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Furnishing your house in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

Emma Brown
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Furnishing your house in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

So, you’ve just moved into your new place in the Netherlands. Great! But here’s the thing: it’s unfurnished, semi-furnished, or just ugly. A complete nightmare.

Well, we’re here to help you with our best tips and tricks on furnishing your house in the Netherlands, beautifully.

You have a lovely space, you pay your utilities and bills, so of course, you want the place to look nice! Let’s talk about how you can do that. 🛋️

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement. 

Kringloop winkels (second-hand shops): cheap and sustainable

Ooooh, the almighty kringloop winkels. These Dutch second-hand stores can save you hundreds (thousands, even) of euros on all sorts of items — but especially furniture.

While there may be some items you’d rather not pick up here, second-hand shops are a great place to find unique pieces for a fraction of their original price. 🤩

picture-of-storefront-Kringloop-winkel-yellow-theme-furniture-clothing-electronics-car-park-gray-white-doors
The trusted Kringloop winkels. Image: Baykedevries/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

If you have time to look around, you can get some truly fantastic items, and who knows: maybe you’ll even find that perfect eye-catcher your apartment is still missing! 👀

In short: go to a kringloop if you haven’t already! Most areas will have at least one, so a simple Google search can help you find the nearest one.

It’s definitely one of the best places to go if you’re furnishing your house in the Netherlands. 🏠

IKEA: the Swedish giant

We love IKEA! Then again, who doesn’t? The Swedish furniture giant has 13 stores all over the Netherlands, and it’s worth the visit if you have five hours to spare or a free weekend. 😉

IKEA is a very cheap alternative to other furniture places. They’ve got all you need for your home — from matching furniture sets to kitchen supplies, rugs, and houseplants.

If you don’t mind assembling your furniture (and trust us, it can be a lot of fun), it’s one of the best ways of furnishing your house in the Netherlands.

READ MORE | How to donate clothes, furniture and everything else in the Netherlands

No car? No problem. Most IKEA furniture can be bought online and delivered to your house for a reasonable price.

Then again, it’s probably worth going to their stores to indulge in their cheap hot snacks. Did someone say Swedish meatballs and 50-cent hotdogs? 🌭

Flexispot: for your home office

Ever since the pandemic, working from home has been all the rage. So, of course, having a home office that can offer comfort and practicality is more important than ever. 👩‍💻

If you want to seriously level up your home office, Flexispot is the place for you. Those fabulous standing desks you see all over social media? They got ’em.

Insanely comfortable office chairs? Jazeker! And they even sell desk bikes, which allow you to stay fit while working. 🚲

photo-of-man-working-on-computer-standing-up-standing-desk-work-space-binders-statistics-maths-working-in-suit-infront-of-bright-window-back-turned-to-camera
No more back pain from endlessly hunching over your desk! 🙌 Image: Depositphotos

Flexispot’s home-delivery service makes shopping enjoyable, and the quality of their products is unmatched (we can say that with confidence since we’ve got their E7 desk in our little DutchReview office 😉).

Marktplaats: the Dutch eBay

Marktplaats (market square) is the perfect place to visit if you’re after a bargain. Both new and used items are put up for sale on this site every day — some are even free! 💻

READ MORE | Best options for selling your stuff in the Netherlands

Some listings are from regular people like you and me selling unwanted items, while others are from online shops. It’s easy to use, and if your Dutch is not up to scratch, many listings on the site are written in English.

Facebook: use the power of social media

Another way to get some cheap or free goods is to join international groups on Facebook. And because expats are always on the move, there’s almost always somebody there who is trying to get rid of their furniture.

The best part? They often want somebody to take their furniture off them quickly, so they sell their stuff for very cheap. 🤑

Having realised how popular buy-and-sell groups were on Facebook, the platform even introduced its own Marketplace, where you can see listed items in your area. 📱

photo-of-happy-woman-looking-at-her-laptop-cheering-smiling-laughing-hands-arms-in-the-air-on-home-couch-excitement
Us finding the perfect couch for just €200 on Facebook Marketplace! Image: Depositphotos

Go to your Facebook homepage, and you’ll find the Marketplace in the sidebar. There is a load of cheap and free items to be found here! It’s always updated, so make sure you quickly snap up that bargain before somebody else does.

