26 Ideas and spots for the perfect first date in Amsterdam

Do you have a first date planned in Amsterdam and have no idea where to take him or her? Don't worry, we've got this! We know better than anyone that a first date can be very nerve-wracking and, above all, stressful. Naturally, you want to put your best foot forward. That's why we've lined up the best ideas for a first date in Amsterdam. From fun things to do to the best restaurants with the tastiest bites. And if the date turns out to be a success and you're looking for a romantic restaurant afterwards ? We have tips for that too! Have fun!

AMSTERDAM UPDATES

Sign up for the newsletter and receive the new AMSTERDAM BUCKETLIST BOOK for free.

* " indicates required fields

Phone number

This field is intended for validation purposes and should not be changed.

First name*

Email address*

Sign me up >

26 X first date in Amsterdam

With these tips, that first date will be planned in no time!

Restaurants for a first date in Amsterdam

Turbo Amsterdam

Turbo Amsterdam is a nod to the owners' favorite car: the Saab Turbo. Sadly, it's no longer produced, but Turbo Amsterdam is alive and kicking. This new spot—a sister to Café De Tros, also in Amsterdam East – is a hangout spot where you'd love to spend the whole day. Luckily, that's possible, because they serve coffee, brunch, snacks, and dinner. In short: a date that can last all day.
Reinwardtstraat 1, Amsterdam – turboamsterdam.nl

Turbo Amsterdam East

Eetcafé Edita

Eetcafé Edita Amsterdam was meant to be a place where you're reminded of beautiful moments with friends (or a new lover, in this case), preferably during a summer holiday in a Mediterranean region. Take the South of France, for example, a place where summer evenings seem to last forever. Owner Anna Meyer drew inspiration from this and opened Eetcafé Edita (Amsterdam West), named after her grandmother.
Jan van Galenstraat 92H, Amsterdam – eetcafe-edita.nl

© Eetcafé Edita, @Eetcafé.Edita

Bar Out

Bar Uyt is a delightful addition to Amsterdam-West. Opened in March 2024, it has since hosted several events and legendary evenings, perfect for a first date. For example, during King's Day, they hosted an all-day brunch with rosé (worth repeating, even outside of the holiday), and Bar Uyt regularly organizes wine tastings in collaboration with leading wine importers.
Second Kostverlorenkade 70, Amsterdam – baruyt.nl

© Bar Uyt, @baruyt_amsterdam

The Willem

De Willem is a well-known name in Amsterdam and the surrounding area. This cozy spot is always welcoming, and the staff makes you feel right at home. Besides an extensive drinks menu, they also serve non-alcoholic options. The menu is varied, but the truffle brioche is a firm favorite. Weather permitting, take a seat on the expansive terrace. Even a little sunshine is a joy to behold.
Haarlemmerplein 58, Amsterdam – de-willem.nl

Chick from the Prince's Lock

Kikkie van de Prinsensluis is a cozy, traditional Dutch pub that also hosts drinks on weekends. The menu is simple but simply delicious, and there are plenty of tables where you can relax during your first date.
Prinsenstraat 30, Amsterdam – kikkie.amsterdam

© Kikkie from the Prinsensluis

Ente

You could almost call owners Tim Werners and Natalie Kouwen 'old hands in the business'. After a long search, they found the perfect building on the Lindengracht, where Enté Amsterdam has settled down. In the "nouveau pub," they serve a short menu from noon to midnight, and you can always pop in for a drink at the bar.
Lindengracht 29, Amsterdam – enteamsterdam.nl

Libertine Café

Libertine Café is our favorite all-day spot in the Pijp and Noordermarkt districts. The atmosphere is always great, just like the food. Finished eating or enjoying drinks? Then take a stroll along the canals together—Amsterdam is incredibly romantic at night!
Noordermarkt 4 & Gerard Douplein 10H, Amsterdam – libertine.amsterdam

Bars for a first date in Amsterdam

Water edge

Experience a touch of colorful Suriname in Amsterdam at Waterkant. They have a long list of draft and bottled beers, wines, and mixed drinks. It's the perfect place for after-dinner drinks in Amsterdam.
Marnixstraat 246, Amsterdam – waterkantamsterdam.nl

Water edge

Language Coffee

For those who prefer not to head straight to the pub, a coffee bar is a good option. At Taal Coffee, everything is perfect: from the light green tiles, pink to-go cups, lots of windows, sleek tiles, and the super-smooth poured floor. The fact that they also serve excellent coffee and other unique drinks is just a bonus.
JJ Cremerplein 34, Amsterdam – Instagram

© Taal Coffee, @taal.coffee

Thijssen

Fancy more than just a drink? At Café Thijssen, you can test your general knowledge during a Quiz Night. Bring your friends along and try to win together. Even on weekends, you can enjoy a late-night drink after dinner.
Brouwersgracht 107, Amsterdam – cafethijssen.nl

