Restaurants

We try to visit all of these restaurants on a regular basis. (Pity us!) The more stars you see, the more likely it is that you run into us. Give us your feedback if we miss great places. We will go and try them out, too! One word of advice: in the Leidseplein area there are quite a number of rip-offs. So be careful if you choose to go out for food there. Known exceptions: Japan Inn, Moshi Moshi, Wagamama.

Top end

  • De Compagnon - French - Gulde Hand steeg 11 (an alley off Warmoesstraat), tel. 0206204225. Best restaurant we can recommend - informal and cozy, good service and good dishes. View of the water of Damrak. Reservations are a must.
  • Het Tuynhuys - French with a Mediterranean twist - Reguliersdwarsstraat 28, tel. 0206276603. Het Tuynhuys is located in a former coach house belonging to a 17th century mansion in the 'Golden Bend' of the Herengracht: two floors of pleasant dining. In the summer meals can be enjoyed on the terraced garden, against the backdrop of a monumental facade. Friendly staff and a spacious layout, so that you are not forced to be in the conversation of the next table. They fit in the category of excellent price-quality balance.
  • Breitner - French - Amstel 212, tel. 0206277879. Stylish and excellent, still quite a relaxed atmosphere. It is not too big, and if you are lucky and get a table at the window you have a great view over the Amstel river. They serve unique combinations and surprising dishes. But never over the top. They have a theater menu for early diners who want to go to the opera (which is just on the other side of the Amstel river).
  • La Rive - French - Professor Tulpplein 1, tel. 0205203264. One Michelin star restaurant in the Amstel Hotel. Dine with the stars in the stars!
  • Vermeer - French - Prins Hendrikkade 59-72 opposite the central station, tel. 0205564885. Excellent and expensive. Lost its Michelin star in 2008.

back to top

Mid range

  • Mitsukuni - Japanese - Reguliersdwardsstraat 43, tel. 0206830388. This Japanese restaurant opened in the summer of 2007 and it immediately was a favorite. It is a new addition to a couple of restaurants by the same owner. We used to go to Japan Inn near Leidseplein, but now can stay closer to home with this new place. Food is even better than at Japan Inn, and prices moderate for a Japanese restaurant.
  • Greetje - Dutch - Peperstraat 23-25, tel. 0207797450. The Dutch kitchen has its roots in hard work on the land, so by origin there is little sophistication in the Dutch cuisine. However, at Greetje they manage to add refinement to original dishes and use the traditional ingredients in a delightful way. The "Grande Finale" is a must do. There is no reason for us anymore to apologize for "Dutch cooking."
  • Sampurna - Indonesian - Singel 498 tel. 0206253264. Best Indonesian restaurant in the centre with a recently restyled interior, friendly staff. Be careful when you are using the bathroom: the ceiling is extremely low! Try their Rijsttafel : colonial heritage mix of all kind of great foods. A must.
  • Rosario - Italian - Peperstraat 10, tel. 0206270280. Portuguese owned, alternative scene, fusion Italian kitchen, tasteful dishes.
  • Hemelse Modder - Dutch in a French way - Oude Waal 9, tel. 0206243203. Very tasty fresh foods organically grown in NoordHolland in the vicinity of Amsterdam. Some traditional Dutch food also.
  • Haesje Claes - Dutch - Spuistraat 273-275, tel. 0206249998 Eat here your tradional Dutch food at reasonable prices! Try rabbitleg with zuurkool, boerenkoolstampot, bruinebonen met worst en spek or hutspot! Also the deserts are original like bitterkoekjespudding! The interior is 17 th century remake so rich and with so much details you get totally confused. It is a camp experience. The service is great, the only minus is that it is packed with tourists, but at least they know where to go!
  • Dorrius - Dutch - Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, tel. 0204202224. Close to the Central Station, west side. Best upmarket and classical Dutch food restaurant in Amsterdam. More expensive then Haesje Claes however Since 1890. Dine Dutch in Style.
  • Sluizer - French in a Dutch way - Utrechtsestraat 41-45, tel. 0206226376. French food in a Dutch way, a classic. It is amazing how this place has kept up the good work for decades. Our first visits here go back to the 70's of last century! Professional staff (not a thing that the Dutch have a big reputation for), never a disappointment, but no big surprises either.
  • Restaurant Knus - Basque - Reguliersdwarsstraat 23, tel. 0204277828. Knus means something like "cosy". Well: it is. Very tasty appetizers: Montaditos, Basque Tapas are their specialty. You can make a complete meal out of them. Their tasty and unusual dishes (Steak with chocolate sauce) and very attentive and friendly staff make this one an excellent choice for a special evening.
  • Brasserie Harkema - French - Nes 67, tel. 0204282222. Hugely popular with everyone that wants to belong (to whatever). Nice menu, quite simple, but cooked with fantasy and care. Reservation taken from 3 pm onwards.
  • Brasserie De Compagnon - French - Reguliersdwarsstraat 41, tel. 0203300939. In our top category there is the Compagnon, this is their little sister: a brasserie with a simpler menu.
  • Wilhelmina Dok - French - Noordwal 1, tel. 0206323701. Basic French restaurant: go there for the view and for a completely different atmosphere. It is on the other side of the IJ (the natural port behind central station) Take the ferry to Vliegenbos, that is the ferry departing just right from the big one, then walk to your right along the waterfront for 5 minutes. It is in the picture at the top of the page. The ferries are free of charge.
  • De Theeboom - French - Singel 210, tel. 0206238420. French owned, so revive your dining experiences of France here.
  • Morita-ya - Japanese - Zeedijk 18, tel. 0206380756. A very alternative setting. Do not be scared - their Japanese food is excellent and quite unlike what you would normally see on the menu outside of Japan.

