Top Nine of The Nine Streets

Just a hop, skip and a jump from Dam Square you will find De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets): The most charming shopping district in all of Amsterdam! Up and coming designers, to-die-for vintage stores and cozy, casual bistros make the quaint and quirky streets that straddle Amsterdam’s grandest canals a shopper’s paradise. Accordingly, next up are The Sandy Papers’ Top Nine of The Nine Streets as ranked by — well, Sandy! 🔝 9️⃣

🏆 Best: PANCAKES Amsterdam 🏆

Warm and welcoming, this cozy little pancake house serves up classic Dutch pancakes that will provide a solid food foundation for the rest of your day. Feeling adventurous? Their apple, almond, calvados and cinnamon combo is like Christmas in a pancake! Craving something savory? Served with slices of zucchini and tomato, their smoked chicken pancake satisfies the heartiest of appetites. Or try my personal favorite: Coconut chips and chocolate! Smothered in rich, creamy Belgium chocolate and toasted coconut chips, this decadent, melt-in-your mouth pancake does not disappoint.

✔️ Pro Tip: Add a side of vanilla bean ice cream. 🔝9️⃣

🏆 Best: Mint Mini Mall. 🏆Possibly the tiniest department store in the world, Mint is jam-packed with marvelous merch that will make you want to spend, spend, spend! From baubles to bags to baby stuff and beyond, Mint Mini Mall offers a dynamic selection of merchandise, making Mint the perfect place to find a super-fun gift for a friend back home or something amazing to buy for yourself. Proprietor Suzanne individually handpicks all wares on display. Well-played, Suzanne. Well-played. Suzanne. 🔝9️⃣

🏆 Best: Toastable. 🏆

Towering, triple-decker toasted sandwiches that challenge even the wildest imagination, Toastable ain’t your ordinary toasted sandwiches. Need some convincing? Try these pairings on for size: ✔️ Meatball peanut butter sauce tomato pickles aged cheese.✔️ Grilled chicken bacon cheese paprika red onion curry sauce.✔️ Mozzarella sundried tomatoes fresh spinach pesto. ❤️

Or try my personal favorite, the Gorgonzola. Stacked with blue cheese, fresh pear, walnuts and balsamic apple syrup, this sandwich clocks in at over three inches high and is too DIE! ❤️ Open all day, every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Toastable is the perfect place to stop by for brunching, lunching or some seriously mouthwatering munching. Friendly service and funky seating make Toastable the place to be for real-deal, grilled cheese sammies.

(Pro tip: For dessert, try Oma’s Appeltaart.) 🔝9️⃣

🏆 Best: JOZ 🏆

Edgy, hip, sophisticated and cool, JOZ might be the new kid on The Nine Streets but it’s already proving to be a crowd favorite! 🖤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Hugely influenced by travel, this narrow shop is well-stocked with beautiful books, killer candles and out-of-this-world fragrances that reflect their genuine love for all things wanderlust. JOZ also sells a wonderful mix of clothing, shoes, bags, belts and jewelry that exude luxury but are surprisingly affordable.Everything here is well-made and designed to be a part of your wardrobe for a long time to come. JOZ’s clean interior design allows you to focus entirely on their spectacular collection. I especially loved browsing the books in this shop. Come here to pick up gifts for friends and family back home. You’ll find a super selection of cheeky cards and friendship bracelets.

No frills here, y’all. Just straight-up, sensational shopping. 🔝9️⃣

🏆 Best: Gerda’s Bloemen. 🏆

Spider chrysanthemums, butterfly orchids and countless varieties of tulips await you at Gerda’s. 🌷 A designer florist located in the heart of the Nine Streets, Gerda’s Flowers & Plants is also one of Amsterdam’s most inspirational. Renowned for creating show-stopping arrangements for many of Amsterdam’s most high-profile events, the beauty lies in both their simplicity and extravagance. 🌹 Using seasonal and exceptional flowers, Gerda’s team creates classic and contemporary compositions inspired by nature itself. Whether you’re looking to pick up a quick bouquet or an elaborate centerpiece, spectacular results are guaranteed. 🌻 And, while Gerda’s makes excellent use of wildflowers, the selection of orchids and other exotics is absolutely outstanding. 🌸

