Must-see restaurants in Amsterdam

  • Café Toussaint

    Amsterdam

    An enchantingly pretty place to stop for a bite, this casual neighbourhood gem feels like it's straight out of an Edith Piaf song. Come for a croissant…

  • Van 't Spit

    De Pijp

    Van 't Spit does one thing – free-range chicken (half or full), marinated overnight and spit-roasted over a wood-burning fire, with optional sides such as…

  • Banketbakkerij Van der Linde

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    A long line regularly snakes out the door of this narrow, generations-old shop where everyone is queuing for – wait for it – vanilla ice cream. That's the…

  • Lucius

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    A large coral-filled aquarium sets the scene at this stylish seafood restaurant. Named for the freshwater pike inhabiting only clean, clear water, Lucius…

  • Hofje van Wijs

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Two-century-old coffee and tea vendor Wijs & Zonen (the monarch's purveyor) maintains this pretty courtyard restaurant. It serves Dutch stews, a couple of…

  • Jacobz

    Amsterdam

    Named after the building's 18th-century architect, Caspar Philips Jacobsz, this restaurant is housed in a grand old inn (a former courthouse, then turned…

  • Poco Loco

    Amsterdam

    Poco Loco is a good spot for people-watching on Nieuwmarkt, while tucking into filling salads and sandwiches for lunch, or pan-European tapas for dinner,…

  • Nam Kee

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    It won't win any design awards, but year in, year out, Nam Kee, serving Cantonese classics, is the most popular Chinese spot in town. The steamed oysters…

  • Mamouche

    De Pijp

    Refined Mamouche's minimalist dining room, with mottled raw-plaster walls and slat-beam ceilings, complements its French-accented North African cuisine,…

  • Cafe Modern

    Amsterdam Noord

    Amid artful yet simple decor with a subtle designer feel, Cafe Modern is serious about its gastronomy yet without any stuffiness. There's a choice of a…

  • Koffieschenkerij

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    This delightful cafe attached to the Oude Kerk serves freshly made sandwiches such as brie with sweet pepper, rocket and mustard mayo, or smoked salmon…

  • Bird Snackbar

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Bird has some of the best Asian food on the Zeedijk – the chefs, wedged in a tiny kitchen, don't skimp on lemongrass, fish sauce or chilli. The resulting…

  • Spang Makandra

    De Pijp

    There are just 26 seats at this cosy restaurant, and it's a red-hot favourite with students and Surinamese and Indonesian expats; you'll need to book for…

  • Tomaz

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Charming little Tomaz hides near the Begijnhof and is a fine spot for a light lunch or an informal dinner. Staples include a daily stamppot (potato mashed…

  • Lanskroon

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    The fourth-generation-run Lanskroon is famed for its stroopwafels – crispy, big as a dessert plate and slathered with caramel, honey or fig paste. In…

  • WG Cafe

    Amsterdam

    On a little square and attached to the fringe Amsterdam Theater House just off Overtoom, this is a laid-back local favourite for a drink or a bite to eat…

  • En Amsterdam

    De Pijp

    Secluded in a leafy, residential corner of the neighbourhood, this elegant restaurant offers equally refined Japanese fare on its multicourse menus –…

  • Cafe-Restaurant Dauphine

    Amsterdam

    This ginormous, stylish, converted Renault car showroom serves up a range of international dishes, from steak tartare and Iberico pork cutlets to grilled…

  • Éénvistwéévis

    Amsterdam

    With a chandelier interior, this small, unassuming yet classy Amsterdam favourite is the type of place locals put on their best shirt to go to. The short…

  • Soup en Zo

    Amsterdam

    Great when you need your cockles warmed, this is part of a chain that serves delicious fresh soups of the day, which may include a creamy sweet potato…

  • Waargenoegen

    Amsterdam Noord

    This hippie-like cafe in a container behind two large vintage stores, Neef Louis and Van Dijk & Ko, serves deliciously good toasties with fillings such as…

  • Moon

    Amsterdam Noord

    The rather swanky revolving restaurant at the top of the A'DAM Tower is an undoubtedly cheesy but nevertheless enjoyable novelty experience. There's one…

  • Haesje Claes

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Haesje Claes' warm surrounds – with lots of dark wood and antique knick-knacks – make it just the place to enjoy comforting pea soup and a stamppot …

  • Lastage

    Amsterdam

    Classy Lastage is a gastronomic oasis at the edge of the Red Light District. Step inside and you're a world away from the sleaze nearby, and the creative…

  • Merkelbach

    Amsterdam

    The Merkelbach cafe sits in the coach house adjoining Frankendael House, and proffers dishes such as soups, salads and pastas with slow food credentials…

  • De Tropen

    Amsterdam

    This grand cafe has a superb terrace overlooking Oosterpark, and suitably for its setting in the Tropenmuseum, offers a global menu. The food receives…

  • Het IJsboefje

    Amsterdam

    A popular ice-cream stop close to Oosterpark, with benches outside and tons of delicious flavours inside. There are always happy punters around, tucking…

  • Restaurant Bloem

    Amsterdam

    The white-walled simplicity is a serene setting for tasty organic dishes here at Bloem. Service is attentive and warm, and the daily changing menu uses…

  • Cafe Mojo

    Amsterdam

    A lovely open-fronted bar right by the canal, with a superb terrace that's just perfect for a summer drink. Quaff beers by local Amsterdam breweries…

  • Narbonne

    Amsterdam

    Neighbourhood favourite Narbonne offers a mix of well-executed Mediterranean tapas, with dishes to share including smoked mozzarella tortellini, baked…

  • Van 't Spit

    Amsterdam

    At stripped-back Van 't Spit it's all about roast chicken, with piles of wood ready for the rotisserie. Choices are simple – select from a half or whole…

  • Eddy Spaghetti

    Amsterdam

    Eddy's is an intimate neighbourhood spot that does fantastic pizzas and pastas from its short and sweet menu, including linguine vongole (clams, chilli,…

  • De Bosbaan Cafe

    Amsterdam

    Located in Amsterdamse Bos near the forest's entrance, De Bosbaan Cafe is a grand lodge-like refuge for coffee or meals. Its terrace overlooks the lake,…

  • Beter & Leuk

    Amsterdam

    Bright prints and artwork adorn the whitewashed walls at cute, pocket-sized Beter & Leuk, a haven for those looking for organic, vegan and gluten-free…

  • Roc Elements

    Amsterdam

    Students of hospitality and gastronomy prepare and serve contemporary international dishes at this minimalist-chic mod restaurant with a monthly changing…

  • IJscuypje

    Amsterdam

    This branch of IJscuypje is well located for a post-dinner treat after dining at one of Amstelveenseweg's many restaurants. Choose from a range of dairy…

  • Tokoman

    Amsterdam

    The second branch of the local Surinamese fast-food eatery Tokoman has proved to be just as popular for its Surinamese spice, with sensational fiery…

  • Lunchroom Wilhelmina

    Amsterdam

    On a quiet street, facing a flower shop, this charmingly serene neighbourhood cafe is a pleasant escape for a simple breakfast of egg dishes, lunch …

  • IJscuypje

    Amsterdam

    Great ice-cream shop with locations across Amsterdam, including this one close to the zoo. Scoops of dairy-free sorbets or creamy treats, such as salted…

  • Nam Kee

    Amsterdam

    A long-running favourite, this is a stylish branch of Amsterdam's Chinese icon; the best-known Nam Kee is in the Medieval Centre. You may have to queue.

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