There are so many places to eat in Amsterdam that it’s enough to make you feel paralysed by choice. But geen probleem, we’ve narrowed the list down to 7 places you absolutely have to try.

These are some of Amsterdam’s most chill and hip restaurants that offer delicious food and amazing cocktails!

Also, know that different DutchReviewers went to different trendy places, so we got all our brains together to find the best places. Enjoy!

1. Ode aan de Amstel

The name “Ode aan de Amstel” translates to “ode to the Amstel” — it’s an homage to the river that flows into Amsterdam’s iconic canal ring and helps shape the city.

Both the terrace and the ground floor of this restaurant are located on the Amstel river (you can even dock your boat on the terrace!), letting you enjoy the peaceful sounds of the rippling water and a stunning view.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Ode aan de Amstel is all about providing guests with a peaceful dining experience. The intimate interior is complimented by an open kitchen and, of course, a menu that will leave your mouth watering.

If every single item on the menu sounds good to you (we feel you), we suggest going with the three, four, or five-course chef’s selection menu. This is a daily-changing menu with the chef’s most tasty, innovative and original dishes.

With only the best cuts of meat and the freshest seafood, this place truly left us wanting more.

2. Midtown Grill

An eclectic and excellent eating experience! Honestly, the prospect of eating at a steakhouse near Amsterdam’s Leidseplein wasn’t too exciting initially. But we were wrong!

When you walk into Midtown Grill, you immediately feel it won’t be your usual steakhouse experience. Its interior is showered in class, luxury, and eclectic wallpaper. (How often do you appreciate that in a place?)

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The staff is courteous and never makes you think you’re eating out in Amsterdam — which is a compliment — and the menu is limited. Not 627 options, but what they did, they did well. (It had proper veggie options like any place should have nowadays.)

The steak we had was a proper beast. The staff shows you the cuts beforehand and advises on how you should want it prepped (a thick cut should be a bit medium, or else you’re just eating raw meat).

They also prepared a custom whisky sour, and we have to recommend the ‘mixed plankje and the lobster bitterballs’ (how can we not?)

3. NOMADS

Twice a year, NOMADS “travels” to a different location. Not only does the menu change to the country’s food but the interior design of the restaurant.

We visited when it was adorned with photographs of the streets of Alfama and typical blue tile murals in the bathroom — you guessed it, Portuguese cuisine.

We had a four-course meal, accompanied by a bottle of white Serras de Azeitão from Setúbal. Everything was great, particularly the octopus salad and the pastéis de bacalhau (or codfish pastries).

These are staple dishes in Portuguese culture, and we are glad they haven’t been forgotten. The oysters were the best part of the meal; they literally tasted like the sea.

For dessert, we got a true Portuguese treat. THE pastel de nata that is so hard to replicate was by far the most authentic we’ve eaten outside of Portugal.

It couldn’t beat the original “Pastéis de Belém” as it follows an ancient recipe from the Jerónimos Monastery, but it would surely beat a lot of well-established bakeries in Portugal.

We also had a “rice pudding”, a take on the classic “arroz doce”. The pudding’s consistency and taste were perfect, which is hard to do with just milk and rice.

It’s usually topped with cinnamon, but the chefs at NOMADS innovated by adding raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, as well as a fruit-infused foam.

It was a great experience. NOMADS made us feel like we were back in a mother’s kitchen in Lisbon.

4. In de Waag

When in Amsterdam, you truly can’t miss out on a meal at one of the city’s most iconic restaurants: In de Waag.

Located in an old city gate in the centre of the lively “Nieuwmarkt”, this place is a historic monument that was built between 1425 and 1488.

What used to be a city gate eventually became a “weighing house” (Dutch: Waag, hence the name ), and finally one of Amsterdam’s trendiest restaurants.

The rustic interior at the Waag is lit by more than 300 real candles, creating a romantic vibe that compliments the interesting history of this building. But besides the stunning interior, the Waag also sports one of Amsterdam’s sunniest terraces — perfect to enjoy during the warmer months of the year.

We stopped by Waag for lunch, and went for the famous Waag burger and the puffed aubergine. Both were fresh, full of flavour, and of course, heel lekker!

For dessert, we were served the “Apple tarte tatin”, a small apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and vanilla custard.

Whether you come here for a mid-day snack or for a nice dinner, the selection of bites, main courses, desserts, and drinks won’t disappoint — and the lovely staff will make you feel right at home.

5. NENI Amsterdam

A sharing menu including the best falafel in town? Sign us up. We took a trip to NENI Amsterdam to try their new Balagan menu — and we weren’t disappointed.

Right next to the Olympic stadium in Amsterdam-Zuid, NENI‘s location might not be the first choice for tourists. However, it is worth the short journey outside of the centre.

As you enter, you’re greeted by the smell of fresh bread baking in the deli (well, only on the weekends). Here you can purchase freshly baked Mediterranean goods, including sourdough, babka, and challah.

The concept at NENI is that sharing is caring. There is a wide range of plant-based, fish, and meat dishes, ideal for when you are as indecisive as we are.

We had the Balagan menu, which offers a variety of their top dishes. The more people you have, the more dishes they add. You can ask for just vegetarian dishes.

It’s not the cheapest, coming in at €40 per person, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. For four people, we were completely stuffed — and happy about it.

All of the food was fresh and had a perfect balance of salt and spice. Our highlights were the caramelised aubergine and possibly the best falafel we’ve ever had. But there wasn’t a dud dish on the menu.

NENI has a great concept and food that’s packed with flavour in every bite. The sharing menu was a little on the pricey side, but you get a lot of food for the price you pay. Perfect for a special occasion or a stop-by for a deli lunch.

6. Kanarie Club

The former tram depot in Amsterdam, known as “Food Hallen”, is where you’ll find one of Amsterdam’s most stylish hotspots.

The interior of the Kanarie Club’s design is made up of materials and colours inspired by the different industries housed in the hall. From woodwork and metalwork to painting.

It’s split up into different zones: a café where you can work, a cosy restaurant, and a beautiful cocktail bar. With film and food halls in the Kanarie Club’s backyard, this old tram depot in Oud-West is rightly one of Amsterdam’s most popular working spots.

The Kanarie Club isn’t just an ideal work spot for students, freelancers and those looking for a place to enjoy some quiet time or chill with friends and family.

The menu is extraordinary, the atmosphere is nice, the staff are cheerful, and the setting is as beautiful as expected.

Whether you’re there for breakfast, for flexible working, lunch, dinner, or just to drink cocktails: Kanarie Club remains one of Amsterdam’s best hotspots.

7. Bardak Amsterdam

Bardark is a Tel Aviv-themed bar in Amsterdam, located in the ever-growing hip and cool area — de Pijp. It’s perfect for those nights when you want to go for some chill drinks but know you’re going to get hungry. It’s truly one of the best places to eat in Amsterdam!

The menu is pretty simple — everything you order will arrive on a tray with three sauces, street food style. The three sides are tahini, manjo, and chilli.

READ MORE | 15 delicious vegan restaurants in Amsterdam

If you like meat and mint, treat yourself to the Arais kebab. It comes in a “flavour-soaked pita”, which is delicious.

If you want to go for something a little less fatty, then we’d advise getting the kebab from the grill, the rib-eye steak or their melt-in-the-mouth chicken liver.

For the vegetarians out there, you’ve got to try the grilled okra. Quite rightly, it’s nicknamed the “Sexy Okra” by the head chef. There’s also a vegan mushroom shwarma, which comes with oyster mushrooms, sour cream, and a lovely warm pita.

The bar offers a unique range of some of the best cocktails in Amsterdam. We’d recommend the Solero Sour, the Chili Cucumber Margarita, and the Pink Lychee Martini.

As for desserts: while the Kanafeh was a beautiful mix of Kadaif pastry and goat cheese (with ricotta and honey), our favourite dessert had to be the Babka, AKA “Grandma’s Chocolate Roll”.

So there you have it! These are some of the best places to eat in Amsterdam in 2024. Have you been to any of these amazing restaurants? Let us know in the comments below!

After battling the notorious Amsterdam housing market for months, despairingly feeling like I was never going to find a place to live, I was eventually put in touch with a landlord whose tenant had just moved out.

So desperate that I would’ve willingly settled for a gazebo in Vondelpark, I couldn’t believe my luck when he showed me around his houseboat.

Now, picture the next few months of idyllic canal life: a boat passes you by filled with jovial Amsterdammers eating olives on cocktail sticks and sipping prosecco.

The native city wildlife surrounds you and, just like in a fairy tale, a band of squirrels sweeps the deck. An expedition of stoned tourists on pedalos crashes apologetically into your boat with a look of regret.

Whilst these are all notable and welcome features, what I love most about a houseboat life are the questions that people ask about it — so here are the answers to some of the gems I’ve collected.

1. Where does your poep go?

Ah yes, the burning question. Do you have to pump out your own poo? Or does a person come and do it for you? Does it just go straight in the canal? Or does it get stored inside the boat?

No, my dear friends, this isn’t Kevin Costner’s Waterworld; we are connected to mainland Europe via a sewage pipe. (Luckily.)

Although, I prefer to let people envisage me heaving a putrid bucket of feces through the boat, over the drawbridge, and tipping it into the street like a medieval chambermaid.

2. Do you get internet on a houseboat?

Yes, but it’s dial-up. I’m joking, of course.

The gap between the boat and the land is about a metre — if the conceptual being that is the internet can cross the Atlantic, you would have thought it could just about reach us on our canal boat.

3. Can you just drive to England?

Surprisingly enough, it has been done before! Pensioners Terry and Monica Darlington and their dog, Jim, successfully crossed the English Channel in their canal boat named Phyllis May in 2004.

