10 delicious starters to serve at Christmas dinner

𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 🧧
The new lunar year begins on February 17th, and in the Netherlands, Chinese New Year (as you might know it) is becoming increasingly celebrated.

From lion and dragon dances in The Hague and on @dezeedijk in Amsterdam to full-on Oriental dinners at @rongastrobar. Looking for something creative? Check out the weekend full of workshops and a fun photo booth at the Wereldmuseum in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Check out all the tips for Lunar New Year in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague in this guide!

✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck

PS: I'll be in Bangkok for Lunar New Year! Want to follow my Thailand trip? Tune in via @yourlbb 🖤 And have you spotted @yourlbb.amsterdam yet, the dedicated account for my love of Amsterdam 🫶🏼?

#lunarnewyear2026 #chinesenewyear #yourlittleblackbook #chinatown

@nomansart @amstelhotel @hoitin1975 @wereldmuseum.amsterdam @cafewu.ams @anantarakrasnapolsky @wereldmuseum.rotterdam @rotterdamchinesenewyear

𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟭𝟮, 𝟭𝟯, 𝟭𝟰 & 𝟭𝟱

Valentine's Day falling on a weekend? We'll take it!

Amsterdam is buzzing this weekend with plenty of reasons to head out: from markets and Lunar New Year brunches to pop-up cinemas and, as always, a wave of new hotspots worth checking out.

Looking for restaurant inspiration for you and your lover (or your best friend)? Head over to my other post on @yourlbb for my Valentine's shortlist. 🖤

💬 Comment WEEKEND to get the full Weekend Guide with 58 things to do in Amsterdam in your dm's.

✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck

PS: Follow @yourlbb for all things travel, food hotspots and things to do in The Netherlands and beyond. And if you want more Amsterdam inspiration, make sure to also check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.

#yourlittleblackbook #amsterdamweekendguide #weekendinamsterdam #amsterdamhotspots #whattodoamsterdam

@nemosciencemuseum @copainamsterdam @ijhallen @bonburgerbar @candlelight.concerts @thevinylcountdownamsterdam @carmen.amsterdam @salut_a_amsterdam @anantarakrasnapolsky @sun.dayrunclub

Wow, what a list! @gaultmillaunederland announced the awards and points for 2026 today. So many great new names and climbers, proud of the Dutch culinary scene, and enough inspiration to dine out all year long ✌🏼

👀Which restaurant are you very curious about?

GAULT & MILLAU AWARDS

Bistronome of the year
Madeleine | Utrecht @madeleine_utrecht

Mediterranean restaurant of the year
Elea | The Hague @restaurantelea

Asian restaurant of the year
Kaa Lun Palace | The Hague @kaalun_palace

Terrace of the year
The Coach House | Bennekom @hetkoetshuisbennekom

Vegetable restaurant of the year
Tryptique | Wateringen @restauranttriptyque

Craftsman of the Year
Dick Middelweerd
Restaurant De Treeswijkhoeve | Waalre @restaurant.de.treeswijkhoeve

New Chef on the Block
Koen van Weer
De Cuijt | Mierlo @restaurantdecuijt

Prize-Fun of the Year
Aragosta | Leeuwarden @bistro.aragosta

Discovery of the year
Shun | Medemblik @restaurant_shun

Cocktail bar of the year
Fitz's Bar | Amsterdam @fitzsbaramsterdam

Wine list of the year
Azurite | Delft @restaurant.azurite

Sommelier of the Year
Antonello Nicastri @antonellonic_somm
Flore | Amsterdam @restaurant.flore

Notable Newcomer of the Year
Wild Studio | Hoog Soeren @wildatelier.nl

Best Dutch Chef Abroad
Marcel Koolen
7132 Silver | Counterfeit | Switzerland @mmmarcel.koolen

Lifetime Achievement Award
Cees Helder

Host of the year
Bjorn van Aalst | SAAM | Amstelveen @saamrestaurant

Young Chef of the Year
Sofiane Bons @bonssofiane
Yulia | Rotterdam @restaurantjoelia

Chef of the year
Hans van Wolde @hvw043
Brut172 | Reijmerstok @brut_172

CONGRATULATIONS!! 🍴

𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟱, 𝟲, 𝟳 & 𝟴

From €3 tacos, a pizza battle and new hotspots to creative ceramics, vintage markets and feel-good exhibitions 🖤Amsterdam is giving us plenty of reasons to go out this weekend.

