174 Best Restaurants in Netherlands

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 stylish grand café on a busy shopping street is worth a look simply for its lovely Art Deco interior, which spreads over several levels including a mezzanine. It's often packed, as people drop in for a quick lunch, a full fish dinner, or simply to sip an aperitif at the bar before heading on to a show.

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.

In business for more than half a century, Stads-Koffyhuis looks out over the oldest and one of the most beautiful canals in Delft. Inside, you'll find a stamtafel, a large table laid out with newspapers and magazines, where anyone may sit and chat, as well as smaller individual tables where you can enjoy good coffee, delicious pancakes, and terrific apple pie.

This simple café has a nautical theme reflecting the city's past, with ships' figureheads, lanterns, and miniature yachts all in evidence. The outdoor terrace is prime real estate, however: a 1649 city gate and a beautiful white wooden bridge provide a slice of quintessential Old Holland, alongside a wide selection of rolls, pancakes, salads, and tapas.

Magnificently dating to 1423 but rebuilt in 1660, the oldest restaurant in The Hague has a well-preserved interior redolent of the Dutch Golden Age, complete with wood-beamed ceilings. The furniture and some of the decor is more contemporary these days, but it's still an impressive setting for a light lunch, a platter of bitterballen to wash down a cold beer, or a hearty surf-and-turfy dinner, or beef stew.

The long-standing family-run hotel a couple of doors from the towering City Hall often blows its trumpet about its restaurant, which serves fine renditions of Zeeland-style seafood, and asparagus in season, replete with the usual nouvelle trimmings. There is also a wide choice of substantially cheaper lunchtime options.

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.

A perennial favorite, this Florentine trattoria boasts an open kitchen, skylight ceilings, wooden floors, and attentive service that creates a welcoming, country-kitchen atmosphere. Cooks pride themselves on preparing any regional dish, and their rotating menu often offers something new along with classics like risotto, seafood, or roasted eggplant. Their space also features an Italian deli selling fresh pasta and sauces, homemade dishes, olive oils, wines, Italian sweets and more. 

On an elegant square (it's circular if we are being pedantic) at the heart of The Hague's up-and-coming Zeehelden Kwartier (Sea Heroes Quarter), Van Kinsbergen bills itself as a UK-style gastropub. The food is delicious, but expect the menu to head in all kinds of global directions, from Korean fried chicken to Mexican ceviche, via French steak tartare.

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 sprawling Neoclassical "palace" started out in the 18th century as Holland's first department store and is fronted with columns and cast-iron statues of women that conjure images of Grecian abundance. You can dine either on the terrace overlooking the canal or in the high-ceilinged Grote Zaal, and select from an international menu of pasta, steaks, salads, and more that is designed to satisfy all tastes.

A very funky restaurant-bar, XO has a general floral theme running from the wallpapered ceiling to the legion of hanging baskets—an alluring setting. The menu contains a wide array of mouthwatering and exquisitely presented burgers and sandwiches, joined by a few more substantial mains available evenings only.

Traditional Japanese haute cuisine is sublimely presented at this elegant restaurant where a Zen-like sushi bar, kimonoed waitstaff, and views over a pretty Japanese garden (complete with koi pond) all add up to a sublime dining experience. The seasonal kaiseki and omakase dinner menus are a fabulous special occasion splurge.

On an elegant riverfront terrace, the charming "Sea Salt" mirrors the freshness of its oceanic menu, with crisp linens and a spotless open kitchen where the bustle of the staff whets your appetite. A large fish mosaic on the wall looks out across the river to the floodlighted Erasmus Bridge; a window awning adds to the romance of the view.

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.