This quote from Terry summarises the mild peril they experienced on the voyage: “The dog [Jim], who was on tranquillisers, howled like a drunk.”

4. Do you get seasick?

The majority of the time, movement-wise, I forget entirely that I’m on a boat. So, no, I don’t get seasick.

However, occasionally some reckless hooligan comes hurtling down the canal, breaking the speed limit which sends all houseboats into a frenzy.

READ MORE | 11 creative solutions to the Dutch student housing crisis that makes us say “Why didn’t we think of that?”

I once woke up with an aggressive start and thought my world was crumbling down as I rocked like a baby in a 30 ft cradle, with possessions falling to the ground all around me.

5. Will you be friends with all your boaty neighbours?

Sometimes, people immediately assume you are part of some quirky little club. Having said that, though, I would love to make friends with my boat neighbours and be able to hop over the stern to borrow a cup of sugar.

Unfortunately, however, houseboats are by nature are quite long. The neighbour’s front door may be as far as 100 m away, so I have a higher chance of bumping into my land-dwelling neighbours.

But sure, I can check with my little houseboat club whether or not we water-dwellers are allowed to mingle with land-dwellers.

Do you have any other burning questions about living on a houseboat? Let us know in the comments below!

Have you ever noticed how Dutchies have weird modes of transport and really questionable snack choices? Us too!

In fact, there are even more bizarre habits and mannerisms associated with Dutch people and the Netherlands — and we’re here to document and explain every single one.

Without further ado, here’s the ultimate list of Dutch Quirks.

1. Swear with diseases (even cancer)

Are you swearing with sex, parents, or even animals? Fine, normal, somewhat accepted. But swearing with diseases, though? Find out why the Dutch call things “cancer” all the time. 

2. Bike with an umbrella

Here’s to combining two of the most Dutch things in the world: the rain and cycling anywhere and everywhere despite it. 

3. Cycle more than they walk

Despite being a super walkable country, one mode of transport still rules the streets — and that’s the fiets. 

4. Eat dinner ridiculously early

It’s 5 PM, and you know what that means: first beer of the day, you might say, or a nice glass of wine? WRONG! Well, at least in the Netherlands, it’s dinnertime.  

5. Eat cheese every day for lunch

Salads? Pasta? Absolutely not! During Dutch lunchtime, there will be cheese on everything. Forever and always.  

6. Live by their agendas when making plans

Every little event goes into a Dutchie’s agenda, from a chill coffee date to their graduation date. Call it old-fashioned or technophobic, but paper agendas do the job better than their digital counterparts. 

7. Send a Tikkie for virtually nothing

The infamous payment system, Tikkie, and the Dutch’s tendency to be stingy are so engraved into their culture that even a bite from a bitterbal can (literally) cost you.

8. Dress the same as every other Dutchie (aka the Dutch uniform)

Does it seem like every Dutch adult wears the same outfit, even though they don’t have uniforms? With a tendency to be frugal and blend in, Dutchies love to doe normaal. 

9. Drink copious amounts of coffee at work

Ok, picture this. You’re at the office (during better times), the clock reads 12:42, and you’re fired up like one of Jeff Bezos’ rockets. Is this due to an undying passion for your work, an enthusiasm that can’t be tamed? No, love. It’s coffee.

10. Eat pepernoten during (and before!) the holiday season

Do you know the tradition that stores will start selling Christmas decor right after Halloween? It’s no different in the Netherlands — come November 1, you’ll see these delightful treats in every supermarket. 

11. Eat hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles) for breakfast

While the rest of the world has Nutella, the only acceptable breakfast is dark chocolate hagelslag sprinkled on brown bread slathered in butter. 

12. Be obsessed with peanut butter

While most people will pre-make their lunch at home, Dutchies are ready to give you a free cooking show as they make their peanut butter sandwiches on the go. 

13. Be innovative (and not be shy about it)

As the saying goes, “God made the earth, but the Dutch made the Netherlands” — and they’re not technically wrong! Dutchies have a knack for inventing and creating all kinds of tricks and tools to make their lives easier. 

14. Drink a glass of milk with every meal

Everyone knows how tall Dutchies get, but the secret to height and strong bones might not be as secret as we thought. 

15. Cram oliebollen into their mouths as soon as it gets cold

Oliebollen, a Dutch tradition that shines in the winter months, especially around New Year, is as delicious as it is Dutch! 

16. Have a go-to pannenkoeken restaurant

Just like New Yorkers have their favourite bodega and Brits have their pubs, Dutch people have their favourite pannenkoeken spots, no matter where they are. 

17. Treat the public footpaths like their personal terrace

The Netherlands is a small country — and with limited space (both inside and outside), Dutchies have learned to make the most of their space. Even if that means setting up a person reading nook or sunbathing corner right on the sidewalk. 

18. Refuse to go into debt

Everyone knows that Dutchies are famous for being good with money. With that being said, debt is something they just don’t do. They do this by having a completely overwhelming fear of credit cards, borrowing money/taking out loans, etc.

19. Bike while holding hands

We’ve all experienced it. You’re innocently cycling along when suddenly, up ahead, a monstrous spectacle emerges. An obstacle. A display of public affection: two cyclists holding hands.

20. Be overwhelmingly stingy

The Netherlands is famously rich and well-developed — so why are they so overwhelmingly stingy? Some say it’s inconvenient and rude, but what can we say — the Dutch just really like to keep things in order

21. Put mayo on absolutely everything

Dutchies aren’t shy about mayonnaise — in fact, they love it so much, they’ll slather anything and everything with it. Friet? Mayo on top. Frikandel? Mayo on the side. Ordering some other fried Dutch snack? There’s no doubt it’s coming with mayonnaise. 

22. Give everyone three kisses to say hello

So, here’s a quirk that gets awkward if you get it wrong: The Dutch custom to greet you with three kisses on the cheek. Here is your road map to avoid the cultural pitfalls that will haunt you forever (such as accidentally planting a wet smooch on some poor Dutchie person’s mouth). 

23. Perform the ‘lekker wave’ if something is delicious

Are they having a spontaneous muscle spasm? Is there a rogue wasp attacking their hair? Having a hot flash? No, this quirky hand signal is just a Dutchie’s way of saying, “Mmmm, delicious!”

24. Say ‘leuk’ all the time

It’s a word you’ll either love or hate. Either way, it will be useful when speaking to Dutchies. You’ll be using this word on a daily basis because it is so ‘leuk.’

25. Have a whole conversation with two-syllable words

Wait did you say ja ja or ja ja? In the Dutch spoken language, those words mean two completely different things.

26. Complain about the NS

You can’t possibly be in the Netherlands and not hear or personally sprinkle some complaints about the NS. Complaining about the NS is a Dutch standard.

27. Have almost zero customer service skills

Maybe it’s their love for egalitarianism or the (in)famous Dutch directness, but this is certain: the Dutch really suck at customer service. 

28. Not tip (and not need to)

Unlike many countries, Dutchies tend not to leave tips for their servers. Before you ask, it’s not because they’re stingy; it’s just better-paying jobs in the service industry. 

29. Wave goodbye until they can’t see someone anymore

Picture this; the wonderful dinner party you’ve been lucky enough to attend at a Dutch person’s house has just ended, and you’re on your way home. You climb into the taxi and say goodbye — but your host is still standing at the doorway, waving, waving, waving.

30. Send people away when they’re about to have dinner

Most people know the stereotype about Dutch stinginess — even when sharing their meals. Come 6 PM, Dutchies will politely escort you from their house before they eat, but why is that?

31. Be strangely obsessed with toothpicks

Dental floss or wooden toothpicks? The Dutch will most certainly go for the latter.

32. Eat a lot of very questionable snack food

The Dutch may not have a world-renowned cuisine, but they sure have a — should we say unique? — snack assortment. Don’t get us wrong, we love a mustard-dipped bitterbal as much as the next person, but do we want to know what’s in it? No thanks.

33. Have a national brand of mints

Dedicated to former Dutch queen Wilhelmina, these ancient peppermints are a controversial treat in the list of Nederlandse candies. 

34. Join a fraternity and wear a (seriously gross) jacket

Sororities and fraternities in the Netherlands are just as expected: brutal hazing, Latin jargon, and weird rituals included. One is wearing a jacket that hasn’t been washed for decades. Gross!

35. Put public urinals in the middle of busy streets

You’re walking down a picturesque Dutch street when — BAM! There’s a guy peeing. And not even illegally, in a urinal smack bang in the middle of the street. This Dutch quirk has got to go. 

36. Charge people for public toilets

Charging people for public toilets is a pretty common concept in Europe — but with the few public toilets the Dutch have, they’ve put a price tag on every one of them.

37. Eat kibbeling whenever possible

Did you know Dutch parents often use kibbeling (fried cod covered in batter) to get their kids used to eating fish? Even when they’re kids, they’re enjoying fried finger foods. 

38. Mush all of their dinner food (prakken)

There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a lovely dinner only to discover that everyone around you is furiously mushing their food with a fork. Don’t worry, though. All that’s gotten into them is the quirky practice of prakken — and you may as well get used to it when eating traditional dishes like stamppot, hutspot, and boerenkool.  

39. Say happy birthday to everyone

At a Dutch birthday party, expect to wish everyone close to the birthday kid a happy birthday! Why do the Dutch cling to this tradition? 

40. Never agree on how to eat tompouce 

Tompouce is a delicious but fragile pastry with a long (and somewhat questionable) history. While Dutchies love this King’s Day treat, no one can decide on the “correct” way to eat it, and the lowlands are divided into four camps of tompouce eaters — each with their hilarious/practical/messy technique.

41. Call everything ‘gezellig’ All. The. Time. 

Dutch people love using “gezellig” to describe EVERYTHING. A room can be gezellig, the weather can be gezellig, having dinner can be gezellig. However, the word has no translation!

