1 – Daalder: I cannot possibly say enough good things about this restaurant. The chef is a former upcoming star at some of Amsterdam’s best Michelin Star restaurants, who decided he wanted to open his own place that would provide similarly high-end food in a more casual atmosphere and more affordable prices. The chef’s tasting menu featuring an ever changing seasonal menu of locally sourced ingredients, expertly prepared in inventive molecular gastronomy fashion is probably the second best meal we’ve ever eaten after Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia. The price point is reasonable, the staff super attentive without being intrusive, the ambience is relaxing and causal, and best of all…their 5-7 course meal can be expertly paired with wines by their fantastic sommelier. The cost for a full 7 course wine pairing, which includes an aperitif before and after the meal, consists of essentially 9 full glasses of alcohol and would likely kill a full grown man, is incredibly reasonable as is. However, they also offer a half glass wine pairing which comes in at an even more reasonable price point of about 30EUR. Make sure to get reservations well in advance and don’t miss out on one of Amsterdam’s best and most reasonable restaurants
2 – Vuurtoreneiland: Take a boat to this secluded island where there is no running water or electricity and eat freshly prepared local ingredients cooked over an open flame in a green house or an underground bunker depending on season. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience and the food is fantastic.
3 – Jansz: Just look at that truffle tortellini dish pictured above. Just look at it. It’s perfect. And, your meal at Jansz will be perfect as well. Set inside an old apothecary, chef Jeroen Robberegt’s restaurant will amaze you with their inventive takes on classic dishes. The meals are bold and robust and full of flavor.
4 – Ciel Bleu: Elegant, high end and simply a world-class dining experience. Ciel Bleu is the type of white gloved, white linened, award winning restaurant that you save for a special occasion. They have an impressive panoramic view of the city to match their 2-Michelin Star menu. This is gastronomic experience featuring an ever changing seasonal menu full of ambitiously creative dishes.
5 – Wilde Zwijnen: Wilde Zwijnen means wild boar in Dutch. Set inside an industrial chic interior, this trendy spot is based off an exceedingly simple idea – you choose whether you want three or four courses, pick out your wine and then sit back and let the kitchen surprise you with an incredibly paired meal featuring fresh local products that change regularly. The one constant though is their namesake wild boar. Don’t leave without trying the boar. If you’re not in the mood for a full multi-course meal, head next door to their EatBar where you can get smaller individual plates for under 10EUR.
6 – Librije’s zusje: This Waldorf Astoria restaurant, which also goes by the name Spectrum, overlooking a delicate garden, is a posh upscale dining experience. The sister restaurant to world-renowned 3-Michelin Star Librije, this restaurant lives up to expectations with inventive and spectacularly balanced dishes like local lobster flavored with lemon geranium and lychee.
7 – Stork: Take the free ferry over to Noord and along the banks of the IJ River is this former factory which now serves up fresh daily caught seafood like lobsters, oysters and their ever changing catch of the day. This is the perfect spot to gorge on fresh seafood and white wine while watching the ships pass from their riverfront dock.
8 – Sinne: Another high-end Michelin Starred gastronomical experience. This tiny restaurant takes relatively simple dishes and creates beautifully plated works of art. A simple vegetable appetizer of celeriac on the menu can easily become celeriac from the bbq with 63 degrees egg yolk, hazelnut, hollandaise, garlic sauce and truffle by the time it reaches your plate. You won’t be bored by this interesting and unique menu.
9 – Moeders: Dutch for Mother’s, this restaurant is all about the home cooked comfort food. The only thing you should consider getting here is the stamppot. This combination of mashed potatoes, cabbage, bacon and sausage is the closest thing the Dutch have to a national dish. Check out the walls which offer a cool photo opportunity. The walls are covered from floor to ceiling with photos of actual customers’ mothers.
10 – Pesca: Self proclaimed the ‘Theatre of Fish’, this restaurant operates on a simple premise. You’ll arrive and be greeted with a glass of champagne as you’re directed to peruse the local catches of the day which are all laid out on ice stylishly under the Theatre of Fish sign. You’ll pick your seafood ingredients and grab a table while the kitchen prepares you a fantastic meal complete with sides and drinks based on your selections.