Action: for all your bits ‘n bobs

Action is the best for the smaller yet just as important little bits for your home. It has paint, duvet sets, cleaning products, kitchen items, little tables, lamps, garden products, candles, shoe shelves, towels, DIY tools, hardware — the list goes on forever.

READ MORE | After a korting? The guide to cheap shops in the Netherlands

This is the place you need to go to if your house is almost fully furnished but is still missing some essentials and a bit of decoration, too. Luckily, Actions can be found pretty much everywhere in the Netherlands, so you have no excuse not to go. 🤷‍♀️

photo-of-entrance-of-blue-white-action-store-in-the-netherlands
Are these… the gates to heaven? Image: Depositphotos

Just be careful; you might find yourself walking out of here with way more than what you actually came in for. 🫢

Your neighbours: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

If you live in a block of apartments, keep an eye on any communal areas!

Members of the building who want to get rid of an item will often leave it out for other people to take. It’s a win-win! It saves them the hassle of bringing it away and gives someone else a free new piece of furniture.

Besides that, checking out your flat’s noticeboard or communal walls is also worth it —  people often advertise items for sale from within the block. 📍

If the notice is in Dutch and you aren’t fluent yet, translate it! You could be missing out on a bargain. 💰

Do you have any other tips about furnishing a house in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

Here’s how Dutch changed the English language forever

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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2
Here’s how Dutch changed the English language forever

Have you ever heard people complain that the use of English is becoming too widespread in the Netherlands, changing the way Dutch people speak their language? Well, the British once had the same exact worry, but reversed.

English is everywhere in the Netherlands, so you’ll hardly be surprised to hear that present-day Dutch borrows about 1.5% of its lexicon from it.

But guess what? The opposite is also true: about 1% of English comes from Dutch — and the British weren’t always thrilled about it.

Here’s how the Dutchies came to shape the most influential language in the world to such an extent. 👇

Long time frenemies: a history of close Anglo-Dutch contact

The history of the Dutch influence on the English language is one of very close, though not always friendly (or vriendelijk 😉) contact.

READ NEXT | 7 ways life in the UK is drastically different to life in the Netherlands

The primary reason for the similarities between Dutch and English is the common ancestor shared between Old Dutch and Anglo-Saxon: West German.

Due to their shared Germanic roots, the two languages are believed to have been mutually intelligible until the early medieval period, after which they drifted apart.

After that, however, migration, trade, war, and culinary and artistic contaminations continued to give English and Dutch speakers plenty of reasons to talk to each other.

This, in turn, has left lasting traces in the English lexicon, which is disseminated with many more or less hidden Dutch words.

Let’s look at some examples. 👀

Dutch words that crossed the English channel

Many of the Dutch words that made it to the other side of the English Channel reflect the main activities the Dutch were famous for throughout history: seafaring, trade, and colonisation.

READ MORE | The Dutch East India Company was richer than Apple, Google, and Facebook combined

Due to their mastery of the seas, the Dutch gave English words such as skipper, deck, dock, freight, and cruise.

Their trading might, in turn, left the British with terms like trade, pack, bundle, and deal.

Dutch colonial and commercial history also left behind all kinds of words imported from faraway places, which were first Dutchified and then transmitted to English: tea, coffee, and bamboo are just a few examples.

Arts, crafts, and draught (beer)

Another activity that made the Dutch famous throughout history was painting: the massive influence of the 16th and 17th Dutch meesters (masters) on European art gifted English terms like masterpiece, sketch, still life, and landscape.

READ MORE | 10 of the Netherlands’ most famous painters

And what’s the best way to discuss art? In front of a glass of booze, of course!

Yep, that’s a Dutch word too, coming from the Middle Dutch verb busen, to drink excessively. So is brewery, by the way, coming from brouwerij.

Fancy a snack to absorb all the alcohol? Then you should go for a cookie (koekje), scone (schoonbrood), pickle (pekel). Oh, snack is Dutch, too: coming from snacken, to snap or snatch.

A literal Dutch invasion

Anglo-Dutch history was not all deals and meals: there were also wars.

picture-of-1639-painting-by-Reinier-Nooms-picturing-a-sea-battle-from-anglo-dutch-wars
The Dutch were the last foreign power to invade Britain 🤯 Image: Reinier Nooms/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain.

