One of the biggest positive surprises whilst travelling was finding how gorgeous and fun Budapest is. The capital of Hungary is built in two parts and split by the river Danube. It's a great spot to visit during the hot days with your friends. The city offers lots of culture, architectural beauty, exploring opportunities and a solid going out scene. It's the perfect destination for a long weekend trip of 3 to 4 days. Some fun and cultural activities for the day include a visit of the Parliament which architecturally speaking is absolutely breathtaking both on the inside and outside, definitely the Fisherman's Bastion offering the best views over the city and lastly walking around to spot little cafés, book stores and restaurants. We suggest looking into Púder Bárszínház, Butter Brothers, For Sale pub and Pantry Brunch and coffee. To go out, you can just buy cheap alcohol (you'll be shocked by the prices) and go sit next to the Danube river or on the bridges close to it or to check out Szimpla Kert, Füge Udvar and Mazel Tov.
An absolute classic is the city of love: Paris. There is a reason why so many people love to add this city to their Europe itinerary: it's full of surprises and fun spots to visit and hang out. If you like to shop, especially so at smaller brands and perhaps even second hand, you should definitely have a look at the quarter of 'Le Marais'. It is an artsy, young and vibrant area that is full of great street style, street art and good vibes. If you get hungry along the way, definitely go to Eataly to grab a pizza .
If you are on the hunt for a good croissant 'La Maison d'Isabelle' has been voted to be the best croissant in Paris a few years back and their recipe hasn't changed since so it will definitely be a hit.
For some cultural experiences that will enrich you in many ways, you should consider visiting Centre Pompidou which is an architectural wonder and features unique art in their exhibitions so an all-round experience is guaranteed. If you'd like to have gorgeous views over Paris, spot small artists in their worlds and get a workout in with all the stairs that you'll need to climb, go visit the Montmartre with the Sacré coeur church.
Lastly, this can't be forgotten about especially if you love books and movies: the Shakespeare and Company. It's located in the renowned 5e arrondissement and has been the movie set for the romance film 'Before Sunrise'. Overall, it's a cute location and you can find a great selection of English books.
First off, a very obvious one but in our opinion an absolute classic summer activity to add to your list: a picnic. You can have it at any park, next to the canals but if you feel like finding a really cute area, we suggest Park Somerlust next to the Amstel river, it offers a nice big seating area on the grass and great views over the Amstel and the Omval quarter. To make your picnic successful make sure to include your favourite snacks, a good selection of drinks and a music box or if you are by yourself perhaps a pair of headphones to listen to your favourite songs or an enriching podcast. If you like salty stuff, we suggest bringing some of the olive and feta mix that you can buy at Albert Heijn *wink wink* or some baguette and cheese on the side, if you are not lactose intolerant that is. If you have a sweet tooth however you could bring some berries and your favourite snack from a cafe, you can find great cookies at Screaming Beans in Nine streets, yummy muffins at Cafecito and tasty French Pastries at Noé. Now, tell us a picnic doesn’t sound really exciting?
Another option is definitely to go for a swim. You can decide to make it a day trip and take the train to Zandvoort or simply stay within Amsterdam and take a dip at the Amstel river, the Marineterrein or the Sloterplats lake. Summers can get quite hot here in Amsterdam, so who wouldn’t love a little refreshment?
Make a food tour around the numerous food stands of Albert Cuyp market. Yes, most of us have already been here to grab a quick bite but there is so much to try and so many new cultures to explore, that it would be fun to try new foods and drinks whilst you are visiting this market in the midst of De Pijp. Our favourites? The Vietnamese spring rolls or the classic falafel wraps.
Find unique pieces for small prices at the Ijhallen, the biggest flea market in Europe. Whether you are looking for decoration to spice up your place, items to make your wardrobe complete, perhaps a gift or a last minute item to bring on holiday, chances are you just might find it here. The flea market takes place once a month and costs 5€ admission, but the two big industrial spaces of Ij-hallen are transformed into a massive second hand shopping ground with over 700 stands, which definitely offers a little something for everyone. And don’t worry if that little midday hunger creeps up, they also have food stands with tasty bites.