11 – Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs: a tiny attic pancake bistro with only 4 tables. About as quintessential Amsterdam as you can get. To get here you’ll have to walk up the narrow creaky steps of a 16th century home where you’ll find a quirky attic space complete with dozens of tea pots hanging from the ceiling. The menu is just pancakes…nothing but pancakes. The inventive toppings are the real stars of the show though.
12 – Bar Fisk: This Tel-Aviv based menu features small sharable plates and a seaside deck atmosphere. The menu provides a host of seafood, vegetarian and meat dishes that expertly mix dutch cuisine with middle eastern and Israeli flavors. If you can’t decide try the full experience, a personalized surprise menu served family style for the whole table to share.
13 – Restaurant GUTS: Right off of Rembrandtplein, this chic little trendy restaurant with exposed brick and Edison style lightbulbs serves up ever changing menus arranged around a different ingredient or theme. On any given night the ingredient could be fish or pork, there could be a theme of Japanese or Italian. You choose a tasting menu of 5 or 7 courses and sit back and wait for the chef to surprise you with artfully plated tasting platters.
14 – Conservatorium Brasserie & Lounge: Located in the historical Conservatorium Hotel, with floor to ceiling windows and a glass ceiling, this brasserie is one of Amsterdam’s most stunningly and jaw-droppingly beautiful places to eat. The dishes are decadent and delicious and fit the inspired atmosphere.
15 – Ron Gastrobar: Chef Ron Blaauw has been a star in the Amsterdam fine dining scene for years. Back in 2013, though he did the unthinkable, he shuttered the doors of his revered 2-Michelin Star restaurant at the peak of its popularity. Tired of the pretentiousness of the fine dining scene Chef Ron decided to open his more easygoing ode to gastronomy, Ron Gastrobar. The food is undeniably Michelin Star quality, but the atmosphere is more relaxed, chic and trendy. They are known for incredible dry aged steaks and gin and tonics. But, they also have a selection of smaller delicate plates like dim sum shrimp dumplings in shiitake and chorizo broth. Their 6 plate tasting menu and Ron’s special surprise egg desert are a must try if you ask us though.
16 – The White Room: Originally established in 1885, this is considered the oldest restaurant in Amsterdam. This is the type of incredibly upscale, old world royalty style, aristocratic elegance that you’ll save for special occasions. Chef Jacob Jan Boerma is known for his unique and inventive use of fruits and aromatic spices which he combines in gorgeously plated dishes. Choose between a 4, 6, or 8 course tasting menu.
17 – Vermeer: A nice place to stay in Amsterdam is the NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace Hotel. It’s one of the closest buildings to Centraal Station and a great place to stay if you are coming in by train and want to be able to walk with your suitcase right to the hotel. Inside that hotel is one of Amsterdam’s best restaurants. Industrial, rustic, chic decor compliments the tasting simple, but expertly balanced tasting menus of Chem Christopher Naylor.
18 – Risjel: Farm to table simple yet perfect dishes set inside a modern industrial, candle lit dining hall. The menu changes daily, featuring home cooked, farm style dishes like whole roast chicken. Their 3-course tasting menu at 41.50EUR is a steal.
19 – Restaurant Blauw: Specializing in the Dutch-Indonesian tradition of rijsttafel (rice table), Restaurant Blauw serves up an entire table full of shareable small plates that are designed to be eaten over rice. It’s a great place to go and have an affordable family style meal with a large group of people.
20 – Moon: Moon is Amsterdams only rotating sky restaurant. Located in the A’Dam Tower directly across from Centraal Station, this restaurant provides the best views in the entire city. But, don’t think this restaurant is only gimmicks and show…the food is off the charts as well and does a damn good job of pulling your attention away from the glorious view with shocking and bold, flavorful dishes.
21 – Le Restaurant: Set inside a cozy kitchen, this restaurant feels like being invited into someone’s personal home. The multi-dish tasting menus are inspired by classic french cuisine but infused with influences from South America, Morocco, Indonesia and China. Enjoy interesting takes on Dutch classics like Roast Dutch beef loin Gravy with Szechuan pepper and Mackeral ‘a la Plancha’ style.