It is estimated that about a third of the Norman army that famously invaded Britain in 1066 was made up of Flemings, Dutch and Flemish-speaking inhabitants of present-day Netherlands, Flanders, and Northern Normandy.

Many of them were promised land in Britain in exchange for their services, which also explains why so many Scots are surnamed “Fleming”.

READ NEXT | That time the Dutch conquered Britain (ja, we’re serious)

But the wars didn’t stop in the Middle Ages. Between the 1650s and 1780s, the four Anglo-Dutch Wars made the two countries colonial rivals and enemies for another century — which is why English still has so many negative expressions referring to the Dutch.

For example, fake courage derived from drinking alcohol is called “Dutch courage”, and when someone is talking gibberish, you can say it’s “Double Dutch” (yes, like the American comedian you’ve probably come across if you’re also chronically online).

Fancy English words that are actually Dutch

British English might have a reputation for sounding posh, but in fact, it borrows some of its fancier-sounding terms from Dutch.

@letsdoubledutch oh happy mes 🔪 #shakespeareinlove #shakespearetiktok #learningdutch #translatethis #translationchallenge #germaniclanguages #dutchbelike #expatlife #expatsinthenetherlands #britsabroad ♬ original sound – Double Dutch

That’s the case for dapper, often used as a synonym for “smartly dressed”; to frolic, to move about cheerfully; to hanker, to desire strongly; and to loiter, to stand around with no apparent purpose.

READ NEXT | Three very important differences between Britain and the Netherlands

Even the less elegant but undoubtedly very British-sounding word “poppycock” (I see you giggling like a 12-year-old) comes from the Dutch pappekak, “nonsense.”

American English was Dutchified, too

And how could American English escape this Dutchification, considering that the Netherlands famously established colonies in the US?

READ NEXT | Life in the Netherlands and the US: what stands out?

The Dutch influence on American English includes, of course, names of places in the former Nieuw Amsterdam (New York), such as Brooklyn, named after the Dutch Breukelen, and Harlem, named after… *drumroll* Haarlem.

However, according to some linguists, unsuspecting American English words like “dollar” and “Yankee” also come from Dutch. The more you know!

If you’re a language geek like us, you can find out more about the influence of Dutch on the English language in the video below. Last fun fact: “geek” comes from the Dutch word gek, “fool”. 😉

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Brazilian in the Netherlands dies after falling out of a window — but her family thinks there’s more to the story

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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1
Brazilian in the Netherlands dies after falling out of a window — but her family thinks there’s more to the story

On January 3, a Brazilian woman died after falling out of a window in Breda. Dutch police concluded it wasn’t a crime — but the woman’s family disagrees.

The woman’s relatives don’t believe that her death was an accident and want the Dutch police to re-open the investigation, reports the AD.

What happened?

On the morning of Friday, January 3, a witness on Breda’s Keizerstraat heard someone shout, “Don’t do this, don’t do this,” she tells the AD.

A resident of De Lange Stallen also recalls hearing some shouting while they were having breakfast with their friend. “It sounded like someone was being attacked,” they say.

Shortly after, the friend went to have a look and found the woman lying on the ground.

Who was the victim?

The woman was later identified as Taiany Caroline Martins Matos, known as Caroline, a 32-year-old Brazilian who had moved to Breda five months ago to live with her Dutch boyfriend.

According to the AD, she had just returned to the Netherlands from spending Christmas holidays with her family in Brazil.

Apparently, she was last seen in public on the night before her death, when she went out with her friends.

No evidence of a crime

On the morning of Caroline’s death, emergency services rushed to the scene, and the Keizerstraat remained closed to traffic for hours.

After a one-day-long “thorough investigation,” however, Dutch police concluded that there was no crime and closed the case.

Translation: We’re receiving many questions following an incident in Breda on January 3 in which a woman died. We conducted a thorough investigation after the death, together with the Public Prosecution Service. This was carried out, among other things, by Forensic Investigation specialists.

Due to the high resonance of the case in Brazil, the Brazilian Consulate in Amsterdam has requested a copy of the police report, writes De Telegraaf.

Dutch police have also contacted the deceased woman’s family in Brazil, to reiterate that the investigation found the death to have been a “fatal accident.”

The family’s version

According to De Telegraaf, the woman’s family not only doesn’t trust the Dutch police’s conclusion but has a very specific reconstruction of the events surrounding Caroline’s death.

