A Newcomer's Guide to Amsterdam Restaurants
Posted: Tue 24th Jul 2012 06:08 pm
So I hope I'm not being presumptuous here by starting this thread. I noticed that there isn't any stickied introductory thread or information here in the Food forum, so I figured it would be useful, especially for newcomers, to have a one-stop list of recommended food options. There's a lot of good information on the forum, but much of it's dispersed in different threads, many buried several pages back.
Feel free to add a restaurant, make suggestions, criticize or correct. This is just my personal attempt and I'd appreciate any improvements others can suggest. Most of these places I've been to and had delicious meals but for several, I'm relying on word of mouth until I get a chance to try them on my next trip.
I'm just gonna break it down by cuisine reserving the more snack-like items for the end.
Dutch food:
Cafe Loetje- an old-style Dutch restaurant on Johannes Vermeerstraat, near the Ruysdaelstraat stop on the 16 and 24 trams. About a block from the same bridge to De Pijp that'll bring you to Burgermeester. Often rude service(hey, it's Amsterdam) but they're famous for their steak, served in a heart-attack-inducing butter and meat sauce. It's delicious and reasonably-priced by Amsterdam standards. Closed on Sunday.
Hap-Hmm. - Not been, but I've heard it's inexpensive and highly delicious traditional Dutch food. It can get busy and no reservations, but supposedly worth it. On the first block from Nassaukade, one street up from Overtoom. Eerste Helmersstraat 33
Greetje- another highly-recommended Dutch restaurant I haven’t been to. Kinda close to Nieuwmarket. Peperstraat 23. Open at 6pm. About 25 euro per entrée.
Stoop & Stoop - supposedly a good place for hearty Dutch food, especially the ribs. Right near Leidseplein on the street where the Rokerij used to be. Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 82
Brasserie Vlaming- another recommended though pricy Dutch restaurant in the Jordaan. On the eastern side of Prinsengracht(one of the ring canals), near the Panckage bakery. Prinsengracht 193a. They also have a location on Lindengracht in the Jordaan. Lindengracht 95.
Van Dobben(recommended by Nimrod)- A deli/lunch counter serving croquettes, sandwiches and other hearty basics. Open to 21hrs on Mon-Wednesday, 1 on Thursday, 2 on Friday/Saturday and 18h on Sunday. Near Rembrandtplein. Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat is a small pedestrian-only sidestreet going on a kind of diagonal. It's in between Reguliersdwarsstraat and Reguliersbreestraat on the western side of the square. Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5-7-9.
Haesje Claes(recommended by Nimrod)- A multi-floor restaurant on Spuistraat. Open every day from 12 to 22. Mains between 16 and 25 euros. Spuistraat 273-275. By the Amsterdam Museum.
Moeders (recommended by matty223)- Specializes in Dutch comfort food. Open daily from 17h to 1h(kitchen closes at 22h30.) Mains between 17 and 19 euro. Rozengracht 251. Cross streets are Naussaukade and Marnixstraat.
Continental/European/Miscellaneous Cuisine including meat-heavy places:
Van Kerkwijk- A really awesome place with a rotating menu, all of which is delicious, right to the south of Dam Square(at 41 Nes) Only downside is it gets busy and there are no reservations.
Garlic Queen- a highly-rated restaurant with garlic as the main theme(you can always request it garlic free.) In between Ledisestraat and Vijzelstraat. Reguliersdwarsstraat 27
Rosa & Rita- never been, but it's come highly recommended. Specializing in steak and pizza, supposedly excelling at both. It's in the East, at Conradstraat 471, near a bunch of new islands that have a very modern and somewhat sterile look.
Balthazar’s Keuken- fancy, prix-fixe place in the Jordaan. Elandsgracht 108. About 30 euro per person before drinks IIRC.
De Kas- a highly-rated restaurant on the outskirts, focuses a lot on local sourcing and all that stuff. http://www.restaurantdekas.nl
De Klos- known for their steaks and meat. Dinner only. Kerkstraat 41-43, right off of Leidsestraat.
