8 tips for a green and culinary weekend in Almere

September 20 2020
Last updated: March 20, 2023

Do you remember that I went to Almere for a weekend for the first time last year? I can say that this was one of the surprises of the year. After a weekend at the Kemphaan I went home with a completely different impression. The area around Almere is so beautiful. Green, diverse, and a perfect destination for a weekend getaway without having to drive too far. Perhaps you've already seen it on Instagram Stories We've seen it all pass by, but we recently spent another weekend unwinding in Almere for a dose of nature, outdoor living, and delicious food and drinks. In this article, I've compiled all the tips from this last weekend for you. Share them with your friends. hotspot tips from the previous article and you have all the ingredients for a wonderful weekend away. Enjoy!

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

Amsterdam, get your skates ready — ice skating season has officially begun! ⛸️ The first rinks, like @schatbaanmuseumplein, are opening this weekend and we are so ready for it. I already planned a mom & son date — that's how excited we are to hit the ice. 💙 This year, there are some new rinks to discover across the city too. And who knows... maybe we'll even get lucky with natural ice again. Until then, these are the 7 best ice skating rinks in Amsterdam you don't want to miss. Whether you're planning a festive date, a day with friends, or skating with the kids — this guide has you covered. 📍All details are in the Amsterdam Ice Skating Listicle on Your Little Black Book (link in bio). Send this to your skating buddy and start planning your first winter weekend on ice! ❄️ ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #yourlbb #amsterdamwinter #iceskatinginamsterdam #amsterdamchristmas #thingstodoinamsterdam #amsterdamguide #winterinthenetherlands #amsterdamlife #cityguide #amsterdamcheck #wintervibes #travelamsterdam #weekendinams #holidayseason #schaatsen
𝟱 𝘅𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗻. From new hotspots to lowspots and from hand-pulled noodles to an intimate Mediterranean bistro, I've listed 5 new favorite restaurants for you that you definitely want to try. Save this guide for your next dinner date 🍽️ 📍 Orchid House (Oost) Vibe: all day dining at Oosterpark, family friendly and good vibes. Must orders: ceviche, angel hair pasta with sea urchin and picanha. @orchidhouse.ams 📍 Omri (De Pijp) Vibe: small and cozy corner building with a warm interior and dimmed lights. Perfect for a date night. Must orders: the dolmas and lamb shawarma tostada with watermelon. @omri_amsterdam 📍 Chingu (De Pijp) Vibe: mainly focused on take-away, but trust me: you'll want to go out of your way for these Taiwanese rice balls. Must orders: Jumeok Bap with king crab or mayak egg, so delicious. English: @chinguamsterdam 📍 Leonardo's Ravioli Bar (De Pijp) Vibe: Italian bistro full of cozy corners in the always lively Pijp. Now also open for lunch on the weekend. Must orders: as many as possible. And share everything. I can be brief about it. @leonardosraviolibar 📍 Yellow River Handpulled Noodles (Centrum) Vibe: like you've ended up in a Chinese canteen. You order via the kiosk and wait until your number is called. Must orders: choose your favorite thickness noodles + the minced meat noodles. The dumplings are really worth trying too. @yellowrivernoodles Let me know where you're going first. Or where you've had the most delicious meal recently, I'm curious! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #amsterdamfood #amsterdam #amsterdamrestaurant #amsterdamlife #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamrestaurants #hotspots
The most beautiful Christmas shows at garden centers throughout the Netherlands are now open! 🎄 Only 7 more weekends until Christmas... and this cozy and free Christmas outing is perfect to get into the Christmas spirit. Trust me, I've already been ;-). Do you have a favorite that's not in this video? Let me know in the comments! You can also find the complete list of 30 tips via the link in my bio ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #christmasshows #christmasshow2025 #christmasdecoration #christmasinspiration #gardencenter #weekendtip #thingstodo #discoveringthenetherlands #winterouting #cozyoutings #christmasholiday #christmasfeeling #christmasmarkets #decembertips
