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Not so long ago, Dutch cuisine consisted mostly of fried food—french fries, bitterballen, and frikandel (deep-fried sausages)—along with thick pea soup and hearty meat and potato dishes. These days, however, Amsterdam restaurants serve much higher-quality and more varied food than ever before.
Many forward-thinking Amsterdam restaurants have embraced a "New Dutch cuisine," using organic and locally sourced meat, fish, and seafood, and expertly cooked vegetables served with interesting sauces and side dishes. Some chefs are taking it a step further and growing produce and herbs on land or rooftops attached to their restaurants—garden to table cooking, if you will. Multicourse tasting menus or small plates that you can mix and match are popular at upscale eateries, making use of what's freshest at the moment, perhaps farm-fresh asparagus or North Sea mussels. The classic standbys are still widely available, too—it's hard to resist those delicious bitterballen—but they're often prepared in updated, modern interpretations.
Amsterdam has a wealth of international cuisines. The city has long been known for its Moroccan, Turkish, and Indonesian food, and there are excellent Vietnamese eateries, where you can finally get a decent bánh mì, as well as pretty much every type of cuisine you might be craving. Another thing that's big on the Amsterdam food scene these days is brunch. Traditionally, the Dutch opt for relatively simple breakfasts of buttered toast with chocolate sprinkles (called hagelslag), but places for more American-style brunch—eggs Benedict or oatmeal with fresh fruit—have popped up throughout the city, attracting the city's trend-followers. Although steak restaurants have existed for years (and continue to open on a regular basis), hamburgers are also trendy, with tiny spots elbowing their way in to become the most popular in town.
Pockets of interesting dining are emerging away from the city center, too, but Amsterdam is a small city, so don't be daunted by distance. Everything's still easy to reach by cab, tram, or bus—or make like a local and burn off some calories by renting a bike.
Despite all these changes, one thing's stayed relatively the same: the pace of service. Expect a wait to get menus, to order, and then to receive your food. You just have to go with it: it's the Dutch way!
By day, this sleek Swedish-owned establishment serves cinnamon or cardamom buns and seriously good specialty coffee from La Cabra in Copenhagen. By night, take your pick of the premium (mostly natural, mostly French) wines displayed in a ceiling-high wine chamber before indulging in chef Ciaran Naughter's contemporary à la carte creations.
Henk Jongejans' organic rustic-industrial “Baking House” boasts a 15,432-pound wood-fired stone oven, which pumps out beautifully burnished sourdough bread with great flavor and an amazing texture. Stop by the shop to pick up a cup of locally roasted coffee with a cinnamon bun to munch on, or linger longer over sandwiches, pizzettes, smoothies, or salads at the bakery-café.
Hidden in plain sight down an alleyway in the crook of the Canal District, this small insider's secret serves up a six-course seasonal chef's menu year-round. The atmosphere is intimate, the cooking supercreative, the service warm and personal, and the wine pairings an experience not to be missed.
Considering its Northern European location, it is, of course, entirely possible to encounter miserable weather in Amsterdam any time of the year. Therefore, should cold weather cravings hit, Bistrot des Alpes is the perfect place to go for comforting Savoyard cuisine: Think raclette bubbling over coal-fired ovens, cheesy trays of tartiflette (rich potato gratin), generous mounds of mountain cheese and charcuterie, and the city's finest fondue. With its retro wood paneling complete with dangling copper utensils, the restaurant would fit right into a French mountain village (there's even an original ski-lift).
It's become a bit of a tourist favorite, but many Amsterdammers still believe that this is the best Indonesian rijsttafel in town—so if you're looking for the ultimate Amsterdam dining experience, this is the place to go. Menu choices include fish, meat, and vegetarian rijsttafels; all are fresh, well spiced, and full of authentic flavors. The design is ultramodern, with lacquered red walls that set off giant vintage family photos from the era of the Dutch East Indies.
For innovative "New Amsterdam" cuisine, head to this Michelin-starred restaurant in sleek Zuidas. The design is Scandinavian-inspired lacquered wood and angular chairs, but the set six-course menu is hyperlocal, and everything is beautifully presented; many of their vegetables and herbs come from the on-site kitchen garden, one of the largest in Amsterdam. Expect creative vegetable-led dishes like "risotto" of cauliflower and ricotta, topped with herring roe, or 30-day dry-aged beef with parsnip and apple. There is also a fully plant-based menu.
A quirkily named Australian-owned all-day brunch and dinner café can be a surprisingly fun place to stop by for locally roasted specialty coffees, decadent burgers, Korean tacos, natural wines, scrumptious desserts, and more.
