Although not necessarily known for gastronomy, Amsterdam does, in fact, have a number of excellent restaurants that rival some of the best in Europe.
Most culinary tastes are catered for in this cosmopolitan city and there are so many different areas where you can sample the best local and international dishes.
Here is our list of the top rated places to eat in Amsterdam that will really whet your appetite.
1. Blauw
• Address: Amstelveenseweg 158-160, 1075 XN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Lauded as the best Indonesian restaurant in Holland by the New York Times, Blauw is a trendy eatery in the Amstelveenseweg part of Amsterdam. The style is modern with contemporary wooden tables nestling cosily together, dimly lit by stylish wall lights. The food, although undeniably Indonesian, is served in a uniquely Dutch way. Rijsttafel, or rice table, can only be found in Holland and involves the serving of numerous delicacies from the various Indonesian islands all at once. Dishes include Gado Gado, which is a medley of cooked vegetables served with a peanut dressing, and Ikan Bali Jimbaran, a fried fish filet in a coconut sauce. Prices for the Rijsttafel start at 26.50 Euros.
2. Vis aan de Schelde
• Address: Scheldeplein 4, 1078 GR Amsterdam, Netherlands
A must for lovers of seafood, Vis aan de Schelde can be found on the Scheldeplein in Oud-Zuid, next to the RAI convention centre. Recently renovated, the modern decor is heavily influenced by Dutch nautical themes. The walls are tiled from floor to ceiling, giving the restaurant a clean and fresh appearance. The menu is almost entirely devoted to seafood prepared in the classic French way. The fresh oysters are highly recommended and a set menu starts at 45 Euros.
3. Bussia
• Address: Reestraat 28-32, 1016 DN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bussia is an Italian fine dining restaurant, set in the picturesque ’9 Streets’ district of Amsterdam. It takes its name from one of the Barolo vineyards in Piemonte, northern Italy. The design is uncluttered and simple, utilising beautiful wooden flooring to give an element of sophistication. It has seating for sixty, set on two levels connected by a beautiful wooden spiral staircase. The menu is classically Italian, with the specialities including potato gnocchi and homemade ice creams. A set menu comprising four courses costs 46 Euros.
This list barely scratches the surface of the hundreds of restaurants in Amsterdam. There are many others to discover offering cuisines from all the corners of the world, ranging from budget to haute cuisine. Keep a look out for cheap flights to Amsterdam, get out there and enjoy this beautiful city. Bon appetit, or as the Dutch say, eet smakelijk!
4. Restaurant Greetje
• Address: Peperstraat 23, 1011 TJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Probably the best place in Amsterdam to get a taste of traditional Dutch food, Restaurant Greetje, named after the owner’s mother, is a compact restaurant set on several levels. The design is proudly old-fashioned with tables and chairs and a general ambience that wouldn’t be out of place in the 1920s. The food, though, is most certainly contemporary, taking traditional Dutch favourites and bringing them slap bang into the 21st century. Typical dishes include roast Beemster lamb chops with sea lavender and cutlet of Dutch suckling pig with soaked cranberries. The two set menus are recommended, priced at 39 and 48 Euros respectively.
5. Amstel Restaurant
• Address: Professor Tulpplein 1, 1018 GX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amstel Restaurant is a highly popular and world-renowned restaurant located in the elegant and opulent setting of the InterContinental Hotel Amstel Amsterdam overlooking the Amstel River. La Rive, the previous restaurant on this site was in possession of one Michelin star and a rating of 18 out of a possible 20 by highly influential French food guide Gault et Millau, it offered a fine dining experience perhaps unsurpassed in Amsterdam. Heavily influenced by French Mediterranean cuisine, the menu simply listed two choices, La Rive Gauche or La Rive Droite. Both of these set menus included six courses of expertly balanced seafood and meat dishes for 110 Euros. Amstel Restaurant continues the tradition of highly rated fine dining, be sure to check it out.
If you nee more inspiration for this world class city, view our guide to the top places to visit in Amsterdam.