Cafe Bern- on Nieuwmarket, just past the Red Light District. Great fondue, nice atmosphere but if you're showing up at prime dinner hours, try to make a reservation.
Bickers aan de Werf- a small, local and smart restaurant. Not been but highly recommended. Off of Harrlemdijk. Bickerswerf 2
Asian(not including Surinamese or Indonesian):
Koh-i-Noor- supposedly the best Indian restaurant in the Dam. A bit pricey though- about 16 euro for a main course. At Westermarkt 29.
Wok to Walk- a chain with fairly decent wok food on the run. All over town.
Kam Yin- pan-Asian food that's actually really good. Warmoesstraat 6, at the North, near the top of Zeedijk.
Nam Kee- Oysters in black sauce their most famous dish. Zeedijk 111. If it's busy, try Nam Tin nearby (Jodenbreestraat 11-13) or New King (Zeedijk 115-117).
Thai Bird- pretty good Thai place on Zeedijk(the one-street Chinatown), has a cafe and a more traditional restaurant, serving the same food. Pretty good.
Bazaar- by the Alpert Cuyps market, a very spacious Middle-Eastern restaurant with good food and huge portions. Not mind-blowingly awesome, but very good.
De Aardige Pers - not been, but highly recommended Persian food in the Jordaan. 2e Hugo de Grootstraat 13
Indonesian:
Sama Sebo- near the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Vondelpark and Leidseplein. P.C. Hooftstraat 27.
Tempo Doeloe or Tujuh Maret(open for lunch)- recommended though touristy (and you hear occassional reports of slipping quality) on Utrechtstraat, just to the south of Rembrantsplein.
Indrapura on Rembrantsplein- I've never been but heard it's good though expensive.
Kantjil & de Tijger- (never been, heard it's good) on Spuistraat towards the south-west part of the main island.
Purimas in the touristy area just north of Leidseplein(Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 37.)
Kartika on Overtoom 68.
Surinamese:
Spang Makandra - good place near the Albert Cuypsmarket (Gerard Doustraat 39)
Albert Cuyp 67- both the address and name. Heard it's good.
Roopram Roti- famous for for roti(Eerste van Swindenstraat 4)
Eethuis Marlon- specializes in saoto ajam, an Indonesian-inspired soup. 1e Van der Helststraat 55.
De Tokoman- on Waterlooplein towards the East, near the Jewish Historical Museum, famous for their broodje pom.
Warung Mini- not been there yet(on the list for my next trip), but highly recommended Surinamese joint, famous for their saoto soup, ‘broodje pom‘, roti, and fritta.
Mexican:
The Taco Shop- if you get a craving for Mexican food, this is pretty much the best option in town. It's at Tolstraat 200, right on the eastern edge of De Pijp. Small and cantina-style.
Los Pilones- questionable quality, but if you're just looking for some greasy Mexican food and margaritas, this seems to be the best place in town. One location on Kerkstraat 63, off of Ledisestraat. And one in the Jorddan, right off of Westerstraat. 1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 4.
Aussie/New Zealand:
Alfie's, Wild Moa Pies- both restaurants(run separately) specialize in Aussie/Kiwi meat pies. Both are in De Pijp. Alfie's is at Ceintuurbaan 231(just East of Sarphatipark) Wild Moa is Van Ostadestraat 147(just south of Sarphatipark)
Pizza:
Yam-Yam. Out in the West, Frederik Hendrikstraat 88-90
La Perla- in the Jodaan, Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 14. Not much room but delicious.
Da Portare Via- two locations. One in Jordaan, which is take-away only(Leliegracht 34) and the other in De Pijp with room to sit and dine(Frans Halsstraat 63)
Restaurant Forno Communale- to the West, behind Overtoom(which runs parallel to the Vondelpark).Rhijnvis Feithstraat 43
Renato’s Trattoria- in De Pijp, Karel du Jardinstraat 32.
