Travel – FoodWatcher

Amsterdam Travel Guide

Clayton and I just got back from a quick three-day trip to Amsterdam, and I only wish we’d had more…

The post Amsterdam Travel Guide appeared first on The Defined Dish.

Clayton and I just got back from a quick three-day trip to Amsterdam, and I only wish we’d had more time to explore this captivating city! There is so much to see and do—we barely made a dent in all that it has to offer! Amsterdam is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cities I’ve ever visited. The canals, the boats, the charming buildings, the effortlessly stylish people, the shops, the cafes –it all feels like something out of a storybook. Every street corner draws you in with its beauty, and I found myself constantly amazed by how picturesque it all is.

Amsterdam has so much to offer: world-class art museums, scenic streets that invite you to wander, incredible shopping (with both new and vintage gems), and a fantastic food scene! I loved it so much I wanted to put together an Amsterdam Travel Guide for you, in case Amsterdam is on your travel bucket list!

Amsterdam’s food scene is vibrant, diverse, and ever-evolving, drawing from both international influences and rich Dutch traditions. You can try classic treats like bitterballen, stroopwafels, and herring alongside global flavors like Indonesian rijsttafel and Surinamese street food, reflecting the city’s multicultural roots. The city has also embraced sustainable dining, with innovative plant-based and organic options popping up everywhere! Whether you’re after a cozy canal-side café or a Michelin-starred dining experience, Amsterdam has something to satisfy every taste. I’ve listed a few of the places we tried, largely thanks to recommendations from all of you (thank you!)

Where to Eat & Drink

Bars:

An image of a cocktail at the Flying Dutchman Cocktails bar, for the Amsterdam Travel Guide.

Lunch & Dinner Spots:

Fabel Friet Runstraat–For amazing French fries!
Umamiby Han Amsterdam–Ramen
Bhatti Pasal Klinkers–Indonesian
Café Garçon–French cuisine
Café George–French
Restaurant de Belhamel–French
Sampurna–The most highly recommended Indonesian spot
Broodje Bert
Branie
Restaurant Europa
Rijks – fine dining
Café-Restaurant Amsterdam
Ron Gastrobar
Domenica
Café Parlotte
Zoldering
Blue Pepper
Ikaria Park
Kaasbar Amsterdam
Manneken Pis Damrak
La Trattoria Di Donna Sofia – Italian
Lombardo’s
Albert Cuyp Market – A foodie market where you can sample all sorts of bites
The Lebanese Sajeria – Casual Lebanese
Little Collins
Casa di David – Italian
Café Loetje
Choux
Seafood Bar and Grill – Get the seafood tower!
The Pantry – Dutch food
De Kas – Michelin-star restaurant with a greenhouse garden
BAK Restaurant
Nazka – Peruvian cuisine
Café De Klepel

A dish of escargot at Cafe Garcon in Amsterdam.

Sweet Treats & Coffee Shops

Van Stapele Koekmakerij – They make a one-of-a-kind cookie, and it’s legendary!
Lourens
Café Baskets
BunBun
Upstairs Pancakehouse – For pancakes
Winkel 43 – Don’t miss their apple pie!
De Carrousel Pannenkoeken – more pancakes!
Hans Egstorph – Stroopwafels

An image of the cookies at Van Stapele Koekmakerij in Amsterdam.

Things to Do & See

Anne Frank House – A poignant museum located in the former hiding place of Anne Frank and her family during WWII. Experience her life story and the impact of her diary on the world.
Van Gogh Museum – Home to the world’s largest collect of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings, showcasing his vibrant and expressive works along with insight into his life and artistic journey.
Royal Palace Amsterdam – An architectural marvel and one of the three royal palaces in the Netherlands. Originally built as a city hall, it’s now a grand symbol of Dutch history and royalty.
STRAAT Museum – A unique museum dedicated to street art and graffiti, showcasing large-scale works by international urban artists in a former shipyard setting.
Mike’s Bike Tours Amsterdam – A popular way to explore the city like a local. These guided tours offer insights into Amsterdam’s history
AFAS Live – A premier concert venue known for its excellent acoustics and hosting major international artists and events
Rijksmuseum – Amsterdam’s grand museum with masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.
Moco Museum – Contemporary art museum featuring works by Banksy, Kusama, and other modern artists.
Stedelijk Museum – Museum of modern and contemporary art and design.
NEMO Science Center – An interactive science museum that’s great for families.
Heineken Experience – A tour through the historic brewery with tastings.
Vondelpark – Amsterdam’s most famous park, perfect for a scenic stroll or picnic.
Bloemenmarkt – The world’s only floating flower market, known for tulip bulbs and souvenirs.
Rembrandt House Museum – The former home and studio of the artist Rembrandt van Rijn.
A’DAM Lookout – An observation deck with panoramic views of the city and a thrilling, “Over the Edge” swing.
Amsterdam Museum – Learn about the history of Amsterdam through engaging exhibits.

