Amsterdam Zuidas is situated on the southern side of the city and is Amsterdam’s main business district. In this travel guide I’ll show you all the best things to do in this cool new district, where to shop and where to eat. And since I’m living here I will give you some insider tips as well.
A visit to Zuidas is a fun way to get off the beaten path in Amsterdam. Especially if you’re staying in the city a little longer you can include it on your Amsterdam itinerary.
I think you will be amazed by the fact that the Amsterdam Zuidas neighbourhood is also Amsterdam. With its office buildings and residential towers that have won architectural design prizes, it sometimes even feels a little like a part of New York’s Manhattan.
Why visit Amsterdam Zuidas?
Visiting Amsterdam Zuidas is perfect if you want to get out of the busy city centre for a while, if you love art and architecture, great coffee and excellent food, and if you want to pamper yourself. Also there are quite a few options to view the city from above in some of Amsterdam’s highest skyscrapers.
When to visit Amsterdam Zuidas?
Best time to visit Zuidas is on weekdays and especially on Thursday, because everything will be open. And on top of that on Thursday you will find the Zuidas weekly market on the George Gershwinplein.
Where to stay in Amsterdam Zuidas
In Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, you can often find great hotel deals – especially on weekends and holidays. Since it’s primarily a business district, rates tend to drop when the workweek ends, unlike in the city center, where prices remain high year-round.
So even if you’re not in Amsterdam for work, do consider a stay here, especially because it’s also very well connected to pretty much every part of the city.
I wholeheartedly recommend these hotels to anyone considering a stay in Zuidas. All of them are beautifully designed, comfortable, well connected and in different price ranges, so check them out:
Best things to do in Amsterdam Zuidas
There’s quite a few things to do to keep you busy in Amsterdam Zuidas. Whatever you do, keep on looking around you, there’s something to discover around every corner if you’re an architecture enthusiast.
Visit the ABN AMRO Kunstruimte (Art Space)
The first thing you should do when visiting Zuidas is to visit the headquarters of ABN AMRO Bank, which is one of the largest banks in the Netherlands. The bank has an Art & Heritage Foundation and periodically curates a new exposition in the lobby area.
Expositions contain local, national and international pieces by the likes of Willem de Kooning, Sol Lewitt, Donald Judd and Anish Kapoor.
You can currently visit (in February 2025) two expositions ‘Digital Deluge’ and ‘Ophelia’s Deluge’ with some of the banks newest acquisitions.
Gustav Mahlerplein 1 | Open Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm | art-heritageabnamro.nl (website in Dutch only)
The Valley skyscraper
The newest addition to Amsterdam Zuidas is the Valley building designed by Rotterdam architects MVRDV. It’s a true eye-catcher and won the ‘Emporis Skyscraper Award’ for best new skyscraper in the world in 2021. It’s partly offices, but mostly a residential tower.
There are some excellent restaurants inside Valley, but you can also admire the architecture both inside and out. Furthermore, you can climb the stairs on the outside of the building for some great views of Zuidas.
Insider tip: You can visit the 26th floor of the northern tower of Valley when you get some drinks or lunch at TWENTYSIX restaurant. But make sure to reserve in advance! You can enter through the Molteni&C Italian luxury design furniture store.
Beethovenstraat 301 | valley.nl
More art at the AkzoNobel Art Foundation
Another headquarters’ Art Foundation is situated in the atrium of the AkzoNobel building. The AkzoNobel Art Foundation Art Space focuses on modern and contemporary art. The aim of the foundation is to collect powerful works of art in order to choreograph more valuable encounters.
The foundation’s current exposition is called “EARTH – A Collective Landscape” where humans are mere observers.
Christian Neefestraat 2 | Open Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm | artfoundation.akzonobel.com
Go For a walk in Beatrixpark and Stadionkade
Beatrixpark is named after former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (who reigned from 1980 till 2013) and is one of the larger parks in the city.