Lastly, summer is the time where we usually feel more free of worries and want to have fun and start enjoying life to the fullest (although you should try to do that on a daily basis ;) ). A great way to do so is to attend concerts, try new bars and find fun clubs, if that is your thing of course. Paradiso is always a great spot to even discover new artists and all of this for a small price. For bars to try, we have another blog post on where to go for your next night out that you might want to have a look at, maybe one of the places sparks your interest.
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To make things easier for you, we have decided to share our favourite spots with you, so if you are ever curious to try something new, you have some good options.
Starting off with Cafecito, a great spot, if you are around the Elandsgracht or Museumplein. The small cafe doesn’t seem to be that secret little spot anymore because they have just opened a new one at a corner in Nassaukade. Besides that this is a great option if you are looking for great coffee that has a gentle taste and are a fan of freshly baked muffins. We suggest trying the Chocolate Tahini one and the Lemon Honey one.
Next up is a small cafe located in the Nine Streets: Screaming Beans. Offering a small variety of authentic coffees including the classic cappuccino and great espresso, this cafe is a great little spot to sit down if you need a shopping break whilst in the Nine streets. If you do decide to go here, let us tell you to try some of their snacks, from cookies to pastries, the best ones they offer might just be the Almond orange cake or their cinnamon buns. Just trust us on this one.
A cute little cafe with really good pastries (especially the pain au chocolats *wink wink*) is Bakhuys. Located close to Frederikplein, this small café offers a large range of snacks for the morning but also has some lunch options depending on what you are looking for. This is an ideal spot if you are looking to explore the Amstel area or even Oost. It is great to just sit down and have a little break. We know what we are talking about because we have basically spent every lunch of last year at this place. And you might want to get your next baguette or loaf of bread here, just saying;)
If you are however out shopping on the Utrechtsestraat, then you might want to have a look at Concerto. This place is both a shop that sells CD’s, Vinyls, Posters and Films as well as a small cafe in the midst of it all. Be ready for some great tunes and really good snacks, especially the cookies, brownies and banana bread. They offer the classic coffee options but this place is really all about its unique flair. You can even sit down for a bit in the midst of hundreds of films and books, so what are you waiting for? We think it is time for a little excursion to this lovely street in the centre of Amsterdam.
Are you hungry yet?;)
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First off, a pretty obvious activity: swimming. Around the city there are a few pretty nice spots you can go to. Lots of people make their way to the Amstel river located towards the East of the city and extending to the Southern edge of it. If you are looking to lie down and go for a little swim every now and then in order to cool off and make the heat more bearable, we suggest going to Park Somerlust in Overamstel. It's a nice little spot with restaurants and cafés around so you can plan a whole day there. Other than this, Sloterplas in Nieuw-West shortly after Vondelpark is another pretty popular spot to cool off in the water. If you however live more towards the centre, Marineterrein close to the Centraal Station and the NEMO museum, is a great option for you. This place tends to be pretty popular in summer so make sure to go early enough to secure a good spot for the day.
If you are not the biggest enthusiast of swimming then maybe you can make your way to Zandvoort for the famous 'Uitwaaien'. Only a train ride away, this small beach town is a popular day trip location for lots of people from Amsterdam, whether it is to escape the crowds, to go for a swim or to uitwaaien, there is something for everyone. You can bring your little picnic and your favourite book from home, get yourself a nice little towel, pack your sunscreen and headphones and make it a day at the beach.
The last option is the least glamorous but hey it works if you really need some refreshment. Pretty much all of the shops on the Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat have ACs. That way you can look around some shops to complete your summer wardrobe or already prepare for the next season all whilst being nicely cooled off and protected from the sun rays.
Let us know which one of these options you gave a try during the famous 'Dutch Heatwave' on our Instagram: @robinretail.
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Well, we are here to support you. We will teach you our team's favourite drinks to remake easily at home. If you have a terrace or even a garden, you can invite your friends over and impress them with your new cocktail making skills.