42. Be overwhelmingly direct and never beat around the bush

While many aspects of Dutch culture may inflict culture shock on the unknowing international, nothing gives us whiplash quite like that good ol’ Dutch directness. 

43. Hang a birthday calendar in their bathrooms

Most people will write birthdays in their agendas or calendars or even just memorise them. But the Dutch? They have a calendar designated to remember people’s birthdays, but the weirdest part is that they HAVE to be kept in their toilets. 

44. Wear way, way, way too much orange

In the Netherlands, wearing too much orange doesn’t exist! Whether it be King’s Day or a birthday party, the Dutch will light the place up with their tangerine attire.

45. Pee in the canals when drunk — and fall in

Be careful where you go swimming! Peeing in canals poses many health and safety hazards — but you’ll never stop drunk Dutchmen from doing it. 

46. Never close their curtains

It’s happened to the best of us. You’re walking along, innocently minding your own business, your eyes absent-mindedly turn towards a window, and suddenly, you’ve just seen someone’s bare ass cheek.

47. Complain about the weather nonstop

Dutchies are complaining about the weather constantly! And honestly, who could blame them? It sure does rain a lot here in the lowlands. But they also have a unique and quirky way of complaining about the weather.

48. Say no to credit cards

Picture this: it’s your first time in the Netherlands. You’re doing groceries at your local Albert Heijn, and it’s time to pay. The result? “Credit card declined”. You leave the store learning the hard way that you can’t pay diddly squat without a debit card here.

49. Deliver babies at home

Dutchies prefer to deliver babies at home instead of going to a hospital. They believe that giving birth at home is a more natural and personal experience. 

50. Disagree about Zwarte Piet all the time

December is a time when many countries bring out their holiday traditions. But for the Dutch? The treasured tradition of Zwarte Piet has brought a little bit of festive cheer and a whole lot of controversial debating.

51. Dance the Polonaise at parties

Dutchies love to throw a good party, and Dutch parties aren’t complete without at least one polonaise — better known as a conga line! Usually cool and collected, all of that goes out the window when they get on the dance floor. 

52. Write poems for each other on pakjesavond

Before pakjesavond (presents evening) on December 5, each person is assigned a family member or friend to write a poem for — which they’ll have to perform during the evening’s festivities. Cute, right? Well, surprise, surprise, there’s a twist. 

53. Have giant music trucks infiltrate cities and demand money

It feels like a scene out of a movie. You’re walking down a traditional Dutch street, and suddenly, old-timey musical notes start to fill the space around — setting the perfect tune for wonder and wandering.

54. Play Links, Rechts non-stop at anything patriotic

It’s not a Dutch carnival, party, or celebration without the classic party song. Watch Dutchies go absolutely hysterical, hopping from side to side, shoulder to shoulder, without a care in the world. 

55. Be rollerskating royals (and even hold skate parties)

Even off the ice, Dutchies have a knack for skating. Rollerskating and rollerblading are popular in the Netherlands, for recreation and as a viable mode of transport. 

56. Have a liberal attitude to party drugs

Grinding jaws, endless energy, and widened pupils — if you know what to look for, you’ll find the signs of drug use at any ordinary Dutch party or festival. MDMA, cocaine and speed are everywhere in the Netherlands, and the Dutch seem chill about it. 

57. Pay for everyone at their own birthday party

Congratulations, it’s your birthday! You can expect presents, hugs, — oh, and a fat bill for whatever it is you want to do on your special day.

58. Go ice skating whenever possible

Ice skating perfectly blends Dutch balancing capabilities, weather conditions, and some of the Netherlands’ exciting historical times. 

59. Wear way less make-up than people in other countries

Getting dolled up for a night out? Or frantically putting on mascara on your way to work? You do you! But don’t feel like you have to wear it — others likely won’t.

60. Have ginormous bike parking lots

Don’t remember where you parked your bike? No worries, you’ll find it after circling the hundreds of bikes stacked on each other!

61. Joke openly about Germans 

Which nation gives the Dutchies even more opportunity to do some roasting than the Belgians? Natuurlijk! The Germans.

62. Wear enough animal print to scare Carole Baskin

Zebra, leopard, and tiger print skirts and jackets are a staple of the Dutch wardrobe. 

63. Hate on the Netherlands’ Bible Belt

Most of us have heard of the American bible belt, but did you know that the Dutch have their very own? 

64. Act like it’s the Randstad versus everyone else

If you’re reading this, chances are you live in the Randstad — but have you ever wondered why the Randstad is always a touchy subject amongst the Dutch? Perhaps it’s because everyone in the Randstad thinks they’re better than everyone else, or maybe non-Randstaders are just sick of being called boring all the time. 

65. Use an e-bike when they’re older

How can you continue biking when your body shows undeniable signs of ageing? Just get an e-bike and bike like a pro for the rest of your life!  

66. Go camping in France for the holidays

Come time for summer, the Dutch hit the road n massee and eagerly voyage to go camping in the land of croissants — France!

67. Bring their own food to amusement parks 

The Dutch seem to have perfected the “we have food at home” mentality by making it applicable even outside the home! Their extreme frugality, in combination with always being prepared, pushes them to bring their own food wherever they go, even the amusement park! 

68. Carry an emergency krentenbol everywhere they go

As a non-Dutchie, you may be shocked at seeing your significant other producing a bag of bread rolls (out of nowhere) when you ask them about lunch.

69. Use a cryptic symbol to mark someone’s work as correct

Why is it that the (in)famous Dutch directness seems to go straight out the window when it comes to marking someone’s work as correct? Instead of using a plain old check mark, Dutchies prefer to express their approval in style, with a symbol called a krulletje.  

70. Eat too much and have to uitbuik afterwards 

Have you ever eaten so much that you think you’ll pass out? So have the Dutch. In fact, they even have a term for letting a delicious (and huge) meal digest, unbuttoned jeans and all. 

71. Have impossible narrow and steep stairs in their houses

To make up for the lack of any elevation in the Netherlands, Dutchies decided to create yet another feat of engineering — stairs so narrow and steep that fully grown adults have to relearn how to climb and descend stairs properly. 

72. Put a hook on old buildings to move furniture

Ever taken a walk through an idyllic Dutch city, and suddenly, there is a washing machine dangling above your head? In the Netherlands, we call this near-death experience: trying to move large objects into impossibly narrow Dutchw windows using a hosting hook. 

73. Not have any mountains…or hills…or bumps

As the Dutch saying goes: “God may have created the earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands.” Unfortunately, they forgot to add mountains or even hills.

74. Become exhausted when cycling over a bridge 

The Dutch are famously great bikers. That is until there is even the slightest incline — then, the poor Nederlanders start struggling immediately. 

75. Gossip in Dutch when they think you don’t understand

Sure enough, the Dutch are known to be direct, but have you ever borne the brunt of Dutch indirectness? Honestly speaking, it may just be a little bit worse.

76. Say ‘I learn you’ when they want to teach something

In Dutch (and many other languages), the verb for ‘learn’ and ‘teach’ are the same — because what better way is there to learn than to teach?!

77. Switch to English even if you speak Dutch

Dutchies want internationals to learn Dutch but will immediately switch languages if they get even the slightest sense you’re not a native speaker — what do they want from us?!

78. Watch the cows dance when they’re let out for the spring

The Netherlands is known for its vast stretches of tulip fields — but that’s not the only thing you should look out for in the springtime! 

79. Only have freezing cold water in their toilet sinks

As if the Netherlands wasn’t already cold enough, the Dutch have (for whatever reason) decided to only put freezing cold water in their toilet sinks. 

80. Put a sink in their bedrooms

Okay, we get it — Dutch houses are small and tall, with impossibly narrow stairs and weird toilets. But why do they have to put sinks right where you sleep?

81. Have toilets with an inspection shelf for their poo

The toilet inspection shelf is yet another quirky invention used by the Dutch. The purpose? Inspect your caca for bowel health issues before sending it to the sewers, and avoid toilet splashback when dropping a deuce.

82. Grow really, really tall

Dutch people are freaking tall! The average height for a Dutch man is 184 centimetres, and 170 centimetres for women. Is it milk? Is it the boterhammen? Natural selection to survive the dikes if they break? There are a few theories. 

83. Tell everyone ‘doe normaal’ when they’re not normal themselves

The Netherlands is known for being a tolerant and open society — as long as you’re “being normal”, that is. Dutchies live by not drawing too much attention to themselves and living modest lives. 

84. Buy everything from IKEA and then donate it to a kringloop a year later

Everyone appreciates a good trip to IKEA to buy random home goods and furniture. But why do Dutchies immediately donate perfectly good items to thrift shops before they even trip around the sun?

85. Put all their national pride into HEMA

HEMA is the hidden gem of Dutch stores — from affordable pricing and quirky products to a delicious rookworst, this variety store chain is one of the few places Dutchies will defend till their deaths. 

86. Call people Abraham and Sarah on their 50th birthday and wildly decorate their home

Birthdays are always a fun celebration, especially on someone’s golden birthday. But Dutchies have an interesting tradition, renaming celebrants with seemingly random names and decking out their homes with questionable decor. 

87. Invest way too much in window decorations to announce a new baby

A cute personalised card for your loved ones? A few decorative balloons? That’s how most parents announce a new baby. But that will just not do for the Dutch. No. They go to TOWN on their windows and yards with a heap of decorations to welcome their little ones.

88. Hang their school backpack on their house flagpole after graduating

When Dutch students graduate, they throw their school bags out the window. Not onto the street but on their flagpole! That’s the traditional Dutch way of saying, “I’m finally done with school!” 

89. Eat warm stroopwafels from the market

Everybody loves a warm treat while browsing the markets in the winter — and the Dutch are no exception! Having a fresh stroopwafel can cure a bad mood in no time. 

