18 Best Places to Shop in Netherlands

What began in the early '70s as an erotic magazine outlet has grown into reputedly the largest brick-and-mortar English-language book emporium on the continent. True to its name, the shop is American-owned, but the selection is broad and eclectic, running the gamut from crime fiction to New Age and Manga. Students, teachers, and senior citizens (on Monday only) receive a 10% discount with a valid ID.

Most department stores and toy shops in the Netherlands carry this iconic Dutch children's brand, which you may know as Miffy, but here, at the only dedicated Miffy store in the country, you'll find every imaginable Nijntje product—clothes, books, toys, night-lights, toothbrushes, and more.

This culty Amsterdam kidswear clothing label is known for its GOTS-certified minimalist unisex apparel for ages up to 12. The brand's 624-square-foot boutique, which opened in the fall of 2019, is a playground for big and small with a soothing color scheme and a cozy book corner.

Stop here to discover handcrafted gifts and unique souvenirs—everything in stock is made in or around Amsterdam, and each has its own special story. This spacious shop in De Hallen sells original products from over 90 local creatives, artisans, and independent makers. The impressive range of products spans from food and drinks to art, books, jewelry, sustainable fashion, and other novel finds.

Casual, preppy threads for men, women, and children can be found here, along with home wares, toys, and toiletries. There are other locations in Centrum, Oud-Zuid, and the Eastern Canal Ring.

While the Haarlemmerdijk shopping street is home to a wide range of noteworthy stores, this one stands out for its collection of global lifestyle brands dedicated to sustainability. With a collection spanning two levels, there's plenty to browse, from apparel, accessories, and books, to stationary, home goods and more. Occasional events like hot sauce tastings and live music enhance the shopping experience. Foodies will enjoy the cacao bar with a range of artisanal chocolate, raw cacao, fair-trade coffee, and baked goods on offer.

Looking to stock up on original gifts for the (grand)kids back home? Head to this colorful toy store and boutique on trendy Javastraat, where you'll find brands like Petit Monkey, Bobo Choses, Konges Sløjd, and Janod for kids up to 10. There's also a specialist in-house hairdresser, where the littles can perch on unicorn, VW bus, or motorcycle seats. Every kids' haircut (€29.50) includes your choice of plaits, glitter, or a rainbow of spray-on colors. 

Established in 1841, this Dutch department store chain offers affordable fashion for the whole family, ranging from 100% organic cotton baby clothes to plus-size cargo jeans and recycled swimwear. There are always sales racks, and if you have the patience to paw through them, you may be rewarded with some discounted gems. The Kalverstraat store is one of five in Amsterdam alone; for other locations, visit the website.

With an emphasis on "real food"—local, seasonal, and sometimes organic—and transparent production practices, this sustainable supermarket offers everything from fresh fish, meats, and cheeses to baked goods. A variety of organic wines, artisanal snacks and drinks like kombucha are available, too. Note that only credit and debit cards are accepted.

This charming shop sells all manner of toys, including the entire collection of Brio wooden trains, an extensive selection of puzzles, and a wide range of Pokémon cards, for kids up to age 12.

One of the Netherlands' most popular stores offers original and affordable own-brand household items, clothing, stationery, gardening tools, and bicycle equipment. Shelves are also stocked with other goodies cherished by the Dutch, such as smoked sausages, traditional candy (think cinnamon candy canes and salty licorice), and pink cream custard cakes. You could call it the Dutch equivalent of Target in that you walk in to buy one thing and leave with a lot more. See the website for other locations.

Kids 12 and younger will enjoy this toy store filled with books, puzzles, games, wooden toys, and plenty more. 

Whether you’re shopping for a gift or for a little something for yourself, this eclectic shop stocks a bit of everything: jewelry, clothes, shoes, housewares, and toys. The cheerful staff are always ready to help you find just the right thing.

This popular chocolatier sells handsomely sized bonbons, handmade using only the finest natural ingredients. Flavors range from classic (caramel, cognac, or walnut) to rather unusual (prune, pepper, and tamarind). Don't forget to stock up on cocoa, sprinkles, and other chocolate delights, too. Its other location is at  Staalstraat 17.

This modern skating outlet stocks ice skates in all styles, from wintertime canal gliding to hockey, and is also the Netherlands' largest in-line skate shop. There are also a wide variety of skateboards, from Penny boards and cruisers to longboards and e-boards. You'll find top brands such as Rollerblade, K2, Powerslide, Viking, Raps, Bauer, CCM, a large variety of noren, the most popular style of speed skates for adults, as well as training skates for children.

This little shop combs a big world for robots, toys, and memorabilia from TV and film. It's best known for its extensive collection of Star Wars toys, but you'll also find Marvel and DC superhero action figures and Japanese designer toys.

This bustling neighborhood market (Monday through Saturday) has been a bargain hunter's paradise for more than a century. Fill up on fresh produce, cheese, hummus, and wine while browsing through the racks of clothing, flowers, fabrics, and plenty more.

This chocolate-box-size shop specializes in premium international chocolate brands, such as Amsterdam-based Chocolate Makers and Original Beans, Blanxart from Barcelona, and Mexican chocolate specialist Taza. There are also handmade chocolate bonbons in flavors such as almond brûlée, salted peanut caramel, and lemongrass.