83 Best Restaurants in Amsterdam, Netherlands

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).

The decor of this stylish Pulitzer Hotel restaurant is an updated take on old-world elegance, featuring green velvet banquettes, white marble tables, beamed ceilings, and Dutch Masters–style portraits. It echoes the contemporary classics on offer, like rack of lamb, steak frites, and fish of the day; while not overly imaginative, the food is prepared with a sure hand and a light touch. Ask for a table with windows overlooking the pretty Keizersgracht canal or the Reestraat shopping street for prime people-watching while you dine.

The name of this restaurant describes what's served here: a huge selection of warm and cold pintxos, Spanish Basque tapas that run the gamut from oysters to grilled prawns with chimichurri and pata negra ham. Order a combination of small plates paired with a selection from the stellar wine list, many of which can be ordered by the glass. Round out your meal with the chocolate mousse with strawberries before walking it off in the scenic Jordaan.

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.

Traditional Dutch home cooking is just what to expect at a place called Mothers. Outside there's a sunny terrace, and the kitsch interior feels like a living room, full of antiques and photos of mothers (to which you can contribute your own snapshot). Guests are treated to simple dishes prepared with a refined gusto, including erwtensoep (split pea soup) and stamppot (mashed potatoes with sausage). Vegetarians be warned: pickings are slim but they do offer two main courses.

There's almost always a line out the door at this modern-looking Chinese eatery, where the only concession to tradition is the roast ducks hanging in the window. The food is fast, fresh, and inexpensive, and the menu doesn't offer many surprises, but the crowds of locals and tourists keep coming back for sweet-and-sour chicken, noodle soup with shrimp dumplings and beef balls, and spareribs in black bean sauce.

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).

Named after a market town in the south of the Netherlands where its chef-owners were born, BREDA offers frequently changing Franco-Dutch chef's menus and novel preparations in a simple brasserie-like setting. Dishes are heavy on meat, fish, and seafood—Dutch staples like smoked mackerel and cod often make appearances, with subtle twists—and vegetarians beware: the restaurant offers no meat-free variations. Although there's no written menu, diners can select from three-, four-, or five-course tasting menus at lunch and more extensive options at dinner.

The lofty wood-beam interior of the 15th-century Waag (weigh house), converted into a café and restaurant, is lighted by hundreds of candles that nicely help maintain the building's medieval majesty. Breakfast is served starting at 9 am, and lunch items include salads, flatbreads, and sandwiches. The all-day dining menu will likely include appetizers such as zucchini cannelloni and steak tartare, while you can't go wrong with entrées like côte de boeuf with béarnaise sauce, fondant potatoes, and fava beans. A spacious terrace is open when the weather permits.

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. Two to three dishes make a lovely meal, especially when accompanied with a glass of wine or two from their thoughtfully chosen list.

This busy but relaxed neighborhood restaurant serves as a gentle introduction to Indonesian cuisine. Since 1969, Sama Sebo has gained nearly institution status by dishing out rijsttafel (Indonesian small plates) in an atmosphere enhanced by bamboo walls, miniature wood "spirit houses," and 19th-century-style lamps. At lunch the dishes are simpler: in addition to various chicken specialties, there's bami goreng (spicy fried noodles with vegetables or meat) and nasi goreng (the same, with rice instead of noodles). You can wait for your table in the friendly bar area.

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.

Inspired by a memorable trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, the owners of this family-run restaurant have created an authentic and welcoming atmosphere complete with imported colorful tiles, hand-painted ceramics, and an outdoor terrace for warmer days. All the usual favorites are here, such as crispy tortilla chips with fresh guacamole and homemade salsa, hefty burritos, and flavorful bowls filled with veggies, rice and your choice of protein (halal and vegan options, too). And, of course, there's a range of tacos to choose from, including chicken, fish, shrimp, steak, and weekly specials. Located close to Leidseplein, expect the energy to get lively and last late into the evenings, especially since they offer dozens of mezcal and tequilas. Next door, their sister location De Margarita Bar has DJs on Friday and Saturday night.

This international chain of modern Japanese noodle shops got its start more than 20 years ago in London. Pop in for a fresh, fast, and fairly inexpensive meal, hearty bowls of noodles and broth, supplemented with your choice of meats, fish, and/or vegetables. Further sustenance comes in the form of fruit and vegetable shakes. There are other Amsterdam locations near Rembrantplein, in Central Station, and in the World Trade Center.

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.

This mellow organic vegetarian restaurant, with local artists' works hung on the bright orange-and-green walls, serves tasty homemade soups and salads—the salad bar, a mix of cooked items like couscous along with seasonal salads from beans to beets, is especially popular—at lunch as well as its tempting selection of desserts. They increase sophistication (and the prices) at dinner, with noodle dishes and stir-fries. When the weather's nice, there is outdoor seating on the canal across the street.

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.