129 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.

Tasting menus are an enduring trend in Amsterdam, and this intimate 15-table eatery in a historic canal house with a minimalist decor—wood-beam ceilings and white walls spruced up with black-and-white portraits—ups the ante by keeping the monthly menu a surprise (à la carte plates are also available). You can be assured, however, of beautifully presented dishes that blend a light French cooking style with international ingredients and flavors. The only decision you'll need to make is whether to pair your four-, five-, six, or seven-course menu with their delicious selection of wines. 

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.

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.

A cozy candlelit atmosphere and French country cooking inspire many to cycle out here up the Ringdijk, which runs east of the Amstel. Every night, a new four-course vegetarian menu is posted; fish or meat may be added as a supplement, depending on the day. Dishes rotate seasonally but may include cucumber-celery gazpacho with cornbread, tomato risotto, a cheese plate, and buttermilk panna cotta with wild peaches. In the summer, you can dine on the charming terrace.

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.

Not far from the Rijksmuseum but refreshingly removed from the crowds, this Mediterranean restaurant specializes in mezes like hummus, tzatziki, baba ghanoush, and more. A short but appealing list of grilled meats, fish, and a vegetarian dish of the day rounds out the menu. There's a pleasant canalside terrace, from which, on your way out, you can pay your respects to the bustling and friendly kitchen staff.

In 2001, three Mexican brothers put down roots in Amsterdam and introduced their authentic cuisine to the city. Today, they run two colorful restaurants, this quaint taquería just a short walk from Centraal Station and their original cantina near Leidseplein. Popular dishes include huevos rancheros (a brunch classic), enchiladas with mole (a spicy chocolate-chile sauce), and tacos al pastor (marinated pulled pork). Expect to find fresh guacamole and salsas, a selection of tequilas, and margaritas that pack a punch.

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.

Owned by two young Indian transplants, you won’t find all the old Indian cliches at Miri Mary, but instead, a vegetable-forward menu with on-point spicing, prettily made-up plates, creative cocktails, and a large outdoor patio. Go here for a modern take on Indian cuisine that’s firmly rooted in the traditions of the past.

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.

The name says it all: fresh steamed mussels paired with gin and tonics, with a handful of other seafood snacks (shrimp bitterballen, grilled octopus) for variety. This hip spot in Westerpark is at its best on a sunny (or at least mild) day, when you can sit outside at the picnic tables while enjoying one of their signature cocktails, some of which are infused with fruit and flower flavors. The mussels, served in flat pans, come in several tasty preparations, all accompanied by fries and salad to make a filling meal.

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.

This intimate and softly lighted restaurant follows the Slow Food philosophy, paying respect to unique heritage foods and small local farmers and producers. The set menus of three to seven courses, including vegetarian options, are a sure bet and may include brandade with tomato and asparagus or tortelli pasta of ancient grains filled with Swiss chard and smoked ricotta cheese. The pasta, like the bread, is made fresh on the premises from organic ingredients.

Drawing culinary inspiration from the diverse flavors of the Caribbean, this restaurant has served island comfort food with a twist since 2015. Popular dishes include jerk chicken, spare ribs, hearty stews, plantains, empanadas, and more. Enjoy a spot on their outdoor terrace and sip a rum punch in the sun for a taste of the tropics. Their menu offers options for vegetarians and vegans, too. 

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).

A meal at this former offshore TV tower transported from the North Sea—and perched (thankfully not precariously) out on the IJ River—is one of the most unique dining experiences you can have in Amsterdam. The food on offer changes regularly and is served as a prix-fixe five- or six-course menu, with a vegetarian option also available.

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.

Across the water from NEMO Science Museum, the "Ship's Camel" has casually minimalist decor that keeps the focus on the food. The wine list goes for exclusively (and mostly crisp) German offerings that complement refined but unfussy modern Dutch creations such as the raw seafood platter. 

Inside this Italian temple to the taste buds, cheery palm print wallpaper, wicker lampshades, and hanging plants give the dining room a warm, contemporary feel. Foodies will be tempted by the four-course chef's menu, but the à la carte choices—perhaps the creamy black mushroom and truffle risotto or flank steak with arugula, balsamic vinegar, and Parmesan—are always excellent, too. Ask the friendly and knowledgeable Italian owner/sommelier for recommendations about the best wines from their extensive Italian list to pair with your meal.

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.