Amsterdam food festival on wheels - Rollende Keukens

Rollende Keukens Instagram

Rolling kitchens is the translations of Rollende Keukens. The annual food truck festival in Amsterdam now in its 11th year.

Trucks, pickups, vans, trailers, buses and any object with wheels and is dispensing yummy food and drinks descends on Amsterdam's Westerpark. 
Good fun, food and music. A great combination for 5 days in May. 
Best thing is the free entrance.
There is no entrance fee . Also, as it is a public park you can bring your own seats, drinks and even food. There is alcohol available at the festival but many people stop off at the local super markets to stock up on beer and wine.
If the weather is fine expect large crowds and long lines. Amsterdammers love this food festival.
Tips for families and foodies
Go early and go on the first days. Lines can get very long late in the afternoon and at the end of the day when Amsterdam's large student population wakes up and demonstrate their multiplying skills.  
2017 Foodie favorites
Each year the best food trucks are awarded with long lines and a write up in Amsterdam's number 1 daily news source Het Parool. In 2018 look out for those from Het Parool's - De Beste Foodtrucks van de Rollende Keukens 2017 (only in Dutch).

Here is an summary but keep in mind many vendors change and the list below may not be in 2018 edition of Rollende Keukens.
- Jamaican Food  - Jerk chicken need we say more
- Benny Blij - a small restaurant away from the crowds - fish soup and risotto was a 2017 hit
- La Pilseria - Spanish tapas with a beer tent feel
- L'Aubergine - vegetarian dips, grilled and smoked vegetables from a dark purple vehicle - of course

Here is our post from previous Rolling Kitchens Festival.

When: May 9 - 13 2018

Where: Westerpark or for your Uber Pazzanistraat 33, Amsterdam

Time: 13:00 - 23:00

Website: Rollende Keukens

Instagram: Rollende Keukens

Facebook: Rollende Keukens


Rayleigh and Ramsey Wine Bar and Restaurant

Rayleigh and Ramsey Amsterdam is a place for Physicists, Chemists and winos. 

A small wine bar located on the southern end of the Overtoom and a stone's throw from Vondel Park.

Guests can also enjoy Rayleigh and Ramsey's wine list from the comforts of their home as the establishment also sells wine online.

You can expect the crowd of the well healed establishment of the neighborhood that enjoy their wine. The list is relatively long for Amsterdam and choices by the glass extend far past the normal city option of red, white and rose. This is place like Bubbles and Wine, for winos.  

R&R operates a pass system so your quantities from 'just testing' to 'bucket loads' can be documented and billed with unerring accuracy.

The wine is the show piece of R&R. The food is attractive, tasty but not substantial. Appropriate and aromatic to be paired with vino.

The place is named after two British scientists who in the late 19th century discovered the first noble gases. 

Ramsey, a Scot, who received his Phd from a German institute was awarded the 1904 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "in recognition of his services in the discovery of the inert gaseous elements in air".

3rd Baron Rayleigh, an Essex man of British establishment is credited with a dimensionless number and the the Rayleigh Scattering. The later helps us understand why the sky is blue. The Baron was awarded the 1904 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work with Ramsey on finding the gas argon.

The large windows and outdoor seats at R&R allow you to oversee the busy Overtoom. This is always a highlight of the location.

By the way argon was named from the Greek word for lazy/inactive. 

Perhaps an appropriate name for a future venture?


Address: Zocherstraat 2, Amsterdam

Operating Times: Sun - Thu 12:00 - 01:00, Fri & Sat 12:00 - 03:00

Price: 3-course menu: € 25

Website: Rayleigh & Ramsey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rayleighandramsay/

From their website:

Museums and Attractions open in Amsterdam on King's Day 2018




What museums and attractions are open on King's Day in Amsterdam for 2018?

Here is the list of traditional  museums and attractions that are closed and those that are open as well as the opening hours.

The Big 3 museums of Amsterdam are open on King's Day. The Anne Frank, Van Gogh and Rijksmuseums.

