Brouwersgracht: the warehouse canal and the food street
Amsterdam's prettiest canal, a courtyard from the New York story, and a street of independent food shops. Walked and written by the editor.

1. Café Papeneiland
Begin at the corner of the *Brouwersgracht* and *Prinsengracht*, at a *bruine kroeg* — brown café — trading since the 17th century. Coffee here, then walk west with the canal on your right.

2. Brouwersgracht warehouse row
Often called the prettiest canal in Amsterdam, and the rare time the claim holds. Look up: the old *pakhuizen* — brewers' and merchants' warehouses — still wear their shutters and hoist beams, now turned to flats.

3. West-Indisch Huis
Step into the courtyard off the *Herenmarkt*: the 1617 headquarters of the Dutch West India Company, where in 1625 the order went out to fortify Manhattan. A quiet square with a long shadow over another city.

4. Haarlemmerstraat
Turn onto the *Haarlemmerstraat*, the eastern half of the city's best food street. Bakeries, cheese, coffee roasters, a chocolatier or two. Buy something to eat as you walk; that's the correct way to do this stretch.

5. Haarlemmerdijk
The street changes its name to *Haarlemmerdijk* at the bridge and keeps going — more independent shops, fewer chains, the same idea. The old Westergasfabriek crowd drifts through here.

6. Haarlemmerpoort
The Neoclassical city gate of 1840 — properly the *Willemspoort* — closes the street like a full stop. Beyond it, the Westerkanaal and a park; the bus and tram are right here.

Brouwersgracht: the warehouse canal and the food street