The Antique Ring Shop's Amsterdam Guide

We totally love our part of Amsterdam, so let us tell you some of our go-to places around here!

Our little shop has been located in the beautiful Staalstraat for over a decade, right in the middle of the oldest part of Amsterdam. The Staalstraat is a lovely small street that houses shops such as the world famous design shop Hotel Droog, chocalatier Puccini Bomboni, vintage shops Retro & Chic and Marbles Vintage and a few great places to either eat or take-away. We are situated right across from where Rembrandt painted "De Staalmeesters" and next to the bridge where Monet painted "De Zuiderkerk". So much history! For a great cheese sandwich or salade to take away,try Sterk Staaltje down the street. Or get a cup of coffee from the nice people at Adesso Espresso.

But you can catch Joe on his bright red bike, cycling all the way to the south of Amsterdam to get fresh bread (or cake every now and then) from Le Fournil de Sebastien. They make amazing special breads with olives, dried tomatoes or vigs but also Tarte au Citron or brioche.

Just a few streets away from our shop you can visit Tuschinski, the oldest cinema in Amsterdam. A stunning Art Deco building near Rembrandtplein. The Waterlooplein-market is also close, only two bridges away, and we like it 'cause you can still find some gems there, rummage through stacks of clothes or do some crate-digging.

Get a cup of coffee at The Coffee Company or eat a bagel at Bagels & Beans, both to be found along the market square.

If you love history as much as we do, visit the permanent exhibition at City Archives on the Vijzelstraat. The huge former bank vaults hold all the secrets to old Amsterdam, like the police report Anne Frank filled out when her bike got stolen.

City Archives of Amsterdam

Another store favourite is soup from Soup en Zo (Soup and such) on the Jodenbreestraat behind Waterlooplein, clam chowder, Marocan Peasoup or maybe spicy spinach soup with coconut, take your pick.

A lovely little place to visit is the 17th-century canal house with a church in the attic, Our Lord in the Attic. This old church dates from 1663 and while it was prohibited to celebrate mass, the authorities turned a blind eye. Indeed, the church symbolizes the characteristic tolerance of the Netherlands. Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (its Dutch name) is the second oldest museum in the city.

If you need more of our Amsterdam tips, ask us when you're here!