Perfect for a solo date or plans with friends.

💬 Comment WEEKEND and we'll send you the full guide with all 48 tips for this weekend in Amsterdam.

✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck

#yourlittleblackbook #amsterdamweekendguide #weekendinamsterdam #amsterdamhotspots #whattodoamsterdam

@dehallen.amsterdam @grachtenmuseum @camino.amsterdam @glazemade @nikotin.restobar @amsterdamstreetart @klaproosamsterdam

And in my opinion this is a perfect combination - 🥰

Valentine's Day is (almost) here... and yes, I've gone through my usual long list of restaurants and compiled my favorite (new) tips for every mood. Whether you're looking for a truly romantic restaurant in Amsterdam, fancy a splurge, or are searching for great spots for daytime drinks and a snacky dinner... you'll want to save these tips!

Let me tell you something funny. I officially registered my Thai marriage in the Netherlands on February 14th 😂. And guess where I'll be on February 14th 🛺🇹🇭👀!

What are you going to do on Valentine's Day?

✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck

PS: Follow @yourlbb for tons of tips to make the most of your free time, from date night tips to food hotspots and travel guides. And have you spotted @yourlbb.amsterdam yet, the dedicated account for my love of Amsterdam 🫶🏼?

#valentinesday #amsterdamrestaurants #datenight #yourlbb

Amsterdam Weekend Guide: Jan 29 – Feb 1

From the city's first ever Tea Festival to Sunday Roasts, winter markets, and hot new openings — Amsterdam is serving up another packed weekend.

👉 Inspiration to enjoy together or SOLO
💬 Comment WEEKEND for the full guide with all 43 tips

✖️✖️✖️

🖊️ @anne_de_buck

#yourlittleblackbook #AmsterdamWeekendGuide #ThingstoDoAmsterdam #AmsterdamHotspots #WeekendPlans

First of all: thank you for being here to close out 2025 <3.

2025, you were everything I hoped you would be and more. So many new memories.

I don't yet know what 2026 will bring, but last year was one for the books. Highlights included trips to China, Mexico City, Egypt, and exploring the English countryside.

Entrepreneurs probably recognize that 2025 was not an easy year.
When I started Your Little Black Book, I had one dream: not to work to stay somewhere for free in exchange for content and the pressure of a "picture perfect" experience. But to use my revenue models to book and experience those special places myself, as a guest instead of an influencer, and to give you honest tips.
After almost 15 years of entrepreneurship, I'm so happy with the balance between editorial and commercial work and that I can also say no to things that don't feel right.

At the same time, it's still special that destinations, airlines, and hotels hire me to create a customized Little Black Book for them. I have complete freedom with these campaigns, and I believe in the value of these content-based tips that truly suit your taste. And they come from me personally, not from a machine.
So thank you for your support when you see #yourlbbcollab, #pressstrip or #prinvited ;-).

This will always be my dream job, the one I created almost 15 years ago. I still do as much as possible myself. That's energizing—from both successes and failures.

Luckily, I have a small team that helps with certain sections, and this year we're going through all the tips critically. What's still truly fun, and what's not?

As a leisure expert and queen of curation, I'm so excited to take yourlittleblackbook.me to the next level. Even though being an online entrepreneur requires constant attention and doesn't always come naturally, I wouldn't want anything else.

My mission remains: making your life easier.
So you don't have to search, but can simply choose well.

So glad you were here this year. Without you, there would be no Your Little Black Book 🖤

See you in 2026!

With love,
@anne_de_buck