Charlie & Pierce

We would recommend flying into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which has multiple convenient connections to the city of Amsterdam. There are direct flights to Amsterdam from most major cities in Europe, the US, and from Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. Flights to Amsterdam are usually very cheap from the UK, NI and other European cities, especially if you book a few months in advance. 
An alternative for those travelling from London is the Eurostar, running three direct trains a day from St. Pancras direct to Amsterdam Centraal Station. The total time from city centre to city centre is 3 hrs 52 mins, and there are no hidden charges for luggage or limits on liquids .

Taxis are usually readily available at Amsterdam Airport, and can be found just outside the arrivals hall. The journey to central Amsterdam takes around 15 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs approximately EUR 45. Always follow the signs for taxis so you know you are getting into an approved taxi.
Uber does not have a license for Schiphol, so it's recommended to take a regular taxi from Schiphol to Amsterdam. When leaving you can take an Uber, as they are allowed to drop off passengers outside the departure hall.

The train is the easiest, and cheapest, way to get to Amsterdam city centre. Schiphol Station is located directly below the airport, and the train to Amsterdam Centraal takes approximately 15 minutes. Walk from Arrivals to Schiphol Plaza, from where you can take the stairs, escalator or lift down to the platform. You can buy tickets (EUR 4,50) at the yellow/blue ticket machines located in the baggage reclaim area and station hall.

Ubers or Bolts are easily available in Amsterdam (UberX, Black, Van), and are much cheaper than regular taxis.
Taxis can be easily flagged in the central areas of the city, or find the nearest taxi stand. The drivers have to use the meter, and also accept short rides.

Cycling is one of the best ways to get around Amsterdam and discover the city. Most hotels will have bikes available for guests.

Amsterdam hosts a highly efficient network of metro, bus, tram and boat connections that will take you all over the city and the suburbs. Citymapper is a useful app to help you see how to get around on public transport. 
Buy a transport chip card ( ‘OV-chipkaart’) at a GVB ticket machine or supermarket, or get a single, disposable paper ticket if you only plan to use the train, bus, tram or metro once.
OVpay is the new way of checking in and out on public transport in the Netherlands. With OVpay, you are no longer tied to an ov-chipcard, because you can choose how you check in and out. You can do this with a contactless debit card, credit card or via your mobile phone and ov-chipcard.
Don't forget to check in and out by holding the card against the card reader once you enter and exit the metro, tram or bus.

Monks - good for brunch

Grammes

Coffee & Coconuts - good for brunch 

Scandinavian Embassy

Cafecito 

Cafe Peltz Negen straatjes

General & Central 
Pizza Beppe (multiple locations)
Five fat brothers (multiple locations) - modern tapas 
Little Collins (multiple locations) - great option for brunch
Ron's gastrobar

West & Jordaan 
REM restaurant - very cool fine dining restaurant on an old radio tower in the water
Restaurant MAX (Indonesian)
Foodhallen
Gertrude
Toscanini
Pesca

De Pijp & South
Lulu's pizza
Miri Miri - modern Indian fusion restaurant with cocktail pairings
Bam Boa
Restaurant Floreyn
Mana Mana
Restaurant JA
Grahams kitchen
Il Cavallino

East
Box Social - Brunch 
De Kas - organic greenhouse restaurant 
4850

Noord
Bacalar (Mexican)
Coba (Mexican) 
Barracuda (Seafood)
Pllek

Bar Bukowski
Glou glou wine bar 
Lofi 
Paradiso
Skate Cafe 
Garage Noord

We actually recommend avoiding the centre! Or go for a quick visit to see the obligatory red light district and weed cafe's if you've not been to Amsterdam before. BUT, the best parts of Amsterdam are the non touristy bits! Staying around the canal rings and the different neighbourhoods is the best way to get a feel for the city (e.g. Joordan, Old West, De Pijp, South around Vondelpark) 

The Jordaan and the Negen Straatjes are beautiful parts of Amsterdam. We highly recommend going for a mooch around here - it's full of lovely cafe's, boutique shops and pretty canals. 

If you have time on Saturday morning, there is Noordermarkt, a lovely farmers style market with loads of food, costmetics and vintage clothes. You can also stop in at Cafe Winkel for the Amsterdams best apple pie (trust me - it's amazing, and I don't even like apple pie much)

If you're into second hand and vintage shopping and small independent stores, take a walk down the Haarlemmerstraat, just above Jordaan. 

Canal tours are a great way to see the city and get a feel for the history. We recommend Pure Boats for a more intimate and in depth tour, rather than the large touristy ones.

Anne Franks house is definitely worthwhile, however you should book about a month in advance as it gets booked up. Van Gogh's museum is also great. There are lots of designer and high end shops around the museums. 

In general, renting bikes and riding around is a great way to see the city. Vondelpark is beautiful, as is the area just outside around Cornelis Schuytplein. 

If you are around the city for awhile and fancy a bit more nature, you can bike down through the South of the city to the Amstelpark, all the way down the Amstel river to Oudekerk aan de Amstel, a small beautiful little town with great restaurants. It's a very scenic and pleasant ride. 

People also swim a lot in the open water in the summer. A lovely swimming spot is just south of the city in Swimming Nieuwemeer.

It's also easy to take day trips out the city, as the Netherlands is a small country with great train connections. Utrecht is lovely, as is Haarlem and with a beach very close by (Bloemendaal aan Zee). A great day trip is biking from Amsterdam, stopping in Haarlem for brunch, and biking on to the beach from there. 

Some useful websites: 

- I Amsterdam

- Wanderlust

- Tripadvisor