Let's start off with the Robin Retail team's favourite drink: Hugo. It is a simple 4 ingredient cocktail that simply hits different. All you need is prosecco, elderflower syrup, sparkling water and fresh mint (the sparkling water can be left aside if you want). Add the mix to a glass with some ice cubes et voilà, the perfect refreshing drink for these hot summer days. For a detailed recipe, have a look here.
Another good one that is sometimes forgotten about is the Moscow Mule. Again, super simple 3 ingredient drink that consists of Vodka, Ginger beer and Lime. If you want to have the whole atmosphere, you can grab yourself a beautiful set of the classic Moscow Mule glasses and add some ice cubes to them along with your mix and there you go, another drink to add to your palette. For exact measurements, look at this link.
Are you ready to host your next cocktail night?
]]>Dapper: Did someone say Girls Night out? Let us introduce you to a few spots that we like to hit for that occasion. The first one is a cute little bar located in Amsterdam West, with parts of their terrace on a bridge over the canal, a great spot when the sun is shining and you desire to have a drink or two with a nice little view. On offer? A selection of cocktails including Aperol Spritz and Gin and Tonic, wines, beers and snacks including Nachos with tasty toppings, some bread with cheeky little dips and the classic snack on a night out: sweet potato fries.
Café t Smalle in Egelantiersgracht: Next up, a bar that you might have already passed in the Jordaan. Attracting looks and interest for their small terrace on the canal, this cafe is not only a great spot for drinks in the evening but also a place if you are looking for a great little breakfast, small sandwiches or a Dutch style apple pie. Are you getting the pie with or without the whipped cream? We say with, if you are not highly lactose intolerant that is;) It is the perfect spot for a nice summer evening. Sitting on the terrace in the sun with your newly purchased items, reading or chatting with your loved ones, it is all up to you.
Bar Botanique: Known as the green oasis of Oost, the Bar Botanique offers a wide range of possibilities: a simple coffee in the afternoon or dinner and drinks in the evening, it all depends on how you are feeling. The bar offers a great laid-back and neighbourly atmosphere, perfect for a calm night out and a few drinks to wind down. Its green walls, cute layout and sophisticated look makes it a fun place to meet up with your girls, you can maybe even take a few snapshots and share them with your loved ones. And guess what? They would be jealous because the aesthetic of the bar is definitely Instagram worthy and will give you some fun online content.
Troost (if you feel like beer): Our last suggestion is a great spot if you like beer and are excited to try some new flavours. The Troost cafe, located in Oud West, offers a wide range of self brewed beers all with their own unique tastes. Their beer is brewed in a former monastery in De Pijp which makes it perfect if you are looking to support more local businesses, in the spirit of our company and our values. Through their drinks they have won awards and built up a great reputation, so if you are looking for a good spot to support your locals, this might just be it for you. Oh and also, if you do end up getting a little hungry.. guess what they also have great veggie burgers on their menu for you, sounds like a win win to us.
The first hotspot is more of a morning or day activity and is especially fun on the weekend. Being a bio market on Saturdays, the Noordermarkt farmers market offers a range from delicious foods to vintage or self made clothing pieces - and is hence definitely worth having a look at. You can find fruits, vegetables, various kinds of cheeses and small bakeries with delicious pastries to start your day off right. If you are already in the shopping spirit, small stands are selling hand made hats or unique second-hand clothing. So there might be a steal for you there. If you can't make it on Saturday, there is a flea market at the Noordermarkt on Monday mornings from 7h30 until 13h.
Now onto an afternoon/evening activity. If you're a film lover and would like to be immersed into a world of unique, shaping movies, then LAB111in Oud-West is the place for you. The place itself is absolutely worth visiting, being installed within the walls of the former pathological anatomical laboratory of Amsterdam - it calls for a unique experience. The film program consists of classics as well as unconventional movies that should inspire its viewers to be questioning and reflecting on the world as we know it. If you do not feel like a movie, the Bar Strangelove, also located in LAB111, will offer you a great refreshment from alcoholic drinks to coffee and still your hunger with little sweet snacks or delicious pizza. Curious?
