53 Best Restaurants in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Try to nab a spot on the terrace of THT—the theater café of the Tolhuistuin music venue—as its spectacular setting by the Amsterdam-Noord waterfront is a great place to chill out with a snack or a light meal. The rolls and pasta choices on the menu will satisfy traditionalists, while those wanting to venture "off piste" will also find much to like, especially in the form of the many plant-based offerings, such as vegan noodles or dahl (split peas cooked with spices) with naan bread.

Even in a city that's becoming known for the quality of its coffee (remember, in Amsterdam a so-called coffeeshop is a licensed cannabis café not a purveyor of latte art), this minimalist-chic espresso bar and roastery of organic, Fairtrade beans stands out for its well-pulled coffee.

If you need a rejuvenating break from art viewing, head to this café across from the Rijksmuseum for coffee and cake, or for lunch on one of the terraces, if the weather is accommodating. An adjacent playground makes this café a good choice for families. Menu highlights include homemade apple pie, traditional pea soup, sandwiches, and Dutch beef croquettes (oblong-shape meatballs) with hand-cut fries. Or try the Dutch poffertjes: small buckwheat pancakes served with powdered sugar and butter. And make sure to check out the bizarre bathrooms in the basement.

Crisp-crusted Roman-style artisanal pizza is baked in wood-fired ovens at this neighborhood favorite, where you'll find everything from classic Margherita to chocolate calzone. There are also antipasti, salads, and more. Apparently, Italians prefer drinking beer or prosecco with their pizza, and there are ample to choose from here, along with wine, cocktails, and other Italian staples such as grappa, limoncello, and Amaretto.

There are Film e Pizza nights on Wednesday, with a pizza and film at the nearby Kriterion movie theater for €16.

It doesn't get more deeply Dutch than at this white-tiled shrine to Dutch sandwich culture, where the broodje kroket (a crispy veal croquette on a fluffy white bread roll, served with mustard and pickles) reigns supreme. Amsterdam locals also flock here for Van Dobben's other famous fillings, from meatballs to salt beef, liver, and tartare.

Amsterdam isn't generally a city where food comes quickly, but FEBO is an exception. This Dutch chain of restaurants functions like an old-school automat, with walls of prepared dishes displayed behind glass. Simply press a button and insert your money, vending machine–style, and you'll get your meal, be it french fries, burgers, or Indonesian croquettes. The food is far from gourmet, but it's a Dutch experience to be sampled at least once—and one of a few options if hunger strikes past midnight.

Craving coffee with tiny travelers in tow? Head to this stylish coffee house in the Watergraafsmeer area, where there's a play area for the little ones. A small menu offers sandwiches, soups, pancakes, coffee, patisserie, and juices.

Come rain or shine, this kiosk serves coffee, tea, smoothies, baked goods, and gourmet health food inspired by the Greek islands. Whether you're craving sweet or savory, there are perfect on-the-go options like their signature orange, olive oil, rosemary cake, banana bread, or spanakopita (flaky pastry with spinach). Try the traditional Greek-style coffee if you’re in need of a caffeine kick. A few blocks away on Bilderdijkpark, their restaurant, Ikaria Park, offers flavorful, modern Greek food for dinner and delightful cocktails with a twist.

This self-titled “Italian concept store” is a good place to stop off for authentic Italian espresso with cannoli, before stocking up on Italian essentials such as pasta, own-brand olive oil, and cantuccini (biscotti).

This relaxed and friendly restaurant serves dishes from all over the African continent, but focuses on the food of Ethiopia, which is eaten with injera, a spongy type of sourdough bread. The interior is well worn but enlivened by charming touches like zebra-stripe tablecloths and carved animal napkin holders.

Head to this tiny Lebanese eatery for the freshest griddle-baked flatbreads. The authentic manouche (flatbread) here come slathered with toppings such as halloumi cheese and za'atar (spice mix); labneh (a Lebanese soft cheese) and beef; or fattoush (salad made with fried bread and vegetables) and hummus, after which they're rolled up, and ready to eat. There are two other locations, at Haarlemmerstraat 54 and at Wijde Heisteeg 1, in the Nine Streets.

