Clubs/Bars

• Trouw: Extremely sick electric music club housed in an old newspaper printing building (read: industrial, scene-y). Two levels with a sound proof room on each playing slightly different genres of EDM. Do not dress too nice, or they will literally turn you away at the door. Sneakers and t-shirts all the way. So Amsterdam.
• Escape: The infamous "American" dance club on Rembrantplein. Do not waste your time. It's as lame as it sounds, and the bouncer is really rude.
• Paradiso: My favorite club in Amsterdam, housed in an abandoned church with stained glass windows still intact. In other words, this venue is unreal cool.
• Lux:  Cool, chill, upscale bar near Leidseplein to grab a drink with friends or impress guests in town. Simply a must-go.
• Disco Dolly: This ultra local club just popped up about three months ago, spinning mainly disco house and attracting mad Dutchies. Really cool and packed on a Tuesday night.
• Cafe de Gieter: This place was absolutely packed on a Wednesday night with university students. My friend made out with someone within five minutes of arrival, if that says anything about the atmosphere (i.e. fun). Also, beers for 1.50 euro, which is a steal around Leidseplein. A good place to start your night.
• Bubbels: The 9-0 of Amsterdam. I obviously love it. All the locals go here and joke that it's the "place to pick up 16-year old girls," so it has just the right amount of sleaziness mixed with good music and fellow students just trying to hook up meet. A good place to end your night.
• Cafe het Schuim: More of a bar than a restaurant, but I've gone for both coffee and beers. It's right near a university building and has the coolest vibe inside, with vibrantly painted walls and gaudy chandeliers. A cool place to meet up with friends.
• Door 74: Underground, speakeasy-type bar. So exclusive, you have to make reservations in order to even get in the door. Cool cocktail combos and a very fun experience, but very expensive.

Restaurants

• Pancake Bakery: Obviously incredible pancakes and poffrijes, if not a little overhyped and overpriced. The pancakes are wider than your face, and there's a huge vat of molassesy syrup that you can drizzle and/or scoop onto your doughy delight of choice, which is fun and interactive.
• Pancakes Upstairs!: Another place, another pancake, but the ambiance here is more traditional Dutch and therefore a little more authentic of an experience. Go at an odd hour during the week, or you'll wait forever to be seated.
• Winkel: Decently priced authentic Dutch food, plus world's yummiest slice of apple pie. Not the friendliest of staffs, but that's just kind of Europe.
• De Bolhoed: Insanely delicious vegetarian place on the Prinsengracht. Get their vegan meal of the day. They get bonus points for having a cafe kitty.
• Kookoellektief: Another awesome, vegan-friendly place! Their menu is limited, but continually changing and so healthy-yummy.
• Singel 404: The best sandwiches you will have in your life. In the words of the great Cait Dowling, "#44 changed my life." Truer words have never been spoken.
• Broodje Bert: Mad delicious sandwich shop for basically no money. Even their side salad is good.
• Vinnie's Deli: World's cutest lunch spot. Think light, bright, with all vintage furniture. Delish open-face sandwiches, excellent vegetarian options and a really friendly staff.
• G's Really Nice Place: Easily world's coolest brunch spot - Drake & The Weeknd playing, menu formatted in sexual innuendoes, trendy/urban decor, and food that is TO DIE FOR delicious. Probably my favorite food spot in all of Amsterdam.
• De Lastse Kruimel: The cutest sandwich/pastry shop in Amsterdam, right around the corner from UvA's Oudemanhuispoort (OMHP). Perfect place to pick up a slice of quiche or apple pie in between classes.
• Kapitein Zeppos: Charming little gem tucked away in an alley very near OMHP.
• Baut: Located right next to Trouw, this bar/restaurant has an equally cool vibe inside and serves really yummy open-face sandwiches for lunch.
• Sampurna: Dank Indonesian food, which Amsterdam is known for. Also decently priced, especially if you split a meal.
• Cafe Bern: If you're craving yummy Dutch-French fusion fondue, this is your spot! Go on off-peak days/hours, because it's really popular!

Attractions

• Noordermarkt: An organic market off the Prinsengracht, open Saturdays and Mondays. Saturday is more of a food market and Monday is a linens market, but there's a lot of cool trinkets to pick through, as well. Prices are a little higher, due to the organic nature.
• Albert Cuyp Market: Another open air market near Museumplein. Get 10 poffrijes for 2 euro, a stroopwafel chocolate truffel (or chocolate penis, whatever), free cheese samples, and a fresh waffle from Wally. Go hungry.
• Van Gogh Museum: Cool if you're interested in making douchey, uneducated comments about really good art. Some would advise you to first take mushrooms.
• Heineken Experience: This is a MUST! You get at least three full glasses of beer throughout and end the tour in a bar with an awesome live performer.
• The Cheese Museum: There are plenty of shops where you can sample cheese, but this one takes the cake. Not only can you try at least 20 varieties of cheese, the bottom floor is a fun, albeit tiny, museum dedicated to the cheese-making process and industry.