New in Town (September 2023)
Sunshine and showers may be taking their turn to play as summer winds down and autumn sets in, but Amsterdam still has plenty in store this September. For more of the latest shopping, dining and drinking news, read on for our monthly listing, as selected by I amsterdam City Guide’s roving Eat, Drink & Shop editor.
Looking for all the latest openings this September? Karin Engelbrecht's monthly roundup is always packed with Amsterdam's most exciting new additions, launches and seasonal offerings. Noteworthy new happenings include the renovation-driven RIJKS® pop-up in Zuidas (from €50 for a 3-course lunch, book via rijksrestaurant.nl for a last chance to taste many of the Michelin-starred restaurant’s famous signature dishes) and an 8-hands The Best Chef dinner at Daalder on 17-18 September featuring 4 chefs with 6 Michelin stars between them (€245 via daalderamsterdam.nl).
Interested in a broader list of places to eat and drink? Explore our comprehensive coverage of bars and restaurants in Amsterdam.
Dine at the Jordaan’s swankiest new brasserie
Enveloped in inky blues, the décor at Neo-brasserie Gossler & Florin – the new-coined name is a nod to the café-turned-Michelin-marvel Daalder that was formerly at this location – forms a moody backdrop for elevated international brasserie classics, well-chosen wines and clarified cocktails with a twist. Says co-owner and manager Wesley van Haeften (formerly of Daalder, Taiko and Soho House), “As a Belgian, I have been missing a place in Amsterdam where I can simply order a well-made main, without immediately having to spring for a five-course meal. A dish like our onglet (hanger steak) with its black garlic glaze, Colombo seasoning, foamy béarnaise, sweet-and-sour shallots and side of boeuf bourguignon.” We can’t fault that thinking. At a recent meal, we particularly enjoyed the sweetbreads with celeriac and veal jus (€21.50) and the sea bass with mussels, artichoke, sea lavender, samphire and a matching risotto with a silkily saline hit (€34.50). Tip: If you’re looking for something last-minute, there are always a few tables reserved for walk-ins.
NEO-BRASSERIE GOSSLER & FLORIN, Lindengracht 90
Find out why it’s time to be square
Discover the new square-faced SWATCH BIOCERAMIC WHAT IF? watch series (from €105) at the Swiss watchmaker’s new flagship store on Amsterdam’s poshest shopping street. The brand’s second shop in Amsterdam also features a large 3D ceramic cityscape by artist Enzo Pérès-Labourdette and the rest of its collection of affordable and colourful timepieces.
SWATCH STORE, P.C. Hooftstraat 42
Book Amsterdam’s only Indian-inspired brunch
The new brunch menu at the next-gen Indian eatery Miri Mary includes handsomely made-up plates of fluffy cardamom-spiced mango lassi pancakes with strawberries and toasted coconut (€14), Goan masala omelettes with goat’s cheese, spiced coconut sauce and poee flatbread (€14), and a traditional chickpea stew with buttered naan bread, yoghurt and pickled chilli. Creative cocktails include the superb Summer BBQ (€13) with mezcal, lemon and barbecued bell peppers. The décor’s delightfully cliché-free and there’s a leafy terrace, too.
MIRY MARY, Van der Helstplein 15
Discover the city’s best new beauty destination
Located in the prestigious Valerius building in Zuid, the sleek new 250 m2 Phenomena Beauty & Health offers a full range of beauty, semi-medical and spa services using brands such as VALMONT, SkinCeuticals, Zo Skin Health, Thalgo, Elemis, Balmain and Oribe. From hair, body and facial treatments (including OxyJet, HydraFacials and Icoone Med) to pedicures and even injectables, you’ll find everything here to keep you looking tip-top from head to toe. Tip: The NUVOLA spa, an innovative anti-gravity “dry floating” bath, is exclusive to Phenomena in the Netherlands and can be booked in combination with a massage for a deeply relaxing experience (from €150).
PHENOMENA BEAUTY & HEALTH, Lassusstraat 12
Find Latin American vibes at Amsterdam’s newest rooftop
An “ode to the Amazon rainforest”, Selva brings a touch of glamour to the nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel. Situated on the 24th floor, you’ll be treated to a slick interior, rich with plants and vibrant with colour, with sweeping views of the city. Panamanian chef Roberto Torres takes guests on a “gastronomic journey through the characteristic and varied Latin American landscape” with dishes from Mexico, Peru and Brazil. From a bracing ceviche aji Amarillo (€15) and an excellent aguachile-spiked and coffee-dusted Simmental tartare (€15) to fabulous flame-grilled seabass (€49.50, to share) and dry-aged veal tomahawk steak (€95, serves 2-3), the flavours are all there.
SELVA RESTAURANT, Europaboulevard 2B (24th floor)
Try the latest local chocolate sensation
Claiming that it “takes balls to make slave-free chocolate”, Amsterdam’s very own Tony’s Chocolonely has created a five-strong range of crunchy Lil’Bits chocolate balls in flavours such as milk-hazelnut, marshmallow & biscuit, vegan orange choco-cake, triple chocolate and caramel-sea salt (from €2.99 at Tony’s Super Store or your local supermarket).
TONY’S SUPER STORE, Oudebrugsteeg 15
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.
