The Jordaan, a trendy neighborhood with a rich history

The Jordaan—who hasn’t heard of this wonderful neighborhood? But did you also know that this neighborhood has a rich history? In the past, the Jordaan was a poor working-class neighborhood where mainly artisans, sailors, and factory workers lived. It was a neighborhood where life was hard and conditions were tough. But despite these difficulties, the residents had a strong sense of community and a unique culture.

Then and Now: The Jordaan

In the 1960s, the neighborhood began to change. Artists and students flocked to the Jordaan, breathing new life into the area. A creative scene emerged, and all kinds of events were organized, such as street parties, music performances, and poetry readings. The Jordaan became a place where people gathered to enjoy life. 

These days, the Jordaan is a lively, trendy neighborhood with plenty to do. You’ll find trendy restaurants and cozy pubs there. The neighborhood is bordered by the Prinsengracht, Brouwersgracht, Singelgracht, and Leidsegracht. Every Monday morning and Saturday, a market is held at the 400-year-old Noordermarkt, where you can pick up delicious fresh produce, as well as vintage clothing or a spring roll. As a real estate agent in the Jordaan, it’s certainly a pleasant neighborhood to work in!

CAFÉ RESTAURANT VERLAN

In February 2023, Envy Wine Bar on Prinsengracht, near Lauriersgracht, made way for Café Restaurant Verlan. The venue is a converted warehouse located just around the corner from the bustling 9 Straatjes district. Verlan features French-inspired cuisine and serves dishes such as steak tartare, grilled sea bass, and côte de boeuf. You can also stop by for lunch to enjoy a crispy chicken burger, ravioli, or avocado on toasted sourdough bread. Verlan is also a great spot to settle in for a drink. They have an extensive drink menu featuring delicious wines and cocktails, as well as bar bites like oysters, blinis, or the classic bitterbal. The long marble bar and open kitchen invite you to stop by for a bite and/or a drink at the bar. Walk-ins are encouraged. The restaurant always tries to keep tables available at the bar later in the evening. 

PAZZI

In the Jordaan neighborhood, you’ll find Pazzi, a cozy pizzeria located on a side street off Elandsgracht. Here you can enjoy fresh, crispy wood-fired pizzas prepared according to traditional recipes. The name Pazzi is derived from an important family of bakers from Florence. In addition to the location in the Jordaan, Pazzi also has branches in Oud-West, Oost, and Noord. A new location will even be opening soon in De Pijp.

At Pazzi, you can enjoy delicious antipasti, such as burrata, focaccia, insalata caprese, and parmigiana. For the main course, you can choose from twenty types of pizza, including the pizza of the day. You can finish your meal with delicious dolci. Their selection includes tiramisu, crème brûlée, affogato, and scroppino. They also serve cocktails and digestifs, such as Moscow Mule, Aperol Spritz, limoncello, and grappa.

You can enjoy the pizzas right there in the cozy dining area. Don’t feel like cooking? Then you can also pick up your pizzas to go.

CAFÉ PARLOTTE

Parlotte opened on Westerstraat in 2020; the name means “chatting about everyday life.” Parlotte is a restaurant-bar serving wine and French-inspired dishes. It has the atmosphere of a French café. There’s also a lovely terrace out front where you can enjoy the sunshine. From 4:00 PM, you can stop by for drinks. A glass of wine, beer, or champagne paired with oysters, charcuterie, cheese, and more. If you have trouble deciding, you’re in for a challenge—the wine list features over a hundred different types of champagnes and wines! Dinner is served starting at 5:00 PM. The chefs prepare a set three- or four-course menu daily, featuring fresh and seasonal ingredients. On Saturdays and Sundays, Café Parlotte is open as early as 1:00 PM!

LA PERLA

In the heart of the Jordaan lies a bustling street that is popularly known as “Little Italy.” This is due to the large number of Italian restaurants there. Only one of these serves homemade pizza: La Perla (the pearl). Every week, La Perla imports the finest ingredients from Italy. For example, authentic Campania buffalo mozzarella D.O.P. is imported three times a week from southern Italy to ensure its freshness. La Perla’s policy is therefore to use regional and non-industrial products as much as possible. In the center of the restaurant stands the large wood-fired stone oven, which is essential for making great pizzas. In addition to pizzas, La Perla also prepares pasta and sandwiches and offers a rotating wine list. You can take the pizzas to go or order from the menu across the street and enjoy them in the indoor or outdoor seating area. The pizzas are best when eaten à la minute—that is, fresh out of the oven. This is why La Perla does not accept phone orders. 

The real estate agency Amsterdam at Home has a dedicated neighborhood specialist for every area. They are up to date on everything happening in their neighborhood, including the Jordaan. We combine this knowledge with our real-time data to achieve the best possible results for our clients.