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Amsterdam and the Hague: Restaurant and Sight-Seeing Recommendations Gratefully Received!

Brian Leiter

In Amsterdam, we'll be staying in the city center, roughly equi-distant between the Centraal Station and the Nieuwe Kerk.  In The Hague, we're just a few blocks from the Peace Palace.  I'll be travelling with kids, so restaurants in either place that welcome children (10+) will be welcome.  In Amsterdam, we already plan on the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House; in the Hague, I'm sure we'll get to the Escher Museum and the Peace Palace.  But we'd welcome guidance on what's fun to do and where's good to eat.  Many thanks.

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31 responses to “Amsterdam and the Hague: Restaurant and Sight-Seeing Recommendations Gratefully Received!”

  1. Steven Gross

    In The Hague, you can't miss the Mauritshuis, one of the finest museums in the world. They have audio guides for kids.

    Reply
  2. John

    Probably not too great for kids, but I enjoyed the Spinoza house in Rijnsburg, which is a short ride from The Hague. Also, there is another Spinoza house actually in The Hague that would be a nice visit; this is where he wrote The Ethics and lived the remainder of his life. In both cases, contact the houses to see if they are open and/or arrange a visit time if necessary. The house in Rijnsburg (which is now a small museum) was actually closed when I arrived. Have fun!

    Reply
  3. Richard

    My favourite restaurant in Amsterdam was always Rose's Cantina, which serves excellent Mexican food. It's on Reguliersdwarsstraat, which is just north of Muntplein: go past the Pathe cinema and turn right. (If you keep an eye out for the rainbow flags the street should be easy enough to find.)

    http://www.rosescantina.com/

    For a unique cultural experience, I'd also recommend a place that bills itself as "Amsterdam's only gay pancake house". It's much like other pancake houses (and the food is good), but is run by a surly leatherman who, if you fail to greet him appropriately when entering, may ask you to leave and try again. If my memory serves me correctly it's on Grimburgwal, just over the bridge from Rokin.

    Reply
  4. Phil Gasper

    Just got back from both those cities with my 8-year-old son. His favorite by far was Madurodam, the vast model city in The Hague. In Amsterdam, a boat tour on the canals is well worth it. My son was too young for Anne Frank's house, but 10+ is just about old enough. As for poor Spinoza, his statue sits in the middle of the red light district in The Hague.

    Reply
  5. Macro Bot

    I'd also recommend going on a boat tour in Amsterdam. You can take one of the larger boats, with lots of other tourists, but I think it's much nicer to go on a private canal tour, on a smaller boat. (Although it is, obviously, more expensive.) The boat comes with a skipper, so you don't have to worry about navigating through the busy canals yourself. See http://www.canal.nl/hopper/en/private-boat-small for more information.

    Reply
  6. Michael Mirer

    If you're going to the Van Gogh Museum you should really walk down the road (it's a nice walk if the weather cooperates) to the Rjiks Museum and check out the Rembrandts…whose house you can also visit, although I don't remember the location.

    Reply
  7. David Sobel

    The Rijksmuseum is certainly worth considering. If the weather is nice and you want to see loads of beautiful flowers, the Keukenhof is roughly between Amsterdam and the Hague. Perhaps also the Rembrandt House in Amsterdam.

    Reply
  8. Eric Schliesser

    The Spinoza houses are both closed (the one in Rijnsburg is being renovated; the one in the Hague has been sold). Madurodam is fun for the kids, and they will also like the canal boat ride.
    Museum Van Loon in Amsterdam is a canal mansion restored to 17-18th century furniture–not sure how child friendly is.
    The Jewish historical museum is also worth a visit, as it the Portuguese great synagogue.
    There is a new Spinoza statute in Amsterdam near city hall (right next to the flea market). If you like open markets, the Albert Cuyp is a fun experience in a part of town that has been gentrifying; the Noordermarkt on Saturday is a foodie heaven.

    I am sad to be missing you!

    Reply
  9. George Berger

    I lived in Amsterdam for 36+ years. For Indonesian food, Orient is the best and most authentic (almost across the street from Het Concertgebouw). Definitely visit the van Gogh Museum, but check out the temporary exhibition in the extension. And don't believe a thing anyone tells you about Dutch tolerance. It's now the most dangerously xenophobic and authoritarian country in the EU. As a Dutch citizen, I am entitled to say this. It's one reason I left.

    Reply
  10. Kian Mintz-Woo

    A can't-miss is a (very) small tasting bar called Wynand Fockink [http://www.wynand-fockink.nl/%5D. It serves house-made flavored liquors. Each is under €3, so you can try a few flavors. Examples include apple, cinnamon, after-eight (like the chocolate), orange, and more complex mixes like bridal tears or the excellent half-and-half. Be careful; it only is open for a few hours each evening and is crowded.

