Going To Amsterdam? Try These 9 Real Amsterdammer Things

When in Amsterdam, do as amsterdammers do. Rupali Ghosh has some tips

- Rupali Ghosh

While in Amsterdam, take time out from the usual Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank Huis and Canal District routine to do a few of these real Amsterdammer things:

EAT AT ROOMSERVICE IN HOTEL DROOG 

Amsterdam, like most European cities, has its share of charming, quirky, hipster or just plain elegant cafés, but one of the city’s most exciting and stylish places to brunch at has to be Hotel Droog. The iconic Dutch concept design store has an excellent café-restaurant, Roomservice, overlooking the canal and a sprookjestuin (literally, fairy garden). It is open daily from 9am to 7pm for a drink, late breakfast, early lunch, high tea or anytime-dinner. Still not tempted? It has free wi-fiand fantastically designed products that decorate the space and are also for sale. Recommended sandwich: grilled vegetables and hummus. Simply super lekker! See droog.com.

GO SHOPPING AT MARQT

Grocery shopping is probably not most people’s idea of a fun thing to do on vacation. However, in Amsterdam it could be a nice break between visiting museums and buying Delft ceramic ware. If there’s time for only one supermarket trip, give the ubiquitous Albert Heijn a pass and visit Marqt (marqt.com) instead. A Dutch organic and sustainable small supermarket chain, it has all the usual produce, dairy, etc, but also really wonderful cookies and artisanal chocolates, including an entire section of superfood cookies and treats that don’t taste like sandpaper. Note that Marqt usually doesn’t accept cash payments, but all major credit cards are accepted.

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