Shopping in Amsterdam
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Broekmans & Van Poppel
Near the Concertgebouw (surprise!), it’s the city’s top choice for classical and popular sheet music, as well as music books. Head to the 1st floor for a comprehensive selection from the Middle Ages through to classical and contemporary.
reviewed
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Exota
Exota sells its own hip King Louie label plus global brands such as Kookai and French Connection. Number 10 sells sporty women’s casual gear and kids’ threads; men’s and women’s clothing is across the street at number 13.
reviewed
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De Bierkoning
Come here for beer – they stock some 950 varieties (with an emphasis on Belgian, German, British and, of course, Dutch brews), the largest beer-glass selection we’ve ever seen, and books on home brewing. They also carry a small selection of wines.
reviewed
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Po Chai Tong
If nothing seems to take away your stress, fatigue or jet lag, pay a visit to Dr Kai Zhang's kindly Chinese herbal-medicine and acupuncture shop. It's far from fancy, but clients have included opera singers and conductors from the nearby Stopera.
reviewed
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Bloemenmarkt
Amsterdam has specialised in flower markets since the 17th century, so if they interest you, make your way to the southern side of the Singel between Koningsplein and Vijzelstraat for the Bloemenmarkt, which offers bulbs galore.
reviewed
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When Nature Calls
Despite its curious name, this smart shop dispenses serious, informative, helpful and no-nonsense advice about its wares, which include the usual offerings – magic truffles, herbal ecstasy, energisers, cannabis seeds and sex stimulants.
reviewed
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Atelier Elandsgracht 89
On average five to six jewellery designers display pieces here, and there’s something to suit most tastes: from fine silver and gold twirled necklaces to cufflinks inlaid with pearls, or chunky bracelets made from heavy plastic Buddhas.
reviewed
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Moooi Gallery
Dutch design at its most over-the-top, from the life-sized black horse lamp to the ‘blow away vase’ (a whimsical twist on the classic Delft vase) and the ‘killing of the piggy bank’ ceramic pig (with a gold hammer).
reviewed
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SPRMRKT
Whether you want a super-tight pair of Acne jeans, a vintage Thor Larson pod chair or the latest copy of Butt magazine, it’s all here at this lofty industrial concept store, a major player in Amsterdam’s fashion scene.
reviewed
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Papabubble
This hip lolly shop looks more like a gallery. There’s performance art too - pull up a cushion and perch on the stairs to watch the mesmerising process of transforming sugar into gemlike sweets with flavours like pomelo and lavender.
reviewed
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Skins Cosmetics
This is the Netherlands’ exclusive importer of special brands of fragrances, cosmetics and skincare and beauty products: think Aesop, Dyptique, Etro, Laura Mercier and the Art of Shaving. They also do makeup sessions and facials.
reviewed
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Eichholtz
This small deli is bursting with everything homesick Brits and Americans yearn for, such as Oreo cookies, Betty Crocker cake mix, Heinz baked beans, peanut butter (Skippy, Jif or Peter Pan!), HP sauce and Bird’s custard.
reviewed
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Sissy-Boy
Never mind the name - this Dutch clothing chain sells quirky print shirts and other items that tread the line between preppie and hip. This large branch in the basement of the Magna Plaza shopping centre also stocks lots of home items.
reviewed
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De Ode
Here you can find a final resting place with a difference: a bookcase that converts into a coffin when you join the library in the sky, or a coffin on wheels with bicycle towbar – perfect for pedalling friends to their last bike rack.
reviewed
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Rituals
The flagship store of this heavenly brand (now a successful global franchise) turns out sublime products focused on enlivening everyday cleaning, refreshing, relaxing and energising rituals – from bathing to washing the dishes.
reviewed
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Fates
Modern fashion accessories made of natural materials, from fair-trade studios in India and Southeast Asia. We were particularly taken with the groovy tulip-shaped bags from Bali, diaphanous silk shawls and fresh-water pearl necklaces.
reviewed
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Loods 6
This isn’t a shopping centre of the mall variety, but rather a small arcade of shops in a former passenger terminal building. Noteworthy shops include designer pottery and home accessories, an art gallery and designer fashions.
reviewed
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Nou Moe Stripwinkel
This tiny corner shop features everything from Asterix to Garfield, Tintin to 24 (yes, that 24 ). More importantly, it sells the merchandise: soft toys, notebooks, stickers, games, coffee mugs and bedroom slippers.
reviewed
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Reflex New Art Gallery
This exhibition space across the street from the original Reflex specialises in new art. There’s an emphasis on photography, and artists include young up-and-comers like David La Chapelle, Phyllis Gallembo and Miles Aldridge.
reviewed
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Look Out
Searching through the racks at these wonderful neighbouring men’s and women’s stores is a real delight. Look out for superstylish labels such as Paul Smith, Philosophy, Etro, Kenzo, Bruuns Bazaar and Annemie Verbeke.
reviewed
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Hans Appenzeller
Appenzeller is one of Amsterdam’s leading designers in gold and stone, known for the simplicity and strength of his designs. If his sparse work is not to your taste, along the same street is a row of jewellery shops of all kinds.
reviewed
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De Kunstfabriek
Realistic oil paintings in every genre imaginable rule here. You can also custom order a piece – if you want a portrait of yourself bring in a photo and they’ll commission their select artists in China to paint it.
reviewed
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Brilmuseum
This long-standing spectacles shop is an institution, both for its wares and for its presentation. You can take in the 700-year history of eyeglasses as well as a very 21st-century collection, some of which is pretty outlandish.
reviewed
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Knuffels
Avert the kids’ eyes or they will be drawn by the irresistible force of bobbing mobiles from the ceiling of this busy corner shop. Adults, too, may be drawn in by the clogs, soft toys, puppets, teddies and jigsaw puzzles.
reviewed
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Xsmall
Outfitting the moppets of the Old South with toys and extra-cute clothes for kids aged 0 to 10. They can also create digital portraits in Andy Warhol style, from your own digital photo of your little darling (from around €45).
reviewed