Fancy a break from the city? 🍂 These are my favourite walking & drinks spots in the Netherlands. To be honest... I don't see myself living outside the city anytime soon, but on weekends I love getting out into nature. That's why I've created a YLBB shortlist of the most beautiful walking areas, complete with a great drinks spot nearby. My perfect Sunday? First a walk, then relaxing somewhere with a treat or a hot chocolate (or, of course, a glass of wine and bitterballen!). 📍From Lage Vuursche to the Waterleidingduinen and the Amsterdamse Bos, I share my favourites in this video. But... there are of course many more lovely places in the Netherlands where you can enjoy a drink after a walk. Which tip do you think is a must-see? 👇 Save this post to get out into nature this season or forward it to your walking date. 🍁 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #hikinginthenetherlands #drinksspot #discoveringthenetherlands #natureinthenetherlands #autumnroutes #hikingtips #dutchautumn #walks #naturewalk #weekendtips #netherlandsholiday #drinks #outdoorlife #amsterdamweekend #thingstodonetherlands #yourlbb
Forget the classic omakase experience in Amsterdam, this is something else. Hidden inside burger spot @paindemie_amsterdam and inspired by the Tokyo subway, you'll find @moyo_amsterdam. A new hotspot redefining the omakase concept. Chef @guillaumedebeer is behind this next-level concept, and it shows in every creative detail. But here O-toro and Wagyu take the stage 🥩. It's intimate, creative, and seriously one of the most exciting new openings in Amsterdam right now. Save this for your next special dinner night 🔥 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #amsterdam #amsterdamcity #amsterdamfoodguide #amsterdamfood #amsterdamtravel
The most beautiful l𝗶𝗰𝗵𝘁𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀 for your 𝗡𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 this season The days are getting shorter, the evenings longer… And honestly? I secretly think that’s one of the nicest things about this season. Because the transition from autumn to winter means: light festivals! ✨ All over the Netherlands, cities, parks and castles light up with light art, projections and installations that you’ll love to see them all. What once started with the Amsterdam Light Festival has grown into one of the most beautiful winter traditions in the country, if you ask me! Most light festivals also offer cozy hot chocolate and food stalls for something tasty to go. Perfect for a winter evening with your loved one, family, or friends. Can you picture yourself strolling past artworks that transform streets, parks, and canals into a fairytale, with a hot chocolate or mulled wine in hand? 📍From North Holland to Gelderland, I'm sharing all the tips in a comprehensive article on Your Little Black Book, featuring the best light festivals in almost every province in the Netherlands. Trust me: this is such a special outing to brighten up the dark days. P.S. I'll also have exciting news about the @lefoodwalk at the @amsterdamlightfestival on Your Little Black Book soon! Have fun planning! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #lightfestival #netherlandstips #winterouting #yourlittleblackbook #thingstodo #lightart #amsterdamlightfestival #wintervibes #dayout #romanticouting #autumndinings #gluhweinmoment #fallinthenetherlands
Looking for the hottest new spot for a date night in Amsterdam City Center? Meet @littlebonfire.ams 🔥 With its cozy vibe it's the kind of place that feels like an extension of your living room: but with much better food and wine. On the ever changing menu you'll find classics to share: from pan con tomate with anchovies, stracciatella with zucchini and peas, to crispy eggplant, vitello and sea bass with clams. Don't skip dessert: the Basque cheesecake is already my favorite. This spot is perfect for a date night at the bar or dinner with the girls. I think Little Bonfire Amsterdam is a keeper in the city center! 📍Little Bonfire Amsterdam City Center Who are you taking here first? 🖤 ​​✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #LittleBonfireAmsterdam #AmsterdamRestaurants #DateNightAmsterdam #AmsterdamCityCentre #AmsterdamHotspots #Amsterdamfoodie #Amsterdamtravel #YourLittleBlackBook

8 surprising tips for a weekend in nature near Almere

Stay in a vineyard: Un-Dutch, but you read that right! In the green Oosterwold neighborhood of Almere, you can stay in a vineyard. Life Contains Beautiful Things Check into one of the three tiny houses. Wake up with a view of the grapevines and take a morning dip in the natural pool in the heart of the vineyard. Tip: Book one of the culinary packages including breakfast, a picnic, and mountain bikes.

