10 Restaurants You Simply Can't Miss in Amsterdam

I’m just going to come out and say it: finding somewhere to eat in Amsterdam is no easy feat.

Not because there are few options, or because the quality is poor – but because there are so many delicious choices that selecting one means you sacrifice an incredible meal somewhere else.

Looking for more? Find all of my guides to Amsterdam in one place

As one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, Amsterdam is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and flavors. From traditional Dutch fare to international favorites, this city knows how to serve up a memorable meal. I spent a week indulging in as much variety as possible, and I’m sure I barely scratched the surface.

But to help set you up for success on your next visit, I’ve rounded up ten must-visit places, each offering something unique depending on the mood you’re in. Here’s where to go for a great meal next time you find yourself in Amsterdam:

MODERN CUISINE IN AMSTERDAM

Alyssa looks out from BAK Restaurant Amsterdam — BAK

Two dishes from BAK's small menu in Amsterdam — BAK

BAK

BAK restaurant is in the western part of the city, overlooking the IJ. On the weekends, a three-course lunch menu is available for €32.50, showcasing local and seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques. The portion sizes are just right, and the courses are subtly flavorful. While the price was higher than I tend to pay for lunches when traveling, this felt like a nice, special treat after a long flight.

→BAK // Van Diemenstraat 408, 1013 CR Amsterdam, Netherlands

HIP & TRENDY AMSTERDAM RESTAURANTS

"The Avocado Show" Neon sign — The Avocado Show

The Salvacado from The Avocado Show in Amsterdam — The Avocado Show

The Wagyu Burger from Avocado Show in Amsterdam — Avocado Show

The Avocado Show

Easily the most Instagrammable restaurant I’ve ever visited is The Avocado Show [edit: it appears The Avocado Show is now closed, at least temporarily]. Decked to the nines in Millennial trends (the perfect pink, loads of greenery, neon signs, light wood accents, and, of course, the most essential fruit), the food is beautifully served and thankfully as delicious as it looks.

My poke bowl (called “The Salvacado”) could have been an art display and the Wagyu Bun Burger nearly won over my avo-hating boyfriend. If I lived nearby I could see myself frequenting their new “Boutique” space for quick takeout lunches. Worth a visit just to say you went.

→The Avocado Show // Temporarily Closed

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Vegan Junk Food Bar

It should surprise absolutely no one that stylish Amsterdam creates hip and stylish restaurants. Vegan Junk Food Bar is a fully plant-based junk food restaurant with three locations in Amsterdam (we visited the West location, but after reviewing their menu, it looks like the location with the most options is the De Pijp restaurant). While not traditional Dutch food, the veggie burgers and fries were hearty and filling, and veggies and meat-eaters alike will find something to love here.

→Vegan Junk Food Bar // Multiple Locations

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Cannibale Royale

As for decidedly not plant-based food establishments, Cannibale Royale takes the (beef) cake. Dinner is typically served within a pretty narrow timeframe in the Netherlands, and I discovered Cannibale Royale after missing that window by a few hours one evening. Thankfully the Handboogstraat location serves burgers and bar bites into the wee hours of the morning – the perfect meal for soaking up an evening spent bar-hopping if that’s your thing.

→Cannibale Royale // Multiple Locations

AMSTERDAM’S BEST INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS

Sotto Pizza

Sotto Pizza has two locations in Amsterdam (I enjoyed the location on Kadijksplein, as it was nearest my Airbnb), and is a member of the prestigious and notoriously tough-to-please Verace Pizzeria Napoletana. The Quattro Stagioni pie was delicious and the right size for two to share (they even cut it in half, which was a nice touch) and the wine prices were reasonable. After spending time in Italy last summer, I can say that this pie was on par with Italian pizzas.

→Sotto Pizza // Multiple Locations

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Cafe Bern

Michael and I made a reservation at Cafe Bern not for the food (though that was certainly a nice perk!) but for the opportunity to try Swiss wines, which we’ve never been able to find in the U.S. We shared a bottle of Swiss Pinot Noir, which was delicious – soft, not too acidic, and almost a little too easy to drink – and a pot of cheese fondue and steak in a pesto sauce. I highly recommend a visit for a cozy evening with someone you love.

→Cafe Bern // Nieuwmarkt 9, 1011 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands

AMSTERDAM’S BEST FOOD HALLS

Foodhallen

If you’re just in the city for a day or are looking to try lots of things at once, Foodhallen is your answer. It’s quite touristy (the woman at the Bitterballen stand was from Milwaukee, for example), but you’ll be capable of trying lots of “traditional” Dutch foods and other international cuisines all under one roof.