Offering an extensive range of mostly handmade vases, pottery and glassware by contemporary designers including Henry Dean, Norman Trapman and Roderick Vos Ma Ma, one-stop flower shopping doesn’t get any better than this. Helpful advice is on also hand and Gerda’s is pleased to deliver throughout the city of Amsterdam. All major credit cards are accepted. (Pro tip: Stop and smell the 🌹.) 🔝9️⃣

🏆 Best: De Weldaad. 🏆

E is for Enchanting.

Our Electrifying countdown of the Top Nine of The Nine Streets continues. And, while I will never lug a lamp home from Amsterdam, it would be a lie to say that I wasn’t Extremely tempted while browsing the Eclectic wares at De Weldaad. Whether you’re looking for upcycled vintage, industrial design or art nouveau, you will most probably find it at this Enrapturing Establishment. Located in the heart of The Nine Streets on Reestraat, this Extraordinary shop has an original interior from the 19th century and stocks plenty of Elegant furniture, Ethereal lifestyle goods and Enviable accessories for your home.Such an Enthralling way to start your shopping day in Amsterdam — and Especially on Friday the 13th. No Evil tricks here, only seriously Enticing treats. 🔝9️⃣

🏆 Best: PLUK Amsterdam. 🏆

Cool, casual (and incredibly photogenic!), PLUK is a sincerely sensational spot for brunching, lunching or just plain munching. Located smack in the middle of The Nine Streets, PLUK is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and serves up some seriously awesome fare in a bright, airy, two-story loft, complete with a small garden in the back. ❤️ Swoon! ❤️ Sip a freshly-pressed juice or smoothie, munch on a hearty salad and eat cake because of course! It’s all very sweet. (Pro tip: Order your food to go and have a canalside picnic.) Be warned: Soups, salads, sammies, smoothies and sweets aren’t the only items on the menu here. PLUK carries a lovely inventory of gifts, glass and gadgets for you to take home. Check out their super-cool teapots, teacups and colorful candles.

Everybody needs a piece of PLUK! 🔝9️⃣

🏆 Best: Loom & Lace. 🏆

A little black dress. A must-have tee. Perfectly imperfect distressed denim that brings out your inner rockstar. 🖤 Loom & Lace sells timeless fashion that belongs in every woman’s wardrobe. Quality, design and function are buzz words in this shop and relaxed vibes and impeccable customer service are the order of the day. You are highly unlikely to regret your purchase here. Their collection includes Dutch and Scandinavian brands and labels.

See that oh-so-soft buttery metallic leather clutch bathed in yummy studded wonderfulness? Bought that. 🖤 See those blingy little bracelets? Bought one of those, too. 🖤 But my most favorite find was a darling Dutch designer original that I snagged at half price: A beautiful black and white striped blazer that goes with Ev. Rey. Thing!

Life is too short to wear ugly clothes. I 🖤 Loom & Lace! 🔝9️⃣

🏆 Best: The Darling. 🏆

Nadine van der Zee was looking for a place to rent. 🔍 Devoted to the idea of opening her own shop, Nadine began her search. 🔎 After one particularly wild night out with friends at a local cafe, Nadine heard about the availability of a wonderful old building located in the middle of The Nine Streets and, soon afterwards, The Darling was born.That was 2009.Today, Nadine’s dream is still alive and thriving in this Darling two-story loft located at Runstraat 4. Inspired by everyday life and all things wanderlust, Nadine’s team of lovely Darlings has spent years carefully cultivating, collecting and crafting their collections. A mix of Darling one-of-a-kind finds — some vintage, some handmade — are all designed with kindness in mind and beautifully displayed for you to enjoy.

If you’re looking for good vibes and great finds, come here, Darling. You won’t regret it.