Enjoy the park’s ponds, herb garden, and greenery. And maybe pet a doggy or two if their owners allow you to do just that.
When you’re done at the park head out to Beethovenstraat and cross to Stadionkade. It’s lovely to walk along the canal all the way to Parnassusweg.
Amsterdam Court of Justice (Rechtbank)
Yes, I’ve included the Amsterdam Court of Justice on this list of things to do in Amsterdam Zuidas! And with good reason I think.
The best reason to visit is quite obviously in front of the building. It’s the larger-than-life statue called ‘Love and Generosity’ by American artist Nicole Eisenmann.
Inside you’ll find more reasons to visit, because there’s plenty of art on display in the public spaces of the courthouse.
There are usually some kids on their skateboards outside the building too for some added entertainment.
Pamper yourself at Renessence
If you have time and feel like pampering yourself, you can head to Renessence where their aim is to merge science and spirit into various treatments. What that means? Well, think of oxygen or hydrogen therapy, cryotherapy, infrared sauna or an ice bath.
I personally love their cryotherapy, where you enter a room at -100 degrees Celsius. After 3 minutes you get out again and you’ll feel cold… and rejuvenated. You don’t need to bring anything for this experience except for €20 and you’ll be in and out in about 15 minutes.
George Gershwinlaan 520 | Open daily (check website for exact times) | renessence.com
Doctor Feelgood
If that ice batch or cryotherapy sounds like a little too much adventure, perhaps try a massage at Doctor Feelgood. The owner of Doctor Feelgood has used her hands on the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Placebo and Madonna amongst many others. So, needless to say you’ll be in good hands.
George Gershwinplein 2 | Monday to Friday 10am – 10pm & Saturday to Sunday 10am – 6pm | doctorfeelgood.nl
Catch a movie at Rialto VU cinema
The newest cinema in the city is on the VU University campus. If you’re into art house type of movies or foreign language films then Rialto VU is the place to be.
All movies are in their original language with Dutch and sometimes English subtitles (on expat night). Check out their website to see what’s on.
De Boelelaan 1111 (inside VU University NU-building | rialtofilm.nl
Where to go shopping in Amsterdam Zuidas
Visit the Amsterdam Zuidas Market
Every Thursday the George Gershwinplein is home to the Amsterdam Zuidas fresh food market. Take a look at the local produce, eat some fish or other delicacies you can find here or take some with you for later.
You’ve surely heard that the most typical fish Dutch people eat is a raw herring, preferably with raw onions. For sure you can try that out on the market. But if a deep-fried variety of fish is more your thing you can order some kibbeling.
George Gershwinplein | Every Thursday 9am – 4pm | zuidasmarkt.nl
Gelderlandplein Shopping Mall
If it’s a no-market day, you still have time to go shopping, or if it’s raining upwards you can head to Gelderlandplein. This shopping mall has an excellent selection of food, furniture, fashion and hi-fi stores.
My favourite shop has to be the large Bever outdoor specialty store, which has a large assortment of pretty much anything outdoorsy.
You can find anything here from hiking boots to travel bags, and from clothes by brands such as Patagonia, The North Face and Fjällräven to travel guides. Anything really to inspire you for your next adventure!
Tip: Throughout the mall you can find large art installations curated by Amsterdam’s Reflex Art Gallery. Some of the works included are by KAWS, Daniel Firman and Ai Weiwei.
Gelderlandplein | Open daily (until 6pm, or 5pm on Sunday) | gelderlandplein.nl
Italian design furniture stores in Amsterdam Zuidas
You’ll find not one, but two Italian luxury design furniture flagship stores in Zuidas, Flexform and Molteni&C.
Flexform
Flexform is an Italian family owned business and produces luxury home furnishings in the upper-segment, with a focus on sofas. All Flexform furniture is made in Italy and their only flagship store in the Netherlands is right here in Amsterdam Zuidas.
