Shopping in Amsterdam
Laundry Industry
Hip, urban types head here for well-cut, well-designed clothes by this Dutch design house. Watch glamorous couples coveting soft leather coats and perfectly fitted suits. There's another branch at Magna Plaza, but the Spui location is the main store.
Tel: 020 420 25 54
Address: Spuistraat 1 Centrum
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 10:00-18:00, Thu 10:00-21:00, Sun 12:00-18:00
Decorativa
One of the city's most atmospheric antique stores, Decorativa is so cluttered with candelabra, costumes and crystal chandeliers, that it's eccentric owner has put the paintings on the ceiling - look up!
Tel: 020 320 10 93
Address: Centrum Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 9a
Hours: Tue-Fri 12:00-18:00, Sat 11:00-17:00
Claire V
The silk handbags, wraps and accessories embroidered with patterns and floral designs are gorgeous, but that's not the only reason they're worthy. Claire's wares are made at a training centre for Cambodian landmine victims, so by shopping here you'll look good and do good.
Tel: 020 421 90 00
Address: Jordaan Prinsengracht 234f
De Beestenwinkel
From teeny tiny teddy bears to plastic pig snouts, this pleasantly crowded shop sells de best (the best) of de beesten (animals). Here you can find that itty bitty furry friend for your little non-furry friends. Other bests include: plush toys from skilled toy makers, lamps in animal shapes, and lots of plastic reptiles.
Tel: 020 623 18 05
Address: Staalstraat 11 Centrum
Hours: Mon 13:00-18:00, Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00
De Kaaskamer
A small shop with 440 cheeses from around Europe and Holland, and deli items like p?t?, cured meats and baguettes. At lunch time it does a roaring sandwich trade.
Tel: 020 623 34 83
Address: Runstraat 7 Western Canal Belt
Hours: Mon 12:00-18:00, Tue-Sat 09:00-17:00 Sun 12:00-17:00
Nieuws
A mind-boggling array of kooky trinkets cram this entertaining store - from quirky action figures (we love the Crazy Cat Lady, the Obsessive Compulsive, Rosie the Riveter and Albine Bowler!) to mini-patron saints, foreplace dice and voodoo dolls. Travelers love the Wash Away Your Sins soap.
Tel: 020 627 95 40
Address: Westermarkt Prinsengracht 89 Jordaan
Hours: Mon 13:00-18:30, Tue-Sun 11:00-18:30
Oudemanhuis Book Market
In operation since the 19th century, this charming market focuses on books, posters, postcards and sheet music. Join students and staff from the nearby University of Amsterdam as they browse hundreds of well-thumbed tomes.
Address: Oudemanhuispoort Amsterdam University Centrum
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-16:00
Galerie Lambiek
Possibly the world's oldest comic store, Lambiek has been in operation since 1968 and stocks an impressive range of underground comics, newspaper strips, web comics and even erotic comics, along with classics such as Tintin and Asterix.
Tel: 020 626 75 43
Address: Jordaan Kerkstraat 132
Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-18:00, Sun 13:00-17:00
Concerto
Most excellent. This rambling shop, spread over several buildings, has Amsterdam's best selection of new and secondhand CDs and records; you could spend hours on end browsing in here. It's often cheap, always interesting and has good listening facilities.
Tel: 020 623 52 28
Address: Utrechtsestraat 52-60 Southern Canal Belt
Shoebaloo
The spaceship design of this futuristic store demands a look - during the sales kick up your heels at discounts on shoes by Prada, Miu Miu, D&G, Gucci and Christian Dior. There are four other branches around the city, specializing in men’s, women’s and children’s shoes as well as accessories.
Tel: 020 626 79 93
Address: Old South Leidsestraat 10
Hours: Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00, Thu 10:00-21:00