Where to Eat in Amsterdam: A Local's Restaurant Guide

Amsterdam food used to be a joke. People came here for the museums and the nightlife, not the restaurants. That has completely changed. The food scene here is genuinely excellent now, and you do not need to spend a fortune to eat well.

Here is my honest restaurant guide, organized by what you are actually looking for.

Brunch

Brunch culture hit Amsterdam hard about five years ago and never left.

Bakers & Roasters — My roommate has been going every Saturday for two years. The banana french toast is ridiculous. In De Pijp, which is basically the brunch capital of Amsterdam. Get there before 10 AM on weekends or wait 45 minutes.

Cafe Winkel 43 — Technically a cafe, but the apple pie is what brings people here. My friend Emma says it is the best apple pie in Amsterdam. I agree. It is enormous, topped with whipped cream, and perfect on a Saturday morning at the Noordermarkt.

Pluk — My coworker Nina comes here when she wants to feel healthy and take good photos. Everything is pretty, colorful, and actually tastes good. The acai bowls are solid.

Casual Dinner

Cafe de Klos — My coworker Thomas has been going every Friday for three years. The spare ribs are absurd — enormous portions, ridiculous flavor. Cash only, no reservations, show up and wait. Worth it every single time.

Restaurant Rijsel — French-Flemish food in De Pijp. The rotisserie chicken is legendary. My coworker took me here my first week in Amsterdam and I have been going back monthly. No reservations for dinner, so arrive by 6 PM or prepare to wait.

Moeders — Dutch home cooking. The walls are covered in photos of everyone's mom. My friend Daan took his actual mom here and she said it was "almost as good as hers," which is the highest compliment she gives. Try the stamppot.

La Perla — The best pizza in Amsterdam. I will die on this hill. My roommate orders the same pizza every time (margherita with burrata) and refuses to try anything else because "perfection does not need variety." Small space, usually a wait.

Food Halls and Markets

Foodhallen — My second living room. A former tram depot with about 20 food stalls. Perfect when your group cannot agree on what to eat. Vietnamese, BBQ, sushi, tacos — it is all here and it is all good. My go-to: the bao buns.

Albert Cuyp Market — Not a restaurant, but you will eat better here than at most restaurants. Fresh stroopwafels, kibbeling, Vietnamese spring rolls, Surinamese roti — all for a few euros. My neighbor goes every Tuesday morning.

Fine Dining

Ron Gastrobar — Ron Blaauw gave up his Michelin stars to make fine dining accessible. Everything on the menu is the same price. My coworker took her parents here and they are still talking about it months later. All the quality, none of the pretension.

Ciel Bleu — Two Michelin stars on the 23rd floor. My neighbor took his wife here for their anniversary and the tasting menu made her cry. In a good way. This is the splurge meal, the one you save up for. The views of Amsterdam at sunset are just unfair.

Quick and Cheap

SLA — Healthy salads and bowls in De Pijp. My coworker who counts macros considers this her canteen. Actually tasty, which is rare for a salad place.

Vegan Junk Food Bar — Even meat-eaters love this place. My friend who loudly claims to hate vegan food went here and ordered a second round. The loaded fries are unreal.

Bar Centraal — Oyster bar right at Centraal Station. Perfect for a quick pre-train treat or a fancy snack before heading to the airport. My friend Jake had oysters here before his flight and called it "the most European thing I have ever done."

My Eating Rules for Amsterdam

1. If the menu is in six languages with photos, keep walking
2. Leidseplein restaurants are almost universally overpriced
3. Lunch is cheaper than dinner everywhere — take advantage
4. Indonesian food in Amsterdam is incredibly good. Find a rijsttafel spot and order the full spread
5. Tipping: 5-10 percent if service was good, not obligatory like in the US
6. Ask for the dagschotel (daily special) at any brown cafe — usually solid, always cheap
7. Reservations matter for dinner at popular spots but rarely for lunch

This city has become a serious food destination. My friends from New York, where they think they have seen it all, keep being surprised by how good the food is here. And the best part: the best meals in Amsterdam are not the most expensive ones.