Our handpicked guide to restaurants we love — from the neighbourhood, to Noord, to the canals of the city centre. Something for every appetite and every budget.
Amsterdam has a fantastic breakfast and brunch scene. Whether you want classic Dutch pancakes in the countryside, a creative brunch in the city, or just great coffee and eggs — here are our favourites.
One of Amsterdam's most beloved brunch spots, with a New Zealand-inspired menu that elevates classic breakfast dishes. Beautifully poached eggs, creative Benedicts and excellent coffee. Always busy — but always worth it.
Arrive early to avoid queues, especially on weekends. No reservations — first come, first served.
A warm brunch spot with a strong focus on vegetable-forward, seasonal dishes. The chickpea and courgette fritters with poached egg are legendary. Perfect for families.
Our favourite is the H'ART Museum location, with a beautiful terrace in a leafy garden. A hidden gem.
A New York-inspired brunch restaurant in Amsterdam West. Famous for their chicken and waffles — the best in the city. Takes reservations but keeps 20% of tables for walk-ins.
Book a table ahead, especially on weekends. The cocktails are excellent too.
A beloved Jordaan institution, best known for its legendary apple tart — considered by many to be the finest in Amsterdam. Also serves a good simple breakfast and excellent coffee.
Come on Saturday morning to combine with the Noordermarkt organic farmers' market just outside. The apple tart sells out — don't leave without a slice.
Has its own bakery and opens early every day. Also a great spot for a morning coffee and pastry from the bakery. Perfectly combined with a visit to the NXT Museum next door.
Great for a relaxed morning start in Noord before heading into the city.
A classic Dutch pancake house in the heart of beautiful Broek in Waterland. Traditional Dutch pancakes with an enormous choice of toppings, made fresh to order.
Reserve ahead — they fill up quickly. Combine with a walk through the historic village and its medieval church.
Noord has transformed from an industrial waterfront into one of Amsterdam's most exciting neighbourhoods for food. Old warehouses and shipyards are now home to some of the city's most inventive restaurants — all easily reachable from us.
One of the culinary pioneers of Noord, Café Modern has been serving a seasonal surprise menu since 2011. Choose from five, six or seven courses — the kitchen decides based on what's best that week. Exceptional and unconventional wine pairings.
A local institution. The kind of place where you go in not knowing what you'll eat and come out feeling like you had the best meal of the trip.
One of the most talked-about restaurants in Noord. The kitchen takes familiar everyday flavours and elevates them into something special. Excellent alcohol-free pairings for those who prefer not to drink.
Widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in Noord right now. Don't miss this one.
Set in a huge former auto garage with a relaxed, no-fuss atmosphere. Classic, well-executed dishes — crispy pork belly, well-sourced fish, good wine at a fair price. A Noord staple for over a decade.
Great value for the quality. Around €50 per person with wine. Perfect for a relaxed dinner without formality.
Japanese-inspired small plates, knockout cocktails and a resident DJ make this one of the most vibrant spots in Noord. Gorgeous riverside terrace in summer.
Great for an evening that starts with dinner and slides into drinks. The terrace at sunset is one of the best spots in Amsterdam.
Widely regarded as the best tacos in Amsterdam. The octopus taco is a must, as are the rib tacos and the tostadas. Order a variety — this is a place for sharing and grazing.
A deserved hit for years. Go hungry and order more than you think you need.
Bar-restaurant directly on the IJ with a sandy beach. In summer, one of the most beautiful spots in Noord to sit with a drink and watch the boats pass.
Perfect for a summer afternoon or early evening. Come before sunset for the best views.
Nearly 500 years old and still the heart of the Nieuwendammerhaven harbour. A classic Dutch brown café — good beers, simple food, legendary apple tart.
Just around the corner from us. A truly local spot that most tourists never find. The apple tart is a must.
