Bos en Lommer is a real up-and-comer. Bos en Lommer is Amsterdam’s western neighborhood, known for its multicultural population, green spaces, and fast-evolving urban landscape. Whether you are thinking about living in the neighborhood or visiting the city for the weekend, come with us to discover Bos en Lommer.
Bos en Lommer is a relatively “new” neighborhood, developed less than 100 years ago in response to Amsterdam’s growing housing demands. The area is designed to provide larger space for families and incorporate as much green spaces as possible within the city.
The main feature of Bos en Lommer is its multiculturalism: various ethnicities live together in this quiet neighborhood. While gentrification is growing stronger, locals and visitors can still experience this cultural blend and see it reflected in the area’s shops and restaurants.
Bos en Lommer is quickly becoming one of Amsterdam’s more hipster neighborhoods, with plenty of amazing cafes, restaurants, and activities. Read this guide to find out our top picks on how to spend a great day in Bos en Lommer.
Best Coffee in Bos en Lommer
Friedhats f*ckU Café
Head over to the specialty store Friedhats f*ckU Café for its celebrated coffee. These guys are true experts, offering a wide range of beans, brewing techniques, and fantastic cakes and bites. Friedhats f*ckU Café is the best place in Bos en Lommer for delicious coffee to be enjoyed on the sunny bench in front of the store.
Espressofabriek Westergasfabriek
Just a short walk from Bos en Lommer, Espressofabriek Westergasfabriek is a famous coffee spot in Westerpark. Whether you want to sip your high-quality espresso in their cozy store or while having a lovely walk through Westerpark, Espressofabriek Westergasfabriek is the perfect place to get your coffee fix on the weekend.
Farine
Special mention to Farine: with their opening approaching, we can’t wait for this French bakery and café to open its doors soon. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for the latest news.
Best Brunch places in Bos en Lommer
The Villy
Don’t be fooled by its position on Google Maps: The Villy is one of our Bos en Lommer’s best places. It combines a café, bar, and event venue and makes the perfect spot for a mid-week (but not only) brunch, perhaps while answering some emails (as it is also used as a co-working space).
Oficina
The trendiest café in the neighborhood, Oficina, is home to Bos en Lommer creatives and fashionistas. Located just in front of Erasmuspark, its menu is small, but all dishes are delicious. Special mention should be made of its wide range of teas and famous matcha.
Best Dinner spots in Bos en Lommer
Lupe
Open for both brunch and dinner, Lupe is Bos en Lommer’s most recent Mexican restaurant and is nothing short compared to the other Mexican restaurants in Amsterdam. Don’t miss out on their famous enchilada de mole, even better if enjoyed while sitting on their big terrace with a margarita in your hands!
Abbey
If you’re looking for a cozy and easygoing dinner, go to Abbey. The vibe is more of a relaxed gastropub, but the food is amazing. With its warm and relaxed atmosphere, Abbey is perfect for a mid-week dinner or even for catching up with a friend over one of the many specialty beers.
Elo Food Based
This is my favorite place ever in Bos en Lommer: Elo Food Based is an innovative dining concept focused on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices. The chefs and owners are from Brazil, and you can see the Brazilian influence on their menus and the approachable and fun service. I love Elo Food Based not only for their unbelievable food but especially for the people working there. Make sure to reserve a spot and go asap, before it becomes the next most popular Amsterdam fine dining restaurant.
Best Drinks in Bos en Lommer
No Man’s Art Gallery & de bar
Probably the main staple of Bos en Lommer, No Man’s Man’s Art Gallery & Bar embodies the neighborhood vibe to perfection. With a cool and relaxed vibe blending contemporary art and exotic cuisines, it is my go-to place when I want to catch up with a friend while sipping a delicious co*cktail or a glass of natural wine. It’s also a great brunch place!
Bar Coco
Bar Coco is perfect for a casual hangout on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Located in Westerpark, just a 10-minute’ walk from Bos en Lommer, it offers a great terrace, a laid-back atmosphere, and great snacks.
Top Activities in Bos en Lommer
Bos en Lommer is a great residential neighborhood with many green spaces and quiet streets. Due to its nature, it naturally offers fewer tourist attractions than other neighborhoods in Amsterdam, but it still needs to be explored.
Parks
Located between two of Amsterdam’s biggest parks (Westerpark and Rembrandtpark), Bos en Lommer is probably the greenest neighborhood in the city. It is the perfect starting point for a bike tour of the city’s parks.
- Westerpark is the largest and also the most frequented park. On the east side, there are many options for food and drinks, as well as museums and attractions. On the west side, you will find a rather large area dedicated to tiny holiday homes. Walk through Tuinpark Nut en Genoegen to see how Amsterdammers try to keep this corner of Amsterdam peaceful and stress-free.
- Rembrandtpark is located on the neighborhood’s eastern edge and is a popular destination for outdoor activities. It offers walking paths, picnic areas, and sports facilities. It’s much less frequented than Westerpark, but not less pretty.
- Right in the middle, you can find Erasmuspark. This is a true oasis! It’s a tiny park (you can easily walk around it in 20 minutes) with its botanical garden (The Miracle Garden) and a super cute kiosk with great coffee and delicious cakes (Terramus). The park is surrounded by water, and its East side makes the perfect spot for a nice swim during a hot summer day. Especially in the summer, Erasmuspark is home to many outdoor activities, such as open-air cinema and live music.
Attractions and Activities
- Fabrique des Lumieres is one of our favorite Amsterdam attractions and one of its hidden gems. It is a fully immersive experience where art masterpieces LITERALLY surround you. Located in Westergas, it makes a perfect date spot.
- Podium Mozaïek: a unique venue, Podium Mozaïek is Bos en Lommer’s international theater. It offers a café and is home to artists, producers, directors, creatives, and all lovers of performing arts. Check out their website for the latest agenda.
- Padel Next: in the mood for a sweat? Padel Next is right in the middle of Bos en Lommer, and it’s one of the best Padel sports centers in Amsterdam (especially for its famous social events).
Events
- Sunday market: On the first Sunday of every month, the Westergasterrein is filled with stalls, food trucks, live bands, and plenty of opportunities to shop for vintage items and unique gifts from some of Amsterdam’s finest makers.
- Milkshake: Amsterdam’s signature LGBT festival is hosted in Westerpark annually (usually during the last weekend of July).
- De Rollende Keuken: Every May, Westerpark hosts De Rollende Keuken, a large open-air restaurant featuring 100 cuisines, fine wines, special beers, live music, and usually the first sunny days of the year.
Where to stay in Bos en Lommer
A 15-minute tram ride away from Jordaan (or a 10-minute leisurely bike ride through Westerpark), Bos en Lommer is perfect if you plan on visiting Amsterdam and prefer a more tranquil area than the busy city center. Due to its residential nature, the hotel offering is not wide, so you may want to check Airbnb too. If you prefer hotels, we recommend:
- Hotel2Stay: within walking distance of Amsterdam Sloterdijk station, Hotel2Stay is a great option for who wants comfort and prefer accommodation just outside the city center
- WesterVilla: a charming hotel featuring a typical Dutch windmill on the side, located in front of Westerpark and just a 10-minute bike ride away from Anne Frank’s house.
For who is Bos en Lommer
- Families looking for (green) space
- Young couples wanting to experience the rise of Amsterdam’s latest up and coming neighborhood
- Visitors preferring some peace over the buzz of the city center.
I’m proud to call Bos en Lommer my home for the past two years. I have seen the neighborhood go through a big transformation in just this short time (without losing its multicultural identity), and I look forward to seeing what’s exciting. New things will happen here in the future.
