Our recommendations in Amsterdam. Most are within easy walking distance (approx times indicated) – by bike it’s about 1/3 time.
BREAKFAST AND BAKERIES
Vlaamsch Broodhuys / our local bakery
Bakery and café with fresh bread and pastries (just across the street)
Haarlemmerstraat 108, 30 sec walk http://www.vlaamschbroodhuys.nl/
Il Tramezzino / Italian coffee
Excellent Italian coffee, cake, crustless sandwiches (around the corner)
Haarlemmerstraat 79, 30 sec walk http://www.iltramezzinoamsterdam.nl/
Petit Gateau / pretty little cakes
The cutest cakes in a myriad of flavours and breakfast up high, dangerously close! Haarlemmerstraat 80, (around the corner) 30 sec walk http://www.petitgateau.nl/
Joe and the Juice / juice bar
Juices, smoothies and salads for a healthy start.
Noordermarkt 5, 4 mins walk https://www.joejuice.com/
Greenwoods / all day breakfast
English tea room with huge all day breakfasts/brunch. Very small tables and always full so go early, it opens at 9am and by 9.15am there is always a queue (no reservations).
Singel 103, 6 mins walk http://greenwoods.eu/
Gebr. Niemeijer / artisan French bakery
Excellent French breads and croissants, café in the back.
Nieuwendijk 35, 5 mins walk http://www.gebrniemeijer.com/
Lourens / croissants and more
Bakery with lovely croissants and ice cream in summer. On the corner of the Herengracht, worth taking a morning stroll to. Delicatessen next door from same owners.
Oude Leliestraat 15, 9 mins walk https://www.instagram.com/lourensamsterdam/
Pompadour / patisserie and tea room
In the 9 streets, patisserie and chocolates every day plus great croissants on Saturdays.
Huidenstraat 12, 15 mins walk http://www.pompadour-amsterdam.nl/
Winkel 43 / famous Dutch apple pie
There’s a queue down the block on market days, it’s worth the wait!
Noordermarkt 43, 5 mins walk https://winkel43.nl/
Saint Jean / plant based treats
Look for the line of hipsters waiting for their coffee and delectable vegan pastries, you’d never know there’s no butter, so very good.
Lindengracht 158, 7 mins walk https://www.saintjean.nl/
Oslo / Norwegian cinnamon rolls
Could these be the best cinnamon rolls in town? Warm out of the oven all day long.
Prinsenstraat 16, 6 mins walk https://www.oslo.amsterdam/
Selma’s Bakery / Swedish cinnamon rolls
Or maybe these are the best? Try both and let us know!
Herenstraat 35, 6 mins walk https://www.selmasbakery.com/
LUNCH and SNACKS
Ibericus / Spanish ham
This pata negra has to be tasted to be believed!
Haarlemmerstraat 93, (corner of our street) 10 seconds walk https://www.facebook.com/IbericusAmsterdam
Café Nobo / trendy local
Lunch or dinner in relaxed, modern atmosphere. Peruvian influenced menu.
Haarlemmerstraat 73, 2 mins walk https://www.cafenobo.nl/
The Lebanese Sajeria / freshly baked wraps
Yummy Lebanese manouche and soups.
Haarlemmerstraat 54, 2 mins walk http://thesajeria.com/
STACH / snacks and sandwiches
Good address for snacks, freshly made sandwiches, coffee and drinks.
Haarlemmerstraat 150, 2 mins walk, and more locations https://stach-food.nl/
SLA / fresh salad bar
Healthy salads, choose one of the specials or design your own.
Haarlemmerdijk 50, 4 mins http://ilovesla.com/
Small World / great brownies and sandwiches
The best brownies and sandwiches in town.
Binnen Oranjestraat 14, 5 mins walk http://smallworldcatering.nl/
De Bakkerswinkel / eclectic cafe
The best scones, also soups, salads, sandwiches and cakes. Good for breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea.
Regulateurshuis in the Westerpark, 17 mins walk or or Warmoesstraat 69, 12 mins walk
http://www.debakkerswinkel.com/amsterdam-west
Burgermeester / best burgers
Excellent hamburgers and vegetarian too (also open for dinner and to go 423 6225) Elandsgracht 130, 20 mins walk http://www.burgermeester.eu/
Vleminckx French Fries / prize-winning fries
Famous frites hole in the wall, off the Spui (just look for the queue), with a myriad of sauces
Voetboogstraat, 20 mins walk http://vleminckxdesausmeester.nl/
Fabel Friet / fabulous fries
Seriously good chips/fries – we recommend getting the mountain of parmesan on top!
Runstraat 1, 18 mins walk https://fabelfriet.nl/
Lavinia Good Food / healthy and delicious
Vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian – whatever your dietary requirements, they can cater to you here. Perfect for a stop near Rijksmuseum.
