The Jordaan is a quiet, affluent district in the center of Amsterdam.
Get Around
The Jordaan is best seen on foot, and there are relatively few tram lines running through it. Just a short walk from Central Station, it is a great place to head with kids or anyone else you want to steer away from the sex and drugs of the red light district. After you cross Prince Hendrikkaade, turn right and walk about five minutes to the start of Haarlemer Straat. If you prefer to go by tram, from Central Station tram lines 13 and 17 bring you to the stop Rozengracht/Marnixstraat in the heart of the Jordaan. The next stop on line 17 is Elandsgracht at the south side of the district.
Things to See & Do
The 9 Streets www.theninestreets.com
Shop
Haarlemer Straat is one of the most vibrant shopping streets in Amsterdam. Starting just to the west of Central Station, and running west to Westerpark, there is no shortage of boutique shops, clothing stores, specialty food shops and just about anything else you could possibly want.
Eat
Mid Range
Barney’s Haarlemerstraat 98 A gorgeous brassiere with outside seating which has the best breakfasts in Amsterdam for very reasonable prices. Their strawberry milkshakes are to die for.
De Korte Prins Haarlemmerdijk 8 http://www.dekorteprins.nl Open daily from 8 am till 4 pm, Sat. 9 am till 6 pm. Closed on Sundays. De Korte Prins is a lunchroom café on the Haarlemmerdijk 8, in the heart of the Jordaan area in Amsterdam. The friendly staff serves great bagels, rolls and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon the café is filled with coffee lovers who enjoy a rich coffee with a delicious brownie or cheesecake. Regulars often drop by for cookies and muffins takeaway as well.
Proust Noordermarkt 4 +31 20 623 91 45 Proust is a little off the beaten path, near the intersection of Brouwersgracht and Prinsengracht, but it’s worth a visit for the inexpensive and satisfying meals as well as the company: it’s a favourite with locals.
STOUT! Haarlemmerstraat 73 +31 20 616 36 64 http://www.restaurantstout.nl Nice and modern bar/cafe/restaurant with young people as customers and mattresses on the terrace.
Vliegende Schotel Nieuwe Leliestraat 162 Mains €9-15, daily special €8. Bottle of wine €13 Since Green Planet is closing, you better look for alternative vegetarian hang-outs. Believe it or not, but Vliegende Schotel is even better than its Australia-moving competitor. It has big portions of unbelievably good vegetarian food, in an unpretentious but authentic atmosphere. Minimalistic service and a little walk from the centre, but seriously worth it. Small selection of organic and fair trade wines and a non-smoking room.
Drink
Unlike the mainstream bars and clubs in the center, the Jordaan offers a different atmosphere with obscure rock, metal and alternative music.
Bars and Pubs
Soundgarden Marnixstraat 166 +31 20 620 28 53 http://www.cafesoundgarden.nl/ Top metal/grungy/punky pub, most relaxed drinking atmosphere in town. Really nice, secluded terrace for drinking beer in the sun. can smoke, but not buy, puff.
Nightclubs
Korsakoff Lijnbaansgracht 161 +31 20 625 78 54 http://www.korsakoffamsterdam.nl/ Alternative nightspot for fans of metal, industrial, goth, and techno. Some live music and popular club nights. A bit off the beaten path but worth it.
Maloe Melo Lijnbaansgracht 163 Tram: Elandsgracht +31 20 420 45 92 Live 50s rockabilly bar. Drinks are cheap and the crowd are mostly Dutch rockers, but the music is good.
Sleep
Budget
Hotel De Looier Derde Looiersdwarsstraat 75 +31 20 625 18 55 http://www.win-hotels.com/Hotel_De_Looier_Amsterdam Hotel De Looier Amsterdam was built as a diamond factory in 1886 and had recently renovated to a 3 star hotel which is situated in the city centre.
The Shelter (Jordan) Bloemstraat 179 Tram: Marnixstraat / Rozengracht +31 20 624 47 17 http://www.shelter.nl From € 17, € 19 in July and August. An alcohol and drug-free Christian youth hostel. Great value for money. Single-sex dormitories (including breakfast, bed linen).
