174 Best Restaurants in Netherlands

This candlelit French-Mediterranean restaurant with exposed brick walls and whimsical cartoon paintings is a true local favorite. Choose a set menu by picking from several appetizers, mains, and desserts—the minimum order is four courses and ranges all the way up to seven. The menu changes frequently and features highly flavorful modern dishes with an international twist. There's usually a complimentary predessert—which could be a deconstructed apple pie with tapioca balls and cream—poking delicious fun at the Dutch appeltaart tradition.

Culinary surprises are the name of the game at this stately restaurant; instead of a menu, diners are presented with a list of seasonal ingredients (e.g., pear, cauliflower, and squid) from which chef Chris Naylor whips up creative and masterful four-, five-, or six-course menus. Some of the vegetables and herbs come from the roof garden of the adjoining NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace hotel. The gray-tone walls enlivened with paintings of flowers lend a contemporary yet formal air, and an army of waitstaff are on hand to ensure that the service is always impeccable. Each summer the restaurant closes for one month while the staff go on vacation (dates change year to year).

Next to the 1920s Olympic Stadium (and named after its architect) is a fire-focused restaurant that earned a Michelin star within its first year of opening. The brainchild of chef Joris Bijdendijk (RIJKS), this is not a barbecue joint but instead a fine-dining restaurant where open fire is used to perfect everything from charred crusty bread to refined plates of internationally influenced food. If you love the smoky taste only flame cooking can bring, this is the place for you.

Amsterdam's famed Rijksmuseum displays a dazzling collection of Dutch masterpieces, and the adjacent restaurant, with an understated Japandi-style decor, shares a similar lofty goal: to create edible art using as many Dutch-produced or -influenced products as possible. This means the vegetable-heavy menu of mainly small plates may feature such delights as red cabbage gazpacho, celeriac with hazelnut miso, and the signature mille-feuille of beetroot with soy-infused beurre blanc and parsley oil. Order à la carte or go for one of the Chef's Menus (the latter is compulsory on busy Friday and Saturday night) but well worth it.

With a bright, modern dining space lined with white-clothed tables and an open kitchen, this popular French-Flemish eatery is one of the liveliest in town. The food is simply prepared but delicious, and reasonably priced; the three-course à la carte menus change frequently and always include daily specials. When it's offered (nearly always), don't miss their signature poussin, a perfectly roasted chicken with rosemary, served with a side of seasonal vegetables. Although the menu is in Dutch, the personable staff are happy to translate.

A perfect pairing like croissants and coffee is hard to top, but this plant-based patisserie has found a way to consistently impress with freshly baked pastries and a pleasing range of tea and coffee. Perched on a corner overlooking Lindengracht, fans line up early and wait patiently outside for their chance to choose from flaky, buttery, and surprisingly vegan delicacies. Popular items include twice-baked almond croissants, fruity rustic galettes, rosemary and sea salt twists, or their signature cruffins filled with pistachio paste. Innovative offerings change seasonally and often feature collaborations with other local brands. 

You can't miss this over-the-top floating Chinese restaurant, moored on the Oosterdok near Centraal Station—the ornate atmosphere of red paper lanterns and red- and black-lacquered ceilings that wouldn't be out of place in Hong Kong or Vancouver could easily be a tourist trap. But it's not: the extensive Canton, Macau, and Peking duck menus and other dishes are consistently fresh and authentic.

The cozy canalside location of this award-winning wine bar near Leidseplein makes it all too easy to linger over a glass (or three). There's also an extensive bites menu, from oysters and charcuterie platters to Thai papaya salad. If what's in your glass grabbed your fancy, get a bottle to go at the in-house "wine boutique."

Named after the Dutch word for lettuce, this organic salad bar popular chain bringing healthy eating on the go to Amsterdam (and beyond). Tasty salads, soups, bowls, and juices are made fresh daily with sustainably sourced ingredients. Menu options rotate seasonally and are easily customized to fit dietary preferences, including vegan.