90. Go through a ridiculous number of dating ‘stages’ before committing

So, you’ve been seeing a Dutchie for about a year, but it still isn’t official? You hang out several times a week, buy each other Valentine’s gifts but haven’t met the parents yet? What does it all mean?! Dutch dating can be confusing, and there are three stages you should know about. 

91. Live their lives for the borrel at the end of the week

Living in the Netherlands, you get your kicks where you can — and a borrel is a huge kick. Sipping beer and eating lekker snacks with your work colleagues — ahh, that’s the life. 

92. Be weirdly pyromaniacal about fireworks

The Netherlands is a peaceful, mellow place until you give them gunpowder wrapped in pretty colours — New Year’s Eve is just as festive as in other countries, but you might be shocked at how dangerous this love for fireworks can be. 

93. Hold giant bonfires on the beach for New Year’s Eve

Not every day you see the Dutch get lit, but New Year’s Eve is certainly one of those times everyone in the Netherlands goes absolutely bonkers. There’s nothing quite like setting a bunch of things on fire and seeing it rain embers on the city. 

94. Sound an air raid alarm every single month

Don’t get caught off guard by the ear-piercing sirens on the first Monday of every month — we promise it’s 100% normal.

95. Not have any stray dogs

Woof woof! Those are the sounds of the happy dogs of the Netherlands. The Dutch society loves caring for their animals and rescuing them off the street — it’s no surprise that we don’t see any stray dogs anymore!   

96. Avoid going to the dentist at all costs

Is it the expensive bill Dutchies get at the end of the appointment? Or embarrassment from not flossing enough? We may have the answers.

97. Apply hair gel like they’re frosting a cake

This is not a cake you’ll want to eat. This is the Dutchies applying an enormously unnecessary amount of hair gel to their hair.

98. Talk back to authorities

Dutch people respect their authorities like they wear bike helmets — they don’t! Perhaps a result of such an egalitarian society and the Dutchies’ habit of speaking their mind, no matter what, talking back to authorities is more common than not!

99. Drink beer like it’s a national sport

Chug, chug, chug! Drinking beer is no joke in the Netherlands. Ordering a biertje on the terrasje? Make that two, please!

100. Use the power of the ‘social police’ (betutteling) 

Dutchies aren’t afraid to use societal norms and expectations to tell you if you’re doing something out of the ordinary. Should we be grateful? We’re not sure. 

101. Bike while using their phones

No one can deny the Dutch are heavily skilled when it comes to biking. They’ve created such a casual biking culture that biking while using their phones has become a daily sight in the Netherlands.

102. Refuse to drive drunk, but biking drunk is fine (of course)

Swerve to the left, swerve to the right! We all know that Dutchies love their bikes. They also love their beers. Putting two and two together, we’re not surprised that drunk cycling is common in the Netherlands. 

103. Have a roepnaam to replace their top-secret official name

When translated, a roepnaam is someone’s “calling name.” It’s like a nickname, just more official. 

104. Be prescribed only paracetamol by every Dutch doctor

“Stomach ache, broken heart or missing limb? No worries, take paracetamol! That’ll do,” said every Dutch GP. 

105. Always be on time for every meeting and appointment 

If you are one of those people who is ALWAYS late, we have awful news! It is time (haha) to learn how to organise a schedule. 

106. Go to the snackbar after a night of drinking

Sometimes the best remedy for a heavy head and nausea is greasy food, or is it? You got that right! Dutch snack food might be the perfect way to curb a hangover, but snackbars are not liable for your weird food choices or excessive mayonnaise habits. 

107. Eat food from a wall vending machine

Just like their houses, Dutch people love to stack their snacks on top of each other — in the form of vending machines!

108. Have half of their language consist of idioms

People have a funny way of saying things in the Netherlands! Using idioms is one of the best ways to express yourself in Dutch! Het zit wel snor! (It sits like a moustache)

109. Not dress formally when going out to a party

If you’re ever invited to a Dutch party, forget shiny leather shoes and a little black dress, just come with your favourite tee and some comfortable pants, and you’ll blend right in.

110. Speak more than one language

Dutch people have been crowned the best non-native English speakers in the world for years, so it’s no surprise that many have other languages to flaunt. 

111. Have a lack of hierarchy 

The Dutchies don’t have a concept of having a hierarchy at work. For the first time, it might feel like you are in Busy, Busy Town for the first time, but that’s why we love it!

112. Invite family over to fry food on tiny table-top barbecues

With Dutch weather being rainy at best and unpredictable at its worst, it’s no surprise they have a backup for grilling food. Although, we can’t say we expected it to be an indoor affair. 

113. Have multiple Christmas days (because one isn’t enough)

In the Netherlands, you can expect to celebrate Christmas (or similar holidays) not once, not twice, but up to three times during the festive season. 

114. Throw their kids in a giant cargo bike

The Dutch are all about their bikes and bike accessories. They’ve completely (and successfully) ditched and replaced the function of cars when it comes to means of transport for the entire family.

115. Sit on terraces year-round

Rain or shine, Dutchies are always up and ready for terrasje pakken (grabbing a terrace). Any terrace in the Netherlands is a prime year-round location for a drink. 

116. Have a great work/life balance 

Finding it hard to keep up with your social and working life? The Dutchies can’t relate! 

117. Constantly check Buienradar

Instead of wishing for rain to go away and come another day, Dutchies are whipping out their phones to dodge the rain on their usual cycle home. Buienradar is the holy grail of weather apps in the Netherlands — and it’s no surprise when it predicts cloud and rain patterns for the whole country. 

118. Not actually wear clogs (despite what the world thinks)

Yes, the Dutch don’t wear the wooden shoe that has risen to world fame. How come? Well, it’s kind of unpractical — or is it?

119. Make all their foreign friends try drop

If you thought black liquorice was weird and gross, Dutch drop is in its own league. This controversial treat (or terror) is known to cause divides between people, but it will remain a beloved Dutch delicacy till the end of time. 

120. Struggle with their colonial past

Sure, there’s the “glory” of the Dutch Golden Age: Dutch masters, grandiose architecture, and a booming trade network bringing exotic spices and precious fabrics to the lowlands. But then there’s also the dark bits. From slavery to violence in the colonies — here’s what the Dutch don’t like to discuss. 

121. Hate on the King and all of his blunders

When the King messes up, the Dutch quickly participate in one of their favourite national sports: hating on the royals.

122. Serve gendered sprinkles when a baby is born

Some countries celebrate with some classic rice pudding or mini cupcakes. Here in the Netherlands, birth is celebrated more brightly — blue or pink sprinkles on dry biscuits.

123. Have an extreme number of political parties in Parliament

In the name of tolerance and respect, the Dutch have quite the tolerance for how many parties it’s allowed to have in national (and local) parliament. 

124. Not care about the fact that they’re living below sea level

The Dutch don’t care that they live below sea level — the reason has much to do with their genius engineering and water management skills.

125. Throw bikes into canals (usually while drunk)

An estimated 15,000-20,000 bikes end up in Amsterdam’s canals yearly. And that’s just one city! 

126. Play weird street games on King’s Day

Binge-drinking, wearing orange, and playing street games — the essential King’s Day activities. Next time you see kids setting up games in the street, you won’t be taken by surprise. You might even want to try a round or two! 

127. Ring their bike bell while they tailgate you

Dutch people are serious about biking and punctuality. If you think you’re just going for a chill bike ride to look at the scenery, think again — someone trying to make it 15 minutes early for their appointment is ringing their bell relentlessly behind you.

128. Have a DIY mentality about everything

Doing things themselves comes very naturally to the Dutch from a young age. Figuring out how to make, build, and fix their own things is something the Dutchies are really good at, and we’re here for it.

129. Bike recklessly — and somehow remain unhurt

If you’ve ever noticed a Dutchie zigzag through traffic during rush hour, hands-free, and wondered how they could pull off that stunt without getting so much as a hair out of place — while you struggle to get on and off your bike and not scrape a knee — you’re not alone. 

130. Charge hundreds of euros to live in a broom closet

With a housing crisis in full swing and plenty of people to rip off, Dutch landlords have no problem charging an arm and a leg to live in a glorified broom closet. 

131. Ride a bike wearing a suit or dress

No matter the weather or the social function, you bet the Dutch are arriving in their best formal wear with their trusty steed (a.k.a. their bike).

132. Have a secret language when biking

Right-hand turn signal this, bell chime that, what does it all mean?! This seemingly confusing language while biking is actually a lot more intuitive than you think — just hop on your bike to find out.

Finding the best banks for expats in the Netherlands can be a real search.

There’ll be many factors that influence your decision, from extra features to the bank’s accessibility in English.

We’ve explored and tested the best banks in the Netherlands, testing them for accessibility for expats, features, pricing, mobile apps, and more.

All the banks in our list below tick off two important boxes:

1. They’re available in English, especially in their mobile banking apps.
2. They offer a Maestro card option, because credit cards aren’t widely accepted in the Netherlands.

Ready to find the best bank accounts for expats in the Netherlands? Let’s jump in!

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The best banks for expats in the Netherlands

bunq: the best bank for newcomers

bunq is a fully online bank, which means you can sign up entirely online. Even better, it has heaps of great features to make handling your money easier, like accessing two accounts with one card, auto-roundup to help you save, and salary sorting to make budgeting a breeze.

The monthly price is a little higher than other Dutch banks, but in our opinion, the huge money-saving features make it worth it.

However, one of the best features of bunq is that you don’t need to wait to receive your BSN (citizen service number) to sign up — instead, you can use the bank for up to 90 days while you wait.

Revolut: the best bank for travellers

Revolut is the best bank for expats who want a great banking app, investment options, and easy currency conversion when travelling.

