Amsterdam

I live in Indische Buurt, the finest neighborhood in Amsterdam. I've been here since late 2015.

Favorites

Shops

• A. Boeken, fabrics
• Amazing Oriental, Chinese supermarket
• De Balkonie, plants
• Duikelman, cooking supplies
• Java Bookshop

Lunch & dining

• The Cottage
• Sazanka, teppanyaki
• Undercover Amsterdam, omakase and sushi

Markets

• Noordermarkt

Food

• Fromagerie Kef, cheese
• Gebroeders Niemeijer, bakery
• Kaashuis Tromp, cheese
• Slagerij Cees de Bouter, butcher
• Slagerij De Leeuw, butcher
• Van Avezaath Beune, patisserie
• Vishandel Tel, seafood

Coffee spots and cafes

• Coffee Company Javaplein
• Thuskomme
• Koffiesalon

Theatres

• Kriterion
• Studio K
• Lab 111

Barber

• Gray and their shop Kindred Kuts

Eyewear

• Polette

Swimming

• Flevoparkbad
• Noorderparkbad

Fun facts

• Sometimes in the morning when you're biking to work, you might find that the air in Amsterdam smells like dark chocolate powder. It's most likely the chocolate factory in Zaandam.

Why Amsterdam works for me

To my surprise, when Dutch people from outside of the city tell me about Amsterdam, they usually assume I'm here for the culture and proximity to commercial innovation. Having grown up in the South of the Netherlands as a queer person of color, I've become intimately familiar with what it means to be The Other. Next to Rotterdam, Amsterdam is the only place in the country that doesn't further cultivate that feeling. It's been a healing experience for me to call this city home.