Located a short walk from Noorderkerk, Duende is the oldest tapas bar in Amsterdam, dishing out tasty plates of garlic prawns, bacon-wrapped dates, and plenty more for 30 years. The cozy yet lively setting transports visitors to Spain, an experience made complete with occasional live flamenco performances at the mini theater hidden in the back.
Following her successful blog "Nourish Atelier" and four popular vegetarian cookbooks, Swedish chef Nina Olsson brings flavorful recipes to life once again. This time, it's a charming green brasserie serving plant-based comfort food made with seasonal ingredients and an eclectic fusion of spices. Inspired by Mediterranean flavors, this neo-bistro offers delightful vegetarian and vegan dishes perfectly portioned for sharing. Some of the most sought-after plates include ultrasavory bucatini with pecorino, and succulent aubergine with feta yogurt, salsa verde, and chili oil. Pair your meal with a selection of (natural) wines, or choose from bespoke cocktails. Add a slice of burned Basque cheesecake topped with cherry sauce for a sweet finish.
This elegant two-Michelin star dining room nods to modernity with gleaming metallic design touches, but the French-international food at the "Blue Sky" leans more to the classically extravagant. Any of the three tasting menus (with a choice of two wine pairings) are highly recommended for a celebratory meal. Enjoy beautifully presented dishes—like the signature king crab with Baeri caviar, beurre blanc ice cream, and preserved lemon, or the delicate pink "Dutch shrimp'' with violet potatoes, and an elevated take on Dutch apple pie for dessert—while taking in the amazing panorama from the 23rd floor of the Hotel Okura Amsterdam.
On the edge of the Canal District, this classic Amsterdam restaurant is blessed with gorgeous Art Nouveau detailing and wallpaper, as well as views of the Herengracht. The romantic atmosphere combined with attentive and friendly service create the perfect setting for enjoying the French- and Italian-inspired menu. In winter, hearty game dishes such as venison with a red wine and shallot sauce are the focal point of the menu; in summer, the fare is lighter, and can be enjoyed on the terrace. The signature Entrecote Belhamel dish of sliced sirloin with mushrooms, green beans, and fondant potatoes in a creamy sauce is always an excellent choice.
This large indoor market is home to diverse food vendors offering everything from Vietnamese and Indian street food to Mexican, Japanese, and Spanish cuisine, plus local beers and the Gin&Tonic bar to quench your thirst. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the food hall's hours run late for Holland: until midnight on weekdays and until 1 am on weekends.
Situated in a 1926-built former municipal greenhouse is a lovely, modern, and light-filled restaurant (you're surrounded by glass) serving Mediterranean-influenced food with a focus on including more freshly grown vegetables, often from the restaurant's own greenhouses and garden. The daily changing prix-fixe dinner menu, with dishes chosen by the chef (vegetarians and vegans can be accommodated), always consists of five or six dishes (lunch is three or four). The wine selection is delightful, and they do a wonderful job with pairings.
Secreted away in a courtyard garden behind the H'ART Museum is a spectacular spot for all-day brunches that goes way beyond eggs Benedict (though they have those, too, of course.) There's plenty to choose from, with classic brunch options as well as modern, healthy options with fresh ingredients harvested from their own kitchen garden. And, best of all, 100% of the profits go to a good cause.
If you've forgotten to make a dining reservation somewhere (and even if you haven't), this walk-in only eetcafé (café serving food) is a solid bet. The regularly changing menu draws inspiration from international cuisine and while options are limited there is always something tasty for fans of fish, meat or vegetables.
This snug breakfast, lunch, and high-tea favorite is strewn with flea-market finds (such as a gorgeous Portuguese chandelier and charmingly mismatched tableware), but there are only 10 tables, so be sure to make a reservation (even for breakfast). It's worth planning in advance for comforting French toast or pancakes, lovely lunchtime soups, salads, and toast spreads with veggies picked fresh from the owners' kitchen garden, or for homemade cakes, tarts, and quiches.
Fix your morning woes with some of the city’s richest croissants, butteriest brioche, and most perfect pain au chocolat at this artisan French bakery on Nieuwendijk. Or indulge in a high tea you won't easily forget.
Famous for their full English breakfast, cocktails with a twist, and homemade Irish soda bread, Greenwoods Keizersgracht dishes out hearty brunch specials daily with plenty of vegetarian options, too. Their fun, seasonal menu includes American-style pancakes, stacked sandwiches, and decadent hot chocolate flavors. Dine inside or snag a seat on their sun-drenched terrace for a canal view. Still hungry? Their original location is still located at Single 103.
In a high-ceiling former garage—still housing a number of classic cars—this large, modern, and convivial restaurant is worth the trek across the IJ River. The "Golden Pheasant" offers good value for a regularly changing menu of Dutch fare with a French twist: expect favorites like oysters, roast chicken, and Angus beef, along with a variety of specials.
