From Workers’ Rows to Amsterdam’s Sweet Spot
Back in the 19th century, De Pijp was Amsterdam’s answer to a housing crisis — a fast-built district for factory workers, tradesmen, and migrants. Designed in a long, narrow layout known as the “pipe model,” it was cheap, crowded, and full of life. People called it “the Jordaan’s scrappier cousin” — less money, more guts.
Today, De Pijp is a vibrant blend of history, hipsters, and heritage status. Vintage stores meet falafel joints, and every street corner offers either a perfect espresso or a surprise art mural.
Albert Cuyp Market: Stroopwafels & Stylish Finds
Of course, we stopped by the Albert Cuyp Market, a whirlwind of shouting vendors, melting stroopwafels, and that unmistakable scent of fried fish. You’ll find classic Dutch stalls
(cheese, herring, tulips), but also a world of global flavors. We devoured some decadent brownies and made a mental note to return for the bao buns.
But beyond the food, the side streets and storefronts reveal a shopper’s playground: thrift treasures, trendy outfits, and boutiques like By Noor where you can score a new look between bites.
Bites, Sips & Street Art
Around the corner, we discovered Broodje Popov, a true family-run gem with local soul and street-art flair. Sandwiches that hit all the right notes, a wall that deserves its own Instagram, and that cozy, chatty vibe that makes you want to linger.
Later, we sipped wine at Café de Dakduif, a no-fuss terrace with seriously good wine and solid bites. It’s the kind of place where your glass mysteriously refills itself. (We’re not mad about it.)
The Heineken Experience: Brewing History
Just a few blocks away stands the original Heineken Brewery, a towering red-brick monument to Dutch beer history. Now home to the interactive Heineken Experience, it’s part museum, part tasting room, and part futuristic brewing simulator. We explored the brewing process, hopped through a few digital surprises, and finished with a freshly pulled pint, because hydration matters.
Gables, Gnomes & Urban Legends
At the Ceintuurbaan, keep your eyes peeled for the House with the Gnomes, an architectural fairytale built around 1890. With a cocktail of styles (Art Nouveau meets whimsy), it’s famous for the gnome statues perched on its roof.
Urban legend says these gnomes toss a golden ball to each other… but only at midnight. Or New Year’s Eve. Or on Leap Day. We squinted. We waited. Nothing moved, but maybe we were too distracted by the wine.
Sarphatipark: Green Peace in the Pijp
Just around the corner from the market lies Sarphatipark, a small but mighty patch of calm in the city. Ducks waddle by, students sprawl with books, and picnic blankets multiply under the trees. Named after physician and philanthropist Samuel Sarphati, it’s a peaceful pause between the bites, shops and bikes.
Walk, Snap, Taste, Repeat
De Pijp is Amsterdam at its most layered: a bit chaotic, a bit charming, and packed with flavor. From gnomes and monuments to bao buns and bold red wines, there’s something to discover around every corner.
And if you want the inside scoop on where to taste history (and stroopwafels), you know where to find us, at Dutch Food Tours