Like bunq, Revolut is also a digital bank with a slightly higher monthly fee, but it comes with an awesome app, the ability to send money overseas effortlessly, decent interest on savings, and the ability to block unwanted subscription payments.

Not only that, but you can set a budget for any time period you choose, and it sends you updates if you’re getting close to hitting that budget.

It allows you to invest easily in cryptocurrency or gold, and you also get some awesome detailed spending analytics!

ABN AMRO: the best traditional bank for English-speaking expats

ABN AMRO is another big Dutch bank that’s popular with expats. They’re the only “traditional” Dutch bank with all information available in English. If you’ve only just moved here and aren’t comfortable in Dutch, then this is a great bank to start an account with.

They’re also the only traditional Dutch bank that lets you open an account before you register at the municipality and receive your BSN. You can bank for up to 90 days before needing to provide it.

They also have physical branches, so you can put your questions to a person face-to-face if that’s important for you. If you’re a student, you bank for free!

ING: the best simple Dutch bank for expats

ING is one of the largest Dutch banks and is popular among locals and internationals alike.

Its mobile app is available entirely in English, as well as the majority of its website. This a traditional bank, so you can also get credit cards, loans, mortgages, and investment accounts, but it misses some of the bells and whistles of bunq and Revolut.

However, monthly fees are lower, and their student account is even free for five years, which is pretty nice!

N26: the best Dutch bank for expats who want ‘more than the basics’

Your N26 account comes with a Maestro card (perfect for paying in the Netherlands), and, as an international bank, N26’s feature-packed app is available entirely in English — just like their customer service, too.

The downsides? Your IBAN will be German, which isn’t the end of the world, and you won’t be able to use iDEAL payments.

However, if you want more from your bank than “just the basics”, that’s where N26 really shines. Use Spaces to create sub-accounts to save for important purchases, Round Up to stash your spare change away, and pay abroad and online easily with a Mastercard Debit too.

Other banks in the Netherlands

You might be wondering why we chose to highlight these banks in particular — after all, there are plenty of other banks in the Netherlands.

Our main reason for not doing a full section on these is their lack of English-language options. For something as important as banking, it can be crucial to have information available in a language you understand.

But, if you’ve been here a while, or you aren’t afraid of doing some Google Translate work, then any of these other banks are worth looking into.

Biggest banks in the Netherlands

• ABN AMRO
• ING Group
• Rabobank
• De Volksbank

Smaller banks in the Netherlands

• Amanah Group Holdings
• Anadolubank Nederland N.V.
• Bank Mendes Gans (cash management)
• Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten (financing for (semi-)publicly owned organisations)
• BinckBank (electronic trading platform)
• bunq
• Credit Europe Bank
• Demir Halk Bank (commercial bank)
• Friesland Bank (retail bank)
• GarantiBank International NV
• GE Artesia Bank
• Kempen & Co (merchant bank)
• Knab
• Nederlandse Waterschapsbank (financing for (semi-)publicly owned organisations)
• Netherlands Development Finance Company (development bank)
• NIBC Bank (commercial bank)
• Regiobank
• Triodos Bank
• Van Lanschot Kempen (private bank)
• Yapi Kredi Bank Nederland N.V.

Best banks to earn interest on savings in the Netherlands

Savings rates have increased recently in the Netherlands, making it possible to really earn money on your savings. However, most traditional brick-and-mortar banks are offering far lower interest rates than other neo-banks on online banks.

Find out more about savings accounts in the Netherlands, or check out our top recommendation below.

How to grow your money in the Netherlands

If you have some savings that you want to earn money on or just want to save more than you spend, there are a few ways to do it:

• Invest in an EU bank in another country (with all the standard EU banking protections) that has a higher interest rate through a service like Raisin.
• Start investing easily with different investment apps in the Netherlands (we like DeGiro)
• Get cashback on every euro you spend and track where your money goes through an app like Woolsocks.

What to consider when choosing a bank account in Holland

There are lots of things you should keep in mind when you’re opening up a bank account in the Netherlands.

Some of them are purely down to personal preference, but others are things every expat opening a bank account in the Netherlands should be aware of.

How ethical is the Dutch bank?

Something you might be wondering about is whether a bank makes ethical investments.

Obviously, ethical is a pretty subjective term, but there are some banks that do markedly better on this than others.

bunq, for example, is ethical in both its investments and its practices as a company. Triodos is also pretty good in this regard: they publish the details of all the companies they invest in on their website, so you can check if their actions align with your ethics.

Do I need a credit card in the Netherlands?

Almost all Dutch banks will offer you a credit card so long as you meet several conditions.

Most Dutch banks work with Mastercard over Visa, and you’ll also notice that many stores in the Netherlands prefer to take Mastercard over Visa.

This all comes down to Dutch cheapness, really: Visa charges stores a higher fee than Mastercard.

Do I need to transfer money abroad from the Netherlands?

As an expat in the Netherlands, it’s pretty likely that you’ll want to transfer money abroad at some point. You might also need to be able to receive it.

Some traditional banks will charge you quite a bit in fees when doing this. Many people choose to transfer money directly via money transfer providers like XE or Wise, who offer very competitive rates.

Some Dutch banks have already paired up with one of these transfer providers, and so will offer you low rates that way as well. bunq, for example, works with Wise, and that means that you can save up to 3% on each transaction compared with a traditional bank.

How good is the mobile app?

If you’re someone who likes to know what’s going on in their financial life on a moment-to-moment basis, then choosing a bank with a good app is pretty crucial.

Online banks like Revolut, bunq and N26 naturally do well in this category.

ING’s app is simple and easy to use, and does everything you’d need it to, but it doesn’t provide much in the way of analysis.

Why you need a Dutch bank account in the Netherlands

Your plan might be to use your overseas bank account while living in the Netherlands: but you will quickly change your mind.

The Netherlands is pretty high-tech, but still requires Dutch bank accounts for many things. For example:

• While credit card payments are becoming more popular, some Dutch stores (including major supermarkets) still only accept debit cards. Even Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard are not accepted!
• Your Dutch employer typically wants a Dutch IBAN to pay your salary. Technically, you should be able to pay into any EU IBAN, but some employers make this very complicated.
• You’ll need a Dutch IBAN number for automatic direct debits, like for your gym, monthly public transport bills, and health insurance.

What has your experience of banking in the Netherlands been? Share it in the comments below!

Frequently asked questions about banking in the Netherlands

Disclaimer: Investing involves risks and you can lose your investment. DutchReview is not a financial consultancy. The content shared on the website and on DutchReview’s social accounts does not contain any financially binding advice

Dutch savings accounts have increased their interest rates in recent years, but to get the best interest rate for your savings you need to know where to look.

With housing interest rates up, the Netherlands is seeing some of the highest deposit rates in 15 years.

We regularly search and uncover the best rates so you can find the best savings accounts in the Netherlands.

Currently, Trade Republic has the best interest rate in the Netherlands, offering 4.00% interest on savings with unlimited withdrawals.

Here are the Dutch banks with the best interest rates!

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The best savings accounts in the Netherlands

We’ve found the highest interest rates, best banks, and best accounts to earn interest on your money.

All of the companies below are regulated financial institutions, so your money (up to €100,000 per person, per bank) is guaranteed.

Overview: our top picks

bunq: best for tech-lovers

The Netherlands’ very own neobank, bunq, offers up to 2.46% on savings of up to €100,000. 

Interest is paid monthly, and the account is completely free! Best of all, you can open an account and start earning interest in just five minutes.

Current rate: 2.46%
Withdrawals: Yes, two per month
Available in English: Yes

Sign up

Trade Republic: best for growing your income

Trade Republic is a German bank offering an unbeatable 4% interest on savings of up to €50,000.

In addition to this, an account comes with the ability to withdraw weekly at no cost, pay low account costs, and invest in stocks and ETFs.

Current rate: 4%
Withdrawals: Yes
Available in English: Yes

Sign up

Raisin: best for people who want the highest rates in Europe

Raisin isn’t a bank; instead, it’s a platform that offers different accounts from European banks to get you the best rates in the continent. Raisin continues to offer many ever-changing offers on its site, and it’s best to check these yourself.

One account with Raisin gets you the best rates in Europe. Fixed-term deposits can be as high as 3.31%!

Current rate: 3.31% (Distingo Bank)
Withdrawals: Yes
Available in English: Yes

Sign up

Bigbank: best for people investing long-term

Bigbank is a European bank with an interest rate of 3.3% for savings of up to €100,000 on flexible savings accounts. 

However, fixed-rate savings accounts can have an interest rate of up to 3.5%, starting at €1,000 for a minimum of 12 months.

Current rate: 3.3%
Withdrawals: Yes
Available in English: Yes

Sign up

Openbank: best for people who want access to their money

Openbank‘s Spaarrekening account currently offers a 3.65% interest rate for the first six months for new clients up to €1 million.

Your money is also always available for withdrawal, and there are no account costs.

Current rate: 3.65%
Withdrawals: Yes
Available in English: No

Sign up

ABN AMRO: best for those seeking a traditional bank

ABN AMRO might not have the highest interest rates for savings in the Netherlands, but it is a brick-and-mortar bank.

If you feel more comfortable with a traditional bank, this is a solid choice — your money will still grow, just a bit slower.

Current rate: 1.5%
Withdrawals: Yes
Available in English: Yes

Sign up

Scalable Capital: best for those who want to invest while enjoying good interest rates

Scalable offers 4% interest for the first four months for accounts under €1 million, and it’s also a great way to try out investing.

This simple investment app offers automated investing plans that can help users build their savings and have great interest rates.

Current rate: 4% for the first four months, 2.6% thereafter
Withdrawals: Yes
Available in English: Yes

Sign up

What to know about savings accounts in the Netherlands

Interest rates on savings in the Netherlands

Now, let’s talk about interest rates. The Dutch have a saying: “Don’t count your tulips before they bloom.” That applies to savings rates too. In recent years, rates have been on the lower side — even threatening to go into the negatives for a while.