They say that her Dutch boyfriend (53) was jealous and possessive, and the two were arguing about the woman’s outing with her friends that morning.

According to them, the woman was running from her boyfriend when she retreated to the bathroom and, eventually, fell off the fourth-floor window.

So far, the Dutch police have not reopened the case.

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Dutch influencer always has to poop when shopping at Albert Heijn — and scientists explain why

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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0
Dutch influencer always has to poop when shopping at Albert Heijn — and scientists explain why

For the past five days, the Netherlands has been captivated by a nationwide debate about… the bowel movements of a Dutch influencer.

TikTokker and singer Rhodé Kok’s video about her pooping habits has garnered over 800,000 views, prompting thousands of Dutchies to share which public places inspire their intestines the most, reports the AD.

Stimulating supermarket trips

It all started due to Kok’s candid question to her 1.2 million TikTok followers: “Why do I always have to poop when I’m in Albert Heijn?”

@rhodekok

zeg alsjeblieft niet dat ik de enige ben

♬ origineel geluid – Rhodé

In just over one minute, Kok explains how she can go up to five days without going number two, until she goes for groceries in the famous Dutch supermarket chain.

READ NEXT | Best supermarkets in the Netherlands: the international’s guide

Then, right when she’s “standing there with a big basket full of stuff,” her bowels decide to awaken, to her annoyance.

“What’s in that air there? I’ve had it too often to call it a coincidence,” she wonders.

The TikTok’s caption reads, “Please don’t say I’m the only one.”

A common predicament

Kok is, indeed, not the only one in this sh-, ehm, unfortunate situation.

Thousands of Dutchies have chipped in in the comments agreeing with her, thanking her for her honesty, and sharing their own intestine-inspiring public places.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #36: Charge people for public toilets

The official Albert Heijn account, too, entered the debate. “We just like big groceries,” they joked.

Why does this happen?

But is there a scientific explanation for this strange phenomenon? On Saturday, Flemish science journalist Martijn Peters gathered a few expert theories on this topic in another TikTok video.

READ NEXT | Dutch Quirk #81: Have toilets with an inspection shelf for their poo

In the video, which already has over 160,000 views, Peters explains that this strange effect is known as the “Mariko Aoki” phenomenon, owing to the name of the Japanese journalist who first shed (shat?) light on it in the 1980s.

Since then, scientists have made several hypotheses but never seriously researched the matter.

@martijn_peters Heb jij hier ook last van? En in welke winkel? 😅😁😁 #askmartijn #wetenschap #science #edutok #tiktoknl #weetjes #feitjes #fyp #health ♬ Funny video "Carmen Prelude" Arranging weakness(836530) – yo suzuki(akisai)

One theory, for instance, blames the squatting-down movement people make to reach the lower shelves, and all that walking between aisles.

Another theory cites the stress and overstimulation of doing groceries in a supermarket.

READ MORE | Cheapest supermarkets in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide in 2025

Finally, some scientists blame the human brain, either for causing bowel movements precisely due to the anxiety of knowing there are no nearby toilets, or due to looking for connections when there are none, turning a simple coincidence into a pattern. 🚽

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Have you seen this woman? Dutch police ask for help in search of 38-year-old Marjolein

Ada Dolanay
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Have you seen this woman? Dutch police ask for help in search of 38-year-old Marjolein

A 38-year-old Dutch woman named Marjolein van der Heijden has been missing since Thursday, January 9. Her last confirmed location was the Soetendaalsekade in North Rotterdam. 

The Dutch police have published her photo and urgently request the public’s help in finding her. 

Here’s what we know

Marjolein is described as having light skin, blond hair, a slim build and a height of 1.75 metres. She was last seen wearing a long green coat and carrying two black bags.

Translation: Update urgent missing Marjolein: there is new footage from January 9th 2:14 PM on the Soetendaalsekade. If you live in Hillegersberg or the area around station Noord, we ask you to view your camera footage to see if Marjolein can be seen there after 2:14 PM. Tips/footage: 0900-8844. 

Previously, Marjolein was seen at 2 PM on Thursday at a cooking shop near Noordplein.

The most recent police footage captured her at 2:14 PM on Soetendaalsekade in North Rotterdam. This is the last confirmed sighting of her, according to the AD. 