Kerkstraat 176, 25 minutes walk http://www.laviniagoodfood.nl/
Soup en zo / fantastic soups
The most delicious soups and salads freshly made every day. There are a couple of stools inside or a bench outside, otherwise you can take your soup to go.
Haarlemmerstraat 87 (around the corner) 1 min walk or Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 54 (great for a pit stop before or after museums) 25 minutes walk, https://soupenzo.nl/
Buffet van Odette / lunch on the canal
Great place for lunch (or dinner) if you’re visiting the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. Ottolenghi-esque selection of salads, soups etc. Advisable to book even at lunch time or go early or late.
Prinsengracht 598, 25 mins walk http://buffet-amsterdam.nl/
FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS in easy walking distance
Domenica / Italian in idyllic setting
Excellent Italian food. A table in summer under the trees on the Noordermarkt is hard to beat. Bookings are essential and open 3 weeks in advance.
Noordermarkt 7, 4 mins walk https://www.restaurantdomenica.com/ 020 774 6720
Toscanini / Italian institution
The most busy and buzzy restaurant in town for 30 years – now with a side deli you can take away from. Reservations required.
Lindengracht 75, 5 mins walk http://restauranttoscanini.nl/ 020 623 2813
Kikkie van de Prinsensluis / sharing plates
Ecletic menu of small plates to share in this hipster hangout on the corner of the canal.
Prinsenstraat 30, 6 mins walk https://www.kikkie.amsterdam/ 020 224 6022
Wolf Atelier/ modern European
Fine dining either a la carte, 4, 5 or 15 course menus.
Westerdoksplein 20, 6 mins walk http://www.wolfatelier.nl/ 020 344 6428
Bistrot Neuf / for wine lovers
Excellent French bistrot with over 80 wines by the glass, attached to Chabrol, the best wine shop in town.
Haarlemmerstraat 9, 4 mins walk http://www.bistrotneuf.nl/ 020 400 3210
Bak / hidden gem
Highly recommended fine dining restaurant, tucked away on the third floor of a warehouse. Focus on vegetables but not vegetarian.
Van Diemenstraat 108, 18 mins walk https://bakrestaurant.nl/ 020 737 2553
La Fiorita / Italian with a twist
From the ex-chef of Toscanini and the owner of La Perla comes this fresh take on Italian classics. Take the chef’s menu, you’ll thank me.
Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 12, 15 mins walk https://lafiorita.nl/ 020-7754344
Cafe de Klepel / cosy French influence
Small but atmospheric restaurant with bistrot style set menu that changes daily according to the seasons.
Prinsenstraat 22, 6 mins walk https://cafedeklepel.nl/en/ 020 623 8244
BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD TERRACES
Belhamel / stunning views inside and out
Art deco interior, views down the Herengracht. Elevated French cuisine. Lunch, dinner.
Brouwersgracht 60, 2 mins walk http://www.belhamel.nl/ 020 622 1095
Libertine Petit Café / French classics
The terrace is good for people watching (especially on market days Monday morning and Saturday) and the simple bistro food is well prepared. Coffee, drinks, dinner. Playground across the street.
Noordermarkt 4, 4 mins walk http://libertinecafe.amsterdam/
Spanjer & van Twist / canal side
Simple food for lunch, drinks, dinner with a lovely location on the canal side at boat level.
Leliegracht 60, 10 mins walk https://www.facebook.com/SpanjerenvanTwist
Café Nobo / lounge like a local
Grab the outside high cushions. Peruvian inspired menu. Lunch, drink, dinner.
Haarlemmerstraat 73, 2 mins walk http://www.cafenobo.nl/
Tabac / drinks on the corner
Drinks and snacks, no dinner.
Brouwersgracht 101, 3 mins walk http://www.cafetabac.eu/
EYE Film Institute / space age design and great views
Take the free ferry from behind Centraal Station to Buiksloterweg and visit this space age design film institute housing a cinema, restaurant and great terrace.
IJpromenade 1, 10 mins walk then 5 mins ferry then 1 min walk https://www.eyefilm.nl/en
MORE DINNER OPTIONS further afield
De Hallen / Food halls
Amsterdam’s food halls with lots of choice. Very hip, very now, very busy. Also a cinema.
Hannie Dankbaar Passage 33, 30 mins walk
http://dehallen-amsterdam.nl/gebruikers/foodhallen-2/
Raina Rai / Algerian
Algerian delicatessen with small eat in area and restaurant in Westerpark. Westerstraat 10 (7 mins walk), Prinsengracht 252 (15 mins walk), Polonceaukade 40 (25 mins walk)
http://www.rainarai.nl 020 486 7109
Balthazar’s Keuken / small on space, big on taste
Open for lunch and dinner Wed-Sat, inventive set menu changes every week, great food.
