The Best Restaurants in Amsterdam

by Mary Howard
- June 15, 2024

The 14 Best Restaurants in Amsterdam

Spectrum • Medieval Center • $$$$

As the sister restaurant to Zwolle`s 3-Michelin-starred De Librije, the tasting menu here is expensive yet worth the cost. The creative cooking style and bold pairings of ingredients produce memorable dishes – shrimp in a yuzu sauce with fois gras mousse, beetroot merengue with ice of smoked haddock liver – and there`s an excellent wine list too. Located in the Waldorf Astoria. Dress Code. Reservations essential.
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Map • +31 20 718 4643

Ciel Bleu • De Pijp • $$$$

This restaurant is located on the twenty-third floor of Hotel Okura and offers a high-end dining experience with creative European dishes and beautiful views over the city. A seasonally changing tasting menu alongside an excellent wine selection can be enjoyed here. Advance reservations are a necessity, and guests should dress in smart casual attire. It is found at the southern edge of the De Pijp neighborhood Location • +31 20 450 6787

Breda • Western Canal Ring • $$$

The dining experience at this inventive Dutch eatery is unorthodox yet playful, led by its pioneering young chefs. There is no set menu; lunch consists of three, four, or five surprise courses, while dinner presents an assortment of daily specials – Small, Wide or All We’ve Got. Many artfully crafted wines are available in measured portions.
Map location • +31 20 622 5233

BAK • Houthavens • $$$

This popular foodie hotspot for many consecutive years is certainly worth seeking out in its out-of-the-way location north of Jordaan, overlooking the Houthaven harbor. Their changing daily menu comprises seasonal Dutch produce, paired with natural wines. The weekend lunch menu is an incredible deal.
Location • +31 20 428 1111

Ron Gastrobar Oriental • Southern Canal Ring • $$

This upscale yet casual eating establishment headed by a Michelin-starred chef provides Asian-influenced, Dutch-blended small plates ranging from sweet and sour pork belly with green apple to bone-in ribs and chili-laden fish. Classics and original gin cocktails are served excellently. An ideal spot for starting the night before visiting the bars surrounding Leidseplein or Rembrandtplein.
Location • +31 20 223 5352

Restaurant Adam • Vondelpark • $$$

Modern Dutch cuisine served in an upscale setting near the northwest corner of Vondelpark. Their four multi-course, mystery menus include beautifully arranged, inventive dishes such as crispy pork belly with celeriac or grilled seabass with white asparagus. Top-tier service is recommended.
Map location • +31 20 233 9852

Blue Pepper • Museum Quarter • $$$

The pick of Amsterdam’s many excellent Indonesian restaurants. Two multi-course menus are offered: one vegetarian and the other non-vegetarian known as a “rice table.” The spread of small dishes may feature soft shell crab with pineapple, fish steamed in banana leaves and lamb satay. It’s located a 5-minute walk from the bustling Leidseplein. Reserve ahead – especially for their candlelit dinner cruises on the water.
Location • +31 20 489 7039

Yamazato • De Pijp • $$$-$$$$

Splurge on an exquisite multi-course tasting menu at the chef’s table at this Michelin-starred, minimalistic Japanese establishment. Bento boxes and good-value daily set menus available at lunchtime, as well as a la carte sushi and sashimi. Located inside Hotel Okura.
Location • +31 20 678 7450

Cannibale Royale • Medieval Center • $$

This butcher shop is one of the top contenders for Amsterdam’s finest burgers, as well as hefty pastrami and pulled rib sandwiches at lunchtime, and expertly grilled steaks in the evenings. An extensive selection of cocktails, global beers, and wines. Great location in the heart of the Medieval Center; three additional branches around the city.
Location • +31 20 233 7160

Hemelse Modder • Nieuwmarkt en Lastage• $$$

Cozy, welcoming restaurant near the Nieuwmarkt square offering Dutch dishes with global influences. An emphasis on locally sourced, seasonal produce from nearby markets. An intimate atmosphere and a lovely outdoor area in back makes for alfresco dining with canal views.
Location • +31 20 624 3203

Greetje • Plantage/East Amsterdam • $$$

Traditional charm combined with a refined approach to Dutch cooking. Seasonal ingredients, terrific execution, and a frequently changing 7-course tasting menu. Don’t skip the inventive desserts.
Map location • +31 20 729 7450

