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 Best Restaurants in AmsterdamAmsterdam boasts a huge variety of restaurants for travellers
looking to spice up their taste adventure. The options, spread out
over more than 1,000 venues, range from French cuisine to
Indonesian take away and, naturally, there are plenty of authentic
Dutch alternatives (characterised by the use of smaller meats such
as sausage and an abundance of vegetables). Amsterdam has a very
strong tradition of cafeteria dining, including ''brown caf?©s'', so
named because of the dark, nicotine-stained walls and wooden
fittings. In this cozy places, you can sample the local beers
alongside staples such as steaks, satay and salads: a hearty and
cheap dining option. The array of caf?©s means travellers can enjoy
filling meals on even the tightest budget. Chinatown (along
Zeedijk, close to Nieuwmarkt) also offers a number of reasonably
priced Asian restaurants. At the other end of the scale, there are
some serious fine-dining options where you''ll pay up to
EUR80-EUR100 a head. While in Amsterdam, try some of the local snacks: savoury
pancakes (or
), pickled herring sold at brightly-coloured fish
stalls at canal intersections,
(a snack sausage served with mayonnaise, ketchup
and onions), and small windmill-shaped cookies called
that are traditionally dipped in coffee. Don''t
forget to look for the ''Vlaamse frieten'' signs to try chips/fries
the Dutch way: with mayonnaise! While breakfast will traditionally be served up until 10am,
lunch between 12pm and 2pm and dinner around 5pm to 8pm, the Dutch
prove to be versatile in both tastes and preferred eating hours,
with several restaurants and caf?©s operating into the wee hours of
the morning. This is especially true on the city''s vibrant
Leidseplein and Rembrandtsplein squares dedicated to late night
entertainment. Service is renowned for being poor in Amsterdam, as
a gratuity is often included and waiting staff do not rely on tips
for their salary. If you do receive good service, however, it is
polite to round up the bill to the nearest euro. If you do tip, it
is customary to leave it in cash rather than including it on a
credit card payment. |
Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs
At the top of a precipitous staircase, hungry visitors can pack
into this tiny pancake house for tea and sustenance. This one-man
operation serves up savoury and sweet pancakes at reasonable
prices. The service can be slow, but locals swear it's worth the
wait.
CUISINE: Local
Address: Grimburgwal 2, Medieval Centre |
Greetje
The place to go for authentic Dutch food. Greetje is located in
a district that includes many beautiful old buildings, and has a
great view of Montelbaanse Tower. It's known for having some of the
best service in Amsterdam, and offers up traditional Dutch recipes
with a modern flair. Try the taster platters for a sampling of many
different dishes. Greetje is open for dinner only, Tuesday through
Sunday from 6pm to 10pm.
CUISINE: Local
Address: Peperstraat 23-25
Website: www.restaurantgreetje.nl |
De Witte Uyl
A simple Amsterdam restaurant that serves delicious food in a
laid back yet sophisticated environment, De Witte Uyl is a popular
choice with locals and foreigners looking for a pleasurable night
out. While the soft rhythms of jazz music flow through the
restaurant, patrons can indulge in the flavours of the diverse
contemporary menu that offers dishes like steak of veal filled with
sage and pastrami, served with mashed sweet potato, brussel sprouts
and parmesan or warm cr?¨me of garden peas with mint, with home
smoked oysters and steamed wonton filled with ch?©vre, cr?¨me fraiche
and chives. Order two dishes and a desert for a fixed price and
scan the international winelist, which compliments the intricate
menu. Open for dinner, Tuesday to Saturday.
CUISINE: Modern Eclectic
Address: Frans Halsstraat 26
Website: www.witteuyl.com |
De Silveren Spiegel
The elegant Silveren Spiegel (Silver Mirror) is one of
Amsterdam's best known traditional restaurants, featuring a
romantic atmosphere enhanced by beautifully decorated candlelit
rooms in two historic houses. Highlights on the menu include
seafood and meat dishes both of which are cooked in traditional
Dutch manner.
CUISINE: Local
Address: Kattengat 4-6
Website: www.desilverenspiegel.com |
Rose's Cantina
Amsterdam's most popular Mexican-style bar buzzes with warm
Latin-American ambience and serves up notoriously potent margaritas
along with a number of food specialities. The menu includes regular
Mexican favourites like burritos, nachos and enchiladas. Fillet
steak and burgers are also available and are well complimented with
Mexican beer. Open daily from 5pm.
