Best Restaurants in Amsterdam: the ultimate guide

To help you out with choosing where to go for the best dining experience, we listed the best restaurants in Amsterdam for you. The city is slowly becoming a worldwide key player when it comes to its culinary scene. With new restaurants opening every month, offering a wide variety in cuisines, the city has something to offer for everyone. From hotspots serving International dishes, to high-end dining at a Michelin Star restaurant. From well-known Italian and Asian cuisines to traditional Dutch food. Mouth-watering dishes, excellent service and an overall delightful night out. Read on to find out what the best places to eat in Amsterdam are.

International cuisines in Amsterdam: Classics and creativity 

Restaurants carrying an International menu are still a favorite amongst anyone that doesn’t want to limit their options to one specific cuisine. From well known classics dishes to creations that will surprise your taste buds. From the newest hotspots in Amsterdam to established household names. These are the best restaurants in Amsterdam offering an International menu.

A journey around the world at Guts&Glory

Restaurant Guts and Glory  has become one of the most popular restaurants in Amsterdam since its opening in 2015. Their winning concept is that they change the theme of their menu every three months. All dishes that become a favorite amongst their customers appear on their ‘Best of Chapter’ menu. They offer 3, 4 or 5 course lunches and 5, 6 and 7 course dinners. The chapters have included Italian, Latin American, French and Japanese food, all offered in a relaxed atmosphere with a level of service you rarely find in Amsterdam.

French cuisine at Rijsel

The chefs at Rijsel cook with a passion for the French cuisine, serving tasty no-nonsense food for a fair price. Their interior is a mix of classic French with a hint of modern 1960s. The lacquered walls, use of natural stone, and stainless steel give Rijsel its relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy their dining experience on any occasion, whether you have something to celebrate or looking for a relaxing night out. The host and hostess are Pieter Smits and Stephanie Lücken will welcome you with a smile and thoughtful service. Everything you need for a delightful dining experience.

Unpretentious Michelin star quality dining at Daalder

At Daalder they believe that fine dining deserves a joyful, unpretentious atmosphere. Recently named “Best Promising Chef 2018” by Gault & Millau, chef Dennis Huwaë delivers a Michelin quality 5 to 7-course tasting menu in a deliciously down-to-earth environment. Expect exquisitely presented plates that are pleasing to the palate without the hushed reverence that often accompanies this kind of food. Maitre Sommelier Tim Grashuis is expert at finding the perfect pairings for whatever’s on that pretty plate.

Jansz

Jansz is situated in the five-star hotel Pulitzer housed in a seventeenth-century pharmacy. In a cosy Amsterdam atmosphere they serve a variety of simple but mouthwatering dishes. On the menu you will find International flavors and modern classics – such as oysters, tartare, scallops, spring chicken and duck. Heartily recommended is their homemade chocolate cake with caramel.

Here to stay: Gebroeders Hartering

Gebroeders Hartering offers superb food on an amazing canal-side location. Brothers Paul and Niek serve a wide range of exquisite wines and an ever so good cote de boeuf to share. Using seasonal products is highly important to them, preferably from suppliers close to home to ensure the ingredients are at their best.

Dining in a glass house at De Kas

De Kas is situated in a beautiful glass house in the Frankendael Park and is an oasis of calm. While one side of the building is used as a restaurant & bar, the other is used to grow their own fruits, herbs and vegetables.  Their menu changes according what their garden provides, making sure the ingredients they use are always at their best. You have the choice  between a 3 or 4 course lunch or 5 or 6 course dinner with light and exciting flavors. Though they offer amazing seafood and meat dishes, the chef is more than happy to prepare a menu for vegetarians upon request.

Not to miss while in Amsterdam: Traditional Dutch Food

While in Amsterdam there are some things that are must tries. Having a taste of the traditional Dutch cuisine is one of them. Although their kitchen isn’t world renowned, it is definitely worth to have a taste of. Hearty stews, meatballs and Grandmothers apple pie; some might call it comfort food.