An image of fries and the canal for the Amsterdam Travel Guide.

I know there are countless other wonderful spots we missed, so if you have favorites, please share them in the comments for others to add to their lists! You can also save my Google Maps so you can find restaurants, things to do, and more depending on what part of town you are in.

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London Travel Guide

Alex and Clayton on the water for the London Travel Guide. Clayton and I just returned from an incredible five-day trip to London! It was Clayton’s first time, and while I…

The post London Travel Guide appeared first on The Defined Dish.

Clayton and I just returned from an incredible five-day trip to London! It was Clayton’s first time, and while I had visited when I was much younger, this felt like a whole new experience.

Alex and Clayton in front of the London Eye.

London is massive, and while we had the chance to explore some amazing sights and enjoy fantastic food, we couldn’t fit in everything on our list. Many of the recommendations below are based on your tips and personal favorites, all of which are also saved on my Google Maps for easy reference by location.

If you are looking into planning a trip to London, I’ve got some great recommendations on how to get there, what to do, and most importantly — where to eat!

Where to Eat and Drink

The food scene surprised us (in the best way!)—despite the old stereotype, we didn’t have a single bad meal. The food was outstanding, service was great, and perhaps most memorable was how friendly everyone was.

Pubs and Bars:

The Audley Public House–A must-visit pub we loved!
Gordon’s Wine Bar– Unique wine bar in a cave near the river; perfect for wine and cheese.
The Connaught Bar– Known for martini service on a cart and a lively vibe.
Duke’s–Famous for martinis.
The Guinea–Classic London pub.
The Donovan Bar–Stylish cocktail bar.
The Cocktail Club (Old Street)–Fun, eclectic cocktails.
Nightjar (Shoreditch)–Speakeasy-style bar.
The Harwood Arms–Only Michelin-starred pub in London.
The Mason’s Arms– Great spot for fish and chips.
Harry’s Bar–Traditional and cozy.

Lunch/Dinner:

Berenjak (Soho)–Our favorite! Authentic Persian cuisine.
Gymkhana–Delicious Indian fare.
Noble Rot–Excellent wine and European dishes; try the roast chicken!
Borough Market–Iconic food market; don’t miss the Black Pig Sandwich and famous paella.
Manteca (Shoreditch)–Creative Italian cuisine.
Chiltern Firehouse–Versatile for drinks, lunch, or dinner; try the mushroom pizza and roasted chicken.
Scott’s–Upscale seafood.
Kitty Fisher’s (Mayfair)–British cuisine in Shepherd’s Market.
KILN–Casual Thai grill, best for late nights or post-football match.

A photo of a menu and some drinks at Firehouse for the London Travel Guide.

Additional Highly Recommended Spots:

Dishoom–Highly recommended Indian (we didn’t get to try it this trip)
Manthan–Indian
Jamavar–Indian
Park Chinois–Chinese
La Brasseria Milanese–Italian
Chutney Mary–Indian
The MAINE Mayfair
Dorian
Fezmangal (Mayfair)
Bubala Soho–Vegetarian Middle Eastern
Wicked Fish–Gluten-free fish and chips
Barrafina Adelaide Street–Spanish tapas
The Ivy–Classic British
Fallow–Modern European
Sketch–Quirky and unique dining experience
The Palomar–Mediterranean

things to do

Churchill War Rooms–We did a private tour here with an expert guide. The general tour is also excellent, offering a look at the rooms from behind glass.
Tower of London–Self-guided exploration of the fortress and Crown Jewels.
Art Gallery Hopping–Especially in Mayfair, packed with excellent galleries.
Attend a Football Match–We went to a Chelsea vs. Arsenal match and loved it! The nearby pubs are also worth checking out.
Westminster Abbey–Britain’s most historic church.
Kensington Palace & Gardens–Great for a scenic walk.
Changing of the Guards–Classic London experience at Buckingham Palace.
Shoreditch & Street Art–Vibrant and artsy.
Parliament Square & Big Ben–A must-see area.
Private Thames River Boat Ride–Lovely views of London landmarks.

