Amsterdam is one of the best places to visit if you're looking for unique and delicious cuisine. You'll find a wide variety of options available, but even global dishes seem to have that special Dutch charm.

To get the most out of your food in Amsterdam, you'll need to stop by some of the best restaurants in town. Fortunately, you'll find enough variety among them to keep everyone happy with something to enjoy. Take a look at the top restaurants locals love in Amsterdam.

  • 1

    De Kas

    Taste the quality of plant-to-plate dining

    De Kas
    • Couples
    • Food

    At De Kas, you can enjoy a restaurant committed to plant-to-plate dining, offering quality ingredients in all dishes that vary based on the season. Keep in mind that they don't merely work with local farmers to get their ingredients. They actively grow them on their own in their open-air farm and greenhouse area.

    Inside their greenhouse and open farm area, you'll find around 300 different varieties of plants, including fruits, vegetables and herbs. They're harvested as late as possible and prepared as quickly as possible to ensure you get the maximum amount of freshness possible.

    Location: Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Daily from noon to 10 pm

    Phone: +31 20 462 4562

    Map
  • 2

    Wilde Zwijnen

    Get a taste of wild boar

    Wilde Zwijnen
    • Food

    At Wilde Zwijnen, you can taste whatever game is in season prepared to perfection by a team that cares deeply about quality food with signature Dutch excellence. The name translates to wild boar, and in addition to the meat here, you'll find several vegetarian options as well.

    The decor in this Amsterdam-Oost eatery evokes a rustic-industrial atmosphere where you'll find pale walls and wooden tables. All the ingredients are locally sourced, and they offer creative twists on seasonal dishes to keep things fresh.

    Location: Javaplein 23, 1095 CJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Daily from noon to 8 pm

    Phone: +31 20 463 3043

    Map
  • 3

    Hotel de Goudfazant

    Visit a hip restaurant on the water's edge

    Hotel de Goudfazant
    • Food

    Hotel de Goudfazant is not a hotel but a restaurant in what was formerly a giant shed. They offer delicious yet unpretentious food in a trendy setting. You'll find it in Noord, along with a crowd typically consisting of young creatives looking for something different from standard Amsterdam fare.

    When you visit this restaurant, you'll notice the unpainted walls and rusted pillars that were kept from the original building. However, this only adds to its ambience, creating an environment as interesting as the food itself, which is unique without being pretentious.

    Location: Aambeeldstraat 10, 1021 KB Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Tuesday–Sunday from noon to 7 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +31 20 636 5170

    Map

    photo by currystrumpet (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 4

    Stubbe’s Haring

    Take a local rite of passage

    Stubbe’s Haring
    • Food

    Stubbe’s Haring is where you can find one of Amsterdam's most iconic dishes, raw herring, so it's worth a visit if you're looking for a challenge. You'll find it along the Singel canal, but you don't even need to know the exact destination, as you can simply follow the smell.

    While this food kiosk may not seem like the most appetising option for travellers who aren't used to it, a quality raw herring sandwich or any of the other seafood options can be surprisingly satisfying and delicious. Just be sure to take advantage of the array of condiments they have on offer.

    Location: Singel, 1013 GA Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 6.30 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

    Map

    photo by Hermann Luyken (CC0 1.0) modified

  • 5

    Café Old Sailor

    Relax at a Red Light District bar

    Café Old Sailor
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Café Old Sailor is a fun bar in the middle of the Red Light District where you'll find a wide variety of cold drinks alongside a relaxing atmosphere. If you spend any time in this district during your visit, you'll probably pass this bar at some point, so make sure you stop in.

    The menu here is quite expansive, offering a wide variety of drinks to enjoy. You'll find a huge array of beers on draft along with bottled favourites as well. They also have a whisky and cognac selection with a select few other spirits to enjoy too.

    Location: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 39-A, 1012 DA Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +31 20 773 7931

    Map
  • 6

    Winkel 43

    Visit a quaint cafe

    Winkel 43
    • Families
    • Food

    Winkel 43 is a modest cafe in the Jewish quarter that offers plenty of drinks and sweet treats you can enjoy along with scenic outdoor seating. It's located within a traditional style Amsterdam house, so it's a great destination if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture.

    When it comes to the food, you'll find plenty of sandwiches and omelettes here with ingredients you can customise, but the star of the show is the Dutch apple pie.

    Location: Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Monday from 7 am to 1 am, Tuesday–Thursday from 8 am to 1 am, Friday from 8 am to 3 am, Saturday from 7 am to 3 am, Sunday from 9 am to 1 am

    Phone: +31 20 623 0223

    Map

    photo by Marco Metzler (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 7

    Pesca

    Enjoy delicious seafood

    Pesca
    • Food

    Pesca is one of the most iconic destinations in town if you're looking for high-quality seafood and sweet desserts to finish off your meal. You'll find an array of options on their menu, including sea bass, halibut and scallops that are all cooked to perfection. Common dessert favourites include cheesecake and parfait.

    Inside this restaurant, you'll find a welcoming atmosphere with high-end decor making the overall feeling relaxing and fancy at the same time. It's particularly well-known for its impeccable service that ensures your experience is as positive as possible.

    Location: Rozengracht 133, 1016 LV Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 6 pm to 10 pm, Friday from 5.30 pm to 10 pm, Saturday–Sunday from noon to 10 pm

    Phone: +31 20 334 5136

    Map
  • 8

    Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels

    Enjoy stunning stroopwafels

    Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels
    • Food

    Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels is a stroopwafel restaurant that specialises in the iconic Dutch treat that tends to stand out from the rest in its modest food truck. You'll find the food truck parked in Albert Cuyp Market, so you won't have to look far to find it.

    When you visit this food vendor, you can effectively enjoy the best of both worlds combining quality delicious food with affordability. Just keep in mind that there's typically quite a crowd here, so your best bet may be to arrive early if you don't want to wait.

    Location: Albert Cuyp Straat t/o 182 Stand 134, 1073 BL Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Tuesday–Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

    Map
  • 9

    Little Collins De Pijp

    Try Australian cuisine

    Little Collins De Pijp
    • Families
    • Food

    Little Collins De Pijp is a unique restaurant dedicated to the atmosphere and cuisine of the Australian city of Melbourne, with some of the more unique offerings in town. Australian food itself is already a bit of a mixture of various cuisines, so you're in for a treat by Sarphatipark.

    When you visit, you'll find stunning items like a pan-fried potato hash along with some French toast. Additionally, you can get pork belly with Asian slaw and a wide variety of Bloody Mary drinks, each with its own unique spicy kick.

    Location: Eerste Sweelinckstraat 19F, 1073 CL Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm, Friday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +31 20 673 2293

    Map
  • 10

    Bar Bitterbal

    Find the perfect bar snack

    Bar Bitterbal
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Bar Bitterbal is your ideal destination when looking for a bar snack in the historic canal ring where you'll find all the bitterballen you could ever want. Bitterballen is the most common item on the menu, with 30 different varieties to choose from, but you'll find other snacks as well, like French fries.

    Being a bar, this restaurant also features a wide range of drinks available. For the most part, these include local craft beers and wines, but you'll also find inventive cocktails and spirits. Mocktails are available here as well.

    Location: Utrechtsestraat 18, 1017 VN Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Daily from 2 pm to 10 pm

    Phone: +31 61 336 3359

    Map