MangiAncora- in the Southern part of De Pijp, haven't tried, but heard great things. Ferdinand
Bolstraat 170.
De Pizzabakkers- a highly-recommended but very small pizza place (Naples-style I believe) on Haarlemmerdijk, a little more than 3 blocks west of Barney’s; cross-street is Binnen Dommersstraat, just past the bagels and beans. Don’t accept cash: card only. Haarlemmerdijk 128. Also has a location on Overtoom 501 about a block before the bridge to Surinameplein. Open 15-22 hours (23 on Fridays and Saturdays) And a location in Plantage.Plantage Kerklaan 2. This one is open 11-22(23 on Friday & Saturday) Just a note: the Haarlemmerdijk location gets crowded and doesn’t take reservations but the other two do.
Fries(Vlaamse Friet):
Vleminckx Sausmeesters- off of Spui, at the bottom of the main island. Near the Dampkring. Open from 11 to 18h(17h30 on Sunday.) Voetboogstraat 31
Manneken Pis- on the terrible and touristy Damrak(right across from the Grasshopper) but pretty good fries. Damrak 41
There's also a stall open during the day at Westermarkt that's supposedly really good. On the third island in the Jordaan, between Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht. Closed on Sundays.
Haerlemsche Vlaamse (Spekstraat 3) – The best fries in Haarlem, located on the Grote Markt.
Kibbeling and lekkerbek- Dutch style fried food. Recently discovered this, so haven't had a chance to vet any of these yet.
Look in the markets- often a good source. You want it fresh out of the fryer, so look for a busy place.
V.O.F. Vishandel- snack shop close to Centraal Station. Haarlemmerdijk 4.
Vishandel Molenaar at Albert Cuypstraat 93, the block after Ferdinand Bolstraat(also, the block right before Katsu)
Sandwiches/Burgers
Burger Bar has three locations. Opinions are mixed: often a good burger, but often soggy and there seems to be reports of staff intentionally ripping off customers, especially in the location off of Neuwendijk.
Getto- Not been, but supposedly a great burger joint. Largely gay clientele, in the Red Light District. Opens at 6pm. Warmoesstraat 51
Burgermeester- in my opinion, the best hamburger in Amsterdam. There are no super central locations; you've gotta go to the Jordaan, Plantage or De Pijp. The burgers are excellent and the selection includes lamb burgers, salmon burgers and veggie burgers but there are no fries(owner doesn't want the place to smell like grease.) There are three locations: one in the Jordaan, on Elandsgracht; one near Artis/Plantage, Plantage Kerklaan 37; and one in De Pijp(Albert Cuypstraat 48, near De Graal.
Broodje Bert is widely considered the best sandwich shop in Amsterdam, though I've yet to visit myself. Singel 321 towards the bottom of the main island. Just down the street from the Cracked Kettle beer shop.
't Kuyltje- A decent take-away sandwich shop. On the first ring. Street is Paleistraat/Damstraat/Hartenstraat. Gasthuismolensteeg 9. Closed on weekends.
Dutch Pancakes- more like crepes than American-style pancakes.
Pancake Bakery- the most touristy option but decent food. In the Jordaan on Prinsengracht 191a.
Pannekoekenhuis Upstairs- a tiny little place up a steep set of stairs on Grimburgwal 2.
Pancakes! - in the Jordaan. Berenstraat 38.
Or consider taking an all-you-can-eat pancake cruise on the Pancake Boat: http://www.pannenkoekenboot.com/home.aspx
Gourmet cafeterias:
Vapiano- has a two story-space including a bar area. That's at the OBA central library, very close to Central Station. To get there, basically head eastward on the Central Station island(or head out back, eastward along Piet Heinkade and make a right before leaving the island).
La Place- another good choice. They also have a location at the OBA Library on the 7th floor. They've got a location further south at Rokin 160 at the Vroom and Dreesman(V&D) department store, about half a block before Muntsplein and really close to the Dampkring(from there, head down that shopping street eastward and make a right on Rokin.). Open 10(except Sunday & Monday when it's noon) 'til 19h30 or 21h Thursday-Saturday. There's also one in Haarlem at Grote Houtstraat 70, a few blocks south of the Grote Markt. Open 'til 18h.