Luckily, they’ve since taken a turn for the better, and now it’s really worth putting your money into a Dutch savings account.

However, to get the best possible rates on savings, it’s often worth looking for a neobank like bunq or Revolut or a platform like Raisin to earn the highest interest rates in Europe.

Safety of Dutch savings accounts

The Netherlands is known for its impressive banking system. The banks here are regulated by the Dutch Central Bank, so you can rest easy knowing your hard-earned cash is in safe hands. Just make sure to choose a bank that’s as solid as the Dutch dikes!

When it comes to safety, European banks, in general, are solid. Thanks to the Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS), your savings are protected up to €100,000 per person, per bank.

Even if your bank decides to do the unthinkable and go belly-up, the DGS will swoop in and save the day.

Before you start socking away your euros, keep in mind that some savings accounts in the Netherlands might have a few rules.

They can be as strict as not eating cheese with your hands (which, let’s be honest, is impossible) or as reasonable as limiting the number of withdrawals you can make in a specific period.

Just make sure to read the fine print and choose an account that fits your needs, like a well-fitted pair of wooden clogs.

History of Dutch interest rates and saving

Now, let’s talk history. Did you know that the Dutch have been saving money since before bicycles were cool? It’s true! The Netherlands has a long tradition of frugality and financial prudence.

Perhaps it’s because they want to save up for endless amounts of cheese and stroopwafels. Whatever the reason, the Dutch know a thing or two about growing their savings like tulips in a sun-drenched field.

Taxes on Dutch savings accounts

Now, when it comes to taxes, the Dutch take it seriously. You don’t want to end up in a fiscal maze, do you? Consult a tax advisor or financial pro to understand your obligations and make sure you’re not caught off guard.

Trust me, you don’t want to experience the wrath of the Dutch taxman.

In a nutshell, Dutch savings accounts are as reliable as tulips popping up in spring. Do your research, compare rates, and find a bank that makes you feel like you’re floating through a canal of financial bliss.

With a bit of Dutch determination and a pinch of cheese-loving frugality, you’ll master the art of saving money in the Netherlands — and earning some extra cash on it too.

Do you have any money-saving tips? Tell us in the comments!

Disclaimer: This article offers general financial advice. If you are looking for more specific and personal advice, we suggest checking in with a financial expert (or just turning to your mattress stuffed with cash).

Frequently asked questions: Dutch savings accounts with the best interest rates

Last year, the Netherlands announced a big change in the Dutch gambling scene. As of July 1 2023, the country imposed a ban on advertising gambling out in the open, on our TV screens, in magazines, and over the radio — but that’s not all. 

Now, new changes are being proposed. 

So, what are the proposed changes for Dutch gambling sites? 

Let’s start with the first: 

If the Dutch cabinet agrees, the Dutch gambling scene may see increased taxes for online gambling operators.

This comes after two Dutch MPs proposed an increase in online gambling tax in October of 2023. The increase may be implemented as early as 2025. 

The gambling industry is certainly a good area to find some extra money, with the best online gambling sites (according to plainenglish.io) bringing in plenty of turnover. 

But let’s take a step back for a second. What exactly is being proposed? 

Submitted to the Dutch parliament in October of last year, the proposal in question suggests that gambling operators should be asked to cough up more tax. 

If the proposal is accepted, it will amend article 5, paragraph 1 of the Netherlands’ Gambling Tax Act.

This means that online gambling site operators in the Netherlands will see their tax increase by a whole percentage, rising to 30.5%.

Why is the tax changing?

This story actually starts with increased taxes on alcohol. From January 2024, the excise duty on alcohol was increased by 16.2%. However, the result of this increase isn’t exactly good. 

Firstly, it is expected to cost a casual €74 million, and secondly, it will likely affect small businesses in the Netherlands. 

So, how can the Netherlands bring in some more money and prevent further tax increases on other goods? One way is by setting their sights on the Dutch gambling industry. 

By proposing an increase in tax on gambling sites, the amendment suggests a method that would kill two birds with one stone: the government can bring in more money, and they can also prevent increased taxes in other areas.  

Sounds like a plan if you ask us! 

Why should gambling sites in particular pay more tax? 

It’s an interesting avenue to go down for the Dutch government, but to be fair, they’re looking in the right place.

The Dutch gambling scene is super popular, which in turn means they are super profitable. 

According to the amendment, the ever-growing popularity of online gambling sites has led to the industry enjoying significant turnover. 

This isn’t exactly news, either. In fact, the average Dutch person gambles on average two times per week using online gambling sites.  

And those frequent users bring in a lot of money to gambling companies. 

Just how much? Well, since the legalisation of online gambling sites in 2022, gambling companies earned a cool €1.1 billion in their first year.  

Still enjoying a good turnover

As explained above, should this proposal be implemented by the Dutch government, this change will come as the second major change in two years for the Dutch gambling scene. 

In July 2023, the Netherlands began ripping down the many cheesy gambling posters on bus stops, silenced the ear-splitting gambling advertisements that perforated podcasts, and halted the vibrantly coloured TV ads depicting people with confetti, a deranged smile, and a shower of money.

All of this was part of an important rule change whereby the Netherlands imposed a ban on advertising gambling out in the open, on our TV screens, in magazines, and over the radio.

However, given the addictive nature of gambling, and the huge turnover the industry brings, it doesn’t seem to be suffering much as a result of the ban. 

When will this change take place? 

At the moment, the increased tax on Dutch gambling sites has yet to be implemented. For now, it’s just a proposal. 

This means that it must first be accepted by the Dutch government. 

However, should this happen, things could change quite quickly, as MPs are advising that the Dutch government implement this tax increase as soon as 2025. 

Let’s see what’s on the cards! 

A financial limit for gamblers

This isn’t the only change making its way to the Dutch gambling industry, however. 

On top of increased taxes, the House of Representatives has approved the Christian Union party’s proposal to restrict online gambling.

This would mean that a financial gambling limit would be set for all gambling platforms. 

And what would this limit look like? Gamblers will only be able to gamble up to €150 per month across all gambling platforms. 

Initially, it was proposed that this limit would only apply per platform. 

Now that the decision to impose this limit has been reached, the parliament aims to impose it before the summer. 

Gambling companies have a duty of care to their customers, and that duty can’t be fulfilled if they don’t prevent their customers from falling into financial ruin.

Indeed, it looks like the Dutch gambling sector will see many changes in the coming year, let’s hope they are for the best. 

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There are many clichés about the Dutch. Some can be damaging, some are downright wrong, and some have a grain of truth to them.

After living here for a year, I have narrowed down to five clichés about the Dutch that are, in most cases, absolutely true.

1. They are super frugal

Ever heard the expression “going Dutch?” While not all dates turn out this way, you’re more likely to end up paying for at least some of your own meals if you date a Dutchie.

READ MORE | Tikkie etiquette: the do’s and don’ts of asking for money in the Netherlands

Being goedkoop (cheap) is frequently seen as a big selling point for many products and services in the Netherlands.

Dutch people love a bargain (but who doesn’t?), and sometimes this trait doesn’t always come across so well.

READ MORE | 14 downright stingy things Dutch people do

However, some people might just see this as being more frugal and less materialistic than other nations.

And it certainly doesn’t have to mean that they have less fun! Perhaps not spending as much money leaves more room for other ways of enjoying life.

2. They are obsessed with bikes

Ahh yes, the bicycle is another cliché about the Dutch.

Although not invented by the Dutch (it was German inventor Karl Drais who invented the precursor to the modern bicycle in 1817), this two-wheeled mode of transport is a hallmark of the Netherlands.

Perhaps it’s because it’s so small and flat and, therefore, relatively easy to manoeuvre with two pedals.

READ MORE | The flying Dutchies: 8 marvellous things about the Dutch and their bikes

Or, perhaps it’s because bicycles save space and are environmentally friendly.

But the point is, if you want to fit into Dutch life, you should probably get a bicycle.

This can be a good thing if it is making exercise and freedom more accessible for those who are less mobile.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #3: cycle more than they walk

It also means that older generations are suddenly much speedier than they’re used to, so keep your wits about you.

3. Frank Dutch uncles are a real thing

Ever heard of a Dutch uncle? No, I don’t mean a tall, distant relative called Jan or Matthijs.

This is another stereotype from abroad, which is noticeable if you come from a polite-to-the-point-of-passive-aggressive culture like the UK.

The Dutch are direct, blunt, no-nonsense people. They won’t pretend to like something just because they think it might offend you.

On the one hand, it is very “refreshing”, as you will know exactly where you stand — but it can also come as a bit of a shock.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk 42: Be overwhelmingly direct and never beat around the bush

It might seem a little harsh at first, but you should get used to it if you plan to spend any amount of time in the Netherlands.

4. They love — and I mean LOVE — cheese

I love cheese. I have always said, “I could be a vegan if it weren’t for cheese.”

Maybe I thought I would fit right in, and in many ways, I do, particularly when it comes to kaas.

READ MORE | Dutch cheese varieties: the comprehensive (and cheesy) guide

But be warned, if you are a strict vegan, the yellow stuff is everywhere: from delicious kaassouffles (cheese souffles) to boterhamen (sandwiches), you’d better get used to it because the Dutch put it in pretty much everything.

5. They are ridiculously tall

This is probably the most obviously apparent one of the clichés about the Dutch when you arrive in the Netherlands.

The Dutch are officially the tallest nation in the world — but we’re still shocked at how tall some people are here.

Many of us come to the Netherlands being average or above average height, but here…we’re dwarfed in comparison to the average Dutch person.