Family’s plea

As Omroep West writes, Marjolein’s family is deeply concerned for her safety after making an appeal to the public:

“We just want her back home safe and sound as soon as possible.”

If you or anyone you know have any information about Marjolein’s whereabouts, please contact the police at 0900-8844.

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This Amsterdam-based food chain ‘beats McDonald’s’ and gets rave reviews abroad, have you heard of it? 

Ada Dolanay
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1
This Amsterdam-based food chain ‘beats McDonald’s’ and gets rave reviews abroad, have you heard of it? 

Amsterdam’s very own Fat Phill’s is the rising star in the burger business, with both national and international media reporting that it “beats” industry giants like McDonald’s — but how? 

Let’s sink our teeth into the juicy details. 😋

A fast-growing fast-food chain

Armin Vahabian, the mastermind behind Fat Phill’s, started his culinary hustle by selling poké bowls and sandwiches from the kitchen of his father’s Persian restaurant, writes Het Parool. 

This quickly escalated into American-inspired burgers after Vahabian discovered the Philly cheesesteak on a trip to the U.S. 

With witty and… adventurous slogans like “We make ‘m fatter” and “The fattest in town,” Fat Phill’s has seen its brand boom — despite current health trends.

Today, the restaurant is raved about in the media. Het Financieele Dagblad has crowned it the “fastest growing hamburger chain in Europe,” and food bloggers claim it “beats out McDonald’s and KFC any day of the week.”

A taste of international success

Fat Phill’s started with one location in Amsterdam but quickly spread its wings to multiple locations across the Netherlands, from Amsterdam’s Flower Market to Leiden.

The burger joint has recently opened a new location in London, meeting with rave reviews and a 4.5-star rating. Now, the chain has plans to expand to Munich, as well. ✈️

@nowupnext

📍Fat Phill’s Diner, The Netherlands. Located in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and many more locations, we’re putting this burger joint to the test. Let’s eat 🤝🍔 #burger #amsterdam #smashburger #tiktokfood #amsterdamfood #foodies #restaurantamsterdam #takeaway #netherlandsfood #rotterdamfood #hamburger #rotterdamhotspots

♬ original sound – Now Up Next

Vahabian plans to open 50 stores in the Netherlands and continue expanding abroad.

The only advice we can give him is to turn Fat Phill’s into a 24/7 diner, just like the ones he fell in love with in the U.S. 😉

Have you heard of Fat Phill’s? What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.

10 tips for finding a job in the Netherlands (without speaking Dutch)

DutchReview Crew
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10 tips for finding a job in the Netherlands (without speaking Dutch)

Moving to the Netherlands and finding a job without speaking Dutch may seem challenging, but there are numerous opportunities if you know where to look.

Here are 10 essential tips to help you find a job in the Netherlands, without speaking Dutch!  

1. Use English-language job boards 

There are several job boards tailored for English-speaking job seekers in the Netherlands. Websites like Undutchables and Together Abroad list positions specifically for expats.

These platforms make it easier to find jobs that don’t require Dutch proficiency. Make sure your CV is up to date first — there are handy online platforms that can help you update it, format it, and tailor it to each job!

2. Target multinational companies

Multinational companies in the Netherlands often use English as their primary working language. Many international corporations have offices in major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, and actively seek English-speaking professionals.

Look for companies in sectors like tech, finance, or consulting, which are typically open to international talent.

3. Focus on international hubs

Cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam are home to many international companies and have a high concentration of English-speaking professionals.

Targeting job opportunities in these areas may increase your chances of finding a position that doesn’t require Dutch. 

man-working-for-the-average-salary-in-the-netherlands
Jobs in the Netherlands are often flexible to work from home. Image: Depositphotos

4. Use LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a widely-used platform in the Netherlands and is instrumental in job hunting. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated and tailored to your target roles.

Connect with recruiters and companies in your field, and consider reaching out to potential employers directly to express your interest in open positions.

5. Develop in-demand skills

The demand for skilled professionals is high in sectors like IT, finance, engineering, and healthcare. If you have expertise in these areas, your chances of finding a job without speaking Dutch are significantly higher.

Consider taking online courses to develop skills in these in-demand fields if needed.

6. Attend networking events

Networking is crucial in the Netherlands, and many networking events are held in English, especially those catering to expats.

Attend job fairs, industry meetups, and other events to connect with professionals in your field. Make sure to bring your resume with you. 