Feel free to add a restaurant, make suggestions, criticize or correct. This is just my personal attempt and I'd appreciate any improvements others can suggest. Most of these places I've been to and had delicious meals but for several, I'm relying on word of mouth until I get a chance to try them on my next trip.
I'm just gonna break it down by cuisine reserving the more snack-like items for the end.
Dutch food:
Cafe Loetje- an old-style Dutch restaurant on Johannes Vermeerstraat, near the Ruysdaelstraat stop on the 16 and 24 trams. About a block from the same bridge to De Pijp that'll bring you to Burgermeester. Often rude service(hey, it's Amsterdam) but they're famous for their steak, served in a heart-attack-inducing butter and meat sauce. It's delicious and reasonably-priced by Amsterdam standards. Closed on Sunday.
Hap-Hmm. - Not been, but I've heard it's inexpensive and highly delicious traditional Dutch food. It can get busy and no reservations, but supposedly worth it. On the first block from Nassaukade, one street up from Overtoom. Eerste Helmersstraat 33
Greetje- another highly-recommended Dutch restaurant I haven’t been to. Kinda close to Nieuwmarket. Peperstraat 23. Open at 6pm. About 25 euro per entrée.
Stoop & Stoop - supposedly a good place for hearty Dutch food, especially the ribs. Right near Leidseplein on the street where the Rokerij used to be. Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 82
Brasserie Vlaming- another recommended though pricy Dutch restaurant in the Jordaan. On the eastern side of Prinsengracht(one of the ring canals), near the Panckage bakery. Prinsengracht 193a. They also have a location on Lindengracht in the Jordaan. Lindengracht 95.
Van Dobben(recommended by Nimrod)- A deli/lunch counter serving croquettes, sandwiches and other hearty basics. Open to 21hrs on Mon-Wednesday, 1 on Thursday, 2 on Friday/Saturday and 18h on Sunday. Near Rembrandtplein. Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat is a small pedestrian-only sidestreet going on a kind of diagonal. It's in between Reguliersdwarsstraat and Reguliersbreestraat on the western side of the square. Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5-7-9.
Haesje Claes(recommended by Nimrod)- A multi-floor restaurant on Spuistraat. Open every day from 12 to 22. Mains between 16 and 25 euros. Spuistraat 273-275. By the Amsterdam Museum.
Moeders (recommended by matty223)- Specializes in Dutch comfort food. Open daily from 17h to 1h(kitchen closes at 22h30.) Mains between 17 and 19 euro. Rozengracht 251. Cross streets are Naussaukade and Marnixstraat.
Continental/European/Miscellaneous Cuisine including meat-heavy places:
Van Kerkwijk- A really awesome place with a rotating menu, all of which is delicious, right to the south of Dam Square(at 41 Nes) Only downside is it gets busy and there are no reservations.
Garlic Queen- a highly-rated restaurant with garlic as the main theme(you can always request it garlic free.) In between Ledisestraat and Vijzelstraat. Reguliersdwarsstraat 27
Rosa & Rita- never been, but it's come highly recommended. Specializing in steak and pizza, supposedly excelling at both. It's in the East, at Conradstraat 471, near a bunch of new islands that have a very modern and somewhat sterile look.
Balthazar’s Keuken- fancy, prix-fixe place in the Jordaan. Elandsgracht 108. About 30 euro per person before drinks IIRC.
De Kas- a highly-rated restaurant on the outskirts, focuses a lot on local sourcing and all that stuff. http://www.restaurantdekas.nl
De Klos- known for their steaks and meat. Dinner only. Kerkstraat 41-43, right off of Leidsestraat.
Cafe Bern- on Nieuwmarket, just past the Red Light District. Great fondue, nice atmosphere but if you're showing up at prime dinner hours, try to make a reservation.
