The 38 Must-Visit Restaurants in Amsterdam

Music is a key element at Cornerstore, a collaboration among seasoned chefs from popular venues like Café Binnenvisser and De Klaproos. Located in the minimalist space of Amsterdam Noord, a vinyl-filled cabinet behind the bar enhances the ambiance as you enjoy natural wines and pan-Asian-inspired dishes bursting with fresh, fermented, umami flavors. Vegetables take center stage in most dishes, while fish and meat provide subtle support. Opt for small plates to share, or savor the enticing 10-course chef’s menu. Remember to wear your dancing shoes; midway through dinner, the music volume rises, and tables are cleared for guests to dance into the night.

At Bak, seasonality, innovation, and simplicity define the experience, making it one of the top spots to savor modern Dutch cuisine with stunning views of the river IJ. Chef Benny Blisto curates vegetable-centric tasting menus complemented by sustainable fish and game. The wine selection is playful and diverse, featuring a good range of natural wines at affordable prices.

Café Restaurant Amsterdam is a lively brasserie located in a 19th-century water pump station. Since its opening in 1996, it has been a favorite among locals. The extensive menu features sandwiches and cakes for lunch, and an array of seafood (don’t miss the fruits de mer menu), meat, and pasta for dinner. The well-curated wine list is both excellent and affordable, making it a family-friendly venue that everyone can enjoy.

Despite its name, Euro Pizza is a hidden treasure that offers much more than just pizza. This “pizza-driven wine bar” crafts exceptional wood-fired sourdough pizzas topped with unique ingredients like miso, smoked tomato, tarragon, and mozzarella. It also features an array of rustic yet refined small plates focused on local produce, all complemented by natural wines, homemade lemonade, and local beers.

The craft beer scene in Amsterdam is among the most vibrant in Europe. At Oedipus Brewery in northern Amsterdam, you can sample whimsically named IPAs, saisons, unfiltered lagers, and more, all featuring eye-catching psychedelic labels. From Thursday to Sunday, the local food truck Beef Chief sets up in the taproom, serving some of the city’s finest burgers. If you find yourself in Amsterdam East, don’t miss their second location, Oedipus Badhuis.

Beloved by both locals and tourists for over thirty years, Caffè Toscanini is celebrated for its consistently exceptional, seasonal Italian dishes. Pay attention to the maitre d’, who will share daily specials you won’t want to miss. If you're not in the mood for a full meal, pop next door to Toscanini Deli for espresso and tasty focaccia sandwiches. They also offer a wide range of Italian products to enjoy at home, including handmade pasta and fresh sauces.

This delightful, primarily French-focused wine bar is an ideal place to sip a glass of crisp Chablis paired with pâté or oysters in the late afternoon. Enjoy your apéro indoors, where it’s vibrant and bustling, or on the sunny terrace when the weather is warm. Sample the clams with piment d’Espelette from the bar snacks, and don't forget to dip some sourdough bread into that spicy oil. If you're still hungry, visit after 5 p.m. for a three- or four-course dinner menu. Sommeliers Margot Los and Marjolein Peltzer are happy to help you choose the perfect wines to accompany your meal, many of which are available by the glass.

For many years, De Klepel has been a beloved spot for French bistro fare and a fantastic, reasonably priced wine list. The restaurant features set menus offering three or four courses, but you can also simply drop by the bar for a glass of wine and a light snack. The sommeliers are eager to assist you in selecting a wine by the glass and, if you feel inspired, they can recommend a pairing from the restaurant’s charcuterie and cheese offerings.

Choux represents a new wave of casual dining that is transforming the culinary landscape in Amsterdam, serving as a true champion of modern Dutch and vegetarian cuisine. Chef Merijn van Berlo crafts a menu centered around seasonal ingredients, utilizing vegetables, herbs, and flowers sourced from the urban garden behind the restaurant. While fish and meat are included, the vegan and vegetarian offerings showcase some of the most inventive vegetable-forward dishes in Europe. The impressive wine list features many unique selections. It's no surprise that they received an award for vegetable-forward cooking from Gault Millau in 2022.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest is the perfect spot to explore the expanding Dutch craft beer scene. With an impressive selection of 52 Dutch craft beers on tap and over 100 bottled options, it’s hard to find a better venue. Don’t fret; the enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff are ready to help you navigate the choices. If the drinks spark your appetite, be sure to check out the bar snack menu featuring top-notch Dutch charcuterie and cheese. Also, explore their offerings of ciders, liqueurs, whiskeys, and more than 40 types of jenevers, all produced in the Netherlands.

