Amsterdam Shopping

Shopping in Amsterdam:
Amsterdam Department Stores
De Bijenkorf
De Bijenkorf is to Amsterdam what Harrods is to London and Bloomingdale's is to New York. There's a good range of clothing - both designer and own-label - kidswear, jewellery, cosmetics, shoes, accessories and a wonderful household goods department. The Chill Out department on the fifth floor caters to hip young things in search of streetwear, clubwear, wacky foodstuffs and kitsch accessories, while the store's restaurant, La Ruche, is a good lunch spot. The Sinterklaas and Christmas displays are extravagant and hugely popular. De Bijenkorf Dam 1 Phone: +31 (0)20 621 8080 Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25. Open 11am-6pm Mon; 9.30am-6pm Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat; 9.30am-9pm Thur; noon-6pm Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Hema
A slightly (but only very slightly) upmarket version of the American five-and-dime store. Prices are low, but the quality is amazingly high: good buys include casual clothes, kids' clothing, swimwear, underwear, household items, stationery and other accessories. Hema also sells pastries, bread, delicatessen foods and reliable wines. The four main branches are listed here, but there are six others in town: call 311 4411 for details. Kalvertoren, Singel 457/A1 Phone: +31 (0)20 422 8988 Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 20. Open 11am-7pm Mon; 9.30am-7pm Tue, Wed, Fri; 9.30am-9pm Thur; 9.30am-6pm Sat; noon-6pm Sun. No Credit Cards: cards. Branches: Ferdinand Bolstraat 93A Phone: +31 (0)20 676 3222 Borgerstraaat 142 Phone: +31 (0)20 683 4511 Nieuwendijk 174-6 Phone: +31 (0)20 623 4176
Maison de Bonneterie
At this venerable institution - 'By Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix' - you'll find men's and women's clothing of the highest quality. By and large, things are pretty conservative: the Ralph Lauren boutique within the store is about as wild as it gets. There's a fine household goods department. Rokin 140-2 Phone: +31 (0)20 531 3400 Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 14, 20, 24, 25. Open 1-5.30pm Mon; 10am-5.30pm Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat; 10am-9pm Thur; noon-5.30pm Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Metz & Co
Reminiscent of Heal's in London, Metz & Co is a good place to shop for special gifts: designer furniture, glass and Liberty-style fabrics and scarves are all sold here. The top-floor restaurant is popular for business lunches and has a terrific view of the city. At holiday time, Metz & Co's Christmas shop puts even the most Scroogeian customer back into the spirit of the season. Leidsestraat 34-6 Phone: +31 (0)20 520 7020 Tram 1, 2, 5, 20. Open 11am-6pm Mon; 9.30am-6pm Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat; 9.30am-9pm Thur; noon-5pm Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V. Branch: Schiphol Airport, Phone: +31 (0)20 653 5060
Vroom & Dreesmann
V&D equals good quality at reasonable prices. You'll find an impressive array of toiletries, cosmetics, small leather goods and watches, clothing and underwear for the whole family, kitchen items, suitcases, CDs and videotapes. The ground-floor bakery, Le Marché, sells excellent bread, ready-made quiches and sandwiches, with La Place restaurant offering just about every other thing you might want to put in your mouth. Prices are a step up from Hema. Kalverstraat 203 Phone: +31 (0)20 622 0171 Tram 4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Open 11am-7pm Mon; 10am-7pm Tue, Wed, Fri; 10am-9pm Thur; 10am-6pm Sat; noon-6pm Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, MC, V.
Amsterdam Supermarkets
The fact that Netherlands is one of the world's most densely populated countries is perhaps most apparent on Saturday afternoons at the supermarket. Thankfully, because Amsterdam is a city that stays up late, Saturday mornings are a different story and are a good time to get out and get the goods. Otherwise, prepare to brave the horrendously crowded aisles and long queues at the cash registers. A few tips: unless a per piece (per stuk) price is given, fruit and vegetables must be weighed by the customer. Put your produce on the scale, press the picture of the item, and press the 'BON' button to get the receipt. You must pack your groceries yourself, and if you want a plastic bag (usually 35¢), you have to ask for it.