Have a great King's Day in Amsterdam


Museum/ AttractionOpening Hours King's Day 2018
Allard Pierson MuseumClosed
Amsterdam Dungeon1100 - 1500
Amsterdam MuseumClosed
Amsterdam Tulip MuseumClosed
Amstelkring/ Ons' Lieve Heer Op SolderClosed
Anne Frank House0900 - 2200
Artis0900 - 1800
Artis Micropia0900 - 1800
BrilmuseumClosed
Bijbels MuseumClosed
Cobra MuseumClosed
Diamand Museum AmsterdamClosed
Eye Film MuseumClosed
FOAM PhotographyClosed
Geelvinck Hinlopen HuisClosed
Heineken Experience1030 -1930
Hermitage MuseumClosed
Van Gogh Museum0900 - 1800
Het GrachtenhuisClosed
Hortus Botanicus1000 - 1700
House of Bols1300 - 1830
Huis MarseilleClosed
Joods Historisch MuseumClosed
Koninklijk PaleisClosed
Madame Tussauds1000 - 1600
Molen van SlotenClosed
Museum van LoonClosed
Museum het SchipClosed
NEMOClosed
Nieuwe KerkClosed
OudeKerkClosed
PersmuseumClosed
RembrandthuisClosed
Rijksmuseum0900 - 1700
Ripley's1000 - 1800
Scheepvaart MuseumClosed
Stadsarchief AmsterdamClosed
Stedelijk MuseumClosed
Tassenmuseum HendrikjeClosed
TropenmuseumClosed
UVA Bijzondere CollectiesClosed
VerzetsmuseumClosed
Willet Holthuysen Closed
Woonboot MuseumClosed

Amsterdam's frozen canals



The world has been amazed with Amsterdam's frozen canals over the weekend. The cold weather from the east hit western Europe and no better images captured this than Amsterdammers on their famous canals.




Yes, it has been a 6 years since the canals last freezing. The water authority closed canals to encourage the freezing. For two and a half days the ice fever took over. Here are a collection of images and videos of Amsterdam's frozen canals.





It wasn't all good ice news. On Thursday reports circulated that skaters had fallen through the ice with no footage. Additionally, in Noord Brabant, a southern province of the Netherlands, one skater died after falling through the ice nl times reported on the last day of February.

A Kingfisher was also caught on camera under the ice.

These examples reminded all the dangerous nature of the ice. Each district in the Netherlands has an Ice Master who measures ice and announces when and where it is safe to skate. Please follow this advice if you wish to venture onto the ice as a visitor to the Netherlands.

When in Amsterdam...enjoy!
A post shared by christoph van ingen (@christoph_v_i) on

Tip for Amsterdam weekend 23-25 February 2018


nacht voor de nacht 2018

The second annual event Nacht voor de Nacht is happening on Saturday 24 February 2018.

25 Amsterdam clubs can be accessed with 1 ticket for 17.50 euros + service fee - let's say 20 euro. This is the ultimate locals' club event. Amsterdam is famous for its DJs and this night demonstrates the diversity and talent Amsterdam has to offer. Not to mention it will keep you dancing to the early hours of the morning.

There are also side events and deals with restaurants. The event was sold out last year. All information can be found at the website or in English or the facebook page. The event  organized with by the Stichting N8BM Amsterdam and is supported by the Night Mayor of Amsterdam.

If you need to kick up your heals this is the night to do it.

When in Amsterdam..enjoy!

Nacht Burgemeester Amsterdam (Night Mayor of Amsterdam)

