Amsterdam Restaurant Recommendations

Posted by htwade on 09/08/26 10:22 PM

Hello! My husband and I will be in Amsterdam next week. I am hoping to get some recommendations for dinner 2 different nights. We love all types of food. It doesn't have to be fancy, sometimes we think the best tasting food is not in the fancy locations. So open to casual and fancy - but good food. We do not drink alcohol. Great atmosphere is always a bonus.)

1) We will be trying to take an evening canal cruise (haven't decided on which company yet). Any specific restaurants near the beginning or end of canal cruise for dinner?

2) We will be in the Jordaan area for dinner after visiting the Anne Frank Museum - anything you recommend near that proximity?

3) A specific restaurant that is not in either of these areas but totally worth walking farther or taking transportation to eat at? Your all time favorite Amsterdam rec?
Thanks!

Posted by G3rryCee

Bellingham, WA

09/08/26 11:51 PM

2168 posts

Depending on the canal cruise company you use, you could picnic. Get some nice food for that at https://www.sterkstaaltje.com.
Near Anne Frank House is http://zwaantje-restaurant.nl for French and Dutch classics. Might be a bit heavy for this time of year.
Rijsttafel is fun. I enjoyed https://www.sampurna.com.
I would look for something with outdoor seating.

Posted by CJean

Ontario, Canada

09/09/26 12:14 AM

7708 posts

I haven't been there yet, but we already have reservations for the Pantry. Its a small restaurant serving traditional Dutch food and has a very good reputation for service and the quality of the food. Its in the Leidseplein neighbourhood, and is about a 10 min walk to the Rijksmuseum and also to the Captain Jack's Canal boat tour dock

Posted by Paul

Eastern Iowa, USA

09/09/26 12:19 AM

9579 posts

I have a love/hate relationship with Amsterdam restaurants. It has always been hard for me to find the "right" place.

"Dutch" food, whatever that really is, is pretty basic. I mean Stamppot, is basically a stew, most other dishes similar. You can look online at Moeders menu ( https://moeders.com/en/home ), they are usually mentioned as "the" Dutch place to go.

Rijstaffel, an Indonesian assortment of dishes, is what I usually recommend for two or more, but there are also many great Indonesian ala carte dishes worth trying (Indonesia was a Dutch Colony for ages) Blauw ( https://restaurantblauw.nl/en/home/ ) would be the classic in that regard.

Aside from that, there are loads of other great cuisines in Amsterdam, great Italian, fine dining, seafood, Mediterranean, and loads of fusion places, but not many distinctly Dutch or Amsterdam places. But, that really is not a problem, eat what appeals. Sure, in Rome you will go for Italian, In Paris, classic French, In Germany, hearty schnitzel and dumplings, a pub in London, but no such limitations in Amsterdam.

Honestly, I am as likely to get a cheese and meat platter with some beer, stop at a little stand for some frites, hit up a Febo, maybe brunch on a Dutch pancake, a quick stop for some herring, then maybe find something different at a market, and never really have a formal meal.