25 restaurants in Amsterdam where you simply must eat at least once

Yourlbb's favorite restaurants in Amsterdam!

As foodies, we regularly dine at fantastic restaurants in Amsterdam. Whether it's new gems, old classics, or all-time favorites, there are so many great, fun, and wonderful restaurants and hotspots in Amsterdam to grab a bite! Curious which restaurants you absolutely have to try and which are our personal favorites? Then read on! We've listed no fewer than 25!

More restaurants in Amsterdam

Cafe Panache

Café Panache is located in a former market warehouse, around the corner from the Ten Kate Market. It's a beautiful, spacious hotspot with an urban-chic interior. Everything here revolves around shared dining, and fun fact: the food is prepared with ingredients from the market around the corner!
Read the extensive blog about Café Panache here >>

Happyhappyjoyjoy

Asian hotspot Happyhappyjoyjoy is here to satisfy our dim sum cravings! Their menu features Asian street food, YUM! Red dominates the decor, and the Asian posters on the wall and geisha parasols on the ceiling evoke a colorful Asian street market.
Read the extensive blog about Happyhappyjoyjoy here >>

De Luwte

A popular spot for celebrating or looking for a romantic restaurant hotspot. No restaurant is as warm and inviting as De Luwte! The menu features modern Mediterranean dishes that we at Yourlbb regularly enjoy.
Read the extensive blog about De Luwte here >>

Kaagman & Kortekaas

Opened last year in the heart of the city center: Kaagman & Kortekaas. A hidden gem serving French cuisine. A restaurant to go to if you're looking for a truly good meal with friends or if you have something special to celebrate. With a simpler, yet all the more stylish interior and fantastic food.
Read the extensive blog about Kaagman & Kortekaas here >>

Crowbar

Within walking distance of the Noordermarkt is the cozy Italian restaurant Koevoet. A traditional Dutch café, decorated in the style of the 40s, you can enjoy classic Italian cuisine here. While there are no pizzas on the menu, they offer delicious antipasti, fish, and meat dishes.
Read the extensive blog about Koevoet here >>

Toscanini

And to stay with the Italian vibe for a moment: Restaurant Toscanini in the Jordaan district is a must-have on our list of favorites! The restaurant is a well-known name in Amsterdam. Here you can enjoy authentic Italian food, and the six-course tasting menu is always a hit. The decor is equally authentic, with a large open kitchen.
Read the extensive blog about Toscanini here >>

Bordeaux

Bord'Eaux is one of Amsterdam's top restaurants. The restaurant at Hotel L'Europe serves nothing but culinary delights, particularly those from the French kitchen. Highly recommended: the five- or six-course menu for a very reasonable price.
Check the Bord'Eaux website for more information >>

Restaurant C

At the beautifully decorated Restaurant C, they operate with a truly unique concept. Everything here revolves around degrees Celsius. Small dishes are prepared at different temperatures. Fun and super delicious!
Read the extensive blog about Restaurant C here >>

LaStage

If you can't get enough of French cuisine, Lastage is a must-visit. This restaurant, just around the corner from the Red Light District, serves classic French dishes. The menu features 12 dishes, allowing you to create your own menu. You can choose the order and quantity yourself. Fun!
Check the Lastage website for more information >>

Gilding Unicorn

In Amsterdam East, an urban farm has been transformed into a restaurant and bar where you'll feel like you're far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. At Vergulden Eenhoorn, they serve local dishes like roasted chicken thigh with crayfish, spring onion, and curry mayonnaise. Or fried mackerel with fennel salad, kohlrabi, and anchovy mayonnaise. Delicious!
Read the extensive blog about Vergulden Eenhoorn here >>

Venus & Adonis

Venus & Adonis is a steak restaurant on Prinsengracht. It's a favorite because they serve delicious surf and turf (not just lobster and tournedos here, but a Venus of Adonis steak with a "Black Tiger" prawn or a grilled "spiny lobster" tail), but also because of the beautiful decor. Classic with a modern touch. Dark wood, green chairs, tiled floors. Warm, timeless, cozy, and trendy.
Read the extensive blog about Venus & Adonis here >>

Brine

Salmuera is a great spot for both meat and fish lovers. This restaurant, featuring Argentinian cuisine with a modern twist, serves meat dishes from the charcoal asado grill, and they also have a ceviche bar! Enjoy a cozy evening with cocktails at the bar and some bar bites, or dine in the restaurant area.
Read the extensive blog about Salmuera here >>

&moshik

In the lounge at &Moshik, you can enjoy street food (and that alone makes us absolutely thrilled, of course). But, if you're truly looking for culinary delights, head to the restaurant. Chef Moshik experiments freely in the restaurant, and you can enjoy top-notch food with two Michelin stars. An absolute must-try: the tomato burger!

