Shopping in Amsterdam
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Albert Cuypmarkt
Exotic goods as well as cheap basics from nations around the globe.
reviewed
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Noordermarkt
This Jordaan market has a split personality: Monday is for antiques, fabrics and secondhand bric-a-brac, while Saturday sees a festive farmers market.
reviewed
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Pauw
Pauw means ‘peacock’, but the clothes at this elegant Dutch minichain are more formal than flashy, with taffeta in gemlike shades, equestrian-style coats and sculptural blouses. There’s a men’s shop down the road at No 90, and another women’s boutique at No 66.
reviewed
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Negen Straatjes
Negen Straatjes, is the tic-tac-toe board of Amsterdam shopping. The straatjes are full of quirky little shops dealing in antiques, fashions, housewares and one-offs including everything from toothbrushes to antique eyeglass frames.
reviewed
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Concerto
This rambling shop has Amsterdam’s best selection of new and secondhand CD's and records. It’s often cheap, always interesting and has good listening facilities.
reviewed
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Shirt Shop
On gay Amsterdam’s main street, this funky, two-storey shop sells tight-fitting men’s shirts to make you look fabulous. Look for sale items around €20.
reviewed
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Stenelux
Buy an old fossil for that old fossil you left back home. Stenelux has a smart collection from this world and beyond (including meteorites).
reviewed
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Brouwerij de Prael
This noteworthy brewery employs more than 60 people with a history of mental illness and names its beers (all organic) after famous Dutch singers. The shop sells all seven of its beer varieties (four are seasonal), like the bitter, spicy and amber-coloured Johnny (named after the late folk singer Johnny Jordaan). There are daily tours at 1.30pm (€5, or €6.50 with tasting). Watch this space – they are building a brewery bar next door, due to open in summer 2010.
reviewed
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Wonen 2000
Begun over a century ago, this home furnishings shop has been at the forefront of Dutch design ever since, boasting names such as Gispen, Edra and Artifoort, and some foreign designers as well. Its affiliates, De Kasstoor (across the street at 202–210) and Wonen 2000 Bed & Bad (next door at 215–217), apply the same design concept to kitchens and lighting, and bed linens and bath, respectively.
reviewed
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Shoebaloo
We like the chic shoes here – imports include Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu and Prada Sport, along with the less expensive but just as wearable house label. This branch is more central, but the one at PC Hooftstraat 80 has one of our favourite interiors in town: imagine a giant white spaceship tinged with green and lined with shoe shelves and eggs for you to sit on.
reviewed
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Gamekeeper
The selection of board games is dizzying, as is the imagination that went into making them. Start with checkers, chess and mah jong, and move on to Cathedral (build a city in the style of the Great Wall of China or the souk in Marrakech) or Rush Hour (help a car get out of traffic). ‘Cooperative’ games encourage players to play with, not against, each other.
reviewed
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Arnold Cornelis
Your dinner hosts will think you’re in the know if you present them with something from this long-standing shop, such as fruitcake, cheesecake, chocolate-stuffed cookies, or blue sphere biscuits made with Malaga wine. At lunchtime, grab a flaky pastry filled with cheese, meat or vegetables. There is another branch at Van Baerlestraat 93.
reviewed
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Vlieger
Since 1869 this well-organised two-storey shop has been supplying upmarket paper to Amsterdam: Egyptian papyrus; lush handmade papers from Asia and Central America; papers inlaid with flower petals or bamboo; and paper textured to look like snake skin. They also sell indestructible Freitag messenger bags (to safely tote away all that paper on your bike?).
reviewed
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C&A
Alright, so there's little fancy about this Euro-chain (what's a designer brand?), but it's a fine choice if you're backpacking at the threadbare stage and need inexpensive knockabout clothes. It's along the same lines as H&Ms - the well-known Euro-chain. Comb through what they have and choose carefully, and you may even find some wares with style.
reviewed
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Fietsfabriek
Wessel van den Bosch trained as an architect, and now he makes custom bicycles from this wild ’n’ crazy workshop, one of several in Amsterdam. Come in and pick up a bakfiets (cargo bike), a familiefiets (with covered ‘pram’) or even a standard omafiets (one-gear city bike). Just browsing is a joy.
reviewed
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Unlimited Delicious
Is it ever! It’s tempting to dive into the sculptural cakes and tarts, but – if you can – walk past them to the dozens of varieties of chocolates made in-house. Some of the more outlandish combinations (that somehow work) are rosemary sea salt, caramel cayenne and citron witbier. They also offer tastings, and bonbon and patisserie workshops.
reviewed
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Fair Trade Shop
A brilliant place to buy something out of the ordinary for those at home waiting for their 'insert catchphrase here' magnet. This charitable shop features quality, stylish products from developing countries including clothes, food, toys, CDs and interesting ceramics. The company works directly with producers and provides ongoing business training.
reviewed
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So Dutch Fashion
The Dutch Fashion Foundation promotes the best of Dutch fashion and helps designers develop their labels into commercial brands. Its showroom at the World Fashion Centre provides haute couture ateliers (studios) and carries collections by the hottest Dutch designers, such as Mada van Gaans, Jan Taminiau, Bas Kosters and Percy Irausquin.
reviewed
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Fred de la Bretonière
This Dutch shoe designer’s products are solid and not terribly expensive, as if made to ride a bicycle in. That sounds dull, but in fact Fred satisfies the burning need for both a sensible heel and a knee-high boot in candy- apple red leather. Men’s shoes are also available, though the colour spectrum isn’t as broad.
reviewed
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Goldstrasse
Some 14 designers from the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Austria and more exhibit here. One example is Amsterdam-based Marina Alexandre, a jewellery designer and teacher. You'll see rings (in gold, silver and silicone). Fittingly, since many of the artists graduated from the Rietveld Academy, works here are more like wearable art.
reviewed
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Pgc Hajenius
Even if you’re not a cigar connoisseur, stroll through this tobacco emporium for a glimpse of the grandeur that used to line the Rokin in the early 20th century. Inside is all art deco stained glass, gilt trim and soaring ceilings. Regular customers, including members of the Dutch royal family, have private humidors here.
reviewed
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Cellarrich
Cellarrich was founded by two textile designers who previously created their wares in a cellar, hoping to get rich one day and move above the pavement. They now proudly display their intricately designed leather and fabric bags, wallets, jewellery and scarves on the hypertrendy Haarlemmerdijk. Who says you can’t aim high?
reviewed
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De Vredespijp
Art deco home accessories and furniture shop meets tiny cafe with excellent home-baked goods. On our visit the gorgeous aroma of freshly baked pie meandered its way right out the door – we stopped dead in our tracks and swiftly headed in to admire the teacups and tables with a cuppa and a warm-from-the-oven sweet treat.
reviewed
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Marañon Hangmatten
Anyone who loves hanging around should come here and explore Europe’s largest selection of hammocks. The colourful creations, made of everything from cotton to pineapple fibres, are for everyone from adults to babies, and are made by many producers, from indigenous weavers to large manufacturers. They ship worldwide.
reviewed
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Spoiled
At this one-stop-shop urban lifestyle store you'll find labels like Mads Norgaard, Rare, Junk De Luxe, Skunk Funk, True Religion, Stella Nova, My Ass, Fred Perry, Tommy Hilfiger and Tiger of Sweden, along with stylish shoes and accessories, cool magazines and art. You can also throw back an espresso and get your hair cut.
reviewed