Albert Heijn
This massive branch of Albert Heijn, aptly named the 'Food Plaza', is located behind Dam Square. There are over 40 branches of Heijn within Amsterdam (some of which are listed below), but the extended hours at this branch are an exception to those of most others. It should contain most everything you need in terms of household goods, though prices on some ranges are more expensive than at some of its competitors. Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 226 Phone: +31 (0)20 421 8344 Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25. Open 8am-10pm Mon-Sat; 11am-7pm Sun. No Credit Cards: cards Branches: Van Baerlestraat 33A Phone: +31 (0)20 662 0416 Haarlemmerdijk 1 Phone: +31 (0)20 625 6931 Kinkerstraat 89 Phone: +31 (0)20 618 0088 Koningsplein 4-6, Phone: +31 (0)20 624 5721 Nieuwmarkt 18 Phone: +31 (0)20 623 2461 Overtoom 454 Phone: +31 (0)20 618 3065 Vijzelstraat 113 Phone: +31 (0)20 625 9405 Jodenbreestraat 21 Phone: +31 (0)20 624 1249 Westerstraat 79-87 Phone: +31 (0)20 623 6852
Dirk van den Broek
A perfectly decent, unflashy grocery store. There's less choice and less luxury than at Albert Heijn, but it's far cheaper. Marie Heinekenplein 25 Phone: +31 (0)20 673 9393 Tram 16, 24, 25. Open 8am-9pm Mon-Fri; 8am-8pm Sat; 1-7pm Sun. No Credit Cards: cards. Branches: Bilderdijkstraat 126 Phone: +31 (0)20 612 2658 2e Nassaustraat 23 Phone: +31 (0)20 686 0132 Wittenburgerstraat 18 Phone: +31 (0)20 620 0070
Hema
Hardly the place for weekly basics - it doesn't sell milk, for one thing - but everything you need for a picnic, along with a terrific range of cheap snacks. Kalvertoren, Singel 457/A1 Phone: +31 (0)20 422 8988 Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 20. Open 11am-7pm Mon; 9.30am-7pm Tue, Wed, Fri; 9.30am-9pm Thur; 9.30am-6pm Sat; noon-6pm Sun. No Credit Cards: cards.
Shoes
The best selections of shoes can be had at shops on Leidsestraat or Kalverstraat, while the best bargains in second-hand shoes are to be had at Waterlooplein, and Noordermarkt on Mondays.
Big Shoe
Fashionable footwear for men and women in large sizes only. Every women's shoe on display is available in sizes 42-46. Leliegracht 12 Phone: +31 (0)20 622 6645 Tram 13, 14, 17, 20. Open 10am-6pm Wed, Fri, Sat; 10am-9pm Thur; closed Mon, Tue, Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Free Lance Shoes
The imaginative façade and decor set Free Lance apart from other similar retailers. Shoes are created by two French designers in classic and modern styles. Rokin 86 Phone: +31 (0)20 420 3205 Tram 4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Open 1-6pm Mon; 10am-6pm Tue, Wed, Fri; 10am-9pm Thur; noon-5pm Sat, Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Kenneth Cole
Kenneth Cole stocks its own conservatively styled shoes, plus a good range of boots from the likes of Timberland and Doc Martens. Stock changes often, and bargains can be had during the frequent sales. Leidsestraat 20-2 Phone: +31 (0)20 627 6012 Tram 1, 2, 5. Open noon-6pm Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat; 10am-9pm Thur; 1-5pm Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, MC, V. Branch: Leidsestraat 29-33 Phone: +31 (0)20 422 6060
Seventy Five Trainers for folk who don't have sporting in mind: high fashion styles from Nike, Puma, Converse, Acupuncture, Diesel and many more. Nieuwe Hoogstraat 24 Phone: +31 (0)20 626 4611 Tram 4, 9, 14/Metro Nieuwmarkt. Open noon-6pm Mon; 10am-6pm Tue-Sat; closed Sun. Credit Cards: MC, V.
Shoe Baloo Shoes for men and women that make your mouth water: Gucci, Prada and more. The friendly staff make parting with your cash that much easier. Koningsplein 7 Phone: +31 (0)20 626 7993 Tram 1, 2, 5. Open noon-6pm Mon; 10am-6pm Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat; 10am-9pm Thur; noon-5pm Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V. Branch: PC Hooftstraat 80 Phone: +31 (0)20 671 2210
Health & Beauty
Body Shop
The usual array of shampoos, lotions and soaps for pampering your body, along with gift-wrapping and refill services. Prices are higher than in Britain. Kalverstraat 157-9 Phone: +31 (0)20 623 9789 Website Tram 4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Open 11am-6pm Mon; 9.30am-6pm Tue, Wed, Fri; 9.30am-9pm Thur; 10am-5.30pm Sat; 1-5pm Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V. Branches: Kinkerstraat 251 Phone: +31 (0)20 683 7157 Nieuwendijk 196E Phone: +31 (0)20 626 6135
Homeopathie
This tiny, picturesque store is choc-a-bloc with all it takes to turn your bathroom into a spa, including a wide range of essential oils and treatment products from Neal's Yard, Kiehl's and Weleda. If you have a taste for herbs you can't find in coffeeshops, come here for Celestial Seasonings teas, Solgar Vitamins and bee pollen in capsule form. De Munt Vijzelstraat 1 Phone: +31 (0)20 624 4533 Tram 4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Open 9.30am-6pm Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat; 9.30am-9pm Thur; 1-6pm Sun. Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.

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