Just a short cycle or drive from our door lies one of the most beautiful corners of the Netherlands. Broek in Waterland and Monnickendam feel a world away from Amsterdam — quiet, historic and with some surprisingly good places to eat. A perfect half-day trip.
A classic Dutch pancake house right in the heart of Broek in Waterland, in a historic building in one of the prettiest villages near Amsterdam. Traditional pancakes with a huge variety of toppings.
Reserve ahead — they fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Combine with a wander through the village.
Chef Paul's French kitchen with a stunning view over Monnickendam harbour. Fresh fish and local produce in a menu that changes every two months. Choose from a relaxed lunch or a 3 to 6-course dinner with matching wines.
One of the best restaurant experiences in the entire Waterland region. Well worth the trip out of the city.
On the water's edge of Monnickendam, looking out over the Gouwzee towards Marken. The kitchen combines French cooking with Asian influences in a beautiful waterfront pavilion.
The view alone is worth the trip. Come for lunch on a sunny day and you won't want to leave.
Right on Monnickendam's picturesque inner harbour with a historic feel and relaxed atmosphere. Fish dishes are the speciality, as you'd expect from a town with such a proud fishing history.
Perfect for a casual meal after cycling through the polder. Very local, very Dutch, very good value.
The centre is easily reached by taking the free ferry from behind Centraal Station across the IJ. Amsterdam's city centre has restaurants for every taste and budget — here are our favourites.
Set in a former billiards hall in Amsterdam's old shipyard district. Seasonal vegetables, fish and game sourced in the Netherlands, in four and five-course menus. Excellent natural wines and a luminous, welcoming atmosphere.
Four courses from €52. Modern and approachable fine dining without stuffiness.
Just behind Centraal Station in a roomy industrial space. A highly seasonal, vegetable-led five-course menu — vegetarians and vegans fully catered for. Natural and organic wines throughout.
One of the best fine dining options for plant-based eating in Amsterdam. Don't be put off by the location — it's exceptional.
Tucked away in a small alley in the Nine Streets district, Gartine uses only produce from the owners' own vegetable garden. Small, intimate and completely unique. High tea from 2pm — book well in advance.
One of Amsterdam's most personal restaurants. A hidden gem that locals love.
A Nine Streets restaurant known for its excellent cheese fondue. Choose from different types of cheese, served with bread and vegetables. Cosy and relaxed — perfect for a leisurely dinner.
Ideal for a cold evening. A fun and sociable way to eat — great with a group.
Amsterdam's own urban winery — over 25 wines made right here in the city, served alongside excellent Italian food in a spectacular glass-walled production space. A genuinely unique experience.
Also located in Noord near Buiksloterweg. Great to combine with a ferry trip.
Amsterdam is one of Europe's best cities for plant-based dining. These are the restaurants we'd point any vegetarian or vegan guest to — from casual lunches to proper fine dining without meat.
Fine dining flair applied entirely to vegan cuisine, in the elegant Hotel Mercier in the Jordaan. Four or five seasonally inspired courses with optional wine or tea pairings. Genuinely exceptional cooking.
One of the most impressive vegan dining experiences in the Netherlands. Even committed meat-eaters come away amazed.
A sustainability project turned restaurant on a former shipyard in Noord. Vegetarian and vegan flatbreads, soups, pasta, salads and mezze in a wonderfully unique setting on the water.
Go on a summer afternoon. The terrace and hammocks on the veranda make it one of the most atmospheric spots in Amsterdam.
Swedish chef Nina Olsson runs this cosy vegetarian brasserie near Westerpark. The focus is simply on how delicious the food is — not on being healthy or virtuous.
A refreshing approach: vegetarian because it's good, not as a statement. Highly recommended for any guest, veggie or not.
An entirely vegetarian restaurant with a seasonal surprise menu. Answer two questions — vegan or vegetarian, three or four courses — and the kitchen does the rest.
A long-standing favourite among Amsterdam's vegetarian community. Consistently excellent.