A true Dutch experience at Haesje Claes

Haesje Claes is one of the most known restaurants in Amsterdam to go to for traditional Dutch cuisine. In a cosy “brown cafe” atmosphere they serve everything that you would find at the dinner table in a typical Dutch home. Stews, meatballs, pea soups and asparagus with ham and bearnaise sauce. A lover of seafood? The pan fried Sole and fresh North sea mussels are two favorites!

Dinner like you would do at home: Moeders

Stew, braised pheasant or filet with celeriac puree, restaurant Moeders has it all. This local hero on the corner of Rozengracht and Nassaukade is the perfect place for a lunch, dinner or drinks. Moeders (literally translated: Mothers) offers Dutch cuisine according to traditional recipes. For the best experience try the Dutch Rice Table with a combination of the best dishes on the menu.

Michelin Star dining in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has some amazing options when it comes to fine dining. With 19 restaurants carrying one or more Michelin Stars, you will find a top restaurant in Amsterdam whatever cuisine you’re fancying. Indulge in the finest dishes with perfect wine pairings and be amazed by the quality in service.

Yamazato: The Japanese cuisine at its best

A moment of Zen in Amsterdam. Yamazato is the first traditional restaurant serving the finest small dishes of Kaiseki cuisine outside of Japan to be included in the top of the Michelin Guide. Chef Masanori Tomikawa offers a pleasant introduction to Japanese local culture and culinary delights. The restaurant – like renowned Ciel Bleu – is located in five star Hotel Okura. From the way the waitresses present themselves, to the table settings: everything is well thought of. Yamazato promises a culinary experience you won’t soon forget.

An undeniable favorite in Amsterdam: Liberije’s zusje

Librije’s Zusje brings true gastronomical experience in the heart of Amsterdam at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. The restaurant is contemporary, autonomous and different from anything you have ever experienced before. The menu is a surprising mix of Western and Asian products, that make up a culinary journey unique to Librije’s Zusje. On the menu you’ll find a wide variety of vegetarian options, making it possible to enjoy high-quality, Michelin star worthy food without a hint of meat. It is a must try for vegetarians and meat-lovers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XO6JrzStd4

The versatile Asian cuisine

You could say that Asian is one of the most popular cuisines in Amsterdam. From Japanese and Thai, to Indonesian and Vietnamese. Simple, fancy, affordable or high-end. Whatever it is you’re looking for when it comes to Asian food, the city has it.

Dim Sum & traditional Cantonese at Oriental City

The Cantonese restaurant Oriental City is known for their Dim Sum lunches, prepared using authentic ingredients by chefs from Hong Kong. but their menu offers a lot more. Stir fry traditional Cantonese dishes and some of the best roasted Peking duck you’ll find in Amsterdam. The place is often packed both with locals as with Chinese community. Don’t be scared off when you are asked to wait for a table, it is worth the few extra minutes of your time!

Culinary feast at Ron Gastro Bar Oriental

Ron Gastrobar Oriental offers the best of the ancient Chinese cuisine with an international twist. This interesting and playful menu has many gastronomic surprises.Dim Sum, Peking Duck and a large selection of fusion dishes to share (or not) accompanied by cocktails or a good glass of wine. According to Ron Blaauw, top level food does not necessarily have to entail six appetizers, four kinds of bread, seven-courses and a friandise trolley. He completely changed the top-level food concept to create an entirely different dining experience. Their à la carte menu offers 25 dishes that cost €15 each, or go for the Best of Oriental and you’ll get a 6-course chef’s dinner with all the best dishes off the menu.

