62 Best Places to Shop in Amsterdam, Netherlands

What began in the early '70s as an erotic magazine outlet has grown into reputedly the largest brick-and-mortar English-language book emporium on the continent. True to its name, the shop is American-owned, but the selection is broad and eclectic, running the gamut from crime fiction to New Age and Manga. Students, teachers, and senior citizens (on Monday only) receive a 10% discount with a valid ID.

For the city's best selection of international newspapers, creative magazines, and highbrow periodicals, as well as the freshest local offerings, find your way to the unmissable red-and-white awning on the Spui.

Most department stores and toy shops in the Netherlands carry this iconic Dutch children's brand, which you may know as Miffy, but here, at one of only two shops in the country, you'll find every imaginable Nijntje product—clothes, books, toys, night-lights, toothbrushes, and more.

Hands-down the best kitchenware store in Amsterdam. The city’s chefs and home cooks crowd into this family-run business for excellent advice on everything from oyster knives to stand mixers to espresso machines. Tulip-shaped cookie cutters and wooden speculaas molds are nifty (and useful) souvenirs. There are also dedicated Duikelman stores nearby for professional ovens and refrigerators, and cookbooks, porcelain, and tea towels.

With more than 400 cheeses, all aged in the shop’s very own cheese cave, this is easily one of the best cheese shops in the Netherlands—and, some say, in all of Europe. There’s also an interesting selection of oils from Provence-based Château d’Estoublon, as well as charcuterie and crackers. Stock up on bread next door at the excellent French bakery Le Fournil de Sébastien and then head to nearby Beatrixpark for a picnic.

With an emphasis on "real food"—local, seasonal, and sometimes organic—and transparent production practices, this sustainable supermarket offers everything from fresh fish, meats, and cheeses to baked goods, organic wines, and even TV dinners. Note that Marqt takes credit and debit cards only and has multuple locations around the city, including nearby in the Oud-West along Bijderdijkstraat.

Casual, preppy threads for men, women, and children can be found here, along with home wares, toys, and toiletries. There are other locations in Centrum, Oud-Zuid, and the Eastern Canal Ring.

Entering UN feels more like walking into an art gallery than a shoe shop. And it's no wonder: the creative mind behind this brand's flagship store—and the various models of the signature floating-heeled pump contained therein—is Rem D. Koolhaas, nephew of the famous Pritzker Prize–winning architect Rem Koolhaas. In addition to architectural footwear for him and her, there's also a selection of striking watches, backpacks, and sunglasses.

On Saturday, Amsterdam’s finest organic and artisanal food producers descend on a small square behind the Concertgebouw. There's a fishmonger, a granola and muesli specialist, a pancake stall popular with local kids, and, of course, plenty of organic produce from local farms.

Stock up on local cheese from Erik's Delicatessen and dried fennel sausages from Brandt & Levie.

This century-old market on Albert Cuypstraat is the beating heart of De Pijp. It's open Monday–Saturday, rain or shine, and you're likely to hear the vendors barking out their bargains over the sound of a street musician. Stalls sell food, clothing, fabrics, plants, and household goods from all over the world. Be sure to try some Dutch snacks, like freshly made stroopwafels (thin waffle cookies with a layer of caramel sandwiched in between) or patat (french fries served with mayonnaise or satay sauce).

The largest covered art and antiques market in the Netherlands is a cooperative, housing more than 55 dealers and 10,000 objects. You may have to browse through a lot of junk, but you wouldn't be the first to end up with a great buy on an antique doll, a first-edition book, or military memorabilia.

This antiquarian's heaven, housed in a former department store, offers five floors of treasures on Amsterdam history. Specialties of this family-run business include books on pre-18th-century art, classical archaeology, architecture, biology, and the Olympic Games, as well as topographical maps and prints. It also offers a fair share of other literature nicely shelved by subject.

Chocoholics, take note: this Oud-Zuid institution not only sells handmade bonbons in sophisticated flavors like Earl Grey, cranberry-caramel, and black sesame–lychee, but will also custom-design just about anything you can imagine in chocolate. Several options are available for those with lactose, gluten, or cacao allergies. There is also a new shop on Molsteeg 11, offering ArtiChoc's most famous in-house specialty, Hemelse Stenen or ''Heavenly Stones," meltingly soft chocolate squares with nuts.

Founded in 1967, this shop is treasure trove of jewelry, fabrics, furniture, and other curiosities—both old and new—from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Stop by this highly respected specialty shop for art books after visiting the nearby Stedelijk Museum, Van Gogh Museum, or Rijksmuseum. The store also has an interesting selection of highbrow literature and nonfiction.

In business since 1792, this is one of the city's oldest and finest jewelers. In fact, founder Adrianus Bonebakker was famously commissioned by King Willem II to design a royal crown. While Bonebakker still manufactures and sells high-end jewelry and diamonds, you'll also find watches and fine jewelry by the likes of Ole Lynggaard, Pasquale Bruni, Boucheron, and Schoeffel.

Women inspired by the betwixt-beach-and-bar look of Ibiza should sashay their suede ankle boots here for brands such as Isabel Marant Étoile, Paul & Joe, Antik Batik, Ganni, Masscob, and Joseph.

Established in 1841, this Dutch department store chain offers affordable fashion for the whole family, ranging from 100% organic cotton baby clothes to plus-size skinny jeans and recycled swimwear. There are always sales racks, and if you have the patience to paw through them, you may be rewarded with some discounted gems. The Damrak store is one of five in Amsterdam alone; for other locations, visit the website.

Trendy boys and girls flock here for fashionable street wear from labels such as StillaDinnasLäb, Billionaire Boys Club, Rick Owens, and Walter van Beirendonck, as well as the latest sneakers and shoes from adidas, Grenson, and Both. Do check out the work of local and international artists in the adjacent gallery.

Since 1910, this popular market has been a consumer crossroads in Amsterdam-Oost. Running the length of the eponymous street, the market's 250 stalls sell everything from discount clothing and cosmetics to flowers and fabrics. The food offerings are just as diverse and include halal lamb kebabs, Indonesian loempia (egg rolls), and Dutch kibbeling (deep-fried battered cod).

The city has a number of book markets, although its most famous takes place every Friday on leafy Spui Square. Under the little white tents, it's an antiquarian- and used-book browsing paradise.

A discreet, well-informed staff promote healthful sexual practices at this condom emporium (with an equally handy online store). You'll find a colorful collection of rubbers and novelty condoms as well as allergy-free and made-to-measure options.