Here at Dua Lipa in Amsterdam
Dua Lipa was in Amsterdam to present her Radical Optimism tour to the Dutch fans. When I heard she was coming, I immediately wedged my foot firmly between the front door of the Ziggo Dome because I had to be there. And I wasn't alone, I can tell you that. The entire Ziggo was packed from basement to roof. And when one of your favorite artists is in your own city, you want to know everything. Where she sleeps, eats, and shops.
My daughter sent me a screenshot of Dua Lipa's Instagram. She, Dua that is, not my daughter, had written Amsterdam, it Always Feels Like Home Here. “Do you know where this is?” I asked my colleagues for advice. “Caron is written on the glass,” texted colleague Isabel a second later. Of course, it was Cantine de Caron.
The French charm of Cantine de Caron
Cantine de Caron is not just any restaurant. It is the Parisian soul of Amsterdam, wrapped in a smart industrial jacket in the middle of the Westergas area. Think: high ceilings, French lights, a bit retro, a bit raw, but above all very much oui oui, merci and encore une bouteille de vin.
Behind this restaurant are the most charming men of Amsterdam: Alain Caron and his sons David and Tom. You might know Alain from television, where he cooks the stars out of the sky with that delightful French accent. But in real life, he is even nicer. Think: French charm and Italian temperament who exchanged love for Paris for Utrecht and built his own culinary fortress here via Tante Koosje and De kersentuin. It now consists of Café Caron, Petit Caron, Cantine de Caron, and a cookbook or fourteen.
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What would Dua Lipa have eaten?
Okay, officially we don't know. She posted a photo of herself with an empty glass of wine (pinot noir, we guess), but if we can estimate her taste a bit, we suspect the following:
- Steak tartare – a bit exciting, just like her outfits.
- Pearl barley risotto with wild garlic – fancy, hip, vegetarian-ish.
- Tarte tatin – the perfect sweet finish with a sexy caramel layer. Just like Dua herself.
And bet she had a glass of Caron's own Lowel wine with it?
Why this is the perfect restaurant for Dua
Cantine de Caron is everything Dua is: classy, a bit tough, ultra-European, and without frills. You eat on white linen, but with your sneakers under the table. No frills, just good French bistro classics that won't trip you over foams or crunchies. And you can imagine that if you're a pop star needing to recharge for a few hours after a sold-out Ziggo Dome, you'd prefer to do that with a good glass and Alain at the table.
The Westergas area: culturally chic
That this restaurant is located in the Westergas area makes it even better. What was once a gas holder is now the coolest place in the city. Here you lunch, walk, shop (Hall of Frame alert), and sometimes dance spontaneously in the rain after three glasses of wine and an espresso martini. Totally Dua.
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And where did Dua sleep?
Let's speculate a bit, because the chance that Dua slept in the Fletcher Hotel next to the highway is... let's say: negligible. Much more logical: the Conservatorium Hotel. Why? Gigi Hadid slept there, Kendall Jenner had a shoot there once, and Dua had – remember – a relationship with Anwar Hadid, so there's a pretty reasonable chance she got tipped off about this hotel. Moreover, Madonna also slept there and my friend M., who regularly works out there, once lay in the pool in the Akasha Spanext to Justin Bieber, so as a celeb you feel at home here. Moreover, the cultural heritage of the hotel - it was once the place where the Amsterdam Conservatory was located - is also a magnet for artists.
Where will Dua eat next?
The tour continues cheerfully and since I'm quite the speculative type, I've made a list of restaurants that I think are Dua-worthy.
| City | Date | Favorite restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Antwerp | June 11 | The Jane (chic & arty) |
| London | June 20 | Sketch (everything pink & weird) |
| Dublin | June 27 | Chapter One (modern Michelin-magic) |
So if you're in those neighborhoods around those dates; I would take a gamble. If she's not there, you can always make a Houdini.
Dua Lipa – the girl who can do everything (and does)
Who is Dua Lipa's boyfriend?
Since 2024, she has been dating actor Callum Turner (yes, that handsome Brit from Fantastic Beasts). They are regularly spotted together on red carpets, but also just hand in hand at the supermarket. Love them.
Where does Dua Lipa come from?
Dua was born in London, but her roots are in Kosovo. Her parents moved to the United Kingdom in the 1990s due to the political climate in the Balkans. By the way, her first name ’Dua‘ means ’love‘ in Albanian. So beautiful.
Where is Dua Lipa touring now?
Dua is currently touring with her new album Radical Optimism. Think: London, Paris, Berlin, LA – and luckily also Amsterdam. The show is as you would expect: glitter, dance, and girl power in capital letters.
Who is Dua Lipa's ex?
She had a long relationship with Anwar Hadid (brother of Gigi and Bella), but that ended in 2021. After that, some flings were whispered about, but Callum seems to be a keeper.
Was Dua Lipa's father also famous?
Yes! Her father, Dukagjin Lipa, was a well-known rock musician in Kosovo. Nowadays, he runs a music festival and is responsible for her artistic flair (and those cheekbones, honestly).
