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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 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!
If it's Sunday and you want to brunch on the holiest of trinities—blini, smoked salmon, and Champagne—look no further than this elegant brasserie. During the week, the sleek, modern furnishings and professional yet personal service attract a lunchtime business crowd, who enjoy the set three-course Bib Gourmand menu, as well as late-night diners, who come here after attending a performance at the nearby Concertgebouw. The French-influenced menu includes oysters, quiche, steak frites, and crème brûlée. There's outdoor dining on the street terrace or garden patio when the weather cooperates.
Although thousands of buildings in Amsterdam are designated historic monuments, few have interiors as stunning as the facade. This cafe is an Art Deco extravaganza with stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and stylish leaded-glass lamps with a warm glow. While the brasserie-style food can't match the exalted surroundings, it earns good marks for a scenic high tea or afternoon bite. Tasty menu items include avocado toast, eggs Benedict for brunch, and a wide variety of classic dishes like salade Niçoise and burgers for lunch and dinner.
A cozy candlelit atmosphere and French country cooking inspire many to cycle out here up the Ringdijk, which runs east of the Amstel. Every night, a new five-course menu is posted; Monday night's menu is always strictly vegetarian. Dishes rotate seasonally but may include fish soup, a chicory salad, veal with parsnips and baked potatoes, and chocolate fondant with vanilla ice-cream. In the summer, you can dine on the charming terrace.
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