Moving to a whole different part of the city, another bar that is great for a cheeky little drink out, is the Kriterion cafe. Located in Roeterseiland and merged with another fun cinema, this cafe is a cute little spot to grab drinks with your friends and admire the personal styles of people around you. If you are done with your drinks and feel like some fresh air, you can easily take a beautiful walk along the Amstel river which is only a few minutes away.
If you, however, feel like going out, our team suggest 'Marktkantine'. It was built in 1936 as a cateen for Dutch market traders and hence has a rich history in music, to offer once you visit it. It was transformed into a theatre in 1950 and then to a dance club in the 90's when the dance scene started to develop in the Netherlands. Today, they have weekly events mainly surrounding Techno music but offering a great atmosphere and very fun and nice people to dance and connect with. Be quick - they're unfortunately closing their doors soon!
]]>Yes, after a long day, it is always great to treat ourselves to the finest Italian food. Simple but always a safe bet. As we at Robin Retail are also big enthusiasts of Italian food, we would like to introduce you to the best pizza spots in our lovely home called Amsterdam. Psst, these are all Italian certified by our Italian intern, so believe us when we say these are good.
So believe us when we say that having a few key pieces in your wardrobe that make you feel good about yourself, and perhaps having a simple makeup and hair look on your hands for those rough days, will work wonders.
If you are still looking for items to make your best features shine, our assortment has some fun jewellery and clothing that might help you do just that. So why don’t you have a look? ;)
]]>But let’s be honest, we have time, it simply seems like too much work and we love finding excuses to avoid it, don’t we? Too many of us feel a sense of anxiety and stress on a daily basis but often, it is simply linked to the way we keep our spaces messy.
Through getting rid of the things that you do not need anymore, such as the amount of junk that is piled in our office drawers, food that is way over the due date, books that you do not read anymore or simply clothes that have been hanging in your closet for months without being worn, you will feel a certain sense of freedom. The action of taking out what you do not need or use anymore is a form of self care and hey who doesn’t love a moment of self-care and feeling like they have their life back together?
Anyways, enough talking, let’s cut to the chase: how can you start decluttering your space? We suggest starting with one designated space or room in your home, look at what you can find in it and carefully consider which items you actually use and which ones have not been touched in months or were even forgotten about. The simplest method would be to make piles:
We know it sounds like a lot of work but taking it one step at a time helps. It is easiest to divide the process into your different rooms or different kinds of items if you plan to declutter your closet in specific. This will make the task less overwhelming.
Remember: decluttering your spaces means decluttering your mind, a fresh mind will offer you a different and more positive perspective on life, so give it a try and share with us how it made you feel through our instagram: robinretail.
Shopping sprees can be exhausting, but the break spots in between are part of all the fun. Finding the unique cafes that offer rest as well as good vibes and delicious food and drinks can be hard, so we hope this list helps you out a bit.
For all of you who find it way too much effort to go into town for some shopping - we got you. Shop at Robin Retail - we’ll bring local fashion & lifestyle goodies to you!
]]>Robin Retail is lucky to have partnered with special fashion boutiques in Amsterdam who carry a wide range of ethical and sustainable brands and products. By making their assortments easily available on Robin Retail and providing quick bike delivery, we are able to easily connect even more people to the conscious fashion world. And the great thing is, we get to work with boutique owners who have the best eye for fashion. Ranging from Lisa from The Collection One who curates a very unique collection of vintage and sustainable brands, to the team at Het Faire Oosten who make ethical and sustainable fashion products oh-so accessible. That’s what really gets our heart pumping - sustainable products that are truly fashionable.
Amongst the many boutique pioneers in Amsterdam who achieve this, the Fashion for Good’s Good Shop has caught our attention. Located in the center of the city, the Good Shop is an interactive retail space and part of the Fashion for Good Museum. The museum Shop stores products and brands, including Pangaia and Freitag, making the collection full of must-haves and we are obsessed. Even the beautiful layout of the shop makes it a joy to simply stroll around. Linked to the Good Shop is the Fashion for Good museum, which we have been invited to visit.
