The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) is Amsterdam’s most photogenic shopping district — a charming 3×3 grid of tiny streets between the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht canals. Packed with 250+ independent boutiques, vintage shops, art galleries, design stores and cafés, it’s the antidote to mainstream Kalverstraat shopping. This guide covers the best shops, cafés, hidden gems, and a complete walking route to explore Amsterdam’s most charming neighbourhood.
What & Where
- What: 9 small connecting streets in a 3×3 grid.
- Where: Between Singel and Prinsengracht canals, west of Dam Square.
- The 9 streets: Reestraat, Hartenstraat, Gasthuismolensteeg, Berenstraat, Wolvenstraat, Spuistraat (cross), Runstraat, Huidenstraat, Wijde Heisteeg.
- Walking: covers in 30 minutes if rushing, 3+ hours with shopping/eating.
- Atmosphere: cozy, indie, design-forward, foodie-friendly.
- Best for: shopping, cafés, romantic strolls, Instagram, slower visitors.
Getting There
- Walking: 10 minutes from Centraal Station; 5 minutes from Dam Square.
- Tram: 2, 11, 12 to Spui then walk 3 minutes.
- By bike: most direct from Vondelpark or Jordaan.
- Best access points: from Singel canal or from Prinsengracht.
Best Shops
Vintage & Second-Hand
- Laura Dols (Wolvenstraat 7): glamorous vintage; cult favourite for stage performers and bridal.
- Episode (Berenstraat 1): big two-floor vintage emporium.
- Marbles Vintage (Reestraat 8): curated vintage clothing.
- Spoiled (Wolvenstraat 19): high-end vintage handbags.
- Bij Ons Vintage (Hartenstraat 24): retro home + clothing.
Fashion & Design
- Smaak: leather handbags handcrafted in Amsterdam.
- Concrete Matter: contemporary menswear.
- Tenue de Nîmes: denim specialist.
- Otrium (Heisteeg): designer outlet.
- Acne Studios: Swedish minimalist fashion.
- Sissy-Boy: Dutch lifestyle store.
- The Tailor’s: bespoke tailoring.
Speciality Foods
- De Kaaskamer (Runstraat 7): 200+ cheeses; the city’s best cheese shop.
- Puccini Bomboni: artisan chocolates.
- The Otherist: curiosities + specialty foods.
- Pancakes Amsterdam: Dutch pancakes.
Design & Home
- Frozen Fountain: leading Dutch design store.
- Pols Potten: bold homewares.
- Drukkerij Noordeinde: prints, paper goods, stationery.
- Brandstof: vintage industrial furniture.
- Rikus Mid-Century: vintage 50s-70s furniture.
Books, Music & Art
- Concrete Matter Bookstore: design books.
- Vlieger: paper specialist since 1869.
- De Slegte: Dutch second-hand bookstore.
- Record stores: Concerto on Utrechtsestraat (5 min east).
Best Cafés & Restaurants
Coffee & Cafés
- Screaming Beans: Amsterdam’s famous fourth-wave coffee.
- Lot Sixty One (Berenstraat): single-origin coffee, sandwiches.
- Pluk: cheerful brunch café.
- Café Het Paleis (Spui edge): grand café atmosphere.
- De Bakkerswinkel: artisan bakery.
Lunch & Dinner
- Burgerlijk: build-your-own burgers.
- Mr Stones: vegan steakhouse (in Centrum next door).
- Café De Doffer: classic Dutch brown café.
- Pancakes Amsterdam: kid-friendly pancakes.
- Vleminckx Sausmeesters: Amsterdam’s famous fries.
- Brasserie Ambassade (Ambassade Hotel): canal-side dining.
- Bonboon (Mercier hotel, Hartenstraat 24): vegan fine dining.
Drinks
- Wynand Fockink: 17th-century jenever tasting (5 min walk).
- Café De Doffer: classic brown café.
- Pulitzer’s Bar: cocktails at the hotel.
- Café Reflet: French wine bar.
Hidden Gems
- Begijnhof: hidden 14th-century courtyard via Spui (3 min walk).
- The Bloemenmarkt: floating flower market at the south edge.
- Wolvenstraat side canals: best photo angles.
- Bloemgracht: just south, even quieter.
