Kompas Amsterdam

Latest Posts

21 coffee spots in Amsterdam open before 8 am

Published by Dickie at Kompas

I became a dog dad not long ago. While adjusting to the demands of a bossy Greek rescue pupper, I discovered a few must-haves of my own. One such need is an early cup of coffee in the long darkness of a January morning. Move over Maslow’s Hierarchy; I need baristas at dawn. And guess what? They exist, even in Amsterdam.

If I’ve missed anything, drop me a comment!

The Athens you love might not be the Athens you first expect

Published by Dickie at Kompas

I have finally gotten the hang of Athens. I say this because for unthawed northern Europeans like me Athens can be a beguiling place to visit at first.

The sprawling neighbourhoods disorientate and the concrete apartment blocks feel defensive. As a result, Athens feels part stronghold and part labyrinth. But if you do the work then the barriers will melt away.

When pizza’s good it’s very good, but when it’s DOPE it’s better

Published by Dickie at Kompas

Pizzeria DOPE became my go-to pizza place soon after opening in 2019. When lockdown forced many restaurants to shut indefinitely, and they posted a Facebook message with the words, “Beautiful people, after 18 months starting DOPE…” my heart sank. Was this the breakup text?

Three staff members at Manhattan's Lucky Strike bar/bistro

Johnny Englishman can’t act cool

Published by Dickie at Kompas

I landed in New York a few hours earlier than my travel buddy. So, after finding my way to the Lower-East Side’s Sohotel, I decided to drop my bags and start exploring the neighbourhood…

Wander, eavesdrop and ponder but always chew your food carefully

Published by Dickie at Kompas

I’m in Asos, a little fishing village built into the narrowest part of a rocky peninsula on the Greek island of Kefalonia. The tiny bay arcs out from the rocky headland to encompass its stony beach, harbour, and the clearest water I have ever seen.

Erykah Badu on stage at 013 Poppodium in Tilburg

Golden Age to Space Age at Museum Our Lord in the Attic

Published by Dickie at Kompas

Each October, Amsterdam hosts one of the most extensive electronic music festivals in the world. Amsterdam Dance Event is spectacular, exciting… and exhausting. Recovery involves sleep, coconut water, and something gentle for the soul. The latter part is where secret 17th Century churches come in. Call us literal…

Prepare to drop your jaw in awe, it’s the Amsterdam Light Festival

Published by Dickie at Kompas

Hire a boat, collect your friends, and get yourself a glimpse of Amsterdam from its most enchanting point of view during the Amsterdam Light Festival.

Delicious simplicity courtesy of Sir Hummus and Sir Hummus Kitchen

Published by Dickie at Kompas

You know it, we know it; too much choice can be a bad thing. So in this age of endless browsing, swiping and refreshing, it’s wise to seize opportunities for keeping things simple. And that’s one of the words at the heart of Sir Hummus …

Kompas Amsterdam

An expat's Amsterdam, and his daydreams beyond it.

Latest Posts

21 coffee spots in Amsterdam open before 8 am

If I’ve missed anything, drop me a comment!

The Athens you love might not be the Athens you first expect

I have finally gotten the hang of Athens. I say this because for unthawed northern Europeans like me Athens can be a beguiling place to visit at first.

The sprawling neighbourhoods disorientate and the concrete apartment blocks feel defensive. As a result, Athens feels part stronghold and part labyrinth. But if you do the work then the barriers will melt away.

The man on the bench

I was in transit today. Transit that took me from Piraeus, the port of Athens, to Agistri, a small island an hour away from the mainland. A day prior I was in the calm Peloponnesian countryside with my parents. Now I’m solo amid what feels like chaos.

When pizza’s good it’s very good, but when it’s DOPE it’s better

Pizzeria DOPE became my go-to pizza place soon after opening in 2019. When lockdown forced many restaurants to shut indefinitely, and they posted a Facebook message with the words, “Beautiful people, after 18 months starting DOPE…” my heart sank. Was this the breakup text?

Johnny Englishman can’t act cool

I landed in New York a few hours earlier than my travel buddy. So, after finding my way to the Lower-East Side’s Sohotel, I decided to drop my bags and start exploring the neighbourhood…

Wander, eavesdrop and ponder but always chew your food carefully

I’m in Asos, a little fishing village built into the narrowest part of a rocky peninsula on the Greek island of Kefalonia. The tiny bay arcs out from the rocky headland to encompass its stony beach, harbour, and the clearest water I have ever seen.

A Baduist goes to Tilburg

Rich takes a trip beyond his comfortable Amsterdam bubble, and finds the love of his musical life hanging out in the south. We’ve handed over the Kompas HQ pen so he can tell you in his own words.

Golden Age to Space Age at Museum Our Lord in the Attic

Prepare to drop your jaw in awe, it’s the Amsterdam Light Festival

Hire a boat, collect your friends, and get yourself a glimpse of Amsterdam from its most enchanting point of view during the Amsterdam Light Festival.

Delicious simplicity courtesy of Sir Hummus and Sir Hummus Kitchen