Must-see restaurants in The Netherlands

  • Alchemist Garden

    Amsterdam

    This bright, high-ceilinged cafe's food may be gluten-, lactose- and glucose-free, but it's certainly tasty. There's a health-rich, vitamin-filled organic…

  • Bar Fisk

    De Pijp

    Fish-scale tiles in marine blues and greens clad the bar at switched-on seafood bar Fisk. Small lunchtime sharing plates (oysters with limoncello dressing…

  • Gys

    Utrecht

    Everything's organic at this bright and airy bistro, which positively exudes aromas of healthy living, yet feels invitingly spacious, with low-wattage…

  • Frites uit Zuyd

    De Pijp

    De Pijp's best frites (fries) by far are at takeaway shop Frites uit Zuyd, with black-and-white chequerboard tiling on the walls and floors, and at its…

  • Eetcafé Ceramique

    Maastricht

    A local dining favourite for decades, Ceramique's relaxed, unfussy interior is always buzzy and low-lit by candles in paper bags. The wide-ranging menu…

  • Seafood Bar

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Stunning tiling and white-painted timber make this a stylish dining spot. Sustainable seafood includes line-caught fish, Volendam smoked eel, North Sea…

  • De Firma

    Nijmegen

    Given its near-water location on a 16th-century street in the so-called 'lower town', De Firma's appealing beachy vibe is appropriate. Vintage, sea-blue…

  • Omelegg

    De Pijp

    In sparing surrounds with polished-concrete floors, wooden furniture and a mural of traditional Dutch windmills on the back wall, this omelette specialist…

  • De Hinde

    Friesland

    The terrace across from a vintage lifeboat shed is the main draw at this harbour-side restaurant, run by the same family for three generations. Limited…

  • Corazon Coffee

    Utrecht Province

    Put away iPads or computers in this people-friendly cafe – digital devices are discouraged but there's a free book exchange and close-packed tables to…

  • de Zwarte Vosch

    Utrecht

    Some of the pintxos (Basque-style tapas) here are remarkably creative, such as the fig, goat's-cheese and orange-mousse rusk (€2.90). Peruse and order…

  • De Bakkerswinkel

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Amid industrial-meets-farmhouse decor, De Bakkerswinkel serves breakfast fare such as French toast and omelettes, excellent baked goods (especially scones…

  • Loetje Utrecht

    Utrecht

    The growing Loetje chain prides itself on its tenderloin steak (from €18.25) but also has more specifically Dutch options such as meatballs on farmer's…

  • Arles

    De Pijp

    Named for the town famously painted by Van Gogh, this charming spot evokes the sunny southern French region in its sage-hued dining room, cosy cellar,…

  • De Waag

    Delft

    With a sprawling terrace behind the town hall and atmospheric eating and drinking spaces inside this 16th-century waag (weighing house), this is a perfect…

  • Restaurant Frits

    Rotterdam

    Inside a pretty Delfshaven canal house, with an intimate split-level, dark-timber interior, Frits serves an astounding-value eight-course surprise menu…

  • Venkel

    De Pijp

    Timber tables at this light-filled salad bar are made from a fallen Vondelpark tree, as are planks on which dishes such as homemade hummus, house-baked…

  • Blauw aan de Wal

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Refined Blauw aan de Wal is a rose among thorns. A long, often-graffiti-covered laneway off Oudezijds Achterburgwal 99 in the Red Light District leads to…

  • O'Pazzo

    Rotterdam

    Generations of Rotterdammers have grown up eating the tasty Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked by Italian pizzaioli (pizza makers) in O'Pazzo's huge tiled…

  • HMB

    Rotterdam

    Nestled in the shadow of the mighty Erasmusbrug, this sleek restaurant on the ground floor of the iconic De Rotterdam building serves artistically…

  • Tokoman

    Amsterdam

    Queue with the folks getting their Surinamese spice on at Tokoman. It makes a sensational broodje pom, a sandwich filled with a tasty mash of chicken and…

  • Cottage

    Amsterdam

    A superb, popular and friendly neighbourhood cafe-bar, where the quirky decor features lots of foxes, stuffed and pictorial, and the menu focuses on that…

  • Tosca

    Rotterdam

    This old-fashioned place has everything you want from a neighbourhood bistro: friendly staff, well-priced food and lovely surrounds including a grapevine…

  • Escobar

    De Pijp

    An Amsterdam School–style former municipal bathhouse (1931), today this split-level space with a wrought-iron-framed mezzanine is a vibrant spot for tapas…

  • Thrill Grill

    De Pijp

    Burgers are the big deal at Thrill Grill (including its signature double-beef Thrill Burger with Gouda and bacon), accompanied by truffle-Parmesan fries,…

  • TisFris

    Amsterdam

    High-ceilinged TisFris floods with light through huge plate-glass windows, has outdoor seating for sunny days, and is handily located near Rembrandthuis…

  • Bistro Twee 33

    South Holland

    In fact, there's nothing twee about this modern bistro and wine bar, which features a warm colour scheme, pendant lights, wine-lined shelves and an open…

  • New King

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Spread over several levels and adjoining buildings, this classy, low-lit restaurant is one of Chinatown's most beloved; book ahead or plan to wait at busy…

  • Choux

    Amsterdam

    Sharing its bright-red brick building with creative offices, this industrial-chic restaurant has an ever-changing menu using local, seasonal produce and…

  • Brasserie de Engelenbak

    Leiden

    In the shadow of the 17th-century Marekerk, this elegant brasserie's menu changes seasonally, and might feature smoked duck with stout sauce or baked…

  • FG Food Labs

    Rotterdam

    François Geurds' food lab sits under timber and silvery pressed-tin ceilings within Station Hofplein. This is where the FG staff experiment with dishes…

  • Flores

    Nijmegen

    One of several restaurants with terraces across the street from Valkofpark, this sophisticated bistro cooks up fresh, seasonal fare such as candied sea…

  • La Zia Maria

    Rotterdam

    There is limited table seating at this old-fashioned and aromatic deli, but if you don't manage to snag a sit-down spot, it's still a fabulous place to…

  • Surya

    De Pijp

    Indian restaurants can be surprisingly hit and miss in this multicultural city, making classy Surya an invaluable address for fans of Subcontinental…

  • Bertmans

    Rotterdam

    Asian accents are as pronounced as those from the Mediterranean in the menu at this popular neighbourhood cafe overlooking the serpentine De Rotte canal…

  • Renzo's

    Amsterdam

    Renzo's deli resembles an Italian tavola calda (hot table), where you can select hot and cold ready-made dishes, such as meatballs, pasta and salads, plus…

  • l'Entrecôte et les Dames

    Amsterdam

    Black-and-white awnings, a wall made from wooden drawers and a wrought-iron balcony set the scene at this restaurant, which has a simple menu of steak or…

  • Sems

    Leeuwarden

    With its summertime terrace on a pretty square and tasty tapas-style menu of kleine gerechten (small portions), Sems is a lovely spot to lounge. Inside,…

  • Kantine De Brandweer

    Maastricht

    The vibe is friendly and casual in this former firehouse turned hip dining hall and activity centre. Sit at amply spaced formica tables beside a long book…

  • Brasserie SenT

    De Pijp

    Smoke-infused meats at this barbecue specialist are cooked in a Big Green Egg (ceramic Japanese-kamado-style grill and charcoal smoker), including veal…

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