What started as Librije's Zusje, the elegantly understated sister restaurant to the three-Michelin star Librije in Zwolle, northeast of Amsterdam, has since become a renowned two Michelin starred restaurant in its own right. The colorful and subtly Dutch-inflected dishes using local ingredients are beautifully presented and often include imaginative flavors. The 10-course tasting menus are the way to go, though you can also order à la carte. Save room for the cheese course—it's always spectacular here. Service can be on the stiff side, though it befits the Waldorf Astoria locale.

Serving American homestyle cooking with an elevated twist, this relaxed restaurant perfectly blends a vintage diner aesthetic with a fine dining experience in a welcoming atmosphere. Cozy up in a booth or sit on a round stool at the counter for a view of the open kitchen; everything is made from scratch with meticulously sourced, sustainable ingredients or features products from local experts. Classic cocktails are mixed at the bar, and their homemade orange soda is a hit for visitors of all ages. Every bite on the menu draws inspiration from the owner's Southern roots and signature dishes include free-range spicy fried chicken biscuits or crispy fish sandwiches with fermented hot sauce. For an extra slice of Americana, finish up with homemade lime pie or a hot fudge sundae. 

This isn't your average sushi joint; in fact, sushi is just one of the choices on the sophisticated Asian fusion menu—which straddles Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Thai flavors—at the Conservatorium Hotel's signature restaurant. Chef Schilo Van Coevorden has built a reputation for bringing exciting flavors to Amsterdam's Asian palette. The atmosphere is urban chic, with exposed brick, industrial lighting, and a glass-box kitchen, and the stylish diners are likely enjoying Gunma Wagyu chuck rib or foie gras gyoza (dumpling) alongside standout sushi and sashimi.

The Flemish (Dutch-speaking Belgians) have a reputation for making the best fries in this part of Europe, and one of the best places to try the Lowlands' famous Flemish fries is Vleminckx de Sausmeester, where everything's freshly made and delicious. Go native and order a patatje oorlog (war-style fries), topped with mayonnaise, satay sauce, and raw onion.

Hidden under a cylindrical parking lot, this Surinamese hangout has an expansive canal view with a wraparound terrace and outdoor bar. Their picnic tables fill up quickly, especially on sunny days, while the cozy living room interior offers shelter from the infamous Dutch rain. Serving meals from breakfast to borreltijd, the menu has a tropical twist with plenty of vegetarian options and a wide range of drinks to wash it all down. After sunset, this waterfront bar turns into a club with DJs pumping beats on Friday and Saturday night (11 pm to 3 am). This tropical oasis champions diversity and is a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. During Amsterdam Pride week, visitors can see the world's largest Progress Flag on display.

This popular café offers a rotating menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but the crowds show up for their famous appeltaart. Locals, students, and tourists in the know gather here for slices of the thick, cakelike Dutch specialty that's studded with fresh apples and cinnamon. Do it the Dutch way and order a slice with homemade whipped cream accompanied by fresh mint tea or coffee. The best place to eat is on Winkel's large patio—but Monday and Saturday can get crazy before 5 pm, when crowds spill over from the adjacent Noordermarkt.

This hugely popular sandwich shop from an Italian pizza chef serves up a selection of meat and veggie combos on schiacciata, a crunchy yet spongy flatbread similar to focaccia, using fresh Italian ingredients such as mozzarella di bufala and prosciutto di San Daniele. Meat-lovers can’t go wrong with the Porchetta, roasted pork loin and belly with gorgonzola and rucola (arugula), while vegetarians swoon over the Pomodoro, with Parmigiano Reggiano, red pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes.

