Amsterdam may have an unfortunate reputation for serving up bland Dutch fare, but its restaurant scene is flourishing. Offering anything from tasting menus in historic dining rooms to spicy Surinamese and Indonesian fare, Amsterdam restaurants boast an incredible range of flavors and styles to satisfy even the pickiest diner.
Feeling peckish in the center of town? Try a Kapsalon sandwich from Dutch hair salons – made up of doner meat, fries and various toppings.
Restaurant Breda
Restaurant Chocolat in Breda stands out as an exceptional dining experience, blending French and Asian cuisine with contemporary contemporary dishes in an atmosphere filled with glamorous images adorning its walls and trendy chocolate-colored furniture. Chef Dorus Clement takes great delight in exploring various flavors; using ingredients such as vadouvan and yuzu for his creative dishes.
Tante Betsie (Aunt Betsie) Restaurant provides an intimate setting, similar to visiting with one of your aunts. Their delicious cuisine and friendly service, along with reasonable prices make this an excellent place for families looking for quality time together.
Restaurant Breda honors the rich culinary tradition of Brabant region in southern Netherlands where its three founders – two chefs and a sommelier – were raised together. With their love of fine dining they brought it into Breda and opened a relaxed yet refined Singel canal restaurant that offers either five or nine course menus with optional wine pairings.
Well in Breda is an ideal spot for quick lunch service. Just a short stroll from Breda Central Station, its chic interior boasts marble look tables and an eye-catching feather lamp, while offering delicious brunch dishes like avocado toast and protein waffles complemented with sweet treats from its selection. They also provide smoothie bowls made with organic ingredients.
Restaurant Tolhuistuin
Amsterdam restaurants may have earned themselves a disreputable reputation due to their endless variations on fish, chicken and beef dishes; but an increasingly diverse roster of spots are challenging this trend. From an informal dinner spot serving natural wines to a West African eatery run by one of De Libris’ former actors (formerly De Libris star), these places demonstrate Dutch cuisine isn’t solely defined by bitterballen and Gouda cheese cubes.
Gouda, Edam and Alkmaar markets offer great experiences. Gouda cheese farms welcome visitors, while its lively historical markets of Gouda, Edam and Alkmaar offer vendors who allow visitors to sample before purchasing products. The Netherlands is a pioneer for plant-based dining; one quarter of main meals eaten are by vegetarians or vegans. Many cafes and restaurants provide vegetarian menu options and set menus; others even provide fully vegan offerings.
Cafe Binnenvisser offers hipster-friendly brunch, lunch, and coffee shop all-in-one in a retro setting that feels like you’re eating at your grandmother’s house. Their seasonal menu boasts yellow beets with pistachio alongside raw halibut with bone marrow as well as local wines to sample! Additionally, it features an outdoor terrace overlooking an idyllic neighbourhood corner for enjoying fresh salads, soups, stews, steak, fish dishes as well as more traditional fare.
Restaurant Lotti’s
Within the heart of Amsterdam’s Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes), lies one of its best-kept secrets – The Hoxton. Situated within five 17th-century canal houses on Herengracht, this hotel exudes chic with its striped pillows, plant-filled interiors, and Chesterfield banken loungers; creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a chic boutique store that just has to be shared with friends!
Lotti’s is an on-site restaurant that specializes in brasserie-style dishes and strong coffee, popular among both locals and travelers for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
At its heart is a reasonably compact menu with plenty of variety and thought put into every item on it, from yellowtail ceviche and seabass served skin on, through to grilled chicken breast and an exceptional steak sandwich served on fluffy brioche bread rolls. Their wine list also features an impressive selection of Dutch rose wines.
At Winkel 43 you’ll want to sample their famous Dutch apple pie, with its plump raisins and flaky crust. Don’t miss their seasonal additions and local influences like jenever and grain wine (korenwijn), perfectly balanced cocktails crafted by skilled bartenders; otherwise if you feel energetic enough you can dance away to live DJ music every Thursday to Sunday; truly an Amsterdam gem cafe!
Restaurant Wilde Zwijnen
Attractively located on a residential street west of Vondelpark, the self-declared slowest restaurant in the Netherlands draws foodies who prefer taking their time and enjoying every sip, bite and texture slowly. From the exterior this could look like any ordinary pizzeria; inside however there’s something strikingly sophisticated here: no overt displays of statement-making graffiti art above a vast serving counter!
Established in 2010, this Modern Dutch kitchen is a favourite with locals while remaining relatively off the tourist radar. Their chefs use local and organic products as much as possible, including wild boar, to earn our partially Conscious Travel label. In an intimate canteen-like atmosphere with wooden tables, recycled light bulbs and concrete floors they serve innovative yet unfussy dishes – best enjoyed with company.
The menu changes with each season, but radish and watercress salad with smoked trout or belly of pig is always an excellent way to begin your dining experience at Sharps. Sharps went for fluke served with romanesco, Nicola potato and crumbled blood sausage which reminded them of hearty stews made at home on cooler evenings.