Lille

Restaurant Rijsel is located in a former domestic science school and serves French cuisine. Affordable and delicious! It's consistently packed every night, and we're not surprised: here, it's all about pure, authentic food. Reservations are recommended!
Read the extensive blog about Lille here >>

Hotel de Goudfazant

Hotel de Goudfazant is a favorite restaurant in Noord. Located in a former garage, this hotspot has the cool industrial look you expect in Noord. French cuisine is served here, and you can expect a variety of classics on the menu.
Read the extensive blog about Hotel De Goudfazant here >>

Mr. Porter

Mr. Porter, the W Hotel's signature restaurant, is a steakhouse. They serve high-quality culinary creations, and meat lovers in particular will find plenty to enjoy. The menu also features a variety of fish and vegetable appetizers. All are meant to be shared, by the way, because shared dining is simply so much fun. Tip: enjoy a cocktail at the bar before or after your meal!
Read the extensive blog about Mr Porter here >>

Cabbage

Let's be honest: there aren't many truly good, charming restaurant hotspots near Central Station. But one you absolutely must try is Choux! For pure flavors, local ingredients, and delicious meals. The menu changes regularly, which is always a plus, and the menu features 3-, 4-, or 7-course options.
Read the extensive blog about Choux here >>

Wild Boars

Wilde Zwijnen in Amsterdam East has been a favorite since day one. They serve fantastic fish, meat, and vegetarian dishes. The wooden tables with old school chairs, a lot of white, and industrial elements create a pleasant, cozy atmosphere. Also a favorite: their little brother Wild Boar Food Bar!
Read the extensive blog about Wild Boars here >>

The Duchess

Also located in the W Hotel: The Duchess! Its look and feel are a tad more upscale than Mr. Porter's, thanks to the original ornamentation, high ceilings, gold, and marble. Here you can order Italian/French dishes that you can share with others. It's not exactly cheap, but it's delicious!
Read the extensive blog about The Duchess here >>

Volt

Another place we at Yourlbb love to eat: gastrobar Volt on the Ferdinand Bol. This bar is packed every evening, and reservations are recommended. And with good reason, because the food is excellent and they have a variety of (special) beers and G&Ts on the menu. The menu also features organic dishes inspired by French cuisine. A bonus: the menu changes regularly!
Read the extensive blog about Volt here >>

MOS

Dining with a view of the IJ River? You can at restaurant Mos! This renovated spot looks stunning: high ceilings and no fewer than three floors, plus a large bar on the ground floor. And what's fun: the interior is inspired by elements of Paris and Marrakech. That touch of Paris is also reflected in the French menu, with dishes like sea bass ceviche, anchovy paella, and spring chicken.
Read the extensive blog about Mos here >>

Café Modern

Café Modern is a place where you'll instantly feel at home. This restaurant in the Van der Pekbuurt neighborhood in North Amsterdam is housed in a former bank building. But the vintage design makes it a truly charming spot. Their menu is a constant surprise, thanks to the table d'hôte concept. And don't forget: during the day, Café Modern transforms into a lunch and brunch spot. Jacques Jour!
Read the extensive blog about Café Modern here >>

Blauw aan de Wal

In the heart of the Red Light District lies Blauw aan de Wal, a restaurant housed in a former warehouse. Here, the cuisine is inspired by seasonal ingredients, with favorites including Scottish razor clams and Zeeland flathead clams, fresh peas, summer chanterelles, Vialone nano risotto, wild sea bass, Ibérico pork, buffalo ricotta, and Valrona chocolate.
Check the Blauw aan de Wal website for more information >>

Senses

Looking for a must-visit restaurant in De Pijp? Then Sinne on Ceintuurbaan is highly recommended. This Michelin-starred restaurant serves classic French/Mediterranean dishes at a surprisingly good price. It has the look and feel of a neighborhood restaurant, and what do we secretly love? But with Michelin-starred cuisine.
Read the extensive blog about Sinne here >>

Café de klepel

We round off the list with this gem on the Prinsengracht canal. Not so long ago, Café de Klepel transformed from a traditional Dutch pub into a restaurant. Here, they operate on a table d'hôte concept, meaning you can expect a daily changing menu. It's also a great place to pop in for a good glass of wine with a charcuterie or cheese platter.
Read the extensive blog about Café de Klepel here >>

Enjoy your dinner at one of these must-visit restaurants in Amsterdam!

Looking for a nice hotel in Amsterdam?

» The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel on the canal.
» Sir Adam: with the coolest view of Amsterdam.
» Pillows Anna van den Vondel: staying near the Vondelpark.
» Hotel Mercier: new hotel hotspot in the Jordaan.
» Hotel V: with two locations, in the at the center en East.
» Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canal on the border of Nine Streets and Jordaan.
» Hotel Dwars: small-scale and around the corner from the Utrechtsestraat.
» INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city centre.
» Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building near the Westergasterrein.
» The Volkshotel: affordable and with an awesome rooftop.
» The Student Hotel: budget proof in hip East.
» QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with cool sky bar.
» Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
» Generator Hostel: the nicest poshtel in town.

Looking for something fun to do in Amsterdam? My tips:

PSSSST... you can find more (travel) tips in my books!

• Feed Your Wanderlust – Travel Guide for a bohemian lifestyle
• staycation – 22 guides and shortlists for a holiday close to home
• Wanderlust – Urban Travel Style Guide
• The Amsterdam City Guide (Dutch) & The Amsterdam City Guide (English)

Great as a gift for yourself or someone who loves to travel as much as you do!

WITH LOVE,

ANNE