© Café Thijssen

NO-YUSU

Just like Taal Coffee, NO-YUSU is not a pub, but a coffee bar and a place where the nicest people meet during the day. Amsterdam North is now the new home to many trendy specialty coffee shops. NO-YUSU Amsterdam (NO stands for North) is one of the newest additions to the list. It's a pleasant, inclusive place where everyone feels welcome and valued, and where the coffee always tastes good and the staff continues to surprise with homemade pastries. Ideal for a casual first date.
Korte Papaverweg 17, Amsterdam – yusu.coffee

© NO-YUSU, @yusu.coffee

Caravan

Every evening, you can enjoy a drink at Kwakersplein. The music is lively, and at the bar, you can order a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, a Bubb Royal Crémant, or a nice glass of white wine. It's a great place to go after dinner.
Kwakersplein 2, Amsterdam – karavaanamsterdam.nl

Caravan © Your Little Black Book

Café Twee Prinsen

Na Café Binnenvisser in Amsterdam West and Restaurant Corner Store In Amsterdam-Noord, the same team opened Café Twee Prinsen in Amsterdam City Center. Open seven days a week, from drinks until midnight, and also for lunch or brunch on weekends. Peering in through the large windows from the outside, you'll already see the charm of a modern Amsterdam brown café. This is the perfect place for delicious food and drinks, and in good weather, the canal-side terrace makes for a relaxed first date.
Prinsenstraat 27, Amsterdam Center – tweeprinsen.nl

© Two Princes, @tweeprinsen

Gurgling

Glouglou is a great spot for a first date in Amsterdam if you both enjoy a good glass of wine. Of course, you can also order some accompanying snacks, and you'll have the rest of De Pijp as a base for later in the evening.
Second van der Helststraat 3, Amsterdam – glouglou.nl

© Glouglou, @glouglouamsterdam

R. De Rosa

R. De Rosa in the Jordaan hosts a variety of fun evenings. From Yahtzee to theme nights and neighborhood drinks, there's always something going on. It's a cozy spot where you can enjoy a glass of natural wine in the evening and their delicious homemade snacks and strong coffee during the day.
Boomstraat 41, Amsterdam – rderosa.bar

© R. De Rosa, @cafe.r.de.rosa

Café of Mechelen

Do you both love craft beers? Start your date at Café van Mechelen in Amsterdam Zuid. Here you can enjoy tasting beers together while enjoying a beer platter with cheeses! Is your evening going well? The burgers here are also very tasty!
Sloterkade 96/97, Amsterdam – stadscafevanmechelen.nl

9 Fun Things to Do on a First Date in Amsterdam

The Movies

The Movies is Amsterdam's oldest cinema still in operation. It opened in 1912 as Tavenu, but it's been a household name for years now under its new name. Expect arthouse films and the latest blockbusters. You can also grab a bite to eat.
Haarlemmerdijk 161-163, Amsterdam – themovies.nl

The Movies

Beautiful Boules

Want to get your hands dirty? Then Mooie Boules is the place to be. Rent your own pétanque court and enjoy delicious snacks and drinks in the food court. A real playground for adults!
Zeeburgerpad 3, Amsterdam – mooieboules.nl/amsterdam

FC Hyena

This place is ideal for a first date. You can go here not only for a leisurely dinner, but also for a movie. This cinema and restaurant is located in Amsterdam North, highly recommended if you ask me.
Aambeeldstraat 24, Amsterdam – fchyena.nl

@fc hyena

plek

Pllek is a jack of all trades. In the summer, you can enjoy a beer together on the beach, grab a bite at the restaurant, check out the current exhibition, go to a great party in the evening, or take a yoga class in the morning!
TT Neveritaweg 59, Amsterdam – pllek.nl

(Food) festival

Keep an eye out for a fun festival coming up soon that you can go to together. The atmosphere is always amazing, so it’s guaranteed to be a great time. Check out the list of food festivals this year here >>

Concerts

Every weekend there are countless concerts that are also suitable for a first date. Everyone lets loose when going out, so the ice is likely to be broken quickly. Keep an eye on the Amsterdam Weekend Guide for the best concerts!

Arcades

In Amsterdam, you will find various arcades, the perfect place for a first date! For example, in Amsterdam you will find the gaming mecca PONG and the TonTon Club.

Swinging on the A'dam tower

If you ask me, this is one of the coolest attractions in Amsterdam. The ' Over The Edge ' swing on the roof of the A'dam Tower is located at a height of 100 meters. Not ideal if you suffer from a fear of heights, so ;-)!

more Amsterdam tips

The Filmhallen

The FilmHallen always has the latest offerings and a selection of great arthouse films. And of course, it's the perfect way to end your evening if you've dined at the FoodHallen beforehand.
Hannie Dankbaarpassage 12, Amsterdam – filmhallen.nl

| TIP: check here which films you want to see in the cinema this month >>

© Filmhallen