Beethovenstraat 396 | Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am – 6pm (or 5pm on Saturday) | flexform.it
Molteni&C
Just across the street from Flexform inside the Valley building you can find the Molteni&C Italian luxury design furniture store. Here you enter on the ground floor, but the main showroom is on the 26th and 27th floor!
Apart from the furniture you have some amazing views of Amsterdam from up there. On clear days you can even see the city of Utrecht.
Tip: Not shopping for furniture, but still want to admire the views? Then make a reservation for drinks at TWENTYSIX restaurant.
Beethovenstraat 305 | Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am – 6pm (or 5pm on Saturday) | molteni.it
Wineboutique & Spirits
Right next to the train station and opposite the World Trade Center you can find Wineboutique & Spirits. This excellent wine specialist is the perfect place to find a gift for a wine lover. Of course you can also gift yourself a bottle of wine.
The Netherlands is not very well known as a wine producing country, but there are quite a few wineries in the countryside. Wineboutique & Spirits has a few of those Dutch wines in their assortment.
Zuidplein 20 | Open Monday to Friday 11am – 7pm | wineboutique.eu
Best Coffee in Amsterdam Zuidas
Below you find my favourite specialty coffee bars in Amsterdam Zuidas. But if you’re a coffee aficionado then check out my Amsterdam Coffee Guide with the 20 best specialty coffee bars in the city.
BLCK. Coffee and the Masters
A day for me doesn’t fare well without a good specialty cup of coffee and there’s certainly no better coffee in Amsterdam’s Zuidas than at BLCK. Whether it’s a cappuccino, flat white or a filter coffee you’re after, they have it all.
BLCK works together with Archers Coffee Roasters in Dubai, so specialty coffee lovers will likely discover something new here. BLCK is also a good coffee bar to sit down and get some work done. There’s a large table to sit at with your laptop and the Wi-Fi is fast!
If you’re feeling a little peckish grab one of the grilled cheese sandwiches here, especially the one with Surinamese Veggies POM is super tasty!
Claude Debussylaan 269 | Weekdays 8am – 6pm & Weekends 9am – 5pm | blck.amsterdam
Coffee & Coconuts Amsterdam Zuidas
The newest coffee addition to Amsterdam Zuidas is the second branch of Coffee & Coconuts. C&C roasts their own coffee and sources their beans from all over the world.
I love their take out cuppa joe for just €2.50 a cup. But why take the coffee to go? The atmosphere in this cafe is giving beach vibes making it a perfect place to stay longer and even get some work done.
Gustav Mahlerplein 40 | Weekdays 7:30am – 5pm & Weekends 10am – 4pm | coffeeandcoconuts.com
Best Amsterdam Zuidas restaurants
Below you find a selection of some of the best restaurants in Amsterdam Zuidas. Whether you’re looking for breakfast or brunch, lunch with a view or a true gastronomic experience this section has you covered.
Lunch with a view at TWENTYSIX Restaurant
The ultimate place in Zuidas to have lunch with a view is at Peter Lute’s TWENTYSIX restaurant on the 26th floor of the Valley building. Vegetables take centre stage here with supporting roles for meat and fish.
There’s an excellent wine menu and a list of tasty cocktails and mocktails too if you’re feeling more like drinks with a view.
Beethovenstraat 305 (enter through Moltenti&C) | Wednesday to Saturday noon – 10pm | twentysix.amsterdam
Nela Restaurant
One of the newest restaurants for a luxurious lunch or dinner experience is Nela Restaurant in the Valley building. Nela has a shared dining concept and uses live-fire cooking that is visible from most areas in the restaurant.
The gastronomy in this restaurant is outstanding and I highly recommend Nela for special occasions. But make sure to reserve ahead of time.!
Not sure what to order? At the very minimum try the baby leeks, the lamb chops and the corn which are all mouth-watering good.
Beethovenstraat 515 | Open daily (check website for exact times) | nelarestaurant.com
Loetje Amsterdam Zuidas
Sometimes a restaurant becomes kind of an institution and such is the case for Loetje. This restaurant does steak! And it does it pretty well!