Of course, not all clichés and stereotypes are true, but we’ve found that these five are accurate across the board.

Do you think these clichés about Dutch people are true? Tell us about it in the comments below!

With so much of our lives being spent online these days, knowing how to protect your privacy and financial data has become a necessity.

The threat of unscrupulous persons like hackers, scammers, and even online predators poses an ever-present danger to all web users.

Even if you’ve never been a victim, it’s always good to maintain some good online habits to protect yourself at all times. 

Whether you’re into gaming, online shopping, social media, or online gambling, your financial data and privacy can be compromised through virtually any online activity if you aren’t careful.

With this in mind, here are some handy tips to protect yourself online. 

Popular activities online

The internet has been around for a long time, but with the huge growth in smartphone technology, it’s only in the 21st century that so much of our lives are now spent online.

Things like social media and streaming services now dominate our attention and keep us online more than ever.

The list of things that can be enjoyed online has grown substantially, too. Here are some that require extra care to keep your financial data secure:

Online gambling

The iGaming industry has grown exponentially with the rise of smartphones.

However, it entails inherent risks due to the use of real money, but choosing the right platform will ensure you are well protected against scams or other issues.

To help people spend less time gambling, the CRUKS (Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen) database was formed, allowing players to voluntarily register their details on it. It helps people self-exclude from gambling sites but is only applicable to sites licenced and registered in the Netherlands.

Fortunately, for anyone who wishes to start playing again, there’s a large selection of casinos without CRUKS to choose from, with Joren Verdoes from techopedia.com noting that the sites without CRUKS offer good protection of personal and financial data for players. 

For the most part, all reputable online casinos offer great internal protections for your financial data and privacy. Even casinos without CRUKS, despite not falling under Dutch legislation, still provide these protections for customers.

They often utilise third-party companies to provide additional security measures and associated security certificates.

They will usually also regularly submit to independent security audits, and licenses should be visible for players to view. 

Mobile banking

Mobile banking has become infinitely more convenient as smartphone technology has evolved.

With all major banks now having apps, banking can be done from home. However, with that convenience come added cyber threats. 

Most mobile banking apps come with excellent internal security measures and are difficult to bypass. However, fraud can still occur if you aren’t careful.

To ensure the safety and protection of your mobile banking apps, here are a few things you should do: 

• If your device has the option, use fingerprint and facial recognition locks and always keep your devices locked when not in use. 

• Keep your phone systems up to date and download software updates, as these usually include updates to security. 

• Avoid opening emails or clicking on links in texts from unknown sources, as these can contain malware and other kinds of viruses. 

Shopping online

In the same way that mobile banking apps have revolutionised banking, online shopping has made shopping something that can be done without ever needing to leave home.

Again, that convenience comes with risks, so it’s best to practice these habits to stay safe:

• Only use reputable online stores and secure sites. 

• Never give out your ID or social security number to register on a site. 

• Select unique passwords and usernames for your accounts that can’t easily be guessed.

• Set up alerts and regularly monitor your bank cards and account statements for unauthorised charges. 

Good password habits

From a personal point of view, it’s good to always maintain good password habits to ensure your data is always safe from unauthorised access.

This entails choosing a strong password (at least 12 characters long and containing a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters). 

Passwords should also never be something easily linked to you, like a birthday or pet’s name.

You can also set up things like two or multi-factor authentication. This will require other steps to be taken after the correct password is punched in, which makes it harder for hackers to get into your account. 

Lastly, if available, you should also add facial recognition and fingerprint access or use a password manager to help protect all of your devices to make it harder to get into them.

Online casinos and other popular entertainment sites may have the best security features there are, but as a player, your personal online security is only as strong as your own digital habits are. 

Avoid using public WiFi

Using public WiFi wherever it’s available can be a great way to save costs on data.

However, this also comes with security risks, especially if you’re using it to do online banking transactions.

The reason is that public WiFi servers aren’t as secure, and once you’re connected to them, your device is at greater risk of being intruded on or accessed by hackers.

Places like public airports are popular spaces for people to connect to public WiFi, and doing online payments while you’re waiting seems like a great way to kill time.

However, there are many types of cyber attacks that use these servers to infiltrate devices.

Things like malware distribution and network snooping can all be done over public WiFi while you’re connected to it. 

Choose wisely

While internet banking, e-wallets, online shopping, and online payments have become vastly more popular with smartphones, not every retailer or financial institution offers the same level of protection.

Your financial records and personal information will inevitably be needed when you sign up for any of these services. However, even if you’re travelling, it’s always good to research the best banks to use. 

To ensure that information will be stored safely and protected, it’s important to do some research on the service providers you choose.

Data breaches are usually big deals, so it shouldn’t be hard to find out if the intended provider has been hit before or is failing to provide adequate protection.

Choosing wisely in this sense usually means selecting a reputable and accredited service provider. 

Minimise your digital fingerprint

The convenience that online services provide also creates a temptation to use most of them for things we could ordinarily do in person.

Between this and things like social media, most of us unwittingly have a massive digital fingerprint left all over the internet.

Basically, every time we access a site or use an online service, app, or social media, we leave behind a digital fingerprint. 

To reduce our digital fingerprints and the information we put out there, we should avoid posting too much personal information on social media.

Letting people know our locations, our favourite places to go to, or taking selfies with our vehicle registration number visible are all examples of unsafe sharing.

When it comes to our financial information, since we use our banking details often, it’s tempting to have them stored digitally.

Unfortunately, in the case of data breaches, this can lead to that information being stolen and used against us. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to only use one-time options for payment, meaning you only enter the information per transaction. 

Be wary of contact with your bank

No bank or reputable financial institution will ever ask you for things like your PIN or password.

If you receive any email, text, or telephonic communication from your bank, be wary that it’s not a scammer posing as a bank representative. 

This is a common way for scammers to commit fraud, and they can be extremely convincing to people who are not aware of these methods.

The threat may come from something attractive like a money-saving offer that might seem very appealing.  

It’s also a good idea to lock your credit scores so no one can take out credit in your name and to turn on ‘failed login’ notifications so you’ll be notified if anyone tries to access your accounts. 

Are you taking the right precautions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Looking for a cosy spot to work or study in Amsterdam? We’ve found the best of the best.

Let’s be honest; sitting at the same desk and staring at the same walls every day for hours on end messes with your focus.

But if you’re living in Amsterdam, you have a ton of great options for studying and working outside of your home. Our team often come from Amsterdam and collaborated on this article to bring you the best of the best.

Oh, and it goes without saying, but all of these spots have top-quality coffee to help you power all your tasks!

1. Volkshotel: the student hotspot

The Volkshotel is a trendy spot for students in Amsterdam and at the top of our list. Located in central Amsterdam, just a stone’s throw from the UvA, the hotel has a werkplaats (working area) with plenty of indoor and outdoor study spaces and huge windows.

The best part? Big tables with loads of plugs.

Have a group project or need to schedule a work meeting? The Volkshotel has lots of meeting rooms that you can book for group sessions.

They even have work cabins! How gezellig is that? But heads up: you have to pay for the work cabins, and the prices can vary depending on the size. If you want free, it’s best to stick to the werkplaats.

2. Coffee & Coconuts: for film buffs

A former cinema built in the roaring ’20s, Coffee & Coconuts is now home to a huge, spacious café. It’s great place to study or work, especially if you want the feeling of an open space.

Coffee & Coconuts offers a menu of mostly organic and locally sourced food, as well as freshly roasted beans from all over the world. All-day breakfast, anyone? And if you’re there until later in the day, you can switch from coffee to cocktails too.

This place is especially great for group projects or small meetings, as they have big tables and an inspiring atmosphere to get those creative juices flowing.

3. OBA: the cheapest place to study or work in Amsterdam

A free place to work or study in Amsterdam? With no pressure to purchase an overpriced coffee? That’s the magic of public libraries!

Amsterdam’s OBA is a huge library network. We particularly like OBA Oosterdok, a multi-level library close to Amsterdam Centraal with stacks of study nooks and desks.

You can just walk in, set up your laptop, and start ticking things off your to-do list. The Wi-fi is free — no library card needed!

4. Coffee Bru: colourful and cosy

This is the perfect coffee spot for socialising, meetings, and alone time. Coffee Bru has comfortable seats and a quirky atmosphere. They’ve nailed the perfect combination between loads of colour and just enough wood and plants to keep the place feeling gezellig.

On top of the friendly service, they have an amazing rotation of weekly filter and espresso roasts. You can even choose from two locations just 1500 metres away from each other — so if one is full, you can just hop on over to the other!

5. Startup Village: free coworking space

If you’re on the hunt for a dedicated coworking space with heaps of innovative people in a unique location, Startup Village in Amsterdam’s Science Park is the place.

Better yet? It’s coworking space is completely free!

But don’t stress; you won’t have to get through the day uncaffeinated. The nearby cafe Traiteur Ted’s will give you your coffee bean fix.

6. Back to Black: for pet parents

So you want to leave your house but don’t know anywhere that will let your dog, cat, bunny, hamster, or lizard join you? Well, Back to Black is a lover of all our fluffy (or scaly) friends!

As for the actual coffee, Back to Black boasts its own roastery and produces high-quality, sustainable coffee, which you can also purchase by bag to take home. They also offer barista and latte art workshops, so you know they’re not messing around!

The comfy layout is perfect for studying, with tons of seating to work solo, in a group, or with your dog.

7. Bocca: the minimalist’s dream

Looking for a clean, minimalist atmosphere for your focused work sessions? Bocca’s got your back. And they’re serious about coffee: they manage the entire coffee chain and doing it sustainably.

The café charges €6 per hour to get some work done there, but you do get a drink that’s included in the price.