Bickers aan de Werf- a small, local and smart restaurant. Not been but highly recommended. Off of Harrlemdijk. Bickerswerf 2
Asian(not including Surinamese or Indonesian):
Koh-i-Noor- supposedly the best Indian restaurant in the Dam. A bit pricey though- about 16 euro for a main course. At Westermarkt 29.
Wok to Walk- a chain with fairly decent wok food on the run. All over town.
Kam Yin- pan-Asian food that's actually really good. Warmoesstraat 6, at the North, near the top of Zeedijk.
Nam Kee- Oysters in black sauce their most famous dish. Zeedijk 111. If it's busy, try Nam Tin nearby (Jodenbreestraat 11-13) or New King (Zeedijk 115-117).
Thai Bird- pretty good Thai place on Zeedijk(the one-street Chinatown), has a cafe and a more traditional restaurant, serving the same food. Pretty good.
Bazaar- by the Alpert Cuyps market, a very spacious Middle-Eastern restaurant with good food and huge portions. Not mind-blowingly awesome, but very good.
De Aardige Pers - not been, but highly recommended Persian food in the Jordaan. 2e Hugo de Grootstraat 13
Indonesian:
Sama Sebo- near the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Vondelpark and Leidseplein. P.C. Hooftstraat 27.
Tempo Doeloe or Tujuh Maret(open for lunch)- recommended though touristy (and you hear occassional reports of slipping quality) on Utrechtstraat, just to the south of Rembrantsplein.
Indrapura on Rembrantsplein- I've never been but heard it's good though expensive.
Kantjil & de Tijger- (never been, heard it's good) on Spuistraat towards the south-west part of the main island.
Purimas in the touristy area just north of Leidseplein(Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 37.)
Kartika on Overtoom 68.
Surinamese:
Spang Makandra - good place near the Albert Cuypsmarket (Gerard Doustraat 39)
Albert Cuyp 67- both the address and name. Heard it's good.
Roopram Roti- famous for for roti(Eerste van Swindenstraat 4)
Eethuis Marlon- specializes in saoto ajam, an Indonesian-inspired soup. 1e Van der Helststraat 55.
De Tokoman- on Waterlooplein towards the East, near the Jewish Historical Museum, famous for their broodje pom.
Warung Mini- not been there yet(on the list for my next trip), but highly recommended Surinamese joint, famous for their saoto soup, ‘broodje pom‘, roti, and fritta.
Mexican:
The Taco Shop- if you get a craving for Mexican food, this is pretty much the best option in town. It's at Tolstraat 200, right on the eastern edge of De Pijp. Small and cantina-style.
Los Pilones- questionable quality, but if you're just looking for some greasy Mexican food and margaritas, this seems to be the best place in town. One location on Kerkstraat 63, off of Ledisestraat. And one in the Jorddan, right off of Westerstraat. 1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 4.
Aussie/New Zealand:
Alfie's, Wild Moa Pies- both restaurants(run separately) specialize in Aussie/Kiwi meat pies. Both are in De Pijp. Alfie's is at Ceintuurbaan 231(just East of Sarphatipark) Wild Moa is Van Ostadestraat 147(just south of Sarphatipark)
Pizza:
Yam-Yam. Out in the West, Frederik Hendrikstraat 88-90
La Perla- in the Jodaan, Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 14. Not much room but delicious.
Da Portare Via- two locations. One in Jordaan, which is take-away only(Leliegracht 34) and the other in De Pijp with room to sit and dine(Frans Halsstraat 63)
Restaurant Forno Communale- to the West, behind Overtoom(which runs parallel to the Vondelpark).Rhijnvis Feithstraat 43
Renato’s Trattoria- in De Pijp, Karel du Jardinstraat 32.
MangiAncora- in the Southern part of De Pijp, haven't tried, but heard great things. Ferdinand
Bolstraat 170.
