The Best Places To Eat In Amsterdam

De Kas

Occupying a greenhouse in south-east Amsterdam’s 17th-century Frankendael Park, De Kas is a paragon of sustainable chic – and has the Michelin Green Star to show for it. Daily harvests from the restaurant’s own garden furnish the kitchen team with the ingredients to create light and bright veg-led dishes. The main space, full of natural light and foliage, is as seasonally changing as the menus, and the informed service only deepens guests’ connection to this remarkable micro-environment. 

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Bolenius

Light-wood and white interiors exude a quiet luxury that suits Bolenius’s location in Amsterdam’s Zuidas financial district. But there’s a surprise on the roof: a kitchen garden that has helped Bolenius earn a Michelin Green Star. Chef Luc Kusters uses it to spotlight the flavour and quality of Dutch ingredients – his earthy yet refined vegetable tasting menu is a surprisingly decadent standout.

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Choux

Choux is where you’ll find Amsterdam’s creative classes, soaking up the industrial interiors, the natural wine list and the ever-changing menus. Dishes tend to feature a hero vegetable, but meat is not out of the question here. Surprisingly, perhaps, for a restaurant that feels pioneering in many ways, you’ll find it right in the middle of the action, close to Centraal station.

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BAK

On the third floor of a waterfront old warehouse, BAK is in striking distance of the city’s tourist heartland, but just far enough out of it to feel like a secret you’re glad to be in on. Each evening, its floor-to-ceiling windows come into their own, promising sunset views over the river as you explore flavour-popping menus featuring local ingredients and natural wines. 

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Daalder

For a Michelin-starred experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Daalder delivers. Headed by charismatic chef Dennis Huwaë, it blends fine dining with neon-lit nightclub swank. The vibe is upbeat and fun, but the food is seriously refined – each dish a new combination of bold flavours and modern techniques. The best way to get to know Dennis’s unique style is through his Favourites menu, featuring dishes like bluefin tuna, caviar, olive oil and seaweed. 

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Restaurant Europa

Restaurant Europa has quickly earned a place among Amsterdam’s most stylish spots. It draws a fashionable crowd across the river to Amsterdam-Noord for contemporary European plates made with seasonal produce and no small amount of flair. Muted, design-led interiors create a warm, intimate atmosphere. 

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Breda

Breda is a relaxed yet refined space in the centre of town, offering creative, ingredient-driven tasting menus with a modern European soul. Dishes are bold and expressive, but interiors are sleek and understated. Warm lighting, natural wines and friendly service add to the appeal. 

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Jansz.

Within the Pulitzer hotel, Jansz. offers polished brasserie dining in a gracefully restored 17th-century setting. Interiors balance heritage charm and contemporary elegance – picture soft leather seating, brass details and canal views. Menus too are classic with some appealing updates: roasted chicken with yellow bell pepper and romesco sauce might be offered at dinner, alongside grilled Dutch beef tenderloin with runner beans, tarragon and long pepper jus. 

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Brasserie Marie

A laidback alternative to Hotel De L’Europe’s showpiece Flore restaurant, Brasserie Marie is a waterside retreat with riviera charm. Pastel colours, bistro tables and floral flourishes define its chic, feminine interiors. Come summer, its terrace is one of our favourite spots in the city for oysters, steak frites and a side of people watching. 

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Gertrude

Tucked into a stylish corner of De Pijp, Gertrude is an alluringly simple, candlelit spot for Mediterranean-inspired small plates. Bold flavours define a short menu that might feature pork belly, lovage, apple and bee pollen or fish cakes with sesame, caramel and prawn. The wine list exudes the same contemporary appeal, leaning towards the natural and adventurous. 

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Fuku Ramen

Fuku is all about depth, precision and punchy flavour. This no-reservations ramen bar delivers serious Tokyo-style broths with an Amsterdam twist – as well as rich tonkotsu, there are vegan options that don’t compromise. Counter seating adds buzz.

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Coba

The ferry ride to Amsterdam-Noord is worth it for the tacos at candlelit Coba. Stripped-back interiors give the Mexican-inspired dishes a starring role, and they don’t disappoint. Showcasing bold, authentic flavours like lamb barbacoa, mole, octopus, the tacos are crafted with house-made tortillas and an attention to detail you’d expect at a fine-dining level.

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Wilde Zwijnen

In Amsterdam’s on-the-up east side, Wilde Zwijnen champions modern Dutch cuisine in a pared-back, candlelit space. Seasonal menus are earthy yet elegant – the restaurant’s name means ‘wild boar’ which you will indeed find here. You might also find trout with pickled fennel. 

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De Plantage

Plantage is indeed a leafy part of town. You’ll find its namesake café-restaurant here, in a handsome, glass-sided building next to the city’s zoo. It’s a serene spot, whether you’re dropping in for shakshuka and pastries by day or for its Mediterranean-inspired menu later on.

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Troef

Another restaurant bringing buzz to the city’s east side, Troef nails both food and mood. An of-the-moment take on a bistro, it combines high-level cooking with laid-back charm and fair prices. Small plates dominate the menu, though you’ll often find whole lobster and statement ribeye on offer too.

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Hotel De Goudfazant

Ignore the name, it’s not a hotel. This established favourite has been bringing raw industrial cool to Amsterdam-Noord for more than a decade now. Between concrete columns and vintage cars, it fills a vast waterfront warehouse with candlelit tables for a creative crowd to enjoy contemporary French cuisine.

