Amsterdam Neighbourhoods — De Pijp
De Pijp, an Amsterdam neighborhood found just south of the canal ring, translates into English as ‘The Pipe’ — an early reference to either the public prostitution or the shape of the neighborhood. Historians disagree.
For the last couple of years, an actual pipe, the Amsterdam metro, has been digging its way under De Pijp. Not surprisingly, building a subway in a city that’s below sea level is kind of tricky and led to the misfortune which was the ‘Great Heineken Debacle of 2014,’ when the Heineken brewery fell into a giant sinkhole. Even without its top tourist destination and the constant fear of sudden, gaping pits, De Pijp has managed to evolve into a neighborhood that lifestyle bloggers describe as “trendy” and “alive.”
On sunny afternoons, try Sarphatipark if you’re inclined to pop the top and get some color. The Albert Cuyp Market (#albertcuypmarkt) is (supposedly) the “largest daytime market in Europe” and has a few interesting food stands, but you’re better off heading to Pho 91 (@pho91amsterdam), Spaghetteria (@spaghetteria_pastabar), or The Butcher (@thebutcheramsterdam). (**TIP — There’s also great Surinamese just off the market on Eerste van der Helststraat.)
For shopping, there’s Charlie + Mary (@charlieplusmary), All The Luck In The World… (@alltheluckintheworld), and several other boutiques on the same block of Gerard Doustraat. If you’re working away from the office, Stadskantine (#stadskantine) has plenty of window seating and a good atmosphere. For coffee, Scandinavian Embassy (@scandinavianembassy) and CT Coffee & Coconuts (@coffeecoconuts) are good spots.
Find more suggestions for the best of De Pijp on Sightseen’s Neighbourhood Collections.