7. Work with recruiters

Several recruitment agencies in the Netherlands focus on placing English-speaking talent.

Undutchables and Adams Multilingual Recruitment are two agencies known for connecting expats with job opportunities. Partnering with these agencies can streamline your job search.

8. Apply for English-speaking jobs

Some roles inherently require English fluency, especially those with a focus on international markets. Examples include digital marketing, content writing, sales, customer service, and technical support for English-speaking clients.

Search for job descriptions that list English as the primary language. 

photo-of-woman-in-amsterdam-walking-bike-to-work-in-sun
English-speaking jobs are not always easy to find, but they do exist. Image: Freepik

9. Prepare for cultural differences

The Dutch work culture values directness, transparency, and punctuality. Being aware of these cultural norms can help you make a positive impression during interviews and while networking.

Show your willingness to adapt to the local work culture even if you’re not fluent in Dutch. 

10. Start learning basic Dutch

While you can secure a job without Dutch, learning some basics can be advantageous and make daily life easier.

Many Dutch people appreciate the effort, and it shows your willingness to integrate into the culture. Free online platforms like Duolingo or Memrise can help you get started. 

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Serial molester in Rotterdam: Police share footage of suspect, women warned to “stay alert”

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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0
Serial molester in Rotterdam: Police share footage of suspect, women warned to “stay alert”

A serial molester is on the loose in Rotterdam. While investigations are ongoing, the police have disclosed footage of a suspect, warning women to “stay alert”.

The warning came after recent reports by six different victims, three of whom have filed a formal complaint, reports RTL Nieuws.

Serial attacks by the same man

The attacks have all occurred on public roads in Rotterdam Centrum or Noord, mainly at night or early in the morning while it’s still dark.

By reviewing nearby footage, police have singled out a suspect. He appears to be a man with the following characteristics:

  • aged between 25 and 40
  • gets around by bike
  • speaks Dutch
  • dark hair, eyes, and facial hair
  • dark-coloured puffer jacket

To help with the search and try to warn possible victims, the authorities have released footage of the suspected serial molester to the public:

Authorities call on victims to come forward

So far, six women have come forward with assault reports. The investigators, however, think there might be more and have called on victims to come forward.

Since the molester seems to have only targeted women, for now, police have specifically warned women to “stay extra alert.”

Police warning draws criticism

The warning has been criticised by “Stichting De Veilige Nacht”, a foundation working to make Rotterdam’s nightlife safer.

“Once again, the blame is being placed on the woman,” Anouk Bol of the foundation tells RTL Nieuws.

The police, nonetheless, maintain that the warning is meant to alert people to suspicious situations while further action to apprehend the suspect is taken behind the scenes.

Know anything about the suspect? As the investigation continues, the police have asked people to come forward with any valuable information by calling 0800-6070.

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Discover Bar Kantoor, the ‘lekkerste’ office in Amsterdam

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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0
Discover Bar Kantoor, the ‘lekkerste’ office in Amsterdam

Tired of the grind at your workplace? Go wind down at Bar Kantoor, the West Amsterdam restaurant where elegant office decor meets tasty wining and dining. 

This restaurant’s Dutch name literally translates to “bar office”, but don’t let this fool you!

We went there ourselves, and can confirm that at Bar Kantoor, your only job is to eat and drink to your heart’s content. 😉

What is Bar Kantoor?

photo-of-outside-terrace-of-amsterdam-restaurant-bar-kantoor-scaled
Nothing feels better than sipping on a drink in the sun after a long day of work. 😎 Image: Bar Kantoor/Facebook

Bar Kantoor is a sustainable restaurant located in Westerpark in West Amsterdam. It owes its name to the building where it’s housed, a former office of the Westergasfabriek.

Today, the building feels far removed from its past industrial context: it’s an elegant, finely decorated brick construction featuring a big, sunny terrace, ideal for soaking in whatever sunrays Dutch weather allows.

The interior is even more interesting: the furniture is entirely inspired by the building’s former function, in a cosy yet tasteful mix of second-hand pieces. If you observe the bar, for example, you’ll notice it is made of original filing cabinets. 🗄️

The perfect spot for a boozy brunch

Bar Kantoor’s menu is rich and varied, featuring both Dutch classics such as bitterballen and kaaskroketten and international favourites such as hummus and flammkuchen.