A place that will put a smile on your face: HappyHappyJoyJoy

HappyHappyJoyJoy is a foodie hot-spot in Amsterdam. Their playful eclectic interior is inspired by the bright colors of markets and busy metropolis streets that are characteristic to Asia. The same goes for their menu, which is a combination of flavors from countries like China, Japan and Thailand. Indulge in some steamy dumplings, sizzling hot Pad Thai noodles and Bao buns with crispy chicken or peking duck. All dishes are served street food style. So you can choose a lot of different small bites to share with the table.

Do it the Italian way

Italian is probably the world’s most known (and in our opinion one of the most delicious) cuisines. In Amsterdam you won’t have any trouble finding a good Italian spot. From authentic wood oven pizza’s with a perfect crispy crust to fresh pasta’s and antipasti.

An Amsterdam Local’s favorite: La Perla

La Perla has quickly become a locals favorite when it comes to traditional Italian pizza and other treats. During lunch time it’s a spot for delightful sandwiches and at night a good glass of wine to go with your Italian dish. They work with ingredients freshly delivered from Italy, so they can offer a true authentic dining experience. Their homemade ravioli and the Pizza with spicy salami are two undoubtedly favorites. But whatever you’ll have at La Perla, it will satisfy your taste buds!

Authentic Italian: Toscanini

Amsterdam’s favorite Italian restaurant Toscanini is located in the heart the Jordaan. Known for its delicious seafood dishes and perfectly prepared home made pasta’s. All dishes are made with ingredients imported form Italy, so you can expect it to be authentic. Surprise yourself with the Menù Cucina; a six course dinner with the chef’s specials. A traditional Italian treat!

Sotto: Pizza time

Did someone say pizza time? Then SOTTO is the place to go. The passionate owners learned their craft from the best Neapolitan’s pizza masters, and it shows. Their pizza has the authentic, crispy, leopard-spotted crust and is so tasty your first pizza here definitely won’t be your last. Expect the real deal: wood-oven pizza Margherita, Verdura, Quattro Stagioni, Tonno and many more. How to know what your pizza is up to Napoli standards? You should be able to fold it without the pizza breaking! Try it with the pizzas at SOTTO and you will see that it folds exactly like the Napoli standards. Godere!

Guilty Pleasures

Don’t we all love a good burger, chicken wings or fries from time to time? Amsterdam has some great options that will still your guilty pleasure cravings. Not only for true carnivores but for flexitarians, vegans and vegetarians as well!

Grill galore Cannibale Royale

Meat lovers rejoice! With three locations in Amsterdam, Cannibale Royale is the place where people from all over the capital flock to for a juicy steak, seriously awesome burgers or the tenderest spare ribs. But that’s not all. At this no-nonsense brasserie, they pride themselves in offering a selection of gorgeous wines, jazzy cocktails and exotic beers to complement your meal. Though reservations are highly recommended, feel free to drop in and wait for a table while chatting with the knowledgeable bartenders

An adult playground: The Butcher Social Club

A burger bar like you’ve never seen before. The Butcher Social Club offers an haute cuisine selection of delicious sandwiches with meats from the grill. Try the Daddy with Edam cheese, BBQ sauce and onion, a Truffle Burger with tomato and onion or a delicious vegetarian Babaganoush Burger. Their spacious café serves tasty cocktails and other beverages. This adult playground on the ground floor of the A’DAM Tower offers entertainment and games, making it a perfect spot not only lunch or dinner but for a complete night out with friends!

Vegan Junkfood Bar

The Vegan Junkfood Bar is the place to be for people craving some burgers or other junkfood goodies, but who at the same time want to eat plant-based. The Vegan Junkfood Bar is the answer to this craving, serving some great food that even proclaimed meat-lovers can enjoy! Offering a variety of mouthwatering vegan takes on comfort food and more from three different locations in the city. Each location has its own awesome menu and atmosphere. It is definitely worth trying them all!

We hope we’ve given you enough tips with our Best Restaurant in Amsterdam list and that you enjoy the cities culinary scene as much as we do. More on food? We also have an overview of the best places to go for breakfast or lunch. So you’ll know where to go from early mornings until late at night!