Amsterdam Noord is the Brooklyn of Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Noord named the Brooklyn of Amsterdam
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Amsterdam Noord the Brooklyn of Amsterdam.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Amsterdam's verdict went to Amsterdam Noord ahead of De Pijp, Oud-West and Amsterdam Oost, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Amsterdam Noord the Brooklyn of Amsterdam. Four minutes on a free ferry and you are in a different city: post-industrial waterfront, converted warehouses, massive spaces, and an unhurried energy that is not trying to sell you a canal tour. Amsterdammers are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Amsterdam Noord's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Amsterdam verdict: brooklynof.com/amsterdam
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/amsterdam
Runner-up neighborhoods: De Pijp, Oud-West, Amsterdam Oost
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.