All ingredients are 100% organic, seasonal, and prepared with a zero-waste mindset. As we went in late autumn, for instance, we had some delicious pumpkin and feta flammkuchen — highly recommended!

table-full-of-good-food-at-bar-kantoor-in-amsterdam-westerpark
You know the food is good when everyone is too busy eating to take aesthetic pictures. 😍 Image: DutchReview

The drinks list reflects the same care for quality and detail as the rest of the menu.

For purely professional purposes, we also sampled some drinks and can definitely recommend the Paloma and Dutch Negroni. 🍸

photo-of-dutchreview-team-enjoying-brunch-at-bar-kantoor-in-amsterdam
No tipsy co-workers were harmed taking this picture. 🥰 Image: Dutchreview

Join their events, or host your own

Owing to its ample space, Bar Kantoor is also a great event venue. 

You can check out the events they organise on their website: from brunches to drag queen disco bingo nights, you will definitely find something that floats your boat or flies your kite (…or moves another metaphorical outdoor sports-related object of your liking).

If not, you can also rent out the space for your own events: from work meetings to birthday parties to weddings, those walls have truly seen it all. 

The Library

For a truly exclusive experience, we recommend renting out the beautiful Library.

Yep, you’ve guessed it: as per Bar Kantoor’s usual, it is not a literal library.

Rather, it is a cosy meeting room, perfect for organising an office brunch, for example. After all, business runs smoother when nibbling on a crunchy bitterbal. 😉

Like the rest of the Bar Kantoor spaces, the Library can be booked online as a simple venue or coupled with different catering services.

📍 Location: Haarlemmerweg 8, 1014BE Amsterdam
⏰ Working hours: Daily 7 AM to 9 PM, open until 11 PM on Fridays
💰 Prices: The menu and rent fees can be found on this brochure or on the website

Don’t want the night to end? Stay at the Conscious Hotel

Photo-of-westerpark-conscious-hotel-entrance
You’re telling me I get to relax, stay in the heart of Amsterdam, AND minimize my carbon footprint in one hotel stay?! Image: Conscious Hotels/Supplied

If you’re having a bit too much fun with those Palomas, you can even sleep them off on-site! 

We don’t mean simply dozing off on one of Bar Kantoor’s comfy couches: there is a far better option.

Housed in the same building as Bar Kantoor, the Conscious Hotel is a 100% electric, sustainable hotel.

Featuring 89 elegant rooms, it is the perfect place to get a restorative night of sleep, recharge for the day with Bar Kantoor’s delicious breakfast, and set out to explore Amsterdam West.

As Wiz Khalifa put it, Bar Kantoor is the ultimate work hard, play hard, sleep hard location. I’m sure you’ll agree once you see for yourself. 

What other hidden gems are hiding out in West Amsterdam? Tell us all about your favourite spots in the comments below.

Travelling to the UK from the Netherlands? You’ll soon need this special travel permit

Ada Dolanay
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Travelling to the UK from the Netherlands? You’ll soon need this special travel permit

Starting today, international travellers must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. The UK government’s reasoning for this new step? “To better monitor their borders.“

While European nationals can still visit the UK for less than 180 days without the permit, an ETA will be mandatory starting April 2, 2025.

What does this mean for Dutch travellers?

If you’re travelling from the Netherlands to the UK after April 2, you’ll need to secure an ETA in advance.

The NOS emphasises that this measure applies even for short trips or transits through British territory, as well as for children and babies.

READ MORE | 5 ways the Netherlands is better than the UK according to a Brit 

However, it does not apply to you if:

  • You have a UK visa,
  • You have permission to live, work or study in the UK,
  • You are a British or Irish citizen,
  • You are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport, or
  • You live in Ireland and travel from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

What you’ll pay for an ETA

As with all good things in life, an ETA comes with an application fee of around €12 (£10).

Tip: Make sure to apply on time! Most applications are processed within minutes, but others can take up to three working days. You can apply on this website starting March 5th. 

Once approved, your ETA is valid for the next two years and can be used for multiple trips. 

READ MORE | 7 ways life in the UK is drastically different to life in the Netherlands

So, whether you’re off to the UK for a plate of fish and chips, to refine your posh British accent, or just for a short layover at London Heathrow, make sure you’ve got your shiny new ETA. ✨

What do you think about this new measure? Let us know in the comments below.

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