30s Magazine

Although I visit Amsterdam quite often, I hardly ever blog about my trips to the big city. Time for a change! Coming months I would like to share a few of my favourite shops in Amsterdam, as I also do in Paris and London. I would like to start with neighbourhood De Pijp. De Pijp is a vibrant multicultural part in the city with the renowned Albert Cuyp market and many eateries, boutiques and concept stores.

Bakken met Passie

For my bread and pastries I go to Bakken met Passie (meaning: baking with passion) in the Albert Cuypstraat 53. This bakery and lunchroom has been around for more than 100 years and still uses the traditional baking practices. The bread gets its unique taste from the fact that they use the best ingredients and let the bread rise for 12-24 hours. Then the bread is baked directly on a stove oven floor. In the back you can see the bread bakers at work, while having a cup of coffee and your choice of bread and pastries. The front shop is boasting with an array of breads: granary, fennel bread, dark passion, stone-floor white, farmer’s bread, campaillou and more. And let’s not forget the hearty and sweet delicacies: blueberry and apple muffins, chocolate cakes, Italian muffins with sun dried tomatoes and goatcheese, scones, all sorts of croissants, and much more. As the grand daughter of a baker, this shop is right up my alley.

Anna Nina

Conceptstore Anna Nina is a relatively new store in the Gerard Doustraat 94. The store is run by two friends who selected irresistible accessory labels from across the world. Just to name a few: The exclusive jewelry brand HOLST + LEE from New York (read my previous blog about it here), avant-garde brand Ela Stone from Paris, Miss Etoile honeycombs and paper striped straws, Keith Brymer Jones mugs, and Dutch brand the Old House. It’s a collection of everything a girl likes from apparel to presse papiers and tea towels.

Books & Bubbles

Books & Bubbles is like heaven for book lovers like myself. The bookstore has a large collection of second-hand classics as well as books by upcoming writers. A large table is the meeting point for literary fans and bloggers alike. What makes this store unique is the vintage decor, conversation nights, and literary evenings and lectures, poetry night and private parties. And that’s where the bubbles come in. – Jan Pieter Heijestraat 168

Tjin’s

For the best Surinamese sandwiches and take out food I go to Tjin’s in Van Woustraat 17. The Netherlands has a large population of Surinamese and their descendants since it used to be a Dutch colony until 1975. (I’m also of Surinamese descent). The food is a mixture of different cuisines as Suriname is a melting pot consisting of native indians, descendants of the African slaves, and historical immigrants from India, Indonesia, China, the Netherlands, and Portugal. The flavours have evolved and blended creating a unique fusion food culture. Try the different flavours e.g.