With a delightful terrace on a quiet residential square, this friendly neighborhood café serves an eclectic mix of meals inspired by Dutch pub food standards, but given a twist. Whilst there are plenty of choices for carnivores nestled among the vegetarian toasties and meat-free burgers, the main focus is plant-based.

Freshly prepared Vietnamese classics, relatively brisk service (for Amsterdam), and a relaxed vibe has made O Mai a favorite with young locals. The sparse decor doesn't detract from the main event: watching the bánh mì (a Vietnamese sandwich, available only at lunchtime in traditional pork, spicy chicken, or vegetarian varieties) made from scratch at the tiny preparation area in the center of the restaurant, or ordering soothing hot pho (noodles) or rice noodles chock-full of meat and veggies.

It's hard to go wrong when going out for Dutch pancakes in Amsterdam, but the ones at this 50-year-old stalwart are among the best in town. The 17th-century warehouse has a petite canalside patio near the Anne Frank House, and the mammoth menu has more than 75 choices of sweet and savory toppings, from traditional (with syrup and powdered sugar) to over-the-top globally inspired creations, including an Indonesian pancake with chicken satay and crispy prawn crackers. You can also order omelets, or a convincing take on the folk dish of erwtensoep (a superthick, smoked sausage–imbued pea soup; October–April only). Be prepared to wait: it's popular, and reservations are taken only for groups of six or more.  Bring the kids. Pancakes are seen as children's food in the Netherlands anyway, so the vibe is always very family-friendly.

Delicious renditions of North African dishes like couscous salad, chicken tagine, and wood-oven roasted lamb are the focus of the menu at this tiny Algerian restaurant that has just a few tables—you can also opt to order food to go and eat on a canalside bench. There is another, much larger location in the Westergasfabriek complex (Polonceaukade 40), in Westerpark, decorated with handwoven carpets and with lots of cushions for sitting on, as well as a market with food to go (Westerstraat 10).

This Korean (food) bar, which opened in 2022, has become part of the heart and, ahem, Seoul of the De Pijp party scene. You’ll find various Korean crowd-pleasers like garlic soy--fried chicken, kimbap (rice rolls), mandu (deep-fried dumplings), bimimpap (rice bowls), and bingsu (shaved ice cream) here. There are also many types of soju (a rice-based spirit) and funky cocktails on the menu (one even sports a Rocket ice pop). Do indulge in the ultimate Korean party trick: a soju shot, balanced betwixt two chopsticks over a glass of beer, which drops when the table is slammed.

"Soup Etc" bucks Amsterdam's slow-service trend by being particularly speedy as well as health-conscious. At least four soups are available daily, of which most are vegetarian or vegan. The steaming bowls come with chunky slices of whole-grain bread. The menu also offers tempting salads. There are other locations at Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 54, Haarlemmerstraat 87, and Van Baerlestraat 81.

The Indonesian-inspired Surinamese food at this often-cramped local favorite includes many simple but well-prepared variations of chicken, fish, lamb, or beef with vegetables and nasi (rice), bami (noodles), or roti. You can also try Javanese rames, a mini-rijsttafel-style smattering of everything on a plate. The restaurant is very casual, but the staff are friendly, the food is tasty, and the price is right—no wonder it's always busy. There is another Amsterdam location, but this one is the most central.

There's plenty of outdoor seating at this spacious restaurant located within Westerpark, and the indoor portion is separated by retractable glass walls, making this the perfect destination to enjoy the weather and a good meal on a lazy afternoon or evening. The lunch and dinner menu is mostly café-style classics, including soups, sandwiches, salads, burgers (veggie, too), steak, and fish. On weekends, they often fire up the grill and host live music and outdoor parties during the spring and summer months.

The appeltaart (Dutch apple pie) served here is said to be the best in Amsterdam, and the lines out front on busy market days attest to Winkel's popularity. If you don't want to wait, though, the Papeneiland around the corner at Prinsengracht 2, also serves an excellent version in a traditional brown café run by the same family for 400 years.