It’s very important for us at Robin Retail to know and understand where our fashion products come from, and what impact they have on the environment. And this in each step of the fashion supply chain, from production to the last mile, which is exactly what the Fashion for Good museum helped us achieve even more. Their museum and installations offer an interactive and educative experience. From digitally designing your own circular T-shirt, to smearing biodegradable glitter on your face & body, we promise you, a trip to the museum will be anything but boring! We walked away having learned even more about the industry, but more importantly with information and inspiration on how we, too, can improve our ways on a business and personal level.
Working with these different boutiques and businesses that are striving to do better in the fashion industry is very stimulating for Robin Retail to continue learning and improving within sustainable fashion, and beyond that we simply love working with these passionate people! Fashion for Good, too, is very in line with many values at Robin Retail, which is why we like to put initiatives like theirs in the spotlight. And who knows, maybe one day their beautiful sustainable fashion shop will be available for bike delivery on Robin Retail!
]]>At the end of the day we really think that shopping local has many advantages, and of course we know it hasn’t been easy the past while because of the pandemic, so that’s where we come in! Thanks to our platform you can purchase all the pieces you want from our favorite local stores of Amsterdam. We will deliver your pieces super quickly via the most eco-responsible way possible: by bike! So go take a look through our website, you will probably find some amazing items, unique and rare, just what we love. And don’t forget about the retailers on the other end who do a little dance when you place an order!
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The Cookie Jar
This first DIY gift is an offer to all the little gourmets and food lovers we know. Cookies are always a great present and even more during the Christmas season as it is comforting and super yummy for a cozy night in by the fire! The beauty of this recipe is that it comes in a pretty glass jar that you can decorate the way you want to!
For our cookie jar, you will need to add the following ingredients into the jar, in consecutive order (don’t forget to tamp all of those down so it creates nice levels of each of the components):
- 175g of flour
- 125g of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 100g of chocolate chips
- 100g of walnuts
After you have done this, you just have to add a little tag with the last instructions for the lucky receiver of that cookie jar! You can use this text that we wrote below or personalize it as you wish.
“To bake these cookies, preheat the oven at 180°. Then, empty the whole jar into a bowl and add 125g of softened butter, mix everything together. After that, add 1 egg to the mixture and mix again. Put your bowl in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Finally, roll the dough into small balls that you place on baking paper and put the cookies in the oven! Bake for 11 to 12 minutes; let them cool down a few minutes until it’s finally time to enjoy!”
This recipe is tested and highly approved by our team so we hope this will light up someone’s Christmas day!
NB: Christmas is not only about the others so don’t hesitate to do yourself a treat and cook these cookies for yourself, we won’t say anything, promise!
The encouragement jar
After this very anxious 2020 year, some people might need extra support and we understand that because us too! Robin Retail has the best DIY idea for anyone who requires a little attention and crutch to finish this year and start the new one more confident and positive!
Our encouragement jar is a very easy and cute concept and you will only need a few things, therefore it is a perfect last-minute present:
- A jar of your choice
- Paper sheets (white or colored)
- Pencils, markers
- A ribbon
The main goal of this present is to express your affection and admiration to the receiver by writing him some very personal and positive quotes. You can say whatever you think will warm the heart of that person; it can be some shared memories and adventures, support notes, or love words and of course, there’s no minimum or maximum! You can make as many notes as you want: for a month, 6 months, or even a year. You decide, it’s up to you!
To create this encouragement jar, you just have to cut as many tags as you want in the form that you desire: square, round, rectangle... and write everything you wish on it! You can also add some decoration on the notes or the jar and finish the gift with a pretty ribbon and a tag. Last instruction: make this jar as honest and unique as possible because it is amazing how some simple words can change someone’s day!
Then, when you will offer that jar, the person will open those words when she feels a bit down or needs a bit of encouragement and all your hard work will pay off! This DIY is the simplest one but also the most personal one and we are sure that the donor of the gift will enjoy the whole process of writing as much as the receiver! It is an easy and quick treat but trust us, it does its effect!
