7 questions to co-owner Florian Stallinga of Hugo’s Bar & Kitchen
We all know Hugo’s Bar & Kitchen as a restaurant and cocktail hotspot at Hugo de Grootplein. And if you know Hugo’s you know owner Florian Stallinga. I have to admit… I spent hours and hours at the bar in Hugo’s drinking Espresso Martinis and eating oysters. It’s just one of those spots I always go back to. I even recorded a TV item there for Man Bijt Hond. So it’s anout time to ask Florian about his favourite spots in Amsterdam. Discover them in this Sunday 7!
Tip: Follow Florian on Instagram via @barhugos!
Favourite neighbourhood
“The Jordaan. I lived a big part of my life in the Bijlmer, then in Amsterdam West and now in the Rivierenbuurt. But I still think that the Jordaan is absolutely amazing. Here you get the real Amsterdam feeling. Paso Doble, Daalder and Cafe Nol there are great places to go to.”
Florian favourite restaurants
He has many ;-)
“Envy, Daalder, Spaghetteria, Cannibale Royale, Centra (a very old-fashioned Spaniard at the Wallen), Loetje, Hugo’s, Americano, Mystique, Paso Doble, Van Dam, Franklin and Baut.”
Having a drink in Amsterdam?
“There are many places I like to go for drinks. In the afternoon I enjoy sitting on the sunny terrace of Hugo’s with gin tonics and bar snacks. And if in the mood for cocktails, I’ll go to Vesper or Door 74.
But at night in go to Cafe Duivels once in a while for an evening op hiphop. Cafe Hans and the Oude Schaeper are perfect to watch a football game with friends.”
Favourite dishes
“There are so many! Surf & turf at Red, Bali steak at Loetje, everything with octopus from my chef Miquel at Hugo’s Bar & Kitchen, scallops, cauliflower, pancetta, porcini mushrooms at Baut, Dino sandwich at Renzo’s and pasta with calf ragout and white wine at Spaghetteria.”
A new hidden gem in Amsterdam
“Juice Brothers at the Van Woustraat. They just recently opened its doors. A great shop with an amazing assortment for your daily dose of vitamins. And the Bijlmer is another hidden gem if you ask me. A wonderful neighbourhood with a lot of misconceptions – everyone should go there at least once!”
Favourite restaurant overseas
“Da Marco in Shanghai. A real Italian where I went to weekly with friends during my stay in China (I lived there for 9 months). After a couple of days of eating quite experimental and sometimes truly weird/unknown food at some cool local places, it was great to a ‘normal’ dinner at Da Marco.”
Bucket list
“Heli boarding in Canada. Searching all day for fresh snow to snowboard on. And I would have loved to eat at elBulli, but unfortunately that’s not possible anymore…”
Favourite tracks:
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> Check out more Sunday 7 stories and discover the Amsterdam favs >>
Amsterdam Bucketlist
THINGS TO DO:
⋙ Canal Cruise by day or in the evening
⋙ A bike tour through Amsterdam OR Rent a bike by yourself
⋙ The best view over Amsterdam from the A’DAM Lookout
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
FAVOURITE MUSEUMS:
⋙ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
⋙ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
⋙ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
⋙ MOCO Museum for street art
⋙ Photography museum FOAM
SEASONAL:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival (during winter months)
⋙ Cruise like a local with your own boat (great with good weather!)
ONE OF A KIND:
⋙ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
⋙ Red Light District tour
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>
Our favourite hotels:
AFFORDABLE // €
☾ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
☾ The Student Hotel: budget proof in trendy East.
☾ Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
☾ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
☾ Motel One: budget design hotel with locations at
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
☾ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Park Plaza Vondelpark: located next to Vondelpark and beautifully renovated.
☾ Hotel Dwars: small scale around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
☾ Pillows Anna van den Vondel: great hotel close to Vondelpark.
☾ Hotel Mercier: new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city.
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals.
☾ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
☾ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
☾ QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with a great skybar.
TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ W Amsterdam: with great restaurants and a rooftop bar with swimming pool.
Let’s get social
I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.
Follow @yourlbb on Instagram
| PS: Traveling to Amsterdam with kids? My other website Travelkids.co & @travelkids.co is dedicated to family friendly travel. Check it out here >>