- Tassen Museum: Bag Museum nearby (Herengracht 573).
- Grachtenmuseum (Canal Museum): on Herengracht 386.
Suggested Walking Route
- 10:00: Coffee at Screaming Beans on Hartenstraat.
- 10:30: Browse Reestraat (vintage and design).
- 11:15: Cross Herengracht to Wolvenstraat (Laura Dols).
- 12:00: Lunch at Burgerlijk or Café De Doffer.
- 13:30: De Kaaskamer cheese tasting on Runstraat.
- 14:00: Berenstraat — design shops, Lot Sixty One coffee.
- 15:00: Walk to Spui for the Begijnhof courtyard.
- 16:00: Wynand Fockink jenever tasting.
- 17:00: Drinks at Pulitzer’s Bar.
- 19:00: Dinner at Brasserie Ambassade or Bonboon.
When to Visit
- Morning: quietest; best for photos and uncrowded shops.
- Lunch (12:00-14:00): cafés busy; book if you want a sit-down meal.
- Afternoon (14:00-18:00): peak shopping; energetic.
- Evening: shops close 18:00-19:00; restaurants stay open.
- Mondays: many smaller boutiques open 12:00 or later.
- Sundays: shops open 12:00-18:00.
- Tuesdays-Thursdays: best for relaxed shopping.
Best Photo Spots
- Wolvenstraat looking onto Keizersgracht: classic.
- Hartenstraat at the Singel: postcard angle.
- Reestraat bridge: photogenic narrow streets.
- De Kaaskamer’s window: cheese spectacle.
- Café Het Paleis exterior: grand French café feel.
Hotels Nearby
- Pulitzer Amsterdam (Prinsengracht): premier 5-star.
- The Dylan (Keizersgracht): boutique luxury.
- Ambassade Hotel (Herengracht): literary canal-house hotel.
- Hotel Mercier: small boutique on Hartenstraat.
- Hotel Estheréa (Singel): family-run.
- Hotel V Nesplein: design-forward boutique.
See our Where to Stay pillar.
Practical Tips
- Cash: most shops take cards; some boutiques €5 minimum.
- Tax-free shopping: most shops with €50+ purchases are tax-free certified.
- Bring a small bag: shops give small paper bags; bring your own to consolidate.
- Don’t drive: parking impossible.
- Wear comfortable shoes: cobblestones.
- Avoid pickpockets: standard precautions in busier streets.
- Bring an umbrella: streets are narrow; rain runs off into them.
Combine With
- Jordaan: 5 min walk west; pretty residential canal area.
- Westerkerk: Anne Frank House neighbour, 7 min walk.
- Bloemenmarkt: floating flower market just south.
- Begijnhof: hidden courtyard 3 min east.
- Spui Book Market (Fridays March-December).
- Museum Het Grachtenhuis: canal history museum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to walk the Nine Streets?
30 minutes rushing, 3+ hours with shopping and eating. A half-day is ideal.
What’s the best shop in the Nine Streets?
De Kaaskamer for cheese; Laura Dols for vintage; Concrete Matter for design.
Are the Nine Streets touristy?
Yes — popular with tourists and locals. Busier on weekends but never overwhelming.
Are the shops open on Sundays?
Most: 12:00-18:00. Some smaller boutiques closed.
Where’s the best coffee?
Screaming Beans or Lot Sixty One.
Are the streets bike-friendly?
Yes — but narrow. Most visitors walk; locals cycle through.
Final Thoughts
The Nine Streets is Amsterdam at its most charming: small canals, narrow lanes, indie boutiques, world-class cheese shops, and effortlessly stylish cafés. It’s the antidote to mainstream Kalverstraat and Damrak. Spend a half-day, shop slowly, eat lunch on a terrace, and you’ll see why locals call this their favourite neighbourhood.
Related Amsterdam guides
- Amsterdam Neighborhoods Guide — every district decoded, from Centrum to Noord.
- Jordaan guide — canals, brown cafes and hidden hofjes.
- Canal Ring (Grachtengordel) guide — the UNESCO heart of the city.
- Amsterdam Centrum guide — the old centre, minus the tourist traps.
- Amsterdam shopping streets — from Kalverstraat to P.C. Hooftstraat.
- Amsterdam vintage shops — 15 thrift stores and vintage markets.
