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Not so long ago, Dutch cuisine consisted mostly of fried food—french fries, bitterballen, and frikandel (deep-fried sausages)—along with thick pea soup and hearty meat and potato dishes. These days, however, Amsterdam restaurants serve much higher-quality and more varied food than ever before. Many forward-thinking Amsterdam res
Not so long ago, Dutch cuisine consisted mostly of fried food—french fries, bitterballen, and frikandel (deep-fried sausages)—along with thick pea soup and hearty meat and potato dishes. These days, however, Amsterdam restaurants serve much higher-quality and more varie
Not so long ago, Dutch cuisine consisted mostly of fried food—french fries, bitterballen, and frikandel (deep-fried saus
Not so long ago, Dutch cuisine consisted mostly of fried food—french fries, bitterballen, and frikandel (deep-fried sausages)—along with thick pea soup and hearty meat and potato dishes. These days, however, Amsterdam restaurants serve much higher-quality and more varied food than ever before.
Many forward-thinking Amsterdam restaurants have embraced a "New Dutch cuisine," using organic and locally sourced meat, fish, and seafood, and expertly cooked vegetables served with interesting sauces and side dishes. Some chefs are taking it a step further and growing produce and herbs on land or rooftops attached to their restaurants—garden to table cooking, if you will. Multicourse tasting menus or small plates that you can mix and match are popular at upscale eateries, making use of what's freshest at the moment, perhaps farm-fresh asparagus or North Sea mussels. The classic standbys are still widely available, too—it's hard to resist those delicious bitterballen—but they're often prepared in updated, modern interpretations.
Amsterdam has a wealth of international cuisines. The city has long been known for its Moroccan, Turkish, and Indonesian food, and there are excellent Vietnamese eateries, where you can finally get a decent bánh mì, as well as pretty much every type of cuisine you might be craving. Another thing that's big on the Amsterdam food scene these days is brunch. Traditionally, the Dutch opt for relatively simple breakfasts of buttered toast with chocolate sprinkles (called hagelslag), but places for more American-style brunch—eggs Benedict or oatmeal with fresh fruit—have popped up throughout the city, attracting the city's trend-followers. Although steak restaurants have existed for years (and continue to open on a regular basis), hamburgers are also trendy, with tiny spots elbowing their way in to become the most popular in town.
Pockets of interesting dining are emerging away from the city center, too, but Amsterdam is a small city, so don't be daunted by distance. Everything's still easy to reach by cab, tram, or bus—or make like a local and burn off some calories by renting a bike.
Despite all these changes, one thing's stayed relatively the same: the pace of service. Expect a wait to get menus, to order, and then to receive your food. You just have to go with it: it's the Dutch way!
This candlelit French-Mediterranean restaurant with exposed brick walls and whimsical cartoon paintings is a true local favorite. Choose a set menu by picking from several appetizers, mains, and desserts—the minimum order is three courses and ranges all the way up to eight. The menu changes frequently and features highly flavorful modern dishes with an international twist. There's usually a complimentary pre-dessert—which could be a deconstructed apple pie with tapioca balls and cream—poking delicious fun at the Dutch appeltaart tradition.
Ceintuurbaan 342, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1072 GP, Netherlands
While you're in Amsterdam, do try Surinamese food, a unique fusion of Amerindian, Caribbean, Chinese, Jewish, Dutch, and Indonesian cuisines that arose from this South American country's history as a Dutch colony. Albina is a local fave that serves up one of the best rotis (the Surinamese take on Indian flatbread) in the city. It comes with a choice of fillings and is real-deal comfort food. Nieuw Albina, at No. 49, has the same owner and the same kitchen, if you find the original too crowded.
Albert Cuypstraat 69, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1072 CN, Netherlands
020-675--5135
Known For
Fast, cheap and (generally) good Surinamese food
Chinese-Surinamese classics like babi pangang, pom, and roti
This elegant two–Michelin star dining room nods to modernity with gleaming metallic design touches, but the French-international food at the "Blue Sky" leans more to the classically extravagant. Any of the three tasting menus (with a choice of two wine pairings) are highly recommended for a celebratory meal. Enjoy beautifully presented dishes—like the signature king crab with Baeri caviar, beurre blanc ice cream, and preserved lemon, or the delicate pink "Dutch shrimp'' perched in a pool of green bean bouillon with a roast cumin crisp and Oscietra caviar and an elevated take on Dutch apple pie for dessert—while taking in the amazing panorama from the 23rd floor of the Hotel Okura Amsterdam.
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1072 LH, Netherlands
This lively spot with soaring ceilings and three levels of seating attracts a young crowd for the eclectic but generally healthy menu of all-day brunch, including especially delicious coconut pancakes. There's also an extensive juice menu, including fresh coconut served with a straw, plus a selection of salads and deli items like burgers, burritos, and sandwiches and, as the name implies, an in-house roastery and full range of single-origin espresso-based drinks and pour-over coffees. Although the casual atmosphere is more haphazardly funky than tropical chic (be prepared to sit on rather uncomfortable beanbags if the regular tables are full), you'll have ample opportunity to watch the international millennial clientele as you wait.
Ceintuurbaan 282-284, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1072 GK, Netherlands
One of Amsterdam's brunch pioneers, this intimate Australian-run eatery has a laid-back vibe and friendly servers. Although you'll inevitably have to wait for a table on weekends (or make brunch reservations), the eclectic menu, which includes sweet and savory options, is worth it. Pass the time with one of the tasty brunch cocktails: there are four types of Bloody Marys. Dinner is small plates with influences from near and far. In early 2019, a second outpost, offering brunch by day and pizza by night, opened in West (Bilderdijkstraat 140).
1e Sweelinckstraat 19-F, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1073 CL, Netherlands
The Indonesian-inspired Surinamese food at this often-cramped local favorite includes many simple but well-prepared variations of chicken, fish, lamb, or beef with vegetables and nasi (rice), bami (noodles), or roti. You can also try Javanese rames, a mini-rijsttafel-style smattering of everything on a plate. The restaurant is very casual, but the staff are friendly, the food is tasty, and the price is right—no wonder it's always busy. There are two other Amsterdam locations, but this one is the most central.
Gerard Doustraat 39, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1072 VK, Netherlands
Traditional Japanese haute cuisine is sublimely presented at this elegant restaurant where a Zenlike sushi bar, kimonoed waitstaff, and views over a pretty Japanese garden (complete with koi pond) all add up to a sublime dining experience. The seasonal kaiseki menu is a fabulous splurge, but you can also choose from à la carte menu offerings like sushi, sashimi, tempura, sukiyaki, and shabu-shabu prepared table-side, as well as grilled whole fish and steaks. At lunchtime, large and more economical bento boxes are available. The wine and sake lists are encyclopedic.
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1072 LH, Netherlands
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