Elandsgracht 108, 20 mins walk http://www.balthazarskeuken.nl/en/ 020 420 2114
Gertude / hip sharing classics
Bar restaurant in Oud West with a gezellig warmed terrace. Seasonal vegetables, responsibly sourced fish and meat, tiny tables and sharing dishes.
Bosboom Toussaintstraat 28, 27 mins walk https://www.gertrudeamsterdam.nl/ 020 247 0013
Hotel de Goudfazant / modern Dutch
The menu is only in Dutch, you won’t find (m)any tourists here but despite it’s out of the way location it’s packed every night of the week. Go if you want to go where the locals go. PS it’s not a hotel! You’ll need to take a bike or taxi to get there.
Aambeeldstraat 10-H, Amsterdam Noord. http://www.hoteldegoudfazant.nl/ 020 636 5170
De Kas / fine home-grown dining
A restaurant in a green house and now an Amsterdam institution. They grow their own food or source it locally. Excellent. You’ll need to take a taxi/tram to get there.
Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3 http://www.restaurantdekas.nl/ 020 462 4562
Rijks / inspired by art
In a wing of the Rijksmuseum, food inspired by the colours and flavours of the Dutch Empire and the treasures housed in the museum.
Museumstraat 1, 30 mins walk http://www.rijksrestaurant.nl/ 020 674 7555
Moeders / typical Dutch
Traditional Dutch cuisine is simple, farmer’s food and this restaurant provides exactly that in a gezellig atmosphere. A great place to take your mother!
Rozengracht 251, 20 mins walk http://www.moeders.com/ 020 626 7957
D’Vijff Vlieghen / Holland’s Golden Age
Fine Dutch dining in five 17th century houses. Excellent service, traditional Dutch ingredients. Rembrandt etchings on the wall.
Spuistraat 294-302, 18 mins walk http://vijffvlieghen.nl/en/ 020 530 4060
Tempo Doeloe / Indonesian
Indonesian cuisine has a strong tradition in the Netherlands due to the Dutch colonial heritage and is known for its refined flavours and strong spices. This is one of the best regarded Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam and a good place to go for Rijsttafel. If it’s full, there is also Tujuh Maret next door.
Utrechtsestraat 75, 30 mins walk http://www.tempodoeloerestaurant.nl/ 020 625 6718
Blauw / Indonesian
Modern interiors and highly regarded traditional Indonesian food by a renowned Dutch chef. You’ll need to take a taxi/tram to get there.
Amstelveenseweg 158 http://www.restaurantblauw.nl/ 020 675 5000
PIZZA
La Perla / it’s a pearl!
Wood fired pizza oven and ingredients imported from Italy. The best pizzas we’ve ever tasted. Small eat in bar area or take away – also restaurant across the road from the pizza oven.
Tweede Tuindwarststraat 14 (from the Noordermarkt walk down the Westerstraat, take the third street on the left and it’s on the second corner on the right) 15 mins walk
http://pizzaperla.nl/ 020 624 8828 (only for reservations, not for pick up – you have to go)
De Pizzabakkers / interesting toppings
Wood fired pizza oven, have a glass of prosecco while you wait, take away or eat in.
Haarlemmerdijk 128 or Leliegracht 34 (on the canalside), 8 mins walk http://www.depizzabakkers.nl/ 020 427 4144
Rafi / summer evenings by the playground
Wood fired pizza, also pasta and other Italian specialities, lovely playground across the street. Palmgracht 39, 8 mins walk https://rafi.restaurant/ 020 358 6661
Lucca Due / cheap and around the corner
Good rather than great but good value and convenient, also pasta and other Italian cuisine, eat in or take away. Haarlemmerstraat 130, 2 mins walk http://luccadue.nl/ 020 622 0353
CHOCOLATES and ICECREAM
Puccini Bomboni / amazing handmade chocolates
Singel 184, 10 mins walk http://www.puccinibomboni.com/
Chocolatl / speciality chocolates from around the world
Hazenstraat 25, 20 mins walk http://chocolatl.nl/
Ijscuypje / freshly made ice creams and sorbets – the best!
Haarlemmerdijk 14 (opposite Albert Heijn supermarket) 5 mins, and other locations http://www.ijscuypje.nl/
Jordino / chocolates and ice creams
All made in house, ice creams, chocolate souvenirs: shoes, bags, art.
Harlemmerstraat 25, 5 mins walk https://www.jordino.nl/
Monte Pelmo / ice cream parlour
Amsterdam institution, near La Perla pizza.
2e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 17, 11 mins walkhttp://montepelmo.nl/
multatuli-apartment.nl 