We really hope you enjoyed those two super cute and responsible Christmas ideas and we would loveee to see some pictures if you realize one of those! We already know it will be prettier than our version but it’s fine, we accept it!
]]>So as the December month has arrived, we thought it was the perfect moment to present our fashion guide for this winter season with an ethical and sustainable twist! We stand by these values and we think that we can always opt for more conscious options when it comes to shopping so let’s show you what we got.
The major statement item of our winter is definitely an oversized blazer, it really appeared last year but is still on trend this season; it is such a timeless and easy piece to wear! We really love that type of jacket that can highlight an outfit and make it more stylish and fashionable just by throwing it on a monochrome look. We hope you are craving blazers as much as we do because we have the perfect black blazer that everyone needs in their closet. You can find this go-to blazer in the online store NOUMENON, an Amsterdam based website that promotes only sustainable brands, so it is everything that we love!
And this gorgeous blazer is from a very nice New Zealand brand called Sisterhood. Everything from their website is plastic-free; they source 100% sustainable fabrics and care for plenty of other positive things. To finish with this true statement piece, you will adore its stunning structure and oversized look that goes perfectly with everything!
Let’s move on to our shoe guide for this winter! This season, like the blazers, it’s the big and the chunky shoes who win! Whether it is for some Chelsea boots or stylish loafers, you need to own a pair of chunky shoes! The first advantage: - it helps you gain a few centimetres; the second one: - your feet won’t be cold or soaked anymore; and last but not least: - you’ll be super stylish! For the boots selection, we have two propositions from Vagabond for you. One classic pair yet timeless and easy to wear with whatever you want.
And a second one, more original with its white colour that brings some lightness to a winter outfit. It’s really the perfect pair of boots to lift a very simple outfit.
And finally, for the more audacious ones, we love the combination of chunky loafers with cute glittery socks! Our choice here is from Arket, the more conscious and qualitative brand from the H&M group and the camel platform is the particularity that we find really stylish in this classic pair of loafers. These shoes are also a great investment for every season, with or without socks it is adapted to every type of weather!
After this shoe parenthesis, let’s return to the clothing, shall we? As we said at the beginning of this article, jogger sets were the big thing during the lockdown and we still think it is now. The comfort of those pieces in addition to the sportswear look is all we are looking for during these cold months. And don’t think it is only a lazy outfit, - jogger sets can be really cool, and here are our favourite ones. The first option is coming from Sweden. Djerf Avenue is a brand created last year by the Swedish beauty Matilda Djerf with common values of sustainability, and we are here for it! Her collection has 3 jogger sets, white, grey and baby blue, and we can’t decide the one we like the most! Be careful, her clothing items are sold out very quickly as there is a limited stock.
The second that we have comes from Denmark – jogger is really a Scandinavian thing apparently – from the brand Colorful Standard. They have their unisex set in multiple colours so you will definitely find one you like! The association of the sportswear look of the jogging with a more chic piece like a long wool coat is our favourite for this winter!
You probably saw those cute sweater vests all over Instagram since fall and also wondered where to shop some? Well, we are here to provide some of our favoured ones! For that, let’s go to Amsterdam and one of their typical fashion stores. The Darling is one of the local addresses that we enjoy the most in our city. They have a lot of very unique and original fashion pieces and it is there that we discovered our great sweater finds! Are you more like a plain sweater or houndstooth pattern? Both are available online and on their store so you can even have a look directly in Amsterdam! These sweaters are a great way to simply improve a basic outfit without having to put a lot of effort into it which is why we love them so much!
All those items represent for us the real statement pieces to have for a fashionable 20/21 winter. Moreover, if you have more, please let us know in the comment section and share your preferred trends!
]]>We were biking through Amsterdam the other day, and saw four parakeets eating away at a bird feeder located on a high balcony. Our immediate reaction was to get a bird feeder too, so that we could attract the beautiful birds to our balconies. We wanted to share our process, as it’s a great activity to do with your kids or friends this holiday season, and is very simple!