Life Contains Beautiful Things

Picnic at the natural swimming pool

Nature experience center De Oostvaarders: Have you ever been to the Oostvaardersplassen? You might know the nature reserve as part of Nieuw Land National Park. Because of the beautiful scenery, a visit was still high on my Dutch bucket list. The Oostvaarders Nature Experience Centre is a visitor center and restaurant all in one. I'd recommend visiting the visitor center first, and don't miss the crow's nest. When we were there, we spotted hundreds of Heck cattle and red deer through the binoculars. Pavilion De Oostvaarders is the restaurant overlooking the Oostvaardersplassen, a great place to enjoy delicious food and drinks before or after a walk or bike ride. Are you there on a Saturday, like us? They also serve high tea! Also keep in mind the visitor center's agenda keep an eye on it, because activities are organised for young and old almost every weekend.

NATURE EXPERIENCE CENTER DE OOSTVAARDERS

ANIMAL SPOTTING FROM THE PANORAMA AREA

high tea with a view over the Oostvaardersplassen

Oostvaardersplassen tour on a doppio bike: I have to admit, I'd never ridden an electric bike until I hopped on a sturdy Doppio bike after our high tea at De Oostvaarders Nature Experience Centre. Trust me: after this, you won't want anything else for long bike rides! With a lovely autumn sun on our faces, we cycled all around the Oostvaardersplassen lakes. Along the way, you'll encounter several beautiful viewpoints, and one moment you're cycling along the dike along the Markermeer lake, and the next through the woods. One of the most beautiful spots along the way was the Grote Praambult, where we saw hundreds of Konik horses. So beautiful, I could watch them for hours, making it a perfect spot for the picnic lunch we'd brought from Paviljoen De Oostvaarders! Other animals you can spot at the Oostvaardersplassen lakes include foxes and sea eagles, and the Heck cattle and red deer I mentioned earlier. If you don't rent bikes, take one of the walks.

Oostvaardersplassen tour on the Doppio Bike

Extensive dining at Brasserie Bakboord: Ask a local where to find a truly delicious meal in Almere, and they'll undoubtedly recommend Brasserie Bakboord. It's a hotspot for a culinary evening with a view. Located near Almere-Haven, the restaurant overlooks the harbor on one side and the Gooimeer lake on the other. In 2020, they were once again awarded a Bib Gourmand, and if you dine here, you'll understand why. Delicious and surprising dishes featuring local and organic ingredients. They're open from lunchtime onwards, and their tasting menus are highly recommended. We tried the 5-course tasting menu with paired wines and will definitely be back.

Tasting menu at Brasserie Bakboord

Farmer's Market at De Kemphaan: Okay, okay, this tip isn't from my last visit, but it's the one that made me fall in love with Almere's green countryside last year. Every Saturday morning, a farmers' market is held at the Stadsboerderij (City Farm) on the De Kemphaan grounds. Here you can shop for organic products from producers in the Flevopolder region. One of the best farmers' markets near the Randstad, in my opinion. PS: Discover the 20 other tips from our first weekend in Almere here >>

The Kemphaan, Almere

SUP at De Kapitein: Have you ever stood on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP)? It's been years since I've done it, and I'd forgotten how much fun it is. The first time is a bit awkward, but even on your knees, it's incredibly beautiful and relaxing to hear the sound of the paddles hitting the water. In Almere, you can rent boards at De Kapitein to paddleboard on the Noorderplassen lakes. We were out on the SUP boards early in the morning sun, and it was amazing! Practice makes perfect, so I'll definitely be SUPing more often this fall. It's a unique way to disconnect completely and be surrounded by nature.