back to top

Inexpensive

  • Engelbewaarder - Dutch - Kloveniersburgwal 59, tel. 0206253772. A number of houses down from the Korenbloemen apartment. Best choice in the neighborhood - local 'eetcafe' with jazz sessions on late Sunday afternoons in winter. Highly recommended for a tasty bite. With a terrace on the canal in summer. Lately many people seem to have discovered the excellent value for money. And it seems to get better and better. You may need to make reservations nowadays if you want to make sure you can get in.
  • Nyonya - Malaysia - Kloveniersburgwal 38, tel. 0204222447. Opposite the Korenbloemen apartment. Best Malay food around at bargain prices. Also take out. If the menu shows two peppers meaning that the food is spicy, then you better believe them: it is spicy.
  • Little Thai Prince - Zeedijk 33, tel. 0204279645. Authentic Thai food and friendly service. Our favorite when it comes to Thai. It is a tiny little place and usually quite crowded, and for all the good reasons.
  • Asian Kitchen - Chinese - Vijzelstraat 5a, tel. 0206201816. Small Chinese place next to Cinema De Munt. For a quick, yet excellent meal. Open daily from noon till midnight.
  • Bird - Thai - Zeedijk 72, tel. 0206201442. Great Thai food eat on nr 72 and take out from the opposite snack bar at nr. 77 also called Bird. You also can try to squeeze into the snack bar and join a table, good to meet strangers!
  • Vijaya - Indian - Gelderse kade 23, tel. 0204205225. Best Indian restaurant in the Nieuwmarkt area.
  • Gerrit van Beeren - Dutch - Koningsstraat 54, tel. 0206222329 - A classic and local Dutch eetcafe. In summer dinner is served in the courtyard.
  • Nam Kee - Chinese - Zeedijk 111. One of the many good Chinese restaurants in the area.
  • Golden Chopsticks - Chinese - Oude Doelenstraat 1 - great Peking duck and other Chinese food, open until late at night, try here when you find other restaurants in the area closed.
  • Poco Loco - Mediterranean - Nieuwmarkt 24, tel. 0206242937 - A mix of Mediterranean, Mexican and Spanish cuisine. Retro 70's look and a young crowd (as you will find in most places around the Nieuwmarkt). They are not recommended for their professional service. Obviously lots of student make a little money here as waiter or bar tender. They are friendly though, so if you are not in a hurry, it might be worthwhile to sit through it and enjoy the delicious snacks and dishes.

