Best Restaurants in Amsterdam: Where to Eat in 2024
Amsterdam’s food scene has shifted from heavy, potato-based staples to a global culinary hub. The city now balances Michelin-starred refinement with a gritty, high-quality street food culture. You’ll find Indonesian rijsttafels next to modern Dutch bistros that prioritize local fermenting and foraging. The dining landscape is compact but dense. Whether you want a 10-course tasting menu in a converted warehouse or a high-end herring sandwich from a canal-side kiosk, the quality floor has risen significantly. This guide cuts through the tourist traps to show you where to eat in Amsterdam like a local.
Must-try dishes in Amsterdam
Before booking a table, you need to know the staples. These are the flavors that define the city’s identity.
- Bitterballen: Deep-fried, breaded gravy balls usually filled with beef or veal ragout. They are the ultimate Dutch bar snack, served with sharp mustard.
- Indonesian Rijsttafel: A "rice table" consisting of dozens of small, spicy side dishes. This is a culinary legacy of the Dutch colonial era and a mandatory group dining experience.
- Haring (Herring): Raw, brined fish served with onions and pickles. Eat it the traditional way by holding it by the tail, or get it in a broodje haring (sandwich).
- Stroopwafel: Two thin waffle layers stuck together with cinnamon caramel. Buy them warm from a street market for the best experience.
- Poffertjes: Tiny, fluffy buckwheat pancakes topped with a massive knob of butter and powdered sugar.
- Kibbeling: Battered and deep-fried white fish chunks, typically served with a garlic or tartar dipping sauce.
Best restaurants for a splurge
When you want to spend serious money, Amsterdam delivers with waterfront views and historic interiors. These are the best restaurants in Amsterdam for a high-end experience.
Restaurant de Kas (Watergraafsmeer)
Located in a series of 1920s greenhouses, De Kas takes "farm-to-table" literally. Most ingredients are harvested from their own gardens on-site or their farm in the Beemster. The menu is plant-forward but includes sustainable meat and fish. The glass-walled dining room offers one of the most unique atmospheres in the city.
Rijks (Museumkwartier)
Situated within the Rijksmuseum wing, this Michelin-starred spot treats Dutch culinary history as an art form. The interior is sleek, gray, and industrial. Chef Joris Bijdendijk focuses on "Low Countries" cuisine, using local ingredients like Zeeland mussels and Dutch farmhouse cheeses. It is sophisticated, fast-paced, and perfect after a day of galleries.
Spectrum (Grachtengordel)
Located inside the Waldorf Astoria, Spectrum holds two Michelin stars and offers a masterclass in precision. Chef Sidney Schutte creates dishes that look like sculptures and feature bold, international flavor profiles. It is expensive, hushed, and formal. This is the place for a milestone celebration or a serious culinary deep dive.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
These spots represent the middle ground: excellent food, relaxed service, and a lively crowd. They are the backbone of the local dining scene.
Toscanini (Jordaan)
Toscanini is widely considered the best Italian restaurant in the city. There is no pizza here; instead, you get high-quality handmade pasta and regional Italian seafood. The open kitchen and wooden tables create a loud, energetic vibe. It has been a neighborhood staple for decades, so booking weeks in advance is mandatory.
Hotel de Goudfazant (Amsterdam Noord)
Don’t let the name fool you; it’s not a hotel. It is a massive, high-ceilinged warehouse in North Amsterdam filled with vintage cars and a giant chandelier made of glass bottles. The food is straightforward French bistro style—think rotisserie chicken and oysters. It’s unpretentious, cool, and requires a short ferry ride to reach.
Café de Klepel (Prinsenland)
Originally a brown cafe, De Klepel has evolved into a wine bar with an exceptional kitchen. The menu is small and changes daily, focusing on French classics that pair with their extensive wine list. It is intimate, candlelit, and captures the "gezellig" (cozy) Dutch spirit perfectly.
Sjefietshe (De Pijp)
A "ceviche bar" that successfully blends South American techniques with Amsterdam swagger. While the ceviche is the star, the hot plates and "Sjef’s" burgers are equally impressive. It’s a trendy, vibrant spot in the heart of De Pijp, perfect for a long dinner with cocktails before heading out to the local bars.