    Reply
  11. Ryan Doherty

    Another tip would be to make sure you get to Anne Frank's house early, as close as possible to the 9am opening time. Even though the weather is currently abysmal, the lines can get fairly lengthy very quickly at the moment!

    Reply
  12. David Koepsell

    I live in The Hague, and have a small child. We enjoy the Mauritshuis museum, (right near the Parliament), which has excellent Dutch masterpieces, and there are many good restaurants, mostly ethnic given that Dutch food is more or less like British pub food. There's also a decent boat tour of The Hague. If you want some more specific recommendations, feel free to email or call when here: 0681486007

    Reply
  13. Richard Baron

    Just by the Westerkerk in Amsterdam, is the house where Descartes stayed. I don't think there is any prospect of entering the house, but there is a plaque over the door. It contains a short extract from the following paragraph of a letter that Descartes wrote to Guez de Balzac, dated Amsterdam, 15 May 1631:

    Quel autre lieu pourrait-on choisir au reste du monde, où toutes les commodités de la vie et toutes les curiosités qui peuvent être souhaitées soient si faciles à trouver qu'en celui-ci? quel autre pays où l'on puisse jouir d'une liberté si entière, où l'on puisse dormir avec moins d'inquiétude? où il y ait toujours des armées sur pied, exprès pour nous garder? où les empoisonnements, les trahisons, les calomnies soient moins connus, et où il soit demeuré plus de restes de l'innocence de nos ayeuls?

    I think the extract on the plaque is just the words "quel autre pays où l'on puisse jouir d'une liberté si entière".

    Reply
  14. Catarina Dutilh Novaes

    In The Hague, besides Madurodam, which is definitely a must, I also recommend Sea Life, an aquarium in Scheveningen (the beach area in The Hague). In fact, the whole Scheveningen area is very lively (but it depends on the weather, which has been awful lately!). The science museum in The Hague is ok (Museon), but the one in Leiden (Naturalis) is much nicer, definitely a treat for kids this age. And Leiden itself is a lovely small city, just 12 min. away from The Hague by train, very nice to walk around. Another museum for kids this age in the Leiden area is Corpus (the name says enough!).

    http://www.corpusexperience.nl/en/

    http://www.museon.nl/en

    http://www.naturalis.nl/en

    In terms of food, I highly recommend having Indonesian food, it's the best you can find in terms of 'local' food! There are lots and lots of Indonesian restaurants, both in The Hague and in Amsterdam.

    (Drop me a note if you'd like further recommendations.)

    Reply
  15. Ansten Klev

    It is not a restaurant, but I would recommend Vleminckx Vlaamse Friet at Voetboogstraat, close to Spui. They have the best French fries in town. Also, Amsterdam is supposed to be one of the better places for Indonesian cuisine (outside its homeland), and there are plenty of restaurants there serving such cuisine.
    Kids may enjoy the Nemo Science Center and the Artis Zoo. If you only wish to see Rose-ringed Parakeets, however, then you won't have to go to the zoo, but a trip to Vondelpark suffices.

    Reply
  16. kramer

    I'm not sure what your budget is for eating out, but

    Restaurant Marius (45 euros per person w/o wine) – sort of continental cuisine with the emphasis on fresh/local ingredients
    http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/travel/24bites.html?src=twt&twt=nytimesdining

    and

    Restaurant Visaandechelde (closer to 35 euros per person without wine) – fish and other seafood
    http://www.visaandeschelde.nl/

    are both really good.

    Unmentioned (and maybe particularly fun for your kids) is the science museum Nemo (in a very dramatic Renzo Piano designed building)

    http://www.e-nemo.nl/en/?id=1

    In easy walking distance from Nemo is the main branch of the Amsterdam public library. On the top floor is a cafeteria style restaurant where you can get reasonable food and drink (for under 10 euros a person) and probably the best views going of the city center.

    http://maps.google.de/maps/place?q=openbare+bibliotheek+amsterdam&cid=5657986782895113389

    If you are looking for a somewhat quirky (and really low cost) way to tour the city by water, you might try these folks as well,

    http://amsterdamboatclub.com/

    Reply
  17. Lars

    Spinoza has two statues in Amsterdam and Descartes one.

    Reply
  18. Gillian Russell

    I loved this bike tour in Amsterdam: http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/ By far the most fun way to see the city and it'd be great for any 10 year old who can ride safely.

    Reply
  19. Michael Smith

    One of my sons, Julian, has lived in Amsterdam for the last couple of years working as a walking tour guide. Here's a link to the company's website and Julian's profile: http://www.newamsterdamtours.com/our-guides.html Take the tour and give the guide a huge tip!

    Reply
  20. David Livingstone Smith

    Visit Scheviningen, a beach resort near the Hague, and eat plenty of delicious Dutch herrings, as well as french fries with Indonesian peanut sauce ("Pindasaus").

    BL COMMENT/QUESTION: This raises an issue: one of my kids is allergic to peanuts (he can't eat them, he doesn't respond to the smell or anything like that). Does that mean Indonesian food is out? Does everything have peanuts in it?