Nestled on Zeedijk in Chinatown, one of Amsterdam's oldest streets near the Red Light District, this cocktail bar is the brainchild of Tess Posthumus and Timo Janse, also co-owners of the popular Flying Dutchmen. Their drinks are inspired by iconic Dutch products, pubs, and figures, including King Willem-Alexander and Vincent van Gogh. The menu boasts an extensive selection of jenevers, featuring rare bottles collected by Posthumus on her travels. Don't miss the world's first kopstoot vending machine, serving jenever shots paired with beer.

Located on Tweede Hugo de Grootstraat, Viên is operated by a Dutch couple with Vietnamese heritage, specializing in various banh mi, including classic pork, beef, chicken, fried fish, and tofu options. Their thịt heo nướng is particularly noteworthy, featuring spicy marinated grilled pork in fluffy white bread, topped with mayonnaise, pickled carrot and daikon, red chile pepper, and coriander. Don’t forget to pair your meal with Vietnamese iced coffee or refreshing mango bubble tea.

A visit to Amsterdam isn't complete without indulging in fries, and Wil Graanstra’s iconic patatkraam (fries stand) ranks among the city's best. This family-run establishment has been serving customers next to the Westerkerk since 1956. Graanstra prepares fresh-cut potatoes on the spot, which can be savored simply with mayonnaise or ketchup. Arrive early; he often sells out by mid-afternoon.

Despite common misconceptions, Dutch herring isn't actually raw; it's salt-cured, giving it a texture that feels raw on the palate. Haring & Zo stands as one of the few places in Amsterdam to sample traditional, first-of-the-season herring, known as Hollandse nieuwe, typically available from early June. You can enjoy it plain, or enhance the flavor with classic sides of raw chopped onion and pickles.

At Gebr. Hartering, brothers Paul and Niek Hartering emphasize the use of local ingredients paired with exquisite wines. Begin your dining experience with fresh oysters or a selection of charcuterie, then enjoy the daily five- or seven-course menu, featuring their renowned dry-aged, charcoal-grilled prime rib. A fish alternative is also on offer, and the vegetable dishes promise to be creatively delightful.

Fromagerie Abraham Kef is a key supplier of cheese to numerous restaurants in Amsterdam. Established on Marnixstraat in 1953, this flagship store offers a chance to sample exceptional raw-milk cheeses and exquisite aged Dutch varieties (make sure to try the Remeker). In 2014, they expanded with a second location on Czaar Peterstraat and a tasting room at Van der Pekplein in Amsterdam Noord, but visiting the original shop is a must to experience its rich history.

Located in the western part of the city, this French bakery produces heavenly sourdough bread, delectable pain au chocolat, and exquisite cannelés. With a strong focus on craftsmanship, particularly fermentation, the bakers work continuously throughout the day, ensuring there's always something fresh to enjoy. On weekends, don't miss their tempting specials, which range from chocolate cruffins to savory croissants filled with cheese and homemade tapenade. Be sure to try the unique soft serve ice cream served in a croissant cone, and visit their stall at the Hermitage Markt, situated in the courtyard of the Hermitage museum on the Amstel.

Located in the charming Nine Streets neighborhood, this bubble tea shop started as a takeout concept. Known for its delightful bubble tea—especially the brown sugar milk tea with tapioca pearls and the mango jasmine tea with lychee jelly—Chun also serves remarkable sandwiches. Their fluffy, golden-brown toasted brioche, split from the top to create a perfect pocket, holds generous fillings. The creamy egg salad toast is simple yet fantastic, but the bulgogi toast steals the show with tender rib-eye strips in a Korean marinade, topped with boiled egg, spicy gochujang, and zesty yuzu mayonnaise.

Founded in 2011 by Chinese-Dutch filmmaker Fow Pyng Hu, Fou Fow Ramen began as a ramen stall on the second floor of the well-known Toko Dun Yong market on Zeedijk. Although that location has since closed, the brand expanded into three full restaurants: Fou Fow Ramen on Elandsgracht and Van Woustraat, as well as Fou Fow Udon on Prinsengracht. Don't miss the refined shio ramen, featuring salty chicken broth and sababushi (dried smoked mackerel), or the comforting tonkotsu ramen, a deeply flavorful hug in a bowl.