Best cheap eats and street food
Eating well in Amsterdam doesn’t require a white tablecloth. Some of the city’s best flavors are found at counters and market stalls.
Fabel Friet (Nine Streets)
While tourists flock to Manneken Pis, locals and savvy travelers head to Fabel Friet. They use high-quality Agria potatoes from Dutch soil, double-fried to perfection. The highlight here is the toppings, specifically the shaved Dutch Parmesan and their signature truffle mayo. Expect a line, but it moves fast.
Albert Cuyp Market (De Pijp)
This is the largest outdoor market in Europe and the best place for a DIY food tour. Grab a fresh stroopwafel from Rudy’s, some herring from Vishandel Volendammer, and a bag of hot poffertjes. It’s the most cost-effective way to sample every traditional Dutch snack in one afternoon.
Lale Kasabi (West)
For the best Turkish food in the city, head to Amsterdam West. Lale Kasabi is a butcher shop with a grill in the back. The Adana kebab and lamb chops are grilled over charcoal and served with fresh bread and salad. It’s no-frills, incredibly affordable, and serves some of the best meat in town.
Maoz Vegetarian (Various Locations)
A staple for a quick, healthy, and cheap lunch. You buy a pita with falafel and then hit the bottomless salad bar to load up on pickled vegetables, couscous, and various sauces. It’s a reliable, high-protein option for vegetarians on the move.
Best breakfast and brunch
Amsterdam takes brunch seriously, leaning heavily into avocado-based dishes and pancake stacks.
Bakers & Roasters (De Pijp / Centrum)
A New Zealand-style cafe with a Brazilian twist. This spot is legendary for its massive portions and excellent coffee. Try the "Navajo Eggs" or the blueberry pancakes. They don't take reservations, so put your name on the digital waitlist and walk around the neighborhood while you wait.
Little Collins (De Pijp / West)
Inspired by the Melbourne brunch scene, Little Collins offers a more inventive menu than your standard egg-and-bacon joint. Expect dishes like sourdough topped with fermented chili, spiced lamb, or confit duck. Their bloody marys are among the best in the city.
Dignita (Hoppetuin / Vondelpark)
Dignita focuses on "eat well, do good," with a menu centered on fresh, organic ingredients. Their Hoppetuin location is tucked away in a quiet garden near the Hermitage museum, providing a peaceful escape. The "Benny Boy" (their take on eggs benedict) is a consistent winner.
Best rooftop or view dining
Amsterdam is flat, so any elevation provides a dramatic view of the canal rings and the IJ river.
A’DAM Lookout - Moon (Noord)
Located on the 19th floor of the A’DAM Tower, Moon is a revolving restaurant. You get a 360-degree view of the city and the port every 45 minutes. The food is modern European and surprisingly high-quality for a "view" restaurant. It’s an ideal spot for a sunset dinner.
Canvas (Oost)
Located on the 7th floor of the Volkshotel, Canvas offers a 360-degree view of Amsterdam East and the South axis. It is much more casual and affordable than Moon. In the evening, it transitions from a restaurant to a bar/club. The terrace is one of the best spots in the city for a summer beer.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
If you haven't made a reservation, head to these areas where the density of quality spots is highest.
- De Pijp: The undisputed capital of where to eat in Amsterdam. Visit the streets surrounding the Albert Cuyp Market for everything from high-end Japanese to casual Middle Eastern.
- The Jordaan: Great for hidden "brown cafes" and upscale Italian or French bistros. It's the most scenic place to eat, with many tables overlooking the canals.
- Amsterdam West (De Clercqstraat & Jan Evertsenstraat): This is where the locals eat. It’s packed with trendy wine bars, taco spots, and some of the city's best pizza (check out nNea).
- Amsterdam Noord: Take the free ferry behind Central Station. This industrial area is now home to massive, airy restaurants and experimental food concepts located in old shipyards.
Note: Restaurant hours and reservation policies change frequently; check the official website before visiting.