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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.
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 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.
This unpretentious bakery and tearoom evokes an English country kitchen—one that lovingly prepares and serves breakfasts, high tea, hearty sandwiches, soups, and divine slices of quiche. The closely clustered wooden tables don't give much privacy, but the lively atmosphere is welcoming and warm. There are two other locations: one complete with a garden patio inside Westerpark and the original location in Oud-Zuid (all serving breakfast and lunch only).
In the shadow of the golden lyre that tops the Concertgebouw (Concert Building), this culinary institution has been serving musicians and concertgoers for over a century. The classical, dimly lighted Old Dutch interior has dark-wood paneling and giant bouquets of fresh flowers. The menu leans toward tradition, with classic escargot and bisque, and asparagus flamande, when in season. Regulars appreciate the friendly and efficient service.
The menu at this popular, well-established spot highlights typical café items, from pasta to fish to grilled steak, with a local and organic slant, but the loyal crowd of regulars who frequent it know to check the daily specials (perhaps herb-crusted salmon) before they order. Inside, the space is casually inviting, with dark wood-panel walls and blue velvet upholstery. The main dining room can get boisterous, so if you're looking for a quieter meal, ask for a table in the more secluded and intimate mezzanine or, in the summer, on the terrace.
This bright, minimalist and slightly retro restaurant is on one of the city's broadest canals has a long-standing reputation for serving vegetarian dishes (even 40 years ago). Today, you can choose from a three- to five-course seasonal menu with vegan options or a thematic chef's menu, which could be "an ode to the Dutch seas."
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.
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