DK Travel : Amsterdam : Central Canal Ring : Editor's choice

Bagel & Beans

American-style freshly-baked cookies and cheesecake, freshlys-queezed juices and (rare in Amsterdam) decent-sized cups of coffee.
Ben & Jerry’s

Forget the nearby Häagen-Dazs parlour – ice cream never tasted this good.
Cortina Papier

A wonderful selection of beautiful, handbound books and albums, printed and marbled wrapping papers, and inks in all colours.
Frozen Fountain

Arguably, Amsterdam’s most important designer store and exhibition space for furniture and household products. A revered international reputation for its cutting-edge designs and fresh talent makes it a must-see.
Hotel Pulitzer

Opera brunches take place on the last Sunday of the month in the “Garden Room” of this prestigious hotel. In August, the hampers and champagne come out in full force, when a floating stage is set up out front for the unmissable Grachtenfestival’s open-air classical concert.
La Tertulia

A mother and daughter team run this bright, split-level canalside coffeeshop. Perfect for firsttimers.
Melkweg

This former milk factory now churns out live music. Plus there’s a cinema, theatre, gallery, cafébar, upstairs bar and pint-sized video room (see Melkweg).
Paradiso

One of Amsterdam’s bestloved live music spots. Velvet Underground, Buzzcocks and Macy Gray have all played here. The intimate upstairs hall often has unknowns before they go big.
Sound of the Fifties

A unique record shop stocking rare and collectable vinyl from the 1950s.
Urban Home & Garden Tours

Garden designer André Ancion gives English-language walking tours delving behind the façades of some of the city’s most impressive canal houses.