Loetje has a few locations in the city and one of their most recent locations is in Amsterdam Zuidas. Apart from steak they also do a pretty good chicken satay.
Parnassusweg 1021 | Open daily 11am – 10pm | loetje.nl
De Japanner Zuidas
I can never choose what to pick on a menu, so I love a good shared-dining concept. At De Japanner in the Crowne Plaza Hotel they do Japanese shared dining in a brightly coloured restaurant environment.
Their crispy chicken on a pink bao is worth the trip alone, but don’t forget to order the pad thai either. De Japanner also has their own beers, so if you’re a fan of micro brewery beers you know where on Zuidas you can now go for dinner.
George Gershwinplein 1 | Open daily lunch till 11pm (0r 10pm on Sunday) | dejapanner.com
Market 33 – Urban Foodcourt
Everyone in your party fancy’s something else for dinner? Then you might as well go to Market 33, a food hall in the heart of Zuidas.
You can find anything here from Vietnamese and Korean to burgers and sushi. But the Japanese ramen of Ramen Ramen or the cochinita pibil tacos at La Catrina are the best!
Claude Debussylaan 33 | Open Monday to Friday (check website for exact times) | market33.nl
Rosso Pizza Bar
Fancy a pizza? Best go to Rosso Pizza Bar where they serve Napoli style pizzas. The fluffy crust melts in your mouth and the ingredients are all super fresh.
The menu here is short, but still that doesn’t help in selecting the best pizza, since they’re all delicious.
George Gershwinlaan 534 | Monday till Saturday noon – 10pm | rossopizzabar.com
Tip: When you prefer Roman style pizza, then head to Pizzabakkers in the plinth of the Valley building.
Cocktails and dinner with a view at Hasta La Vista, Baby
End of the day and think you’ve deserved a delicious cocktail or non-alcoholic drink? The head to the INNSiDE by Meliá hotel and take the lift to the sky bar of Hasta La Vista, Baby. Because what’s a better way to have a drink than with a view?!
If you love Spanish cuisine, consider ordering dinner or some snacks. The tapas range from traditional favorites to modern creations. On Friday and Saturday evenings, a DJ sets the mood with lively tunes as locals and hotel guests sip their drinks, soaking in the sunset views.
Eduard van Beinumstraat 40 | Open daily (check website for exact times) | hastalavista.baby
How to get to Amsterdam Zuidas
Zuidas is very well connected. At the heart of the neighbourhoud is the train, metro, tram and bus station. The name of the station is Amsterdam Zuid.
Buying tickets is easy: Simply tap your debitcard or creditcard to check-in, but don’t forget to also check-out. For international trips you need to buy tickets in advance.
Metro | Metro 52 connects to the city centre and Amsterdam Centraal Station. Metro 50 and 51 also call at Amsterdam Zuid.
Train | Domestic trains connect to Schiphol Amsterdam airport and to pretty much anywhere within the Netherlands.
High speed train EuroCity Direct takes you directly to Rotterdam (34 minutes), or even Antwerp (1 hour 23 minutes) and Brussels (2 hours 8 minutes).
Tram | A wonderful way to see Amsterdam while going from A to B. Tram 5 and 25 depart from Amsterdam Zuid station, tram 24 from VU University and tram 4 from Amsterdam RAI station.
Bus | Both city buses as well as regional bus services call at Amsterdam Zuid. My favourite line is 346, because it goes directly to beautiful Haarlem in just 25 minutes.
Tip: Plan your trip using websites ns.nl or 9292.nl or their apps.
Final thoughts
Thanks for reading all the way to the end. I really love the Amsterdam Zuidas area and it’s the reason why I decided to call it home a couple of years ago. There’s always something going on here, so come and check it out.
Let me know in the comments section if you have any remarks or want to know anything specific. And please follow me on instagram and subscribe to my newsletter. Thanks!