This recipe for this bird suet is perfect for the winter season, giving birds many nutrients. See the parentheses for vegan options. You’ll need a few ingredients to get started:
Then to put it together:
This is an easy way to do a fun short activity that will allow for endless bird watching, and we definitely recommend! If you have a go, we would love to see it, so please share with #robinretail.
]]>We wanted to collate our favorite shopping routes for all your needs - whether that’s a quick browse or a full day of shopping (including some lunch!).
15 minute browse
For a quick and goal-focused shopping trip, you’re best off going to some of the smaller streets that are home to many unique stores. Gerard Doustraat and its connection to the Pijp is one of our favorites! The street is full of jewelry shops ranging in price and affordability, lifestyle shops, and some great fashion stores that will definitely have a gift for your receiver! Check out Verse for some sustainable options, Anna + Nina for beautiful jewelry finds, and the Kinderfeestwinkel to rejoice the feeling of shopping as a kid. Sijmon’s bloemen is also perfect for your favorite flower finds. The Gerard Doustraat is also connected to some other streets home to boutiques such as the Ferdinand Bolstraat and the Eerste van der Helstraat, as well as the Albert Cuypstraat which is a great spot to get a fresh snack.
1 hour browse
Our next recommendation is a shopping route that combines two famous streets - the Utrechtsestraat and the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat. Once you get to the end of the Utrechtsestraat, go left onto the Herengracht until you reach the Spiegelstraat. The Utrechtsestraat is perfect for some good shopping with a wide mix of small independent boutiques and some bigger shops who can fulfill some specific needs. Some of our favorites are MaisonNL, Naturel, and We Are Labels. The Nieuwe Spiegelstraat has a bit of a different vibe - it is full of beautiful vintage shops, some fashion labels, and some of the best food in town! The Nieuwe Spiegelstraat is also one of the most beautifully decorated during the Christmas season in our opinion! Stop by Oallery, Spiegel Amsterdam, and Soup enzo for a delicious soup break. End at the Rijksmuseum for a scenic and cozy walk. We recommend doing this one in the late afternoon/ early evening to fully enjoy the atmosphere that is created.
Day browse
If you’re able (and willing) to spend a whole day on shopping, we have the route for you. We recommend you start in the 9 streets - specifically we think you should start at the corner of the Singel and the Gasthuismolensteeg. Go down the 9 streets until you reach the end of the Runstraat. At the end, cross the bridge and turn right on the Prinsengracht which will bring you to the Elandsgracht, bringing us to our next hotspot! Go down the Elandsgracht for some great stores, cafes, and services.
We also have a few recommendations of places to visit in the 9 streets and the Elandsgracht. Firstly, make sure to stop by shops like Mint Mini Mall, JOZ, and Velour for some special finds! Stopping for (takeaway) lunch at Pluk is always a good idea (and they sell some nice gift ideas). On the Prinsengracht, we highly recommend you check out the unique jewelry store Eenvoud - you can always find an extraordinary piece there! On the Elandsgracht some of our favorites are Number Nine, Tenue de Nimes, and Fou Fow Ramen for a delicious bite to eat!
To continue on the journey (with ramen being the perfect lunch break), take a stroll down the Kinkerstraat to enter a new area in West! Wander through the hallen (take a visit to the Gathershop, the Maker Store, and Church of Labels), to exit into the local market! They, too, have some great snacks if you’re still feeling hungry. You can continue your journey down the Kinkerstraat, to turn a left onto the Jan Pieter Heijestraat. This street is home to more boutiques and little lifestyle shops that will bring joy to your heart! Our highlights are Johnny at the spot, JPH store, and Objet.
That concludes our shopping route recommendations! We hope you’re able to find the joy of shopping back in these streets, are able to enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights, and spoil yourself with some yummy food and drinks on the way. Make sure to let us know if you decide to take these routes - you can tag us at @robinretail, or use the hashtag #robinretail - and who knows, maybe we’ll share your post on our socials!
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