Looking for all the latest openings this February? Karin's monthly roundup of cool new bars, restaurants and shops is always packed with Amsterdam's most exciting new additions and seasonal menus. Interested in a broader list of places to eat and drink? Explore our comprehensive coverage of bars and restaurants in Amsterdam.
Remember that sharing is caring with Bluespoon at Home
Shortly after joining Andaz Amsterdam Hotel from Spain, new chef Manuel Pereira, who oversaw six bars and restaurants in Mallorca (including a modern tapas bar), introduced a Med-led menu that proved popular. Tapas and paella were an obvious choice, then, for Bluespoon's new delivery offering. The Combo Offers are excellent value, with a Tapas Box for Two and a Paella & Wine Box For Two (both at only €39!). If you prefer to order a la carte, the cod-stuffed piquillo peppers and Iberico ham croquettes are not to be missed
Pre-order for pick up at BLUESPOON, Prinsengracht 587 or order via Deliveroo
Keep the home fires burning with Hunkemöller
Founded as a corset shop in Amsterdam back in 1886, the well-known Dutch undies chain has something sexy in store for Valentine’s Day. The Share Your Love collection includes everything you need to “write your own love story” from sweet pink baby dolls to racy red lingerie sets and saucy leather garters, available in S to XXL, with cup sizes up to G. Let the love games begin!
Shop now on hunkemoller.nl.
Send your love a Roses & Romance box by Pulitzer’s Bar
With all the ingredients for a romantic night at home – including heart-shaped candy, macarons and four cocktails from the award-winning cocktail bar – the new Roses & Romance box (€45) is giving us some serious heart eyes. The Hibiscus Spritz with Martini Fiero and Rose Vermouth is a mix made in heaven, while a perfect Peach Fizz features Ketel One Botanical, Lillet Blanc and London Essence soda.
Order via Pulitzer’s Bar Shopify
Put a ring on it with MAÏA Jewels
Looking for affordable fine jewellery this Valentine’s Day? Goldsmith Meie van der Pol recently launched a range of jewellery, handmade with gemstones, high-quality 14 carat gold-filled or sterling silver. Tip: some designs, like a gorgeous strawberry quartz bracelet with gold or silver details, also come in children’s or baby sizes (from €25) for all your loves, big and small. What’s not to love about that?
Order via MAÏA Jewels
Dial up the romance with a heart-shaped cake from Sea Salt & Chocolate
Hidden down a side street in De Pijp is one of Amsterdam’s best cake shops, known for its delicious double chocolate layer cakes, ooey gooey brownies and its best-selling Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, which is now available in a heart-flecked Valentine’s edition (€34). The Cookie Addiction Box (€22 for a mix of 8 large American-style cookies) is another excellent option for sweet-toothed sweethearts.
Order from Sea Salt & Chocolate, Sint Willibrordusstraat 58
Create the perfect date night at home with Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
How to indulge your own Outlander fantasy while winning points with your favourite whisky connoisseur? Whisk them away on an imaginary trip to the Scottish Highlands courtesy of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam’s decadent new Dalmore Delight Box (€49.50 pp). Inside you’ll find a luxurious selection of sweet and savoury bites by 2 Michelin-starred chef Sidney Schutte and a flight of four exclusive whiskies from the renowned Highland whisky house Dalmore.
Available via luxuryathome.amsterdam.
#supportyourlocals by indulging in the fried chicken trend
If you haven’t gotten the memo yet: fried chicken is having its moment in Amsterdam, with everything from drippy chicken & waffle dishes and fried chicken biscuits to fried chicken “popcorn” on offer. One of the best chicken burgers we’ve tried comes from Toktok Amsterdam (Wibautstraat 105) a pop-up from the peeps behind Restaurant Alba. It doesn’t get better than this: juicy fried chicken, doused in spicy gochujang mayo with pickled cucumber and other goodies on a housemade brioche bun (from €9.50). If you like it hot, Gangnam Chicken, which just opened a second location in Oost (Beukenweg 31) offers its authentically fiery Korean fried chicken for take-away or delivery via Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Thuisbezorgd. Other new and notable fried chicken (pop-up) concepts include Kip ‘n Drip, Ladybird Fried Chicken and Biscuit Baby (Kinkerstraat 24).
Spoil the luxury wine lover in your life with a gift box from VINVIN Wines
This recently launched wine web-shop offers over 300 hand-picked wines from 18 famous wine producers, small family domains, and interesting upcoming wine makers, including Château La Tour de l'Évêque (Provence, France), Fattoria dei Barbi (Tuscany, Italy), and Weingut Högl (Wachau, Austria), amongst others. What better way to shake off Dry January than with a premium six-bottle gift box of the founders’ favourites, selected by VINVIN Wines’ in-house experts (€100). The February box contains Petale de Rose, Vermentino Luminoso, Ghizzano Rosso, Valdecuevas Verdejo Barrel Fermented, Bouby Brut and Sierra Cantabria Seleccion – we’re fans already!
Available from VINVIN Wines.
Say it with rose-scented cosmetics from Babassu Beauty
What’s even better than a bouquet of red roses, and a lot longer lasting? The unique unisex fragrance A Day in My Life (€140) inspired by the niche perfumer Mark Buxton’s Normandy rose garden. This is not your granny’s rose but a thoroughly modern perfume in a black, minimalist bottle for all devotees of the queen of flowers. Alternatively, you could choose a hand-crafted face cream with a cult following: Crème de Rosto, made with Damascus rose extract, moisturising glycerin and glow-enhancing mother-of-pearl. It now comes in a gorgeous Benamôr Rosto Giftset (€25.50), along with Rosto Miracle Lip Cream for the most kissable lips and sublimely scented Rosto Miracle Cleansing Soap.
Order from babassu.nl
Looking for up-to-the-minute eating, drinking and shopping recommendations? Follow Karin on Instagram where you’ll find her checking out the latest restaurants, bars and shops, and returning to old favourites.