Answer to Lifehack question on tips for Amsterdam

Nick Douglas from Lifehack.com asks

There are things to do in Amsterdam besides buying weed! It’s a beautiful, bikeable city with canals, with famous museums like the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum. (Buy a museum card.)
Each Monday on Hack Your City, we ask readers for your best tips on a city: driving tips, restaurant recs, things to do, and any other advice for visitors and locals. Then on Thursday, we present the best comments. We’re working our way around the U.S. and around the globe.
Wikitravel has a long guide to Amsterdam, with tips and recommendations that hint at the city’s storybook charm: “Avoid getting your tyre in the tram rails; it’s a nasty fall. Always cross tram rails at an angle.” Or, “Friday night skate: Put on your skates, and join the popular weekly skate tour, a different route every week.” The entry also covers the concept of gedogen, a policy of not enforcing every vice law. (This is why, while it’s illegal to grow or sell large quantities of cannabis, the cops aren’t breaking down the doors of the weed-dispensing coffeeshops.)
But there must be more. What else should people know about Amsterdam? What tourist trap do you just know some other clueless commenter is going to recommend, and where should people go instead? If you do go to the coffeeshops and the red light district, what’s the etiquette? If you don’t, when annoying Americans obsess about them, what do you bring up instead?
What do visitors need to learn about the culture? What’s dangerous or offensive or generally misconstrued? What’s overlooked in the city? When’s the best time to visit? And what’s it like to live there? Are there tricks to getting around, areas best covered by a surprising mode of transportation, streets or subway routes to avoid during rush hour? What makes you love the city?
What’s the situation like for internet coverage, getting a good cup of coffee, booking a room outside of the usual hotels? We want to hear your most surprising, interesting tips, as well as any stories of how you’ve used them. We’ll feature the best in a new post on Thursday. Tot ziens
Caveats aside here are our general tips:
1. Dress appropriately.
Amsterdam = casual, denim and sneakers. If you don’t feel comfortable in Amsterdam you are going to look out of place. If rain or cold weather is forecast some comfortable leather boots/shoes are a good addition.
comfortable shoes, t-shirts, jeans, sweater and jacket - this is all you need and is accepted everywhere in Amsterdam.
2. It’s going to rain -guaranteed - don’t worry about it.
The rain doesn’t last long because most of Amsterdam is below water so the weather just floats past. Rain normally lasts around 10-20 minutes. As soon as the rain starts pop into a cafe and have a tea,coffee, pilsner or chocomel (chocolate milk hot or cold). The only weather app/website you need is http://www.buienradar.nl/verwachting-3-uur
You can literally see the weather approaching and passing on this live satalite imagery.
Local tip - if rain don’t buy/take an umbrella buy a cap. Due to the wind a cap will last longer and be a nice reminder of the trip. One of the local football team Ajax is always good but becareful wearing it in other parts of the country.
3. Make the most of a truly livable city
This means act like its a small town because it is. One of the best things about Amsterdam is its livability and family owned businesses.
Ask people how they are going and what their name is? Visit small business multiple times in a day or a visit. If there isn’t time for a chat this will be made clear - don’t take offense.
Due to the livability people in Amsterdam are a chatty breed. Many will not be Dutch and most of the Dutch will not be from Amsterdam but this has been the nature of the city for 500 years.
Walk - catch the trams and stop at small business that have a good street view. Often you see more by staying in one place. The old bordello come student bar CafĂ© Fonteyn on the Nieuwmarkt is a fine example but you will see many similar establishments around town.
Final remarks
There are many activities to do in Amsterdam depending on your interest. Yes, there are tourist traps but some people like them and that is why they still operate.
In 2011 we calculated the most common Amsterdam activities across 100 top things to do lists and then provided a local perspective. It was updated 2015. It is amazing how most travel writing is built on false foundations and fleeting visits. Your question has inspired me to update this post for Spring 2018. As Noord, east and oud west have all come up in recent years as growth in tourism has suffocated the centre. Take a look at the list much of it still holds true.
Most importantly remember when in Amsterdam...enjoy!

Free Tulips - National Tulip Day in Amsterdam

When in Amsterdam...the third Saturday of the 1st month is National Tulip Day.

Every year National Tulip day brightens the city. This year, 2018, the city needs some cheer especially so with the big code red storm yesterday.

What we love about this day is the color and FREE Tulips. You too can enjoy. It is tomorrow January 20 on the Dam Square. It is one of the best things you can do in Amsterdam this weekend.

National Tulip Day on Dam Square Amsterdam


We Dutch love free things and to be provided the national flower for free in the grayness of January always lightens the mood.

The tulips are specially grown in the greenhouses South West of Amsterdam.

So get to the Dam Square tomorrow. Pick your own free tulips.

It doesn't matter if you are here for a few days or a few hours.

Take your tulips and put them in your room or give them out to people you pass in the street.

Spread happiness and color on National Tulip Day.

We Recommend:

1. Give yourself enough time to line up.
2. Take lots of photos.
3. Pick your own tulips. Put the tulips in your room or hand them out to passersby.



Tulips from National Tulip Day 2016 in our window.
When in Amsterdam...enjoy!

I know I have been away from the blog in 2017 but back in 2018 with a posting a week. Any ideas for posts send the our way.

I also have a news feed of articles about tips and things to do in Amsterdam. The link is here.