Renowned for its burgers, Rotisserie claims the title for the best in the city, thanks to its commitment to making everything from scratch. A standout is the royale with cheese, a double smash burger featuring cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a special burger sauce nestled in a fluffy bun. For the truly hungry, the Fucking Everything platter is a must-try, offering a feast of fried chicken, pulled pork sliders, buffalo hot wings, and chicken tenders. Don’t skip the turbo cheese fries on the side, generously topped with cheddar, scallions, crunchy chili flakes, and peanuts. There’s also a second location in the eastern part of Amsterdam.

Leading the charge in Amsterdam's rapidly expanding pizza scene, nNea specializes in modern Neapolitan-style pies. It made history as the first Dutch pizzeria to feature on the 50 Top Pizza Europe list, recognizing the best European pizzerias outside Italy. Rejecting the idea of pizza as mere fast food, the restaurant engages in an intricate process of fermenting, resting, and proofing their dough that can take up to five days. Chef Vincenzo Onnembo utilizes a striking yellow Pasquale Fazzone oven to bake the light, chewy crust, topped with the finest seasonal ingredients. nNea operates only for dinner, and securing a reservation is a must.

At first glance, Bar Centraal might appear to be just another pub, but this 'bistro extraordinaire' offers a fantastic selection of natural wines alongside exceptional dishes. The menu, featuring reasonably priced shareable plates, changes regularly, always showcasing unique and bold flavors. During the summer, the sun-drenched terrace on Ten Katestraat is the perfect spot to linger over a glass of orange wine, a cheese platter, or some utterly delightful lardo butter spread on bread.

For over 27 years, the Singh brothers have delighted patrons with incredible Surinamese cuisine at De Hapjeshoek (the Snack Corner) located within the Waterlooplein metro station. While you can savor delicious offerings like pom, roti, and bara in the café, grabbing a takeaway to enjoy on a nearby bench overlooking the Amstel river is also a great option. Don't miss the moksi meti, a fantastic deal at just 7.50 euros for a hearty meal of fried rice, noodles, or white rice topped with roasted chicken in kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), along with long beans and assorted vegetables.

Situated next to an old windmill, this Amsterdam brewery boasts a scenic canal-side location that makes its outdoor terrace a favored spot on sunny days. You'll find several of the brewery's own beers on tap, including the beloved Zatte and Natte, often accompanied by a special seasonal brew. A small assortment of bar snacks is also available, featuring traditional Dutch ossenworst, a smoked beef sausage sourced from the local butcher De Wit.

Nestled in a quiet courtyard, this all-day brunch spot is an ideal escape from the city's hustle, especially when you can relax on the outdoor terrace during summer. Treat yourself to the Benny Boy, featuring poached eggs, crispy bacon, and hollandaise atop their signature potato hash, or enjoy the chickpea fritters paired with whipped ricotta, preserved lemon relish, poached egg, fresh avocado, and homemade lemon thyme za’atar. Don’t forget to complement your meal with their outstanding spicy bloody mary. Dignita also has two other locations near Vondelpark and Westerpark, two of the city’s finest parks.

This traditional French bistro, nestled in the lively Helmersbuurt area of Old West Amsterdam, offers a taste of France with its charming terrace. The menu features classic dishes at appealing prices, including steak tartare, confit de canard, and escargot with herb butter. Don’t miss the fantastic crème brûlée for dessert. It’s advisable to make reservations, especially if you plan to enjoy an early dinner before catching a show at nearby venues like the DeLaMar or the Stadsschouwburg.

Spectrum, previously known as Librije’s Zusje, boasts two Michelin stars and offers a remarkable dining experience. Chef Sidney Schutte creates extraordinary dishes featuring inventive and often unexpected flavor pairings, such as Dutch lobster accompanied by duck tongue, duck liver, licorice, green apple, and pistou. The meticulous attention to detail, both in the presentation and the ambiance, makes every meal here a worthy indulgence.

This delightful Syrian deli located on Javastraat in Amsterdam East offers the finest homemade mezes. The welcoming staff can fill containers with baba ghanoush, hummus, or moutabal (a smoky aubergine, tahini, garlic, and yogurt dip). For lunch, savor Syrian bread filled with lamb shawarma or halloumi. Tigris also boasts the city’s best falafel, served with fresh cucumber, tomato, mint, iceberg lettuce, and pickled kohlrabi on exceptional flatbread.

