboration with artists who have an affinity with Diez's interests and will present both international and national talent in Amsterdam. In addition to the exhibition program, Diez strives to be an accessible space for a wide audience with various activities and events such as poetry readings, curated dinners and artist talks.

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.