One day in Amsterdam Noord

If New York was once called New Amsterdam, then we can safely assume that Amsterdam Noord is the Brooklyn of The Netherlands. A 5-minute ferry (or metro) ride across the IJ River, Amsterdam Noord has become one of Amsterdam’s most loved hangout areas. With its vast spaces, green areas, and chill vibe, Amsterdam Noord attracts everyone who is looking for the newest and trendiest bars, restaurants, and clubs.  Whether you are considering living here or visiting the city for the weekend, come with us to discover Amsterdam Noord.

Amsterdam Noord (which means Amsterdam North) is a neighborhood in the northern part of Amsterdam, on the other side of the IJ River. The area underwent a complete transformation in the last 20 years, and its role in the city of Amsterdam changed multiple times: from a rural area characterized by its agricultural lands and small fishing villages to a bustling industrial hub, and finally falling into urban decay. But starting in the late 20th century, Amsterdam Noord began a remarkable make-over: the city has made various efforts to revitalize the area, transforming former industrial sites into cultural hotspots, residential areas, and business districts. Amsterdam North is now home to many creatives, artists, start-ups, and cultural events.

Amsterdammers always felt that crossing the IJ river was a barrier, but today, everyone is more than happy to take the ferry to spend the night in Amsterdam North. There, you’ll probably find the best and coolest bars and restaurants. Read this guide to find out our top picks for spending a great day in Amsterdam Noord.

Best Coffee in Amsterdam Noord

White Label Coffee

The chain White Label opened a shop in Amsterdam Noord, and we are all very happy! We already knew their coffee is good (one of the best in Amsterdam), but here in Amsterdam North, you can sip it from their quiet, sunny terrace, and that adds an extra point to it!

Pompet

Pompet is a cute garden café in Noorderpark that offers great coffee and delicious French-inspired cuisine. The best thing about Pompet is its setting: right in the middle of the park, it makes the perfect spot to hang out with a friend for a slow Saturday coffee or even to relax with a book and a nice cup of coffee.

Best Brunch Places in Amsterdam Noord

Pllek

One of the most famous and versatile places in Amsterdam Noord is Pllek. It is located on the NDSM Wharf, and you can really come here at any time of the day and have a great time. Thanks to its waterfront location, we love to come here for brunch and then stay longer for a swim and some drinks.

Stretch and Fold

A recent addition to Amsterdam North, Stretch and Fold is a bakery-restaurant-yoga studio-pool bar located in Papaverhof. You can easily spend the entire here, between a yoga class and a delicious organic and seasonal menu. Go check it out and claim your spot in the sunny rooftop pool bar.

Best Dinner spots in Amsterdam Noord

Klaproos

We were worried we would have lost Klaproos last year, but these guys were able to extend the license! We are so happy! Klaproos turned pizza into something very trendy. The pizza is amazing, and the selection of wine and cocktails gives a good excuse not to leave the restaurant and stay for a nightcap. And if you are not too tired after dinner, you can always go dancing at the Schietclub next door.

Bacalar Taqueria

Probably one of my favorite restaurants in Amsterdam, Bacalar Taqueria fully embodies the vibe of Amsterdam North. It has an industrial vibe, great food (at the right price, I might add), and a cool and quirky clientele.

Best Drinks in Amsterdam Noord

Chateau Amsterdam

Chateau Amsterdam is an urban winery that produces a variety of wines right in the middle of the city. You can come here for drinks, wine tastings, and dinner.

Cafe de Ceuvel

Café de Ceuvel is a stable of Amsterdam Noord. Located in a repurposed industrial space, this café-bar is excellent for hanging out with friends on a sunny day or having some drinks before dinner. Café de Ceuvel is committed to eco-friendly practices, so all the food is organic.

Top Activities in Amsterdam Noord

With a quick ferry ride from Amsterdam Central Station, you can reach Amsterdam Noord, the most up-and-coming neighborhood, with many trendy restaurants and cafes. Many Amsterdammers spend their weekends in Noord, escaping from the crowds on the main side of the city. You can take the ferry towards NDSM, Buiksloterweg, or Ijplein; each area has its own characteristics.