Stand-up paddleboarding at De Kapitein

To the theater at Vis á Vis: Mark your calendars for next year's Vis á Vis, because what a fantastic theater production! Robot, a science fiction comedy about a time when cyberhumans are an indispensable part of life, runs until September 27th at Almeerderstrand. This outdoor theatrical spectacle by the Vis á Vis theater company will be performed. Before or after the performance, you can enjoy a bite to eat and a drink at 'de Rode Haring', where the team from cooking studio Laurier (known for their work at Lowlands, among others) has put together a delicious Robox this season. They'll (hopefully!) be back this winter with a winter program, and you'll want to keep an eye on their website for that.

Final scene of Robot by Vis á Vis

The forests near Oosterwold: There's nothing better than a long walk on the weekend. In the Oosterwold area, where our B&B Life Contains Beautiful Things is located, you'll find several beautiful forests, such as the Cathedral Forest and the Circle Forest. You can rent mountain bikes at the B&B if you're interested, but walking is always an option. In the Circle Forest, you'll find various works of art that you'll encounter along the way. You'll also find the Almeerse Berg, with sheep and goats at its foot. It's definitely worth climbing this mountain for a panoramic view. The Cathedral Forest owes its name to two green cathedral artworks made of grass and trees. Fun fact: these green cathedrals have the exact shape of the famous cathedral of Reims, France. Because Almere is a young municipality, you can see that meticulous landscaping has gone into everything in these landscaped forests. During this weekend getaway, I was once again amazed by the diversity of greenery. And to think that these forests are only a half-hour drive from Amsterdam for a weekend walk. Definitely worth a visit!

Almeerse Berg near the Cirkelbos

 | DID YOU KNOW? You might have already heard, but did you know the Floriade Expo is coming to Almere in April 2022? Construction is already well underway as we speak. I was given a sneak peek at the site and learned more about the plans. The food of the future will be a key theme (along with plenty of greenery). I was enthused by the names of chefs, producers, and figures from the slow food movement who will be contributing to the culinary program (which you might not immediately recognize from the Floriade). To be continued!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

How cool?! Did you know you can stay in a tiny house in a vineyard with a natural swimming pool, just a 25-minute drive from Amsterdam? We're heading out of the city and into nature this weekend for a super fun new guide. Check out our stories to travel with us! ___________________________________ @lifecontainsbeautifulthings #cityvineyard #lifecontainsbeautifulthings #lcbt @visitalmere #visitalmere #staycationalmere #hiermoetjezijn #jeziternaast

A message shared by { YourLittleBlackBook } (@yourlbb) on Sep 5, 2020 at 9:36 AM (PDT)

Are you going to Almere soon? Tag @yourlbb on Instagram (Stories) or use #yourlbb and I will repost the best photos on stories!

Things to do in Amsterdam

view all 24 tips here

YourLBB's latest lists

Train City Trips

view all 5 tips here

Tip the editors

Do you have a great tip that deserves a spot in Your Little Black Book? Whether it's a wonderful staycation spot, a (new) restaurant, or a must-visit destination, let us know via the button below and TIP THE EDITORS!

 Tip the editors

More TRAVEL tips from Your Little Black Book:

⋙ Are you following me on Instagram yet? @YOULRBB I share (almost) every day personal tips about delicious food, new places to eat, and a personal glimpse into my life as an entrepreneur and mom of a two-year-old. Do you like kids' tips? Then also follow my dedicated @TRAVELKIDS.CO account about family travel and fun things to do with kids.

⋙ Tip for anyone with wanderlust. Daydream about my travel books: Staycation book (22 guides for the Netherlands and Belgium), Feed Your Wanderlust (with tips for tours / far-away destinations), Wanderlust – Your Urban Travel Style Guide (full of tips for planning the perfect city trip).

Would you like to receive the latest articles from Your Little Black Book and the (Amsterdam) Weekend Guide in your inbox every week? Sign up for the newsletter using the black button below.

With love,

Anne

In collaboration with Visit Almere 

| PS: Do you know Your Little Black Book's Green PolicyHere you'll find my personal tips on how to travel and live greener, and I'll explain why and how I offset the CO2 emissions from all the trips #teamyourlbb makes.

Travel Essentials

view all 36 tips here