Restaurants in Amsterdam
By Vicky Hampton of Amsterdam Foodie
Amsterdam’s restaurant scene and its cuisine – like its population – is an international melting pot of different cultures. It is renowned for its Indonesian food, but other Asian influences from Thailand to Japan to China are everywhere in evidence. While good-quality authentic Dutch food can sometimes be hard to come by, the proximity of the Netherlands’ neighbouring nations means that the French and Mediterranean kitchens are well represented.
There is no shortage of restaurants to choose from, but the price-quality ratio can be unfavourable compared to some other European cities. For a hearty good-value meal, head to one of the city’s ‘brown cafés’, named for their nicotine stained walls, where you can sample the local beers alongside staples such as steaks, satay and salads. Chinatown (along Zeedijk, close to Nieuwmarkt) also offers a plethora of reasonably priced Asian restaurants. At the other end of the scale, there are some seriously fine-dining options where you’ll pay €80-€100 a head.
While in Amsterdam, try some of the local snacks: pancakes (often savoury), pickled herring (look out for the brightly coloured fish stalls, usually at canal intersections) and chips with mayonnaise (look for the ‘Vlaamse frieten’ signs).
Service is renowned for being poor in Amsterdam, as waiting staff do not reply on tips for their salary. If you do receive good service, however, it’s customary to leave a 10 percent tip.
[Dutch] Greetje
The place to go for authentic Dutch food. It’s not cheap, but the service is some of the best in the city.
Tel: (020) 779 7450
[Indonesian] Blauw
Slightly off the tourist-beaten track, this modern, trendy Indonesian is a fine example of the country’s cuisine.
Tel: (020) 675 5000
[Thai] Take Thai
Minimalist and elegant, this restaurant offers great Thai food for a reasonable price – especially considering its location on the fashionable Utrechtsestraat.
Tel: (020) 622 0577
[Mediterranean] De Italiaan
A relative newcomer, de Italiaan is a neighbourhood restaurant serving authentic, good-value Italian dishes.
Tel: (020) 683 6854
[Brown café] Zotte
A Belgian brown café serving hundreds of Belgian beers and generous portions of homely food in a cosy environment.
Tel: (020) 626 8694
[Fine dining] Blauw aan de Wal
A chic and tranquil eatery in the heart of the bustling Red Light District, diners can enjoy Mediterranean fare in a minimalist setting.
Tel: (020) 330 2257
[Pancakes] Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs
At the top of a precipitous staircase, hungry visitors can pack into this tiny pancake house for tea and sustenance.
Tel: (020) 626 5603
Amsterdam’s restaurant scene and its cuisine – like its population – is an international melting pot of different cultures. It is renowned for its Indonesian food, but other Asian influences from Thailand to Japan to China are everywhere in evidence. While good-quality authentic Dutch food can sometimes be hard to come by, the proximity of the Netherlands’ neighbouring nations means that the French and Mediterranean kitchens are well represented.
There is no shortage of restaurants to choose from, but the price-quality ratio can be unfavourable compared to some other European cities. For a hearty good-value meal, head to one of the city’s ‘brown cafés’, named for their nicotine stained walls, where you can sample the local beers alongside staples such as steaks, satay and salads. Chinatown (along Zeedijk, close to Nieuwmarkt) also offers a plethora of reasonably priced Asian restaurants. At the other end of the scale, there are some seriously fine-dining options where you’ll pay €80-€100 a head.
While in Amsterdam, try some of the local snacks: pancakes (often savoury), pickled herring (look out for the brightly coloured fish stalls, usually at canal intersections) and chips with mayonnaise (look for the ‘Vlaamse frieten’ signs).
Service is renowned for being poor in Amsterdam, as waiting staff do not reply on tips for their salary. If you do receive good service, however, it’s customary to leave a 10 percent tip.
Amsterdam Restaurant Recommendations
[Dutch] Greetje
The place to go for authentic Dutch food. It’s not cheap, but the service is some of the best in the city.
Tel: (020) 779 7450
[Indonesian] Blauw
Slightly off the tourist-beaten track, this modern, trendy Indonesian is a fine example of the country’s cuisine.
Tel: (020) 675 5000
[Thai] Take Thai
Minimalist and elegant, this restaurant offers great Thai food for a reasonable price – especially considering its location on the fashionable Utrechtsestraat.
Tel: (020) 622 0577
[Mediterranean] De Italiaan
A relative newcomer, de Italiaan is a neighbourhood restaurant serving authentic, good-value Italian dishes.
Tel: (020) 683 6854
[Brown café] Zotte
A Belgian brown café serving hundreds of Belgian beers and generous portions of homely food in a cosy environment.
Tel: (020) 626 8694
[Fine dining] Blauw aan de Wal
A chic and tranquil eatery in the heart of the bustling Red Light District, diners can enjoy Mediterranean fare in a minimalist setting.
Tel: (020) 330 2257
[Pancakes] Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs
At the top of a precipitous staircase, hungry visitors can pack into this tiny pancake house for tea and sustenance.
Tel: (020) 626 5603
Tags