    Reply
  21. dankaufman!

    a good friend from college owns the premier 'coffeehouse' in amsterdam, if you're into that sort of thing. it is called GREY AREA.

    BL COMMENT: Not only have I not inhaled, I've never even smoked!

    Reply
  22. Eddy Nahmias

    I was in Amsterdam in May with my 10-year-old son, and while he (and I) got a lot out of van Gogh museum, Anne Frank house, etc., by far his favorite activity (and hence mine) was riding rental bikes through the amazing parks, stopping to play in the playgrounds, and up and down the canals. I hope the weather is good when you are there.

    Reply
  23. David Livingstone Smith

    Not everything has peanuts, but they're pretty pervasive.
    Dutch smoked eel is also a wonderful delicacy. BTW there's a terrific bookstore in the Hague called "de slegte" (if it's still there – I've not visited in more than a decade). Also, the beach at Kijkduin (pronounced "cake down"), in the Hague, might be a fun trip.

    Reply
  24. Catarina Dutilh Novaes

    Oh, and best coffee in Amsterdam is:

    http://www.twoforjoy.nl/

    Reply
  25. Thomas Brouwer

    Just like to second a few of the recommendations: The Mauritshuis is indeed not to be missed. Wynand Fockink is indeed great, though obviously less of a family destination. And definitely try and get some good Indonesian food while you're there.

    Reply
  26. Mark S

    If you don't smoke try the space cake at the Bulldog, it's your last chance as it seems the Dutch government is going to restrict coffeeshops to Dutch citizens starting next year…

    Reply
  27. Margaret Atherton

    It's been quite a while now, but I remember taking my daughter when she was young to the science museum in Amsterdam and enjoying it very much. Another plus is that it is in a part of town less frequented by tourists, so you get some variety.

    Reply
  28. Julia Markovits

    I just returned yesterday from a two-day extended layover in Amsterdam courtesy of Hurricane Irene (and was there earlier this summer). I've had two really excellent Indonesian meals at Tempo Doeloe (75 Utrechtsestraat, between the Prinzengracht and the Kaizersgracht) – both times I ordered their "small" ricetable. Reservations required (020 625 6718), and you'd have to ask them about how many of their dishes involve peanuts. But there were families with kids eating there when we were there.

    Sight-seeing tips: you can buy your tickets to the Anne Frank House online, and skip the lines – I felt almost cruel strolling past the long lines of people waiting in the rain for tickets and walking right in! I also recommend the Museum Het Schip ( a little off the beaten path) – a still-in-use working-class housing development and (beautiful) post-office designed in 1919 by Amsterdam School architect Michel de Klerk. One apartment in the development is set up with period furnishings and tour-able.

    Reply
  29. David Holt

    What will happen to the Spinoza House in Den Hague if it has been sold – will it still be preserved and open to visitors? I had visited once in the late summer – it had a feel of serenity about it even if it was across the street from a very hard traffic red light district.

    Reply
  30. Jean Kazez

    Really fun for kids–a bike ride we took to the windmill on the Amstel and then beyond, to Ouderkirk (6 miles away). You can just rent bikes (like at Black Bikes), and go yourself. Hotels typically have their map and locations, I think. The route is all along the Amstel, so very easy to follow.

    The Jewish history museum is just OK, Rijksmuseum a must, and by all means get the Anne Frank House tickets online. There were 2-hour lines when we went, but no line at all for online ticket holders.

    An Indonesian meal (can't remember the name) has lots of elements, and not all contain peanuts. That's a very fun, unusual experience, even if kids don't like everything. One more thing about food–don't miss dutch pancakes.

    Reply
  31. Akshay Patki

    In the Hague, the Mauritshuis is unmissable. The kids will like the Escher museum. I found that the Panorama Mesdag, a giant circular painting depicting the beach a hundred years ago, is usually a hit with visitors. The kids will like the illusion of reality created by the painting. It has its own small museum. For the kids, you can also get a show at the Omniversum, a dome-shaped IMAX theater near the Museon. The Miniature city of Madurodam will be most fun if you are staying longer in Holland and can recognize all the miniature monuments. But the kids might like it nevertheless.

    For Amsterdam, please do not just visit sites but take the time to wander randomly across the historical city. It is quite special: a medieval, seventeenth and early eighteenth century city which is still completely alive. It is not a series of facades for tourists or a series of monuments. All those historical houses, big and small, are still in use by the rich and famous or by the common. Where the merchant princes of the Dutch Golden Age once lived, you will now find the likes of Deutsche Bank. Because the city was built by merchants not kings, you wont find the usual big monuments. The whole city, so durable and well designed that it is still in use, in nearly its original form, is the monument. Only if you take the time to wander and look, will you notice the topsy turvy leaning houses, or the bricolage of the nieuwe kerk. The canal boat ride will give an informative first glimpse.

    Reply

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