May's favorite spots

Of course, Amsterdam is amazing and you have the most fantastic shops and restaurants there. But everything is a bit spread out. I am of course a huge Haarlem ambassador, because in Haarlem everything is within walking distance and believe me, there is so much fun in every area. Let me take you on an eight-hour day trip to Haarlem.

Breakfast:

Jules Bakery
Burretstraat 12, Haarlem

Jules Bakery is by Linda Tol. She was and still is an influencer and style guru, but mainly she and her husband have a coffee shop (for coffee, of course) and a wonderful bakery with the best and most beautiful pastries from Haarlem and the surrounding area. Think of Scandinavia-inspired pastries like cinnamon buns (did you know that in Sweden there is a national cinnamon bun day where you bake cinnamon rolls and give them to others?). Everything looks beautiful, only nice people come, and if you're lucky, you'll see Linda's incredibly attractive family darting through the alley.

Shopping: Schaghelstraat

This is one of my favorite little streets because it is so authentic and pure. You can find everything here; from a framing shop to Jamón Jamón, a little shop run by a true Amsterdammer who makes and sells the tastiest Spanish tapas. But you definitely have to check out The James. That’s a little interior shop where you really want to drive by with a delivery van because everything is nice. My favorite purchase? The electric tea lights with remote control that you can easily charge at night.

Shopping: Zeilstraat

This is a bit like the PC Hooft of Haarlem. Amsterdammers are undoubtedly developing some saliva between their teeth as they read this, because no, there’s no CHANEL or DIOR here, but there is Pauw, Skins Cosmetics, Van Wely for the tastiest chocolates (definitely try the crispy chocolate leaves in milk and white, my favorite), Joe and the Juice, Suit Supply, a beautiful Rob Peetoom, and a delightful Italian delicatessen. Oh, and don’t forget Studio LM, where they sell Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno, Jérôme Dreyfuss, Les Coyotes de Paris, and so on. So maybe not as high-end as the PC Hooftstraat, but you’ll leave satisfied and content.

Also, make sure to visit the Kruisstraat, stop by Ou Boutiek, and also go to the Koningstraat for the cutest children's gifts at Meneer Paprika. You can also enjoy some food with the little ones.

Lunch:

A bit outside the city center, but definitely a recommendation: Pip Deli, Lorentzplein 2A. Always good is Pieck Restaurant in the also incredibly cute Warmoesstraat. After that, you can immediately stop by De Huismus for the cutest and most useful kitchen items, and to Wolford and Ottomania for wonderful Hamam towels.

Drinks:

I would do this in a cozy way at Dodici or a little place by the Spaarne.

Dinner:

Colette: cozy French bistro, nice and bubbly, and always full.
Mano at Bakenessergracht 192.
Kus van Cactus, De Haasstraat 14, for really good Mexican.
Diga, Damstraat 10. A good Italian that has a slightly higher level than the average pizzeria.
La Plume, no-nonsense and super cozy. A bit of a French vibe. Lange Veerstraat 1, Haarlem.
Maita, Lange Veerstraat 45, Haarlem. A mix of Peruvian and Japanese, and divine. Really my favorite. Dangerously delicious cocktails too.
Ratatouille Food and Wine has a Michelin star and is located by the beautiful Spaarne. Beautiful and tasty. I personally don’t like 14 courses that much, but I am a bit of an exception in that, of course. If you love good food, this is really a recommendation.

My last tip

And then my last tip for now: go to Jasmijn Bloembinders on Zijlstraat. A beautiful florist with an exceptionally nice gift shop. Scented candles, photo books, plates, bowls. And definitely check it out from November, because then they have the most beautiful Christmas ornaments. If your jaw drops in wonder, you know why.