back to top

Breakfast & lunch

  • Tisfris - open for breakfast - St Anthoniebreestraat 142 - a 2 minute walk from your apartment - best local coffee shop, for breakfast and lunch. Opens for breakfast daily at 9 am.
  • Public Library - Oosterdokskade 143. The recently opened Amsterdam Public library offers a marvelous top floor terrace with a magnificent view of Amsterdam and a cool catering by La Place.
  • Van Dobben - Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5 - for a very traditional Dutch style sandwich, nice atmosphere, great when you are in a hurry. Take out is referred to as 'Export.'
  • De Bakkerswinkel - Warmoesstraat 69, tel. 0204898000 - "de Bakkerswinkel" means Bakery Shop, and that is what they do: bake, and heavenly: breads, scones, quiches, cakes, you name it. Treat yourself for lunch or high tea, if you can afford it, as it is pricey for 'just' lunch. Reservations are a must. They are often booked days in advance.
  • Rembrandt Corner - open for breakfast - Jodenbreestraat 2 next to the Rembrandt house is the place for early birds to have breakfast. Open all days from 8 am for breakfast and later for lunch, offers wide variety of breakfast and lunch choices.
  • Puccini - Staalstraat 21 - Fabulous cakes and soups, quite expensive.
  • Downtown - Reguliersdwarsstraat 31 - Gay classic, hetero-friendly.
  • Villa Zeezicht - Singel 161, behind the Magna Plaza shopping mall. Great coffee and apple pie. Alternative cozy scene.
  • Oriental City - Oudezijdsvoorburgwal 177, corner Damstraat, tel. 0206268352. Chinese Restaurant known for dim sum during lunch hours. It must be good as it is always crowded with Chinese guests!
  • t Singeltje - Singel 492. tel. 0610945925. The place for old-fashioned Dutch pancakes conveniently located on the flower market.
  • Star Ferry - Restaurant in het Muziekgebouw aan het IJ. Enjoy your lunch or coffee with a great view on the port of Amsterdam.
  • Burgermeester - Plantage Kerklaan, tel. 0206709339. We haven't checked them out ourselves yet, but supposedly these are the best burgers in town. Biological fast food.

back to top

Take out

  • Sterk Staaltje - Dutch and French - Staalstraat 12 - Dutch and French style food to take out until 6 pm.
  • Snackbar Bird - Thai - Zeedijk 77 great Thai food (eat opposite at nr 72, or squeeze in here!)
  • Raan Phadthai - Thai - Kloveniersburgwal 18 - great Thai food to take out, not to be missed, a bargain, also to eat in.
  • Domino's Pizza - tel. 09008030. The local Domino's Pizza delivers to your apartment. Make sure you have small change for the pizza boy, since they don't carry much change.
  • Vlaams Friteshuis - Voetboogstraat 31, almost on the corner with Heiligeweg - eat the best French fries in Holland (actually they come from Belgium). French fries are eaten as a snack by the Dutch, served with a wide choice of sauces.
  • New King - Chinese - Zeedijk 115 - Chinese food, eat in or take out.
  • Kam Yin - Creole and Javanese - Warmoesstraat 6, close to the Central Station. Great Creole and Javanese food, Suriname style. It is a bargain, also take out.
  • Sushi Me - Oude Leliestraat 7, tel. 0206277043. Quite good Sushi brought to your doorstep. Order online or by phone.

back to top

Unusual Locations

  • Restaurant Open - French, Italian - Westerdoksplein 20, tel. 0206201010. Restaurant built on top of an old railway bridge, close to Central Station. We were there a couple of times; nice food, very friendly staff and a great experience altogether.
  • The Vondelpark Picknick! - Order a nice picnic basket from restaurant Vertigo, tel. 0206168727 in the Vondelpark next to the Filmmuseum and relax in the park on a nice summer's day! Order your basket by telephone.
  • Varend Restaurant - Sailing Restaurant - tel. 0204194141. Departs every last Sunday of the month 7 pm. from Pont 13 in the Houthavens close to the Rochdale 1 boat. Price 75 euros incl. dinner and drinks. This is quite unique: cruise the canals and the IJ harbor while having a culinary diner served by restaurant Pont 13. Reservation a must online or by phone.
  • Ciel Blue - dinner with a view - Ferdinand Bolstraat 333 - tel. 0206787450 - Unusually high up for Amsterdam standards: on the 23rd floor of the Okura Hotel. French Cuisine, 2 Michelin stars. And prices to match.
  • IJkantine - Dutch - MT Ondinaweg 15-17, tel. 0206337162. Nice food and drinks. Located on the former NDSM wharf on the other site of the IJ. Take the small ferry boat from the back of the Central Station to NDSM and walk 1 minute. Popular with MTV staff and people from other creative businesses nearby.
  • Hotel Goudfazant - industrial dining - Aambeeldstraat 10 H, tel. 0206365170 - If there was a category "Industrial dining" that's where this one would be. Out in the former harbour area, a sweeping industrial space with an enormous modern chandelier and raw concrete surfaces: Hotel Goudfazant (a restaurant, not a hotel) . You need to be adventurous if you would like to find your way out there: crossing the IJ behind central station by ferry and biking through this desolate area. Stylish locals order unpretentious but tasty fare like roasted chicken and oyster ceviche. Even the New York times reviewed it, giving it three out of five stars. Ask your host for directions.

back to top

Legend

  • We like it
  • That's Cool
  • Super cool