The menu at Taste of Culture boasts a tantalizing selection, ranging from sophisticated dim sum to spicy mapo tofu, but patrons flock here for one signature dish: the city's best Peking duck, featuring succulent meat and perfectly crisp skin. As one of Amsterdam’s premier Chinese Mytouries, the restaurant serves the duck by the half or whole, accompanied by rice and an assortment of sauces, or sliced with delicate pancakes.

In 2020, the Bak team introduced a new venture: Bambino. Unlike the formal original restaurant that requires reservations, this casual sibling invites guests to savor one or two smaller dishes paired with natural wine. The menu, though limited, is inspiring, highlighting vegetables and seafood with the occasional meat addition. Be sure to explore the snack menu, featuring distinctive options like pimientos de padrón with oyster cream and sourdough toast topped with wild garlic butter.

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, Bouchon du Centre is a charming Lyonnaise bistro featuring traditional red-and-white checkered tablecloths. Owned by Hanneke Schouten for 23 years, the restaurant serves classic bouchon dishes like boudin noir aux pommes (blood sausage with apples), quenelles de brochet (pike dumplings), and oeufs en meurette (poached eggs in red wine). Don’t miss the charcuterie, sourced straight from Lyon. Reservations are advisable, and note that it currently opens for lunch only from Wednesday to Saturday.

Michelin-starred Rijks offers a refreshing take on dining within the Rijksmuseum, home to Dutch art and history. Curated by chef Joris Bijdendijk and his team, the menu features innovative small plates that creatively incorporate Dutch heritage ingredients. Guests can order a la carte or indulge in a five- or six-course tasting menu with wine or non-alcoholic pairings. Be sure to try the signature poultry dish featuring various preparations of Chaams hoen, a specialty Dutch fowl sourced from artisan poulterer Geert van der Kaa. Rijks also hosts collaborative dinners with renowned chefs from the global culinary scene.

Clos exudes the inviting ambiance of a quaint Mediterranean wine bar, albeit with a bit more room to breathe. The enticing menu boasts an impressive price-to-quality ratio, featuring surprising combinations and wines sourced from around the globe. This versatile venue is perfect for a laid-back gathering with friends over homemade cheese croquettes, a celebratory oyster and Champagne affair at the bar, or an elaborate multi-course fine dining experience with expertly paired wines.

A beloved spot for ice cream enthusiasts, Massimo boasts four locations across De Pijp, East, West, and South Amsterdam. The original branch, located on Van Ostadestraat and opened by owner Massimo Bertonasco in 2017, often sees long lines that are well worth the wait for exquisite gelato and sorbetto in traditional Italian flavors. While the chocolate is a fan favorite, don't miss out on the pistachio, fior di latte, or ricotta with figs. During the summer months, they also whip up fantastic iced coffee. For those with a sweet tooth and a bigger appetite, the brioche con gelato—a classic Sicilian delight—is a must-try.

This quaint Turkish kebab shop is a go-to for both chefs and locals, celebrated for its generous veal, chicken, and mixed doner sandwiches served in freshly baked pita. They also feature kapsalon (which translates to 'hairdresser'), a delectable Dutch invention consisting of fries stacked high with kebab and cheese, then grilled and topped with lettuce, garlic, and spicy sambal sauce. Only the most daring Dinogos should attempt to finish the entire dish.

Established in 2001, this renowned restaurant is celebrated for its farm-to-table philosophy and its distinctive setting within a vintage greenhouse dating back to 1926. The menu features produce sourced from the restaurant’s own gardens and greenhouse, alongside an array of meat and fish options. A five-course dinner is priced at 63 euros, making it slightly more expensive than typical local meals, while a three-course lunch is available for 41.50 euros. Vegetarian and vegan adaptations of the meals are also offered.

Since 2012, Rijsel has gained recognition as a trailblazer in the Amsterdam bistronomy scene. Under the guidance of Iwan Driessen, the kitchen serves up a menu filled with French and Flemish classics, including rotisserie chicken, Breton fish soup, huzarensalade (olivier salad), and sumptuous côte de boeuf. The wine selection at Rijsel is truly delightful, showcasing an exquisite array of Burgundy and Bordeaux options. Diners can choose individual dishes or opt for the three-course meal for a comprehensive experience.

Located in the Pijp district, Wijmpje Beukers feels like a snug culinary living room. Stop by for an unplanned dinner (reservations aren’t accepted) along with a perfectly shaken espresso martini. The budget-friendly, ever-evolving menu features a blend of meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes, focusing on unexpected pairings. For the less adventurous Dinogo, there are always a few classics available, such as beef carpaccio with basil pesto and bavette served with fries.