Image of Chelsea FC stadium for London Travel Guide.

Where to Shop

Mayfair, Belgravia, Knightsbridge – High-end shopping at Harrod’s, Liberty London, Selfridge’s, Bond Street, Oxford Street, and Regent Street.
Portobello Market–Famous for antiques.
Vintage Shopping–Check out Rellik, Found and Vision, One of a Kind Archive, Annie’s Vintage, and Vintage Modes.

How to Get Around

We walked most of the city, but taking the Tube or an Uber was easy and efficient. My travel advisor helped us seamlessly plan everything from flights and restaurant reservations to guided tours and unique shopping spots tailored to our schedule. She truly thought of everything, and we couldn’t recommend her enough if you’re looking for expert help planning your next vacation—Clayton and I both give her an A++ for making this trip unforgettable! You can find more information about her services here.

Okay, I think that wraps up my London Travel Guide – at least for now! I’m sure there are even more incredible places that we missed, so feel free to share any favorites in the comments for others to check out!

Again- if you want to save my GOOGLE MAPS, I have all of these recommendations saved here!

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From Fish Plates to Sugar Nips, Here’s All The Best Things We Saw at the Round Top Antiques Fair

Last week, our founder Amanda Hesser; Food52 GM Jojo Feld; and senior director of merchandising, Jackson Fust; and I descended on Round Top, Texas, for the bi-annual Round Top Antiques Fair—a must-stop for designers like Kelly Wearster and Leanne Ford—…

Over three days, we saw miles and miles of vintage glassware—Amanda has thoughts!—wooden boards, and cauliflower-ware, the kooky cousin of cabbageware. But even among all the old things, we saw new-to-us delights and trends. Here’s what we spotted and loved.

9 Travel-Friendly Gifts for Your Friend Who’s Always on the Go

As the holiday shopping season quickly approaches, we’re putting together gift guides to help you shop for the friends, coworkers, and family members in your life. We’ve covered the friend who’s an aspiring sommelier, the neighbor who loves to garden, and your coworker who’s always down for an old fashioned. Now, it’s time to shop for the person you know who’s always on the go.

Whether they’re always mid-flight, constantly planning road trips, or their packed schedule has them running in circles, here are nine items we think they’d love.

7 NYC Spots That Out-of-Town Guests Will Actually Like

Everyone knows the feeling of opening that text from a friend, family member, or acquaintance they haven’t spoken to in years: “Hey! I’m going to be in [insert your town or city] next week! Where should I go / what should I do???”

For some, receiving …

Everyone knows the feeling of opening that text from a friend, family member, or acquaintance they haven't spoken to in years: “Hey! I'm going to be in [insert your town or city] next week! Where should I go / what should I do???”

For some, receiving this kind of message is exciting—giving them an excuse to put on their metaphorical tour guide hat, scroll through the long list of places they have starred on Google or Apple Maps, and recommend a string of their favorite places. For others, it can be overwhelming, causing them to panic and momentarily forget their go-to spots, as if they've never left their apartment before.

I Don’t Cook—This Italian Pasta Class (Almost) Made Me Want to Start

Blame it on years in the service industry or my tendency to avoid things I’m not immediately good at, but I don’t cook. I know that’s probably not something you’d expect an editor at Food52 to admit, but I won’t lie to y’all. When it comes to dinner, I…

Blame it on years in the service industry or my tendency to avoid things I’m not immediately good at, but I don’t cook. I know that's probably not something you’d expect an editor at Food52 to admit, but I won’t lie to y’all. When it comes to dinner, I’m often at a restaurant, leaning on my friends who love cooking for others, or reheating a bowl of roasted vegetables over rice (sad, I know). While some find the act of cooking relaxing, rewarding, or fun, I find it stressful, irritating, and unappealing.

Let me be very clear though: I love food. I’m always thinking of my next meal, I love doing deep dives into different cuisines and flavor pairings, and searching for new dishes to try. I enjoy baking—something about following a recipe exactly, to an almost science, is fun for me—and I bartend on the weekends, so you can trust me with making a pie or stirring your cocktail. But if a pot roast needs to be braised, I am simply not the girl you want nearby (although you can count on me to sneak spoonfuls of whatever you’re making on the stove).