8. Rum Baba Cafe: for a chiller workday

They call themselves “your happy eclectic home away from home”. Rum Baba is undeniably gezellig, and get this — they have their own bakery just a few doors down for your sweet tooth.

There’s plenty of seating, including a long wooden table perfect for groups. On sunny days, you can also work outside and take in that sweet vitamin D.

9. The Coffee Virus — A Lab: a coworking haven

A hidden gem, The Coffee Virus is discretely located in one of Shell’s old laboratories. It’s famous for its great coffee and amazing chai tea and offers a relaxed environment for studying or working in Amsterdam.

This cafe’s focus is to create nice and cosy spots to meet other entrepreneurs following the same paths as you. The Coffee Virus wants you to build some connections while having some yummy food and coffee!

10. Espressofabriek: something for everyone

Espressofabriek is known as the ideal meeting place in the heart of Westerpark. It has a spacious room with plenty of seating, perfect for silent studying.

There are three different locations in Amsterdam, so you’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy!

11. White Label Coffee: focus on fair trade

This café has four locations in Amsterdam, each with long tables perfect for studying and several nice plants for all you plant lovers! Just don’t get too distracted snapping photos.

White Label Coffee focuses on quality in every aspect. From making the best cup of coffee to paying producers fairly in Rwanda and Brazil (cheers to fair trade!).

12. Lot61: serious about coffee

Their motto, “Stay caffeinated”, is something we can get behind. We will definitely need their delicious brews while we sit in their cafés for hours on end.

The nicest part of the place — you can watch them hand roast your coffee beans on their huge Probat roaster in the middle of the café. They have limited space for seating, so get there early for a morning study session. The coffee and rustic atmosphere are worth it!

13. Monks Coffee Roasters: good in the mornings

While all these places have delicious coffee, Monks Coffee Roasters also serves a mean brunch. Suddenly, sending emails at 9 AM doesn’t feel so bad with their pancakes or tacos sitting next to your laptop!

They also have loads of comfortable seating areas for you to focus on work whilst enjoying a nice cup of coffee. If you’re REALLY into coffee, they have a wide range of choices from Aeropress to French press.

14. Coffee Room: for late-workers

This is one of the few cafés in Amsterdam that stays open until the wee hours of the morning (ahem, 7 PM). If you’re in the zone while you work, you get to enjoy the lovely vibes of this café for a whole extra hour or two.

They’ve got big tables, small tables, a terrasje, counters, and a very eclectic collection of comfy vintage chairs. Oh, and a mezzanine! It’s the perfect level of seriousness (a lot of people around you will be hyper focused) and relaxed (a great playlist and super friendly staff).

15. Yusu Coffee: all things matcha

Yes, they do serve coffee, but they also make mean matcha and matcha-flavoured cakes, cookies — you name it! Plus, the whole vibe of the place is just… *chef’s kiss*.

Comfy couches, massive windows, and consistent colours (the green plates and cups are enough to make you feel like an influencer).

The modern look of the place is bound to motivate you enough to act like you have your life together and you definitely know what you’re doing at work. Not to mention, the staff are super friendly, and you can bring your pets!

We’re absolutely looking forward to grabbing a coffee at one of these places and procrastinating while pretending to work. Hopefully, you’ll do better. Good luck!

What are your favourite places to study or work in Amsterdam? Tell us below!

The Dutch can be a pretty laid-back bunch when it comes to things like drinking alcohol or enjoying the good ‘ol joint. But smoking weed and drinking alcohol at the same time? No way, José!

Little did you know: selling alcohol and weed over the same counter is actually forbidden in Amsterdam coffeeshops, bars, and cafés! 

But does that mean you need to wave goodbye to smoking and drinking Amsterdam-style? Nope. If you want to enjoy both a joint and a beer, you’ve got to go to a true Amsterdam smokers’ bar.

An Amsterdam smokers’ bar is a place where you can bring your own weed (from one of the many Amsterdam coffeeshops nearby), smoke it pure, AND enjoy a nice alcoholic beverage. Wat leuk! (How nice!)

And you lucky duck! As a seasoned international in the Netherlands, I know exactly the right places to go, let’s get into it.

READ MORE | Is smoking weed in Amsterdam legal? (+ 5 best coffeeshops!)

Ready to booze and blaze? Jump to a bar below!

• 1. CoffeeshopAmsterdam Café: cocktails and gezelligheid
• 2. Hunter’s Bar: for a laid-back vibe
• 3. Café Hill Street Blues: for grungy canalside views
• 4. Lost in Amsterdam: the OG smokers’ bar
• 5. Barney’s Uptown: smoke it up in class
• 6. Cafe Pollux: where life is a party
• 7. La Grotte: funky interior for a great trip

Why can’t you smoke weed and drink alcohol in Amsterdam bars?

Fun fact: you didn’t always have to go to specific smoker-friendly bars to enjoy weed and alcohol at the same time.

Once upon a time, Amsterdam coffeeshops prided themselves on providing their customers with both smoke and spirits.

READ MORE │ The do’s and don’ts of smoking weed in Amsterdam

However, in 2008, the villain enters the story: the Dutch government enforced a law that enticed 750 coffeeshops all over the country to choose between selling cannabis or alcohol. 

But, if you are the kind of person who would love to down some liquid courage and enjoy some of the finest greens the Netherlands has to offer — I have a happy ending for you: Amsterdam’s smoker-friendly bars. 

Top 7 smoker-friendly bars in Amsterdam

So where can you enjoy your smoky greens while downing a beer at the same time? Buckle your seatbelts, boys and girls; it’s going to be a wild night.

Here are my top seven places in Amsterdam where you can pair a beer and a bud. 

1. CoffeeshopAmsterdam Café: cocktails and gezelligheid

CoffeeshopAmsterdam has it all: a location very close to Amsterdam Centraal, uber-gezellige vibes and an absolutely stunning drinks menu. (I’d recommend checking out their cocktails!)

What’s also great about this boutique-style smokers’ bar is that it isn’t dark and hidden away from the public. Instead, it’s bright, open and accessible.

And let’s not forget the best part: it’s smoker-friendly! While you can’t actually buy weed here, you can bring your own (tobacco-free) joints to this smoker-friendly bar and puff away over one of their delicious milkshakes.

The downstairs area is also really well-ventilated. Perfect for those amongst us who don’t want to smell like a walking cannabis bud after a couple of hours in the smoker’s lounge.

2. Hunter’s Bar: for a laid-back vibe

If you’re short on time and want to hit a coffeeshop and a bar in close proximity, I suggest you head over to Hunter’s. Located just across the street from the famous Boerejongens Coffeeshop, Hunter’s really has no choice but to be smokers-friendly. 

In fact, Hunter’s is a chain of coffeeshops that holds two smokers’ bars and six coffeeshops across Amsterdam, Zandvoort and Haarlem. 

This particular spot is centrally located, you can get a nice fresh beer off the tab, and Rembrandtplein is just around the corner. What’s not to love?

3. Café Hill Street Blues: for grungy canalside views

Do you like your alternative and underground venues a little rough around the edges? Then if you ask me, you should head to Café Hill Street Blues for a chill joint and a beer. 

This venue wears its down-and-dirty looks with pride: graffiti, second-hand furniture and stickers everywhere. The best part? No one will raise an eyebrow if you want to add a scribble or two yourself. 

And it’s loads of fun! You may just be lucky enough to catch one of their music evenings.

Plus, it’s located in Amsterdam’s Red Light District — so if you’re here as a tourist you can check a few things off your list at once.

4. Lost in Amsterdam: the OG smokers’ bar

Here it is, the very first of Amsterdam’s smoker-friendly bars! Lost in Amsterdam opened its doors more than 15 years ago and has been going strong ever since. 

Pure cannabis smoking is permitted, and you can combine it with a huge menu of delicious cocktails and water pipes. Their milkshakes have also made quite a name for themselves.

An added plus is the interior. Lost in Amsterdam is 100% cosy. Their smoking lounge sports Moroccan-style couches for maximum comfort and that extra relaxing holiday feeling. 

5. Barney’s Uptown: smoke it up in class

Fresh off the train from Schiphol? Just a swift five-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal, and you’ll be hanging at Barney’s Uptown — a smokers’ bar with a true rock-n-roll flare, DJs, and live music. 

These guys will serve you full meals and have a cocktail menu to be remembered by. For ultimate convenience, there is a coffeeshop right across the road where you can buy can refill your stocks as needed.

6. Cafe Pollux: where life is a party

Café Pollux is a funky café in Amsterdam’s city centre, boasting an extensive menu of lekkere gins, beers, and whiskeys.

Located a 5-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal, this is the place to be on a long night out, giving you the guarantee that you’ll always catch your last train home (though you might not want to leave ).

But wait, there is much more to Café Pollux than just that. Of course, it’s also one of Amsterdam’s best smokers’ bars, where you can light up as long as you bring your own herbs. 

READ MORE │Amsterdam’s best weed: guide to coffeeshops and cannabis 

Locals and tourists alike swarm to this café for its lovely staff and unique, fun vibe. Oh, and let’s not forget about the very best part: a dog at the bar who will happily accept your cuddles. 

7. La Grotte: funky interior for a great trip

When they were forced to choose between becoming a coffeeshop or a bar, La Grotte went for the latter. Now, it’s one of the funkier smokers’ bars where you can take your goods and light up!

Even if you’re not planning on getting high, the purple-green light play and otherworldly interior will offer you a psychedelic experience nonetheless. 

What’s more, they also have a mouthwatering range of drinks to quench that dry mouth. It’s definitely worth a visit!

Now you really know how to have fun in Amsterdam — smoking weed, drinking beers and enjoying the best of both worlds of what the Dutch capital has to offer.

Which smokers’ bar in Amsterdam will you check out first? Tell us in the comments!

What Amsterdam bars can I smoke weed in: frequently asked questions