Amsterdam Noord is becoming a popular place to live, and despite not being very touristic yet, there are also many museums and activities.

Museums and Attractions

We are all very familiar with Amsterdam’s most famous museums and attractions, like Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank’s House, Moco Museum and Fabrique des Lumieres. You should definitely visit them, as they are famous for a good reason. However, you should also find the time to go to Noord Amsterdam and visit some of these less popular museums and attractions as they have nothing to lose compared to the most famous ones.

• Straat Museum – The Straat Museum means “Street Museum” in Dutch. The museum is in a massive, converted warehouse in Amsterdam Noord. As you walk in, the larger-than-life street art pieces greet you from every angle. The museum holds over 150 massive pieces, each with its own story. The museum has an inclusive and casual feeling, making it an enjoyable experience to wander around. The museum is so massive that you can completely escape the city’s crowds.

• Eye Film museum – The Amsterdam Film Museum celebrates film and moving pictures of Dutch and Foreign Films. It has a very popular exhibit to make your own flipbook, which makes a very cool Amsterdam souvenir. Great to break away from the crowds and explore a less crowded museum. They always have a very interesting rotation of temporary exhibitions.
• WONDR Experience – an adult playground to awaken your inner child! Put on your best colorful outfit and explore this imagination playground with a giant ball pit, teddy bear room, flower room.

• A’DAM Lookout – For an amazing view of the city – Check out the A’dam Lookout in Amsterdam Noord. The tickets shown below include two drinks to enjoy the view slowly over cocktails. Get a great view of Centraal and the Ij River.

Activities

• IJhallen Market: IJ-Hallen Flea Market is a hugely popular flea market at the NDSM Wharf. Here, you can find plenty of good second-hand furniture and vintage clothing, and it’s one of the largest flea markets in Europe. The market is open one or two weekends per month; it’s best to check their website for the exact dates.  
• Bike tour: One of the best places to go on a bike tour in Amsterdam is Noord. With fewer people on the street and wider spaces, you can easily take your bike and ride around the neighborhood. You should look around at the street art in NDSM Wharf, and you can always stop for a coffee or drink at one of the many places along the way.
• Festivals: We frequently take the ferry to Amsterdam Noord and find it full of people in their party outfits, ready for yet another dance. If you, like us, love to dance, make sure to check what events are happening in the city on Resident Advisor. Amsterdam North is a popular area for festivals, the most popular being Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), Lente Kabinet, and DGTL.
• Another idea in NSDM in Amsterdam Noord is the Blast Galaxy. It is a Full 90s Nostalgia Arcade with retro games to keep you busy all night. The best part is that you only pay for the 15-euro ticket to enter, so you can enjoy all the retro games without having to pay for each individual game. We laughed a lot all night, playing everything from Pacman to Street Fighter and made for a very fun Amsterdam date night. Book your ticket on their website before heading over to ensure there is space.

Where to stay in Amsterdam Noord

Amsterdam Noord offers many new and fun accommodation options.

• ClinkNOORD Hostel: just across the IJ River and within 10 minutes from Amsterdam Central Station, this budget-friendly solution is perfect for a group of friends looking for a more affordable solution but also for couples, as it offers perfect double rooms.  ClinkNoord also has a comedy club Amsterdam venue right inside the hotel.
• SWEETS: This hotel chain also has fantastic accommodations in Noord. Unlike the usual hotel room or Airbnb, these rooms offer amazing views and a unique experience.
• YOTEL Amsterdam: This 4-star hotel is located right in the middle of Amsterdam Noord. The best thing about YOTEL is that you can use its lovely garden and terrace overlooking the canal. Perfect for a summer visit to Amsterdam!

For who is Amsterdam Noord

• Families and couples looking for space and a more relaxed vibe at a distance from the hustle of the city
• Tourists visiting the city for the second time, wanting to experience something different than the most traditional vibe of Amsterdam
• People not afraid to add 10 minutes of commute to their bike ride to work

Amsterdam North is difficult to define, as it’s constantly changing. Every day, a new bar, restaurant, studio, or attraction opens, and we do our best to stay up to date. But perhaps this is exactly what Noord Amsterdam is: an experimental ground to test new and exciting concepts, and we can’t wait to see more experiments!