Fans of fabulous nose-to-tail dining have faithfully been placing themselves in the experienced hands of chef Giel Kaagman and sommelier and host Bram Kortekaas since 2015. Their namesake eatery, which has been a leading light in the local bistronomy movement, sits along a medieval alley in the heart of tourist hell, where multiple levels arranged around a slightly sunken kitchen allow some diners to feel like they’re part of the action. Regularly changing four-, five-, or six-course chef’s menus keep things fresh, but there’s usually homemade charcuterie, plenty of traditional techniques and a few offal surprises—picky eaters, you’ve been warned!
The folks at this restaurant, tucked away on a side street, have perfected the art of wood-fired pizza. Made from fresh ingredients imported from Italy, their thin-crust Neapolitan-style pies draw lively crowds of locals and tourists who don't complain about standing in line for the classic Margherita, quattro formaggi (four cheeses), or spicy puttanesca. Note that there are no slices, just whole pies. A roomier La Perla outpost is just across the street at No. 53, where the menu also includes sandwiches, pasta, and salads.
One of Amsterdam's brunch pioneers, this intimate Australian-run eatery has a laid-back vibe and friendly servers. Although you'll inevitably have to wait for a table on weekends (it's walk-in only), the eclectic menu, which includes sweet and savory options, is worth it. Pass the time with one of the tasty brunch cocktails or house-made soda, iced tea, or drinking vinegar. In early 2019, a second outpost, offering all-day dining and small plates by night, opened in West (Bilderdijkstraat 140).
On the southern banks of the IJ River, in an area with few places to eat, this award-winning French-Dutch restaurant ups the bar by using international ingredients in creative combinations in its tasting menus. Visually, MOS's relaxing blue decor enhances but never competes with the real star of the scenery: the view through the windows.
Befitting its location in the former shipyards of the newly hip NDSM area, this quirky restaurant is housed in a series of cavernous shipping containers—it attracts a young, lively crowd that appreciates the organic meat and vegetables and sustainably caught fish and seafood. In summer, the huge terrace and sandy man-made beach along the river turn into a party with DJs.
A Chez Panisse–trained chef whips up frequently changing menus with local ingredients and a Mediterranean flair at this lively restaurant in a former chapel; all dishes are cooked on an open fire in an outdoor wood oven. The three-course dinner menus are a great value and make it worth venturing to Amsterdam's far southern reaches (Tram No. 5 stops a block away)—there is always a choice of meat or fish, and you can add an "in-between" course for a little bit more. (You can also order à la carte at lunch.) Most of the seating is at long communal tables, which makes for a convivial atmosphere. In the summer, dine out on the gorgeous terrace, which has views of the outdoor open kitchen and leafy Beatrixpark surroundings.
Opened in 2022, inside the regal Hotel de l'Europe, this "conscious fine dining" restaurant is elegant without being stuffy. Of course, the ingredients are local, seasonal and top-notch, but what really sets the Michelin-starred sustainability-led cooking apart are the inventive preparations. To avoid breaking the bank, opt for one of their lunch tasting menus. For a view to match the meal, ask for a table overlooking the Amstel River—there are only 11 tables so make sure to book in advance.
This candlelit French-Mediterranean restaurant with exposed brick walls and whimsical cartoon paintings is a true local favorite. Choose a set menu by picking from several appetizers, mains, and desserts—the minimum order is four courses and ranges all the way up to seven. The menu changes frequently and features highly flavorful modern dishes with an international twist. There's usually a complimentary predessert—which could be a deconstructed apple pie with tapioca balls and cream—poking delicious fun at the Dutch appeltaart tradition.
Culinary surprises are the name of the game at this stately restaurant; instead of a menu, diners are presented with a list of seasonal ingredients (e.g., pear, cauliflower, and squid) from which chef Chris Naylor whips up creative and masterful four-, five-, or six-course menus. Some of the vegetables and herbs come from the roof garden of the adjoining NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace hotel. The gray-tone walls enlivened with paintings of flowers lend a contemporary yet formal air, and an army of waitstaff are on hand to ensure that the service is always impeccable. Each summer the restaurant closes for one month while the staff go on vacation (dates change year to year).
Next to the 1920s Olympic Stadium (and named after its architect) is a fire-focused restaurant that earned a Michelin star within its first year of opening. The brainchild of chef Joris Bijdendijk (RIJKS), this is not a barbecue joint but instead a fine-dining restaurant where open fire is used to perfect everything from charred crusty bread to refined plates of internationally influenced food. If you love the smoky taste only flame cooking can bring, this is the place for you.
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