Le Perla Pizzeria • Jordaan • $$

This lively neighborhood eatery is popular with families. They bake thin and crispy pizzas with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a wood-burning oven. Toppings include hard to find items like Tuscan salami and roast pig from Aricia. Likewise on offer are baguette sandwiches, pastas, and salads.
Location • +31 20 624 8828

De Plantage • Eastern Amsterdam/Plantage • $$

Former 19th-century greenhouse with soaring ceiling and wrought-iron supports. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner; beautifully presented dishes include a burrata salad with eggplant and blood orange and ravioli with pistachio and Turkish sheep’s cheese. Socialize at the large communal tables inside, or head into the garden. Located next to Artis Royal Zoo.
Location • +31 20 760 6800

Klein Breda • Southern Canal Ring • $$-$$$

This hip, experimental restaurant keeps its menu a secret. Diners order a certain number of courses, structured around a singular ingredient or single cuisine that transforms every few months. Dishes may include herring wrapped in cucumber, ceviche with pisco sour ice, or white asparagus with pistachio. Multi-course lunches present excellent value.
Location • +31 20 362 0030

9 Best Amsterdam Cafes and Brunch Spots

Café Eijlders • Red Light District

A local establishment since 1940, during WWII this beautiful, stained-glass brown café was a haven for artists who refused the Nazis’ demands. It’s still very much a bohemian hangout, with occasional exhibitions, regular poetry readings, and impromptu music sessions.
Map • +31 20 624 2704

‘t Smalle • Jordaan

This former 18th-century distillery of Dutch gin, or jenever, complete with porcelain beer taps, is a great multi-purpose location. Grab a coffee and snack, a light lunch, or claim a sunny stone terrace spot overlooking the canal to leisurely enjoy craft brews.
Map • +31 20 623 9617

Bakers & Roasters • De Pijp

One of Amsterdam`s favorite brunch spots, Kiwi/Brazilian-owned Bakers & Roasters is known for its French toast with banana marmalade, crispy bacon, Navajo eggs with chipotle cream, and poached eggs with smoked salmon stack. Wash it down with a strong coffee or a Bloody Mary.
Map • +31 20 772 2627

Scandinavian Embassy • De Pijp

Intimate, light-wood-paneled, minimalist cafe, supplying exceptional coffee sourced from Scandinavian micro-roasters (like an intriguing cold press coffee made with tonic). The snack list is brief and sweet: anticipate salt-cured salmon on Danish rye and freshly baked pastries Map location details • +31 68 160 0140

Omelegg • Medieval Center

The central branch of Netherlands` first restaurant focused on eggs offers two dozen omelets (try the one with jalapenos and sundried tomatoes called Mariachi or the one with smoked salmon, dill and lemon zest called Viking Fisherman), or grab a sandwich for lunch – all against a mural backdrop of traditional Dutch windmills.
Map location info • +31 20 233 2406

Coffee & Coconuts • De Pijp

Prior 1920s art deco cinema transformed café. Served in a triple-level, open-plan area with a John Lennon mural, brunch dishes include almond and coconut pancakes, scrambled eggs with feta and avocado toast with dukkah. Gentle lunch dishes such as prawn tacos and paper-baked cod are accompanied by jugs of homecrafted cooler.
Map location guidelines • +31 20 354 1104

Café Slijterij Oosterling • Southern Canal Ring

Dating to 1735, this low-ceilinged, atmospheric pub/café used to purvey teas and Asian spices before converting to a genever distillery. The gleaming copper vats still take pride of place, and it`s a local favorite for beer, genever, or coffee with sunny patio seating out front.
Map location • +31 20 623 4140

Screaming Beans • Western Canal Ring

Excellent espresso, from one of Amsterdam`s original specialty coffee shops. Expected thoroughly selected single origin coffees that span the globe, roasted on the premises. Plenty of coffee kits and artisanal chocolate to purchase, too.
Map location • +31 20 626 0966

Espressofabriek Sloterdijk • Westerpark

Specialty coffee is served in a beautifully designed space with tall ceilings, courtesy of one of Amsterdam`s pioneers in specialty coffee. Beans are roasted on site and sunny weather is perfect for enjoying the ambiance of Westerpark.
Directory • +31 20 486 2106

about me

Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

Join us on our journey!