De Pizzabakkers- a highly-recommended but very small pizza place (Naples-style I believe) on Haarlemmerdijk, a little more than 3 blocks west of Barney’s; cross-street is Binnen Dommersstraat, just past the bagels and beans. Don’t accept cash: card only. Haarlemmerdijk 128. Also has a location on Overtoom 501 about a block before the bridge to Surinameplein. Open 15-22 hours (23 on Fridays and Saturdays) And a location in Plantage.Plantage Kerklaan 2. This one is open 11-22(23 on Friday & Saturday) Just a note: the Haarlemmerdijk location gets crowded and doesn’t take reservations but the other two do.
Fries(Vlaamse Friet):
Vleminckx Sausmeesters- off of Spui, at the bottom of the main island. Near the Dampkring. Open from 11 to 18h(17h30 on Sunday.) Voetboogstraat 31
Manneken Pis- on the terrible and touristy Damrak(right across from the Grasshopper) but pretty good fries. Damrak 41
There's also a stall open during the day at Westermarkt that's supposedly really good. On the third island in the Jordaan, between Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht. Closed on Sundays.
Haerlemsche Vlaamse (Spekstraat 3) – The best fries in Haarlem, located on the Grote Markt.
Kibbeling and lekkerbek- Dutch style fried food. Recently discovered this, so haven't had a chance to vet any of these yet.
Look in the markets- often a good source. You want it fresh out of the fryer, so look for a busy place.
V.O.F. Vishandel- snack shop close to Centraal Station. Haarlemmerdijk 4.
Vishandel Molenaar at Albert Cuypstraat 93, the block after Ferdinand Bolstraat(also, the block right before Katsu)
Sandwiches/Burgers
Burger Bar has three locations. Opinions are mixed: often a good burger, but often soggy and there seems to be reports of staff intentionally ripping off customers, especially in the location off of Neuwendijk.
Getto- Not been, but supposedly a great burger joint. Largely gay clientele, in the Red Light District. Opens at 6pm. Warmoesstraat 51
Burgermeester- in my opinion, the best hamburger in Amsterdam. There are no super central locations; you've gotta go to the Jordaan, Plantage or De Pijp. The burgers are excellent and the selection includes lamb burgers, salmon burgers and veggie burgers but there are no fries(owner doesn't want the place to smell like grease.) There are three locations: one in the Jordaan, on Elandsgracht; one near Artis/Plantage, Plantage Kerklaan 37; and one in De Pijp(Albert Cuypstraat 48, near De Graal.
Broodje Bert is widely considered the best sandwich shop in Amsterdam, though I've yet to visit myself. Singel 321 towards the bottom of the main island. Just down the street from the Cracked Kettle beer shop.
't Kuyltje- A decent take-away sandwich shop. On the first ring. Street is Paleistraat/Damstraat/Hartenstraat. Gasthuismolensteeg 9. Closed on weekends.
Dutch Pancakes- more like crepes than American-style pancakes.
Pancake Bakery- the most touristy option but decent food. In the Jordaan on Prinsengracht 191a.
Pannekoekenhuis Upstairs- a tiny little place up a steep set of stairs on Grimburgwal 2.
Pancakes! - in the Jordaan. Berenstraat 38.
Or consider taking an all-you-can-eat pancake cruise on the Pancake Boat: http://www.pannenkoekenboot.com/home.aspx
Gourmet cafeterias:
Vapiano- has a two story-space including a bar area. That's at the OBA central library, very close to Central Station. To get there, basically head eastward on the Central Station island(or head out back, eastward along Piet Heinkade and make a right before leaving the island).
La Place- another good choice. They also have a location at the OBA Library on the 7th floor. They've got a location further south at Rokin 160 at the Vroom and Dreesman(V&D) department store, about half a block before Muntsplein and really close to the Dampkring(from there, head down that shopping street eastward and make a right on Rokin.). Open 10(except Sunday & Monday when it's noon) 'til 19h30 or 21h Thursday-Saturday. There's also one in Haarlem at Grote Houtstraat 70, a few blocks south of the Grote Markt. Open 'til 18h.
