Coolest Cafe Ever: Amsterdam

Even if you have no intention of going to Amsterdam anytime soon, or ever, you should have a look at this cafe. Someone needs to do a version of this in our country. It's brilliant. Here's the deal: the Kinderkook Cafe is on the outskirts of a lovely park in central Amsterdam, and they have classes and workshops for kids to learn how to prep, cook, and serve. But for younger kids, they have different DIY food (they have pictures of the options at the counter, see pics below) they can play around with and then eat. We bought a 'naked' cupcake, and then Clara spent about 20 minutes decorating it. I had so much time to myself I didn't know what to do with it. They also had nice coffee and other things for the adults. 

Amsterdam Moments

We were in Amsterdam for five days in 2007, and here were our favorite things we did when we were there. Since it was just Clara and myself, we spent way less time exploring, because it was just harder not having Matt there to help (she was still in a stroller then), and it was cold. So, this is by no means a guide to Amsterdam--it just happens to be what we did, and liked.

1. Kinderkook Cafe

2. Rembrandt Museum

3. Vondelpark (6 play areas)

4. Laura Dolls (vintage kids dress-up that is way cool and not expensive--we got Borsalino hats there for 5 euros, and they're still in the dress-up box)

5. Keet in Huis (maybe the coolest ever kids design shop, in a cool area--walk around there and explore the 3-4 stores all next to each other. Sissy Boy is one of them, and they have great little restaurant, and a nice edit of housewares.

6. Renting a bike and tooling around (just watch out for the tram tracks--we almost bit it with the bike tire getting caught in one)

7. Buying a Miffy in the land of Miffy

8. The Nine Streets area

9. Apple pie at Zeezicht

10. Hema, the Target of Amsterdam, had super cool+basic kids clothes.

11. Noordermarkt: a Saturday organic farmers market (there's a bathroom in the church right next to the market)

(Keet in Huis store)

(Inside the Lloyd Hotel)

(Laura Dolls, above and below)

A couple of good sites to check out before you go: Babyccino Kids Amsterdam, 21st Century Amsterdam, and also try this book I just posted about.

Amsterdam Tips

I just came across this post on Cool Hunting, about this new book on cool hidden boutiques in Amsterdam. Since I have a group of friends going to Amsterdam for a show, I'm in the market for them, collecting ideas. 

Need a Toothbrush in Amsterdam?

I have never seen a store like De Witte Tandenwinkel anywhere--which  specializes in dental care and oral hygiene products. They're in the middle of the charming shopping area, The Nine Streets, so if you find yourself in Amsterdam, go have a look.  I like how they describe themselves: 


In 1980, when we founded our store, the common belief was that it was inevitable that at middle age most of one's teeth are to be lost. Gradually it became known that, with proper care, one's teeth often can last a lifetime. In our store we taught our customers how to clean their teeth effectively and offered them the right utensils to do the job, which were scarce then. Much has improved since: Nowadays even the local supermarket carries a reasonable assortment of dental care products. But for the consumer there is still not much choice, as the market is ruled by a couple of big brands. We do sell those brands, but also offer a well figured out selection of products, not easily to be found elsewhere.
People who enter our place, and see what it is stacked with, might think we are fanatics, but we’re not. Our environment is far from clinical. We like to convey the idea that dental maintenance need not be an annoying plight, but a way of caring that can even be pleasant. We offer solid and practical advice and are not obtrusive with that. We are there for the customer who needs a package of simple tooth-picks, a safe toothpaste that really whitens, wire brushes of 6,3 millimeters wide or the best electric toothbrush there is. We are also well known for our wide collection of gift articles like funny shaped toothbrushes. 
Opening Hours: Monday 13.00-18.00; Tuesday -Friday 10.00-18.00; Saturday 10.00- 17.00
De Witte Tandenwinkel Runstraat 5, 1016 GJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands tel: +31 (0)20 6233443