CUISINE: Spanish
Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 38-40
Website: www.rosescantina.com |
Pasta E Basta
The lively Pasta E Basta restaurant has hit on a gimmick that
draws customers as much as the delicious plates of pasta it serves:
the waiters and bartenders sing opera arias while they tend the
tables. This makes for a jovial atmosphere, where guests enjoy the
excellent wine list and superb Italian fare in an intriguing
environment. Bookings should be made well in advance. Open daily
from 6pm for dinner.
CUISINE: Italian
Address: Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 8
Website: www.pastaebasta.com |
Dynasty
Amsterdam is well supplied with oriental restaurants
particularly in its rejuvenated Chinatown district. One of the most
popular institutions, serving a mix of Asian cuisine from Chinese,
Thai and Vietnamese, to Malay and Filipino, is Dynasty. The themed
interior is exceedingly colourful, the ceiling adorned with
upturned paper umbrellas. A big attraction is the beautiful
Canalhouse Garden, usually packed out for summer dining.
Reservations essential. Closed Tuesdays.
CUISINE: Oriental
Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 30
Website: www.restaurantdynasty.nl |
Caf?© de Jaren
Contemporary and stylish, the chief attraction of the Caf?© de
Jaren is its waterfront terrace overlooking the Amstel River, in
the heart of the city. It makes for a great place for a pre dinner
drink, the sampling of a superb bottle of wine or enjoying a strong
coffee. The menu is varied and attractive, with fare ranging from
soups and sandwiches to steaks and pastas. With a classic French
feel to it, the high ceilings and tiled floors of the Caf?© de Jaren
exude a refined elegance. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
CUISINE: Gastropubs
Address: Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22
Website: www.cafe-de-jaren.nl |
D' Vijff Vlieghen
The 'Five Flies' is one of the world's famous restaurants,
oozing old-world charm with antiques and Rembrandt etchings on the
Spui, and offering New Dutch Cuisine, created using only fresh
Dutch products. Brass plaques on the chairs remind diners of the
famous names like Orson Welles and Walt Disney who have patronised
the rambling establishment that occupies five adjoining historic
houses. D'Vijff Vlieghen also offers an organic five-course
vegetarian meal. Open daily for dinner. Reservations advised.
CUISINE: Local
Address: Spuistraat 294-302 (opposite the Amsterdam Historical
Museum)
Website: www.d-vijffvlieghen.com |
Blauw aan de Wal
One of Amsterdam's delightful secrets, this charming restaurant
is peaceful and tranquil in the midst of a bustling Red Light
District. An alley leads patrons to the tiny square where Blauw aan
de Wal (Blue on the Quay) is hidden, a modern minimalist restaurant
with a courtyard that was once part of a monastery. The fare is
Mediterranean inspired and the service renowned for its excellence.
Reservations necessary. Closed Sunday. Dinner only.
CUISINE: French
Price Range: $$$
Address: Oude Zijds, Achterburgwal 99 |
Odeon
Once a rumpled teenage disco but now a revamped chic and
cosmopolitan restaurant, the Odeon attracts the stylish and
sophisticated diners of Amsterdam. A brassiere, restaurant and
nightclub spread over three floors, guests are ensured an
entertaining evening out. The restaurant serves fresh, simple and
contemporary cuisine and has an excellent wine list. The kitchen is
open daily from 11am to 10.30pm.
CUISINE: Modern Eclectic
Address: Singel 460, Rembrandtplein
Website: www.odeontheater.nl |
Caf?© Luxembourg
A large established eatery, Caf?© Luxembourg's affordable prices,
traditional atmosphere and superb food continue to draw crowds
throughout the year. With heavily wooded tables, a long, well
stocked bar, soft lighting and a pleasant atmosphere, Caf?©
Luxembourg is the ideal place for a lunchtime salad or sandwich,
evening drink accompanied by a mouth-watering array of snacks or a
laid back wholesome evening meal. In summer patrons can
people-watch from the bustling sidewalks and in winter friends and
couples can cosy up with a nice bottle of red or a crisp pint. If
you looking for a great meal at an affordable price, Caf?©
Luxembourg is the ticket. Open daily from 9am for lunch and
dinner.
CUISINE: Gastropubs
Address: Spuistraat 24
Website: www.cafeluxembourg.nl |
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| Travel guide by (c) Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. |
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