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Amsterdam Canals

BOUDEWIJN'S
AMSTERDAM SECRETS

When Boudewijn started giving canal tours at 14 on his family's small boat, he learned something the big operators never figured out: people don't want to be passengers, they want to be guests. Five generations of Amsterdam boat enthusiasts taught him that the best journeys happen when you're not tied to a seat, rushing past landmarks, or competing with 30 strangers for the captain's attention.

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Captain Boudewijn recommends:

Food & Drink

De Belhamel

De Belhamel

Not only has the restaurant been around longer than I have been alive, but the food has also always remained consistently excellent. The views are wonderful down the canal. Come summertime they have a great canal side terrace. In an area where most restaurants have become tourist traps, the Belhamel is a pearl!

Location: Brouwersgracht 60, 1013 GX Amsterdam

Best time: Lunch or dinner

CAPTAIN'S INSIDER TIP:

"Reserve a table by the window. After sundown the view becomes stunning. You will look down the canal and see the bow bridges litt up with lights. Very romantic."

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Food & Drink

Castell

Castell

Best steak house in town, been around for a long time. Very local. Reserve seats at the bar inadvance or you have to sit on the sofas and eat with a plate on your lap.

Location: Lijnbaansgracht 254, 252, 1017 RK Amsterdam

Best time: Evenings

CAPTAIN'S INSIDER TIP:

"Order the Fabuloso Tournedos, medium rare of course ;-)"

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Boudewijn

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Food & Drink

Scheepskameel

Scheepskameel

Scheepskameel is an informal restaurant located in the Marineterrein area of Amsterdam, known for a menu featuring pure, European dishes and an exclusive wine list consisting solely of German wines. The restaurant is housed in a former warehouse, features an open kitchen, and shares its name with the “scheepskameel” — the wooden floats that were once used to help ships navigate the shallow waters near the Marineterrein.

Location: Gebouw 024A, Kattenburgerstraat 5, 1018 JA Amsterdam

Best time: Evening

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Boudewijn

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Must-see

Museum van Loon

Museum van Loon

Museum Van Loon is a museum located in a canalside house alongside the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The museum is named after the family Van Loon that lived in the house from the 19th century. You get to experience the wealth and grandeur of a 17th century canal house and its habitants.

Location: Keizersgracht 672

Best time: Day time

CAPTAIN'S INSIDER TIP:

"Check out the carriage house at the back of the garden. My father had the pleasure of living there with my god-father during his student years."

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Boudewijn

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Food & Drink

Molenpad

Molenpad

Molenpad is a café à manger located along the Prinsengracht canal, displaying an amazingly beautiful and ultra-comfortable interior, decorated with undeniable Parisian grandeur. Serving classic Amsterdam cuisine like the untranslatable Holtkamp bitterbal and apple pie and the one and only baguette croquette.

Location: Prinsengracht 653

Best time: All day

CAPTAIN'S INSIDER TIP:

"They have a outside terrace perfect for people/boat watching along the canals during the summer days."

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Boudewijn

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Food & Drink

A Tavola

A Tavola

Classic family run Italian restaurant, been around for decades. Located next to one of the former locks at the eastern dock next to the magnificent Maritime museum building. My go to place for a quick bite after work.

Location: Kadijksplein 9

Best time: Evening

CAPTAIN'S INSIDER TIP:

"The burrata is always delicious!"

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Boudewijn

Captain Boudewijn recommends:

Must-see

Begijnhof

Begijnhof

The Begijnhof is an enclosed courtyard dating from the early 14th century. Nothing survived of the earliest dwellings, but the Begijnhof, which is cut off from Amsterdam's traffic noise, still retains a sanctified atmosphere. It was build as a religious community and its features the oldest wooden house still left in Amsterdam from the early 15th century.

Location: Begijnhof 1

CAPTAIN'S INSIDER TIP:

"Go early in the morning when its still very quiet."

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Food & Drink

Cafe Bern

Cafe Bern

Best cheese-fondue in town. Open since 1978. Same menu still. Local favourite. Cant say you are an Amsterdammer if you have never been. Its a no-nonsense type of place.

Location: Nieuwmarkt 9

Best time: Evening

CAPTAIN'S INSIDER TIP:

"Order both cheese fondue and a steak fondue to share"

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Boudewijn

Captain Boudewijn recommends:

Food & Drink

Lastage (Geldersekade)

Lastage (Geldersekade)

An intimate Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in French cuisine. With only a handful of tables, it’s one of Amsterdam’s most romantic dining spots.

Location: Geldersekade 29, 1011 EJ Amsterdam

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