→Foodhallen // Bellamyplein 51, 1053 AT Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Mooie Boules

Like Cannibale Royale, Mooie Boules is another place where we ended up because we were hungry and it was late in the evening. A boules court and food hall, Mooie Boules was packed with groups playing the popular Provençal sport. Place your order from food stands such as Pho Sho, Pita Pita Pita, or Warung Indo via a tablet lining the wall, and wait for a text to come through letting you know your order is ready.

Once you’ve got your food, grab a seat and watch a game of boules on one of eight courts for rent. It’s also the perfect place to head once next-door neighbor Brouwerij t’ IJ closes for the night.

→Mooie Boules // Zeeburgerpad 3, 1018 AJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

WHERE TO EAT LOCAL IN AMSTERDAM

Gartine

There are homes with closets larger than the dining room at Gartine (well, not my home, but you can imagine, I’m sure). And though it’s nearly impossible to find and even more impossible to get in without a reservation, we somehow managed to do both (tip: it’s across from the Shake’n Steak).

Gartine serves fresh fruits and vegetables from their garden, prepared right there in their open kitchen. Service is kind and you’ll feel comfortable lingering for as long or as little as you’d like. Both of our meals were simply as fresh as could be and served with hearty and impeccable bread.

→Gartine // Taksteeg 7, 1012 PB Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Buurtboerderij

My favorite meals seemingly always involve someone asking, “But how did you find us?” and our dinner at Buurtboerderij Ons Genoegen was one of those meals. We ran from the bus down a dirt path in pouring rain and tumbled through the door into the most gezellig place we would visit. [Edit: Buurtboerderij Ons Genoegen is temporarily closed following a fire]

Describing Buurtboerderij is difficult, but essentially it is a farm, restaurant, wellness and event space, and bargain shop intended to prepare its volunteers for (re)entry back into the workforce. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, an evening meal is served for €9.50 per person (cash only), including a main course (meat/fish or vegetarian option) and dessert.

The menu varies, and as far as I can tell is not posted online in advance, although reservations are essential. The evening we went, the menu included a hearty lasagna bolognese paired with a simple salad and a scrumptious chocolate tart. Live music adds to the community vibe on Fridays and Saturdays, and there is a bar on-site to keep the conversation flowing.

→Buurtboerderij Ons Genoegen // Spaarndammerdijk 319, 1014 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR DINING IN AMSTERDAM

Times for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are pretty standard throughout the city. I mentioned that it was tough for us to find a sit-down dinner outside of the typical 7p-10p timeframe, and I don’t mean that lightly – for a city that offers places to party all night long, it is incredibly difficult to find a decent bite to eat at a late hour. I would recommend trying to stick to local meal times as much as possible as it will certainly save you the headache we faced a few times.

Prices for meals out were on par with other large cities like London, Paris, or New York. For a mid-range, sit-down meal, expect to pay €8-12 for breakfast, €12-20 for lunch, and €18-30 for dinner, all prices per person. My typical advice for saving on meals without feeling pinched is to choose one meal per day as a “nicer” meal and look for places that offer value – whatever that word may mean to you.

A coffee and shared pastry stood in for a “true” breakfast most days (you could also pick up a few small things from a grocery store and eat breakfast at your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb). Many of the more upscale restaurants offer a prix-fixe lunch for a fair price, and less-expensive dinners can be found at a lot of the gastropub-esque places. Amsterdam is a city that seems to love its burgers!

It is imperative that you carry both cash and a credit card when dining out in Amsterdam (actually, when making a purchase from any business in the Netherlands), as the seemingly most popular payment method (a Dutch debit account) is not available for tourists and you may run into technical difficulties.

Plus, many places only accept payment by card or cash (but not both). If you have a U.S. credit card, be sure to have a pen handy as most of our cards default to chip + signature, and many places aren’t prepared to have you sign. It’s one easy way to make paying for your meal a little less awkward.

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One Comment on “Travel Hungry: 10 Restaurants You Simply Can’t Miss in Amsterdam”

Boulesbitesbar Amsterdam says:

March 28, 2024 at 9:40 am

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Amsterdam and was blown away by the diverse and delicious food scene. From the innovative techniques and local ingredients at BAK to the hearty and filling veggie burgers at Vegan Junk Food Bar, there’s something for every taste and dietary preference. I also enjoyed the classic Dutch experience of cozying up at Cafe Bern with a pot of cheese fondue and a bottle of Swiss wine. And for a late-night bite, Cannibale Royale and Mooie Boules are great options. Overall, Amsterdam offers a world of culinary delights that are sure to satisfy any foodie.

Travel Hungry: 10 Restaurants You Simply Can’t Miss in Amsterdam