The 15 best dining options in Amsterdam, ranging from fast food to gourmet cuisine

Amsterdam is making a name for itself as one of Europe’s most dynamic food and beverage destinations.

The Dutch capital beautifully blends tradition with innovative design, a global perspective, and a focus on sustainability, offering everything from quick bites to exquisite dining experiences and adventurous new ideas. Here are our top recommendations for dining in Amsterdam.

1. Helling 7

Amsterdam's trendiest dining venue embraces an industrial aesthetic. Constructed over a slipway at the Damen shipyard using recycled materials like steel hulls and boat-deck timber, guests at Helling 7 enjoy views of cranes and container vessels.

Almost everything, from the cote de boeuf (rib steak) to the daily catch, is grilled over an open wood fire in the bustling kitchen and served at elegantly dressed tables within the expansive, glass-enclosed space or on the spacious wharf-side terrace featuring a retractable roof.

2. D'Vijff Vlieghen

The charming D'Vijff Vlieghen (Five Flies) spans five historic canal houses from the Golden Age in Amsterdam's medieval core. Intimate corners boast original elements like carved wood paneling, Delft blue-and-white tiles, and remarkable antiques and art (including pieces by Rembrandt), enhancing the sophisticated Dutch cuisine, such as herring wrapped in Zeeland seaweed with red beet and rye crumble, alongside oyster crème.

3. REM Eiland

Once a North Sea pirate radio station, REM Eiland now stands 22m (72ft) above the IJ in Nieuwe Houthaven. In 2021, a dynamic team of Amsterdam restaurateurs revitalized this unique structure, with renowned Dutch chef Bobby Rust showcasing his flair through four- to six-course tasting menus and creative bar bites (like tandoori chicken tacos and smoked eel ribs). The rig features three levels with panoramic views, including a former helipad rooftop.

4. Restaurant Floreyn

At Floreyn, Dutch cuisine reaches new heights. The minimalist dining space pays homage to its surroundings with a bike sculpture mounted on the wall (as if plucked from the canal) and a central pillar displaying a NAP zero-elevation marker, reminding diners they are below sea level.

The culinary highlights include freshly baked bread with homemade goat's milk butter; pickled mackerel served with horseradish ice cream; a clear, deconstructed mustard soup topped with cheese foam; roast roe deer accompanied by deer-liver balkenbrij (a traditional Dutch offal dish); and for dessert, speculaas spice cake with galangal mousse and coffee soil, all paired with Dutch wines.

5. Vleminckx

For decades, Vleminckx has been frying up delicious frites (fries), earning its reputation as a beloved local gem. Choose from over twenty sauces—from classic mayonnaise to zesty sambal and rich satay—to slather on your cone while you wait in the ever-present line. Its popularity is well-deserved.

6. Ciel Bleu

At the twin-Michelin-starred Ciel Bleu, located on the 23rd floor of the Hotel Okura, fine dining takes on new heights alongside breathtaking skyline views. The meticulously crafted multicourse menus include a special degustation dedicated to caviar, which can be sampled in 10g increments. For an unforgettable experience, reserve a spot at the chef's table for front-row access.

7. Miss G's Brunch Boat

Amsterdammers adore brunch as much as their picturesque canals, so why not enjoy both? The 'world's first brunch boat' sets sail from Keizersgracht for a relaxing 1½-hour cruise. Revitalizing brunch options feature eggs Benny, chicken and waffles, breakfast burritos, and a Dirty North (toasted brioche topped with smoked salmon, avocado, mascarpone, and chives), along with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free selections. The highlight is the bottomless option, offering unlimited cocktails, including five varieties of Bloody Marys.

8. Restaurant Blauw

A must-try culinary experience in Amsterdam, reflecting the Netherlands' historical ties to the islands, is the rijsttafel ('rice table' or Indonesian feast), featuring an array of small, flavorful sharing dishes in vibrant colors and varying spice levels, served with white rice. The stylish Blauw proudly claims to be the finest in the city, offering meat, seafood, vegetarian, and even vegan options.

9. Morris & Bella

Demonstrating that vegan cuisine can be gourmet, Morris & Bella features ingredients from local farms and foraged from the wild in stunning dishes like green beans paired with lemon, white-bean miso, fermented kohlrabi, and piccalilli ice cream; potato muffins served with char-grilled celeriac, baked chicory, and apple-and-sauerkraut puree; and hazelnut sponge accompanied by spiced-pumpkin chutney, cocoa foam, and candied pine cone. Its chic, minimalist dining space opens to a sunny terrace.

10. Stubbe's Haring

Amsterdam once featured numerous haringhuizen (herring houses or fish stalls) along its bridges, but now only a few remain. Located on the Singel canal near Centraal Station, Stubbe's Haring has been a staple for over a century. Here, brine-cured herring is served either chopped with a toothpick or in a soft white bread roll, accompanied by diced onions and sweet pickles.

11. Kaasbar

Kaasbar creatively presents 24 varieties of Dutch cheese crafted by local artisans, showcased beneath glass domes on its kaastrein ('cheese train'), a sushi-style conveyor belt that wraps around the bar. Each cheese is paired with suitable garnishes and suggested drink pairings, including wines, beers, or cocktails. Blue cheese or truffle Gouda fondue are fantastic winter delights.

12. Foodhallen

At Foodhallen, you can savor burgers from Amsterdam icon The Butcher alongside the beloved Dutch snack, bitterballen (meat-filled croquettes). This spacious communal dining venue is surrounded by 21 food and drink stalls, nestled within the larger De Hallen complex, which repurposes former tram sheds from 1902 into a vibrant cultural hub. Outside, the street market Ten Katemarkt showcases stalls brimming with fresh produce and local delicacies.

13. Hap Hmm

As you sink into a plush velveteen chair and glance at the family photographs adorning the walls, Hap Hmm instantly feels like home. Established in 1935, this cozy gem offers comfort food favorites, including chicken simmered in Amsterdam beer, meatballs made from grandmother's recipe, and award-winning schnitzel. Side dishes feature stewed rhubarb or pear, plus classic Dutch pancakes topped with whipped cream and ice cream for dessert.

14. Vegan Junk Food Bar

Just a stone's throw from Amsterdam's unique 'floating' flower market, the Vegan Junk Food Bar is a pioneer in plant-based cuisine, offering creative meatless options like tapioca-starch seafood, flower petal-topped loaded fries, and vividly hued burgers with neon-pink or black buns that reflect its vibrant street-art-inspired décor and hip-hop and R&B vibes. Local favorite Two Chefs Brewing supplies the craft beers here.

15. Moon

For a unique dining experience that lets you take in Amsterdam from a new perspective, visit Moon, the revolving restaurant on the 19th floor of the A'DAM Tower. With three- to seven-course menus that rotate monthly, diners can choose between the 'full moon' (featuring seafood and meats) or 'green moon' (vegetarian) options, perfectly complemented by wine or tea. A complete turn of the city takes about an hour.