Ever heard of mussel croquettes? At Benelux Bar in Amsterdam-Noord, they’re next to the pickled artichoke hearts and fried asparagus. The bar has been around since April last year and fits with the other restaurants along the Gedempt Hamerkanaal in Amsterdam-Noord. The same owners own Restaurant Europa and Europizza: chefs Rein op ‘t Root and Bastiaan de Groot, but seven friends contributed to the project. Some with a culinary background, others with an art academy degree. It’s perhaps this very combination that makes their establishments such a success.
Europizza has become a staple since its inception (nowhere else are the pizzas tastier), and Europa itself is now a well-known destination for fine dining enthusiasts. If you dine at Europa, there’s a good chance you’ll end up at Benelux for some dancing.
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Menu Benelux Bar
From 4 pm onwards, you can visit Benelux Bar for snacks and a drink. The extensive cocktail menu has everything your heart desires, and the snacks are exceptional. Homemade sourdough bread with creamy butter, pickled artichoke hearts, and fried asparagus. The snack menu may be small but features the dishes you crave after a juicy cocktail, or a good glass of wine.
Chef Rein op ‘t Root draws inspiration from all facets of life: from travels and films to flower arranging. “You must have seen things before you can be a good chef,” he told Foodinspiration.
© Benelux Bar, @benelux.bar
© Benelux Bar, @benelux.bar
© Benelux Bar, @benelux.bar
exotic Cocktails
At Benelux Bar, you’ll taste the most extraordinary cocktails. And yes, they’re truly different from Amsterdam’s cocktail bars. All the spirits they use are sourced from Empirical in Copenhagen—a distillery that labels itself as a “maker of flavors.” And nothing could be truer because where else have you previously had a cocktail that combines the flavors of pine needles and exotic peppers? Exactly, any seasoned cocktail lover should make their way to Amsterdam-Noord because this is an absolute must.
On Benelux Bar’s website, you’ll find a packed agenda for the upcoming month. Because, dancing is definitely always an option, and let’s be honest, that’s quite nice after a few cocktails.
© Benelux Bar, @benelux.bar
© Benelux Bar, @benelux.bar
Amsterdam Bucketlist & Things to Do
(DIGITAL) ART EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fabrique des Lumières
⋙ NXT Museum
⋙ STRAAT street art museum
⋙ MOCO Museum for street and modern art
⋙ Amaze, an audiovisual labyrint
FOOD EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Food Tasting Tour of Jordaan area
⋙ Albert Cuyp Market Food Tour
⋙ Sightseeing Boat Cruise with unlimited drinks
⋙ Pancake Cruise
⋙ Micro Brewery Beer Tasting Tour
BEST BIKE TOURS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fatbike e-bike tour (also to Amsterdam North)
⋙ Rent a bike by yourself and explore like a local
⋙ Outside of Amsterdam: windmills & Zaanse Schans
⋙ 3 hour biketour: backstreets & hidden gems
FIRST TIME VISIT TO AMSTERDAM – MUST SEE & DO’S:
⋙ Private Canal Boat Tour
⋙ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
⋙ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
⋙ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
⋙ Canal Cruise in the evening
INSTAGRAM MUSEUMS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
⋙ Youseum
⋙ The Upside Down
DAY TRIPS FROM AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
⋙ Drive-it-Yourself Tulip Fields GPS Audio Tour
⋙ Catch a direct train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Brussels, London or Paris, starting at € 20,-! Check tickets & prices >>
AMSTERDAM WITH KIDS:
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
⋙ Go an a bike tour with the kids
⋙ NEMO Science Museum
SPIRNG / SUMMER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Paddle board tour on the canals
⋙ Go for a kayak-tour in Amsterdam
FALL / WINTER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival bike tour
| 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 in Amsterdam:
TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Pillows Maurits at the Park: this newly opened hotel is all about luxury.
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: recently renovated, this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
☾ W Amsterdam: with lively restaurants and a posh rooftop bar with swimming pool.
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals with great all day bar.
☾ Hotel Jakarta: the most sustainable hotel ánd great value for money with a spa.
☾ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
☾ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam from the North side.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Hotel Dwars: small scale and around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
☾ Hotel Mercier: pretty new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city by MGallery.
☾ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel with restaurant in Amsterdam West.
☾ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
☾ Ruby Emma: eco design hotel with a great skybar near Amstel station.
AFFORDABLE (FOR AMSTERDAM PRICES) // €
☾ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
☾ The Social Hub budget proof in trendy East district close tho the subway.
☾ 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 several locations in Amsterdam.
Let’s get social
I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb and @yourlbb.amsterdam you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.
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