Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
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 res
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 varie
Not so long ago, Dutch cuisine consisted mostly of fried food—french fries, bitterballen, and frikandel (deep-fried saus
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!
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. You can order à la carte, but the rijsttafel is the way to go. The design is ultramodern, with lacquered red walls that set off giant vintage family photos from the era of the Dutch East Indies.
Amstelveenseweg 158–160, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1075 XN, Netherlands
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.
Prinses Irenestraat 19, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1077 WT, Netherlands
One of four Anne&Max outposts in Amsterdam, this self-described "urban living room" is a great place to rest your tired feet after a long walk in nearby Vondelpark. There's decent coffee, cake, and plenty of healthy organic and vegetarian options for breakfast and lunch.
Amstelveenseweg 196, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1075 XS, Netherlands
Frietboutique is famous in Zuid and beyond as the purveyor of ''all your guilty pleasures.'' From fresh hand-cut friet (Dutch fries) and crispy croquettes to artisan ijs (ice cream), this is indeed the place to satisfy all your sweet and savory cravings.
Johannes Verhulststraat 107 h, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1071 MX, Netherlands
Well-known Dutch chef Ron Blaauw lends star power to this casual, stripped-down space, where each small plate costs a modest sum (dry-aged steaks are the sole exceptions). The creative, globally inspired, locally sourced preparations are beautifully presented and full of interesting flavors, such as celeriac dim sum with mushroom XO sauce and pandan leaf dressing, and crispy sweetbreads with Indian butter chicken-style lentils and garam masala. Two to three dishes make a lovely meal, especially when accompanied with a glass of wine or two from their thoughtfully chosen list.
Sophialaan 55, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1075 BP, Netherlands
It's a simple yet effective formula: steaming bowls of freshly prepared pasta, plus a few choice house wines. There are always only six pastas on offer (two vegetarian, two seafood, and two meat-based), but that may be part of the easy appeal of this mini–pasta bar emporium. There are other locations throughout Amsterdam, though the Olympiaplein outpost is more spacious than most.
Olympiaplein 176, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1076 AM, Netherlands
Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:
There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:
Try increasing the mile radius or searching near one of these popular suggestions:
De Kas
Restaurant Vermeer
Kaagman & Kortekaas
RIJKS®
Enter a sight, restaurant, hotel, or other place to find restaurants nearby.
Neighborhoods Some neighborhood filters have sub-neighborhoods that can be selected individually in a dropdown by clicking on the icon to the right of the name.
I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails.
Thank you for your interest!
Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
By signing up for the newsletter, I agree to the Privacy Policy. You must check the box to subscribe
Thank you for your interest!
Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers.