Best restaurants in Amsterdam: an insider shares where locals eat and drink

Looking for the best restaurants in Amsterdam? Though the Dutch capital hasn’t always had a reputation as a foodie destination, a wave of independent restaurants, cafés and wine bars has begun to change that in recent years – and is putting Amsterdam firmly on the culinary map. Gina Jackson, who visits the city several times a year, gives us the insider rundown on the best places to eat and drink.

For more travel inspiration, discover our favourite foodie city breaks by train and the best UK city breaks.

Best restaurants in Amsterdam

Oficina

Located on the western edges of the city, in a part of Amsterdam that most tourists don’t venture out to, Oficina is well worth the pilgrimage. This self-described design studio and canteen pairs a striking, architect-led space – complete with a sculptural staircase and mint green mezzanine – with a breakfast and lunch menu that changes regularly.

The cooking leans Scandinavian and northern European in spirit: clean, thoughtful and seasonally informed. Expect beautifully presented plates such as chickpea flatbread with cime di rapa or miso scrambled eggs on toasted brioche. There are always home-baked goods worth saving room for too. oficinaoficina.com

Calisto

Part of the Binnenvisser restaurant family – a micro-chain of much-loved restaurants and bakeries popular with Amsterdam’s in-crowd – Calisto is its relaxed, Italian-inspired trattoria located in Jordaan. It’s an ideal place to unwind after a day wandering the canals, with the menu offering a short curation of handmade pastas and small plates to pair with wine. It’s also particularly welcoming for solo diners, who can perch at the bar and rub shoulders with the locals. calistoamsterdam.nl

Gitane

This all-day restaurant owned by ex-Ottolenghi chef Angelo Kremmydas is the kind of place that you can visit for brunch and while away the hours until dinner, when the candelit tables make it perfect for a date night.

There’s shakshuka and Greek bagels on offer at brunch, which segue into small plates come evening: whipped tarama and cod’s roe piled onto a tear-apart brioche roll, mackerel crudo in kumquat and chilli oil, and tender duck with caramelised jerusalem artichoke – all paired with an impressive wine list. Walk it all off at nearby Vondelpark afterwards. restaurantgitane.nl/en

Advocatuur

This sleek cocktail bar is located inside the swanky Rosewood Amsterdam, which sits within the historic former Palace of Justice. Inside, the bar features three distinct rooms, including a live performance room and a distillery room. Take a seat on the velvety furnishings and sip cocktails, paired with Indian-inspired nibbles served straight from the bar’s two tandoor ovens. rosewoodhotels.com/en/amsterdam/dining/advocatuur

Salvo Bakehouse

There’s no shortage of great bakeries in Amsterdam but Salvo Bakehouse stands out from the crowd thanks to its Italian-inspired pastries. Located on the edge of Jordaan, you’ll find maritozzi, crunchy cannoli, thick Florentine sandwiches and endless other desserts. The baked goods counter changes constantly, ensuring there’s always something new to try: the chunky chocolate cookies and pistachio tiramisu have to be my personal favourites. salvobakehouse.com

Café Twee Prinsen

Situated at the intersection of some of the city’s prettiest canals, Café Twee Prinsen is another popular Binnenvisser outpost. This relaxed wine bar is perfect for stopping by for snacks and a glass of wine after an afternoon of shopping or sightseeing. There are no reservations – just turn up and hope for a spot, which might just be a stool perched on the edge of the canal in the summer months. Most of the menu is vegetarian, with fresh, flavourful dishes designed for sharing. tweeprinsen.nl

Carmen

From the outside, Carmen Amsterdam looks like a chic boutique, carefully curating a stylish selection of womenswear and accessories. But don’t miss the café tucked at the back: a light-filled, inviting space that’s perfect for brunch or lunch. Softly scrambled eggs, Nordic-inspired breakfast plates and expertly brewed coffee are all on offer. carmenamsterdam.com/pages/the-kitchen

Restaurant Flore

This standout restaurant situated inside the glamorous Hotel de L’Europe is one to save for truly special occasions. As the only two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the Dutch capital to also hold a Michelin Green Star, Flore offers a hyper-seasonal menu, with 90% of the ingredients featured on the menu sourced locally from within the Netherlands.

The tasting menus showcase inventive, beautifully executed dishes that change with the seasons – and as part of the immersive dining experience you’ll even enjoy your amuse-bouche inside the kitchen, watching the team (led by chef Bas van Kranen) at work as your nibble. restaurantflore.com

Esh Pita Bar

Tucked away in the Museum Quarter, this relaxed, no-frills Israeli restaurant serves generous portions of stuffed pittas, alongside platters of crispy falafel, creamy hummus and tender chicken shawarma. Dishes are made for sharing, so it’s best to come with a friend or two and dive in together – you’re guaranteed to leave thoroughly stuffed. esh.amsterdam

Café-Restaurant Amsterdam

It doesn’t get more traditional and Dutch than Café-Restaurant Amsterdam, a true local institution. Situated in an airy, whitewashed building near Westerpark – specifically the engine room of a former water pumping station – this well-known dining spot is where Amsterdammers gather over hearty plates of steak frites, schnitzel and fresh seafood. The perfect place for a relaxed lunch or dinner, it’s a reliable spot to experience the city’s timeless culinary favourites. cradam.nl/en

More Amsterdam restaurant recommendations from the olive team

Daalder

Visit Michelin-starred Daalder for the unique, seasonally changing tasting menu. Chef patron Dennis Huwaë’s salted caramel ice cream sandwich take on the stroopwafel is divine. In summer, tables spill out onto the pavement and the atmosphere is so laid back that you’ll be happy to linger over a number of courses. daalderamsterdam.nl

De Kas

Amsterdam’s former municipal nursery is now a restaurant aptly named De Kas (‘greenhouse’). With an emphasis on vegetables, fresh produce is grown on site or on a farm in nearby Beemster. Go for lunch to sit outside in the herb garden and feast on baked endive with gremolata, millet, salted lemon and rocket vinaigrette. restaurantdekas.nl

Pllek

Hop aboard the free ferry to the Noord for lunch at Pllek, a beach bar housed in an old shipping container. Order the steamed mackerel with dill-horseradish crème fraîche and capers on sourdough and enjoy it outside with a local beer and panoramic views of the IJ river. pllek.nl

Bistrot des Alpes

Locals’ favourite, the cosy Bistrot des Alpes, comes into its own in winter. Diners wait for their table in a former ski-lift gondola but the gimmickry stops there. The owners used to live in the Haut Savoie and produce highly accomplished cooking. Try hearty Alpine favourites like tartiflette and charcuterie platters, or more delicate dishes like pan-fried char with beurre noisette. bistrot-des-alpes.nl

Blauw

Indonesia was once a Dutch colony so it’s no big surprise that Amsterdam is well known for its Indonesian food. For some of the best – and spiciest – in town head to Blauw, on the city’s southern outskirts. Order the rijsttafel (literally rice table) and experience the full gamut of dishes. There's also a branch in Utrecht, the leafy town half an hour from Amsterdam that has a buzzing food and drink scene thanks to the town's young entrepreneurs. restaurantblauw.nl

Hartog's Bakery

In winter sugar-scented oliebollen are as ubiquitous in Amsterdam as stamppot. Translated as oil balls, they’re essentially a Dutch take on the beignet, served dusted with icing sugar and sometimes studded with currants (in which case they’re called krentenbollen). You’ll find them served from stalls on almost every corner but, for something different, head to Hartog's Bakery for an unusual wholewheat version. volkorenbrood.nl

Best bars in Amsterdam

Bar Oldenhof

Once a wood-panelled ‘brown café’, Bar Oldenhof is now a tribute to old-school cool. A jazz soundtrack, waistcoated bartenders and a gleaming brass bar top complement its meticulously made cocktails. Try a Flying Dutchman – Rembrandt korenwijn (corn brandy), yellow chartreuse, benedictine and lemon juice. bar-oldenhof.com

Café de Dokter

Amsterdam has a beer for every season, and in autumn and winter that’s the herfstbok: a strong, dark beer with a hint of caramel. Taste it with a portion of ossenworst (cold-smoked beef sausage) at Café de Dokter, an atmospheric spot packed to the rafters with curios collected over more than two centuries of operation. cafe-de-dokter.nl

Wynand Fockink

A distillery dating back to 1679, Wynand Fockink is still serving genever (the Dutch precursor to gin) in tulip-shaped glasses to thirsty patrons. Located just off Dam Square, it attracts tourists and locals with liqueurs and an atmospheric setting. wynand-fockink.nl

Café Binnenvisser

Set up by friends Bob Nagel, Maarten Bloem and Guus Lourijsen, from the outside Café Binnenvisser looks like any buzzy neighbourhood wine bar. But the food far exceeds expectations and small plates change weekly according to what’s available. The celeriac fritters are so delicious you’ll want to order seconds. binnevisser.nl

Best cafés in Amsterdam

Winkel 43

An Amsterdam institution, Winkel 43 opened in 1983 and has been serving its signature apple pie ever since. Take a seat at one of the cafe's wobbly wooden tables (the cosiest seats are in the window) and order a slice to share between two. Gently spiced, chewy pastry with a crisp, solid crust encases soft apple chunks, while a dollop of feather-light whipped cream finishes it off. If you can't get a table, perch at the bar or eat outside on the terrace. winkel43.nl

Bocca

This 'showroom' for Holland's top coffee roaster (and previous winner of the best artisan roaster in Europe in the European Coffee Awards) is a slick space where you can learn about the latest blends and coffee equipment. The huge coffee bar separates the room into an area for punters to come and taste coffee, and a swish training area for baristas. So you can enjoy your brew of choice while watching the finest of coffee geekery! bocca.nl/en

Toki

Meaning ‘time’ in Japanese, Toki is where you’ll find hip Dutch dads drinking matcha tea alongside MacBook-wielding freelancers. The pastries from neighbouring Petit Gateau are a must with your morning coffee (try the croissant doughnut). @toki.times

Street food and food markets in Amsterdam

Foodhallen

The ideal rainy-day destination, De Hallen is a converted tramshed that is now home to a cinema, library, independent shops and, crucially, the renowned Foodhallen. Eat your way around the street-food stalls here – the soft-shell crab and oysters at Le Big Fish, and the rice paper rolls at Viet View are highlights. foodhallen.nl

Frites uit Zuyd

The celebrated chip is at its finest at Frites uit Zuyd. Plump, crispy fries are served in red-and-white checked paper cones with a choice of homemade sauces, including a punchy piccalilli mayonnaise. Buy a cone to go – or buy by the meter (8 cones’ worth). You can also enjoy them as part of a meal in the brasserie next door. fritesuitzuyd.nl

Noordermarkt

Make like a local and head to the Saturday morning Noordermarkt in the pretty Jordaan neighbourhood to pick up artisanal produce from farms outside the city. Vendors have been selling produce outside the Noorderkerk since 1623 and the market is famous for its mushrooms, some of which are collected in Dutch forests. Stop at the pancake stall for a gouda and mushroom crêpe. noordermarkt-amsterdam.nl

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