Amsterdam, with its winding canals and bicycles clicking by – it’s postcard-perfect, isn’t it? But let me spill some beans: when it comes to eating out, it’s a hidden culinary gem. Honestly, Amsterdam Restaurants are like every food lover’s cozy, cobbled street dream.
You can’t walk two feet without stumbling upon a café dripping in charm, a bakery that smells like your childhood kitchen, or a street food stall that makes your mouth water just from the look of it. The diversity? To die for. From stroopwafels that stick to your fingers in the best way to Indonesian rijsttafel that feels like a hug from the inside – there’s a plate for every palate.
Biting into Amsterdam’s food scene is like opening a treasure box filled with the most exciting flavors. I mean, where else do you get a side of canal views with your bitterballen? Or a family-run cheese shop on every other corner, giving you a slice of local life? The kids went gaga over those tiny pancakes called poffertjes, and let’s not even start on how much they loved customizing their hagelslag (chocolate sprinkle) sandwiches in the morning!
Then there’s the blend of the traditional with the trendy – a beautiful mash-up that lets you take the kids for a no-fuss meal in a snug steet cafe, and then sneak in a date night at a hip, Michelin-starred marvel, because, you know, we still got it!
It’s this mix, this wonderful spritz of Dutch gezelligheid (coziness) combined with an adventurous culinary spirit, that makes eating out in Amsterdam so unique. There’s an authentic, joyful vibe to sharing meals here, which is perfect for family moments. Every bite feels like discovering a new neighborhood secret or an old family recipe, shared through the universal language of good food and warm smiles. It’s honestly the best!
Amsterdam Restaurants – Where to Eat
Bazar – We visited Bazar on the Albert Cuypstraat for a late lunch/early dinner after arriving on the train from Paris. Housed in a former church, the colourful décor matches the bright North African cuisine. The generously sized fresh salads were the perfect antidote to a cheese-rich Parisian diet and a hot train journey. Wilf was rewarded for his patience on the train with some Algerian ‘holey’ pancakes served with fresh fruit and honey.
Olive & Cookie – A tiny local café with one large table and a friendly proprietor. The glass counter contained such an abundance of delicious-looking tarts, salads, and other delights that we struggled to choose. This is home cooking, but as if you are visiting the home of the best cook that you have ever met. As you sit around the large table with other guests/customers while the food is prepared it does feel a bit like you are in the host’s home. I love it when simple ingredients are elevated beyond their standing by the skill of the cook. The lentils that we ate with our meal were so flavourful that I could have eaten a giant bowl of them alone. I also love it when someone takes such great pride and care in their work. If you eat in one place in Amsterdam let it be here.
Latei – The epitome of a ‘quirky café’. With mismatched 50s furniture, vintage lights and various vintage/retro items all over the walls, I knew that Fritha would like this place. And with a friendly café cat I also knew that Wilf and I would be happy. The great surprise was that the food was also delicious. The café is famed for its apple pie, but Thu – Sat it is open late serving dinner. We had a great platter of veggie bits and pieces with tofu thai red curry and plantain chips.
Pllek – A short (free) ferry ride took us over to Amsterdam Noord and the NDSM Werf. An industrial docklands area that is currently inhabited by artists and ‘hipsters’. Pllek is only a couple of minutes’ walk from the ferry landing and has its own little beach (a hit with Wilf). A large light-filled industrial unit with great views back across the water to central Amsterdam. Fritha and I shared a roasted aubergine and goat’s cheese sandwich and poached eggs with hollandaise. Classic flavours are done well. Wilf was again rewarded with a big plate of Dutch pancakes and berries (When in the Netherlands…). One thing I liked about this place and the area in general was that although this was a ‘hip’ place to be, I saw none of the pretentiousness that certain parts of London possess. And again a resident cat was relaxing in the sunshine.
The Press Room (INK Hotel) – We were lucky enough to stay in the newly opened INK hotel, named due to the building being a former Newspaper office. Firstly the breakfast was fantastic, lots of hot and cold options, all of a very high standard, and deserts! Lots and lots of apple cake, cheesecake, and various other sweet delights. What’s not to like? The venue itself has an open kitchen at one end and a bar at the other. Down one side is a glass wall onto the hotel atrium, and the décor is classy with a slightly retro twist. After a long day in the sunshine, Fritha suggested we have dinner in the Press Room. This turned out to be a great idea. Fritha and I both had the INK salad a mixture of finely sliced and pickled vegetables including various colours of beetroot. We also shared some tempura vegetables. They kindly made a tired Wilf a cheese toastie. The food was great and you would certainly not have guessed that they had only been open for a week. We shared a couple of rich deserts and then (a sugar high) Wilf and I pretended to be a train in the courtyard garden. It was at this point that I realised what a great idea dessert at breakfast is, rather than just before a three-year-olds bedtime!
All the above restaurants were great and along with some other places that we didn’t manage to visit this time – the café on the top floor of the Central Library, De Waaghals, De Bolhoed, and a few branches of Maoz, Amsterdam is a great city for Vegetarians to visit.