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Rijsel

In an old school of economics close to the Amstel river, this quietly brilliant brasserie has a Flemish accent. But, from rotisserie chicken to cote de boeuf with bearnaise sauce, it’s also a place to find shining examples of French classics, courtesy of the talented team in its open kitchen.

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Esra

You might recognise the name Selin Kiazim. She used to run Oklava in Shoreditch and now has Leydi in the City. With her Dutch partner, she’s also opened Esra in Amsterdam’s Eastern Docklands. Selin’s Turkish-Cypriot heritage inspires the à la carte and set menus, which change with the season, and parts of the wine list. Dishes might include Baharat chickpeas, prawns, peas and hen of the woods, or potato rosti, tarama and pickled turnip. 

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Branie

Branie brings south-east Asian flavours to south-west Amsterdam. There are bao to be had here, as well as tatakis and Korean fried chicken. All are done well. The cocktails are excellent too – on warmer evenings, start with a Pisco + Pandan or Tropical Gimlet on the street-front terrace.  

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Oficina

There’s a strong eastern influence on this west-side newcomer. Founders Naiara Sabandar and Zana Josipovic travelled across Japan and Korea to find inspiration for this calm, canteen-style spot, where tea is a speciality. Serving breakfast and lunch four days a week, Naiara draws on her Spanish roots as well as her travels to deliver comforting, seasonal dishes like a soft scramble with toasted brioche, miso bagna cauda and radicchio. 

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Petit Caron

A spin-off from much-loved Café Caron down the road, this bar à manger in De Pijp is filled with the same Parisian spirit. Like the atmosphere, the menu is classic French – oysters, steaks, chicken liver parfait, even Paris-Brest for dessert. Swing by when it opens at 6pm for a glass from the long European wine list.

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Roest

Cool rather than polished, Roest is popular with a younger, artsy crowd that appreciates its post-industrial Docklands setting, vintage charm, mismatched furniture and sandy ‘beach’. On warmer days you could lose an afternoon out here, interspersing cold beers with focaccia.

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Sherpa

For something a bit different, Sherpa brings the big flavours of the Himalayas down to sea-level Amsterdam. Richly spiced curries, fragrant rice dishes and classic momo dumplings all feature on a menu that spans Nepalese, Bhutanese and Tibetan fare.

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Fou Fow Ramen & Udo

At two compact spots on the edge of the historic centre, Fou Fow turns out consistently good ramen in minimalist, Japanese-inspired surrounds. Close to its Jordaan outpost, there’s also now Fou Fow Udon, specialising in thick, chewy and highly slurpable noodles. None of the three take reservations, but service is swift so any queues move quickly.

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Euro Pizza

This casual pizza joint in Amsterdam Noord is run by the chef behind Restaurant Europa (also on this list). Here, the team turn the music up as they pump out wood-fired pies from a concise list of options featuring some daring topping combos. There’s always a cold beer to go with them too. 

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Klaproos

On the waterfront of Amsterdam-Noord, there’s barely an old warehouse that doesn’t now contain some sort of eatery. Close to the great Cornerstore listening bar, Klaproos is a name to remember as you take the free ferry across from Centraal station. In an airy, industrial setting, it offers time-honoured Italian staples including pizza and an array of pasta dishes. If the weather allows, try for a place on the riverside terrace first.

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Hoi Tin

In the heart of Chinatown, family-run Hoi Tin has been the city’s go-to for Cantonese-style dim sum, chilli beef and noodle soups for more than half a century. It’s also got its own bakery, turning out some popular custard tarts. Go in a group, so you can order widely and share everything.

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Pizza Beppe

Beppe’s stretchy Neapolitan-style pizzas are among Amsterdam’s best – and you’ll never be far from one of its eight outposts across town. All the usuals are here, from margherita to four cheeses, as well as a couple of vegan options. 

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The Dutch Golden Age didn’t just give Amsterdam so many of its most beautiful canal houses. It also fostered in its people a deep appreciation for baked goods. The bakeries of the day were loved for furnishing the population with daily bread and celebratory sweet treats. Apple pie, pancakes and stroopwafels have all become part of the national identity, and Amsterdammers remain attached to their bakeries today. For a glimpse into an enduring culture that is now moving with the times, we’ve rounded up the best of the new and old places around town that excel at what they do and are taking a rich tradition into new territory.

Right on the Prinsengracht canal, BunBun is a tiny artisanal bakehouse that uses layered croissant dough to create its unique twists on staple pastries. Across the road, Café Winkel is the place to try classic apple pie, with clouds of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. Staying on the Prinsengracht, The Pancake Bakery has been doing its thing for more than 50 years now – whether you go sweet or savoury, count on towering toppings. Just across the water, Café t’ Smalle is an old-school, wood-panelled charmer offering a taste of the slow life. If you can’t get in, Café Papeneiland is a star of the same genre that’s five minutes up the canal. At the other end of the spectrum, Benji’s is where you’ll find the athleisure crowd heading for a post-yoga shakshuka. Bakkerij Louf is another new-school place to know – at three locations across town, its coffee is as good as its crusty sourdoughs. A legendary stall within Albert Cuyp Market, Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels bakes daily to a family recipe. For New York-style bagels, check out Flo’s Deli. If it’s purely the quality of caffeine fix you’re interested in, Friedhats FUKU Café is worth leaving the historic centre for. Uncommon Café and Yusu are also among the best of the new generation. Jordaan’s Saint Jean is the plant-based bakery to know, while down south in De Pijp, Grammes is a smart Dutch take on a French patisserie.