While you're in Amsterdam, do try Surinamese food, a unique fusion of Amerindian, Caribbean, Chinese, Jewish, Dutch, and Indonesian cuisines that arose from this South American country's history as a Dutch colony. Albina is a local fave that serves up one of the best rotis (the Surinamese take on Indian flatbread) in the city. It comes with a choice of fillings and is real-deal comfort food. Nieuw Albina, at No. 49, has the same owner and the same kitchen, if you find the original too crowded.

When in Amsterdam, do as the Amsterdammers do: enjoy some cured herring, the ultimate Dutch snack. Despite popular belief, the herring is not actually raw; it's partially gutted when caught (leaving in the pancreas to develop its flavor) and then salted and frozen for at least two days to prevent parasites. At this landmark shop (est. 1938), you can snack in local fashion; make your purchases inside and then just take the fish by the tail, tilt your head backward, and let the slippery, salty sea creature find its way down. Don't ask for chopped onions here because, according to third-generation owner Gerrie Palmer, you would lose out on the taste. In fact, some herring sellers use pickles and onions as a way to disguise less-than-fresh fish—you've been warned!

At this friendly and long-popular Japanese-owned neighborhood eatery, you can enjoy a relaxed evening meal accompanied with excellent umeshu (plum wine), beer, or sake. The menu focuses on sushi and sashimi, but the kitchen also turns out chicken teriyaki and delicious gyoza—steamed or fried dumplings filled with pork or vegetables—and an excellent selection of vegetarian (and vegan) dishes like hijiki (cooked black seaweed) and agedashi dofu (deep-fried tofu). There's also omakase (a tasting menu) with a seasonal selection of fish, meat, and vegetable dishes.

One of five 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.

For a taste of the neighborhood's regentrified café culture, check out this new corner bar-bistro that fills up most nights with parched Pijpers. Daytime means breakfast bowls, hamburgers, soups, and a daily lunch special, including a sandwich, salad, and fries for €16.95. Come for a meal, or just stop by for a coffee and apple pie or beer and bitterballen (a popular local snack, which is essentially a bite-size croquette). 

Reputed by locals to be the city's best Cantonese restaurant, Asian Glories serves lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch in a tasteful modern interior or outdoors on its terrace. It's hard to choose what is most delicious: their fresh oysters, mussels in black bean sauce, and Peking duck consistently get raves from fussy eaters, but make sure you also leave room for an exotic dessert such as ice cream with rice and red bean sauce.

A proprietary roastery and bakery ensures that everything's fresher than fresh at this always-jammed coffee bar, which serves some of the city's best sustainable coffee. There's also brilliant banana bread, apple pie, and a mind-blowing espresso brownie (no, not that kind!). There's a second location in the west at  Van Hallstraat 268.

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).

This is the oldest Indian restaurant in Amsterdam (it opened in 1977), and it's a longtime favorite of curry connoisseurs. All of the snacks, soups, and meals are delicious: you'll break out in a happy sweat if you order the spicy chicken Madras. The sweet cardamom tea is a good accompaniment to your meal.

This casual neighborhood bistro draws a relaxed local crowd with its seasonal preparations of seafood and meat, served in tapas-style portions designed for sharing (you'll need around three each for a full meal). At least one meat and one fish option reflects what has arrived fresh that day. If you can't decide, opt for the Chef's Choice multicourse prix-fixe menu.

Below the hotel of the same name, this popular eating spot takes the Middle Eastern and North African vibe and notches it up to 11. The gloriously over-the-top decor is as exotically sumptuous as the wide-ranging food menu, which visits Morocco and the Lebanon, and all spots in between.

The large menu of Thai standards—including some very good vegetarian options—doesn't hold many surprises, but everything's fresh and tasty; diners often rate Bird as the best Thai in town, and there are lines most nights. The space is filled with chunky teak furnishings and paintings imported from Thailand, while the takeaway snack bar across the street (at #77 Zeedijk) is more utilitarian. The best tables for savoring such dishes as coconut-chicken soup with lemongrass followed by fruity curry with mixed seafood are at the back of the restaurant overlooking the canal.