Amsterdam it all, let’s eat!
It’s all about the canals in the Netherlands’ cultural capital, so you’ll want to stay near them whatever you do. Here’s our guide to the best places to dine with a view of the water
ILLUSTRATION: PESKIMO @ SYNERGY ART
1 CAFÉ HET PAPENEILAND
2 Prinsengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 624 1989
A traditional Dutch “brown” cafe (ie, a cosy neighbourhood place) with a warmly lit bar and wood panelling.
2 DE BELHAMEL
60 Brouwersgracht; tel: +31 (0)20 622 1095
At the junction of two canals, in summer dinner is served outside to take advantage of one of the city’s prettiest spots.
3 CAFÉ NOL
109 Westerstraat; tel: +31 (0)20 624 5380
A bar with lots of singing, good and bad; lots of beer and an interior so kitsch it should come with a health warning.
4 CAFÉ DE VERGULDE
GAPER 30 Prinsenstraat; tel: +31 (0)20 624 8975
A fashionable “brown” café. Its inviting ambience lends itself to passing time with friends, a drink and a range of light fare.
5 THE PANCAKE BAKERY
191 Prinsengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 625 1333
Within a 17th-century canal house, come here for traditional pancakes, poffertjes (tiny sweet pancakes) and omelettes.
6 CAFÉ ’T SMALLE
12 Egelantiersgracht; tel: +31 (0)20 623 9617
A “brown” café which opened in 1780, it’s known for its stained-glass windows, friendly atmosphere, beers and floating terrace.
7 CAFÉ DE PRINS
124 Prinsengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 624 9382
On one of the most beautiful stretches of the Prinsengracht, this café is surrounded by history and a meeting place for craftspeople, students and artists of all ages.
8 ROEM
126 Prinsengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 427 7955
This is a small restaurant with a bar at the back. The staff are friendly and there’s a simple menu at affordable prices. There’s also an excellent terrace level with the water.
9 RESTAURANTCHRISTOPHÈ
46 Leliegracht; tel: +31 (0)20 625 0807
An elegant highlight of the Jordaan dining scene for 20 years, it’s had a Michelin star for the past 10. Early reports of the new management are very reassuring.
10 WERCK RESTAURANT& CAFE BAR
277 Prinsengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 627 4079
The former coach house of the Westerkerk (Western Church) is ideal as a place to meet for a drink, light lunch or for its international menu during dinner.
11 MOEDERS
251 Rozengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 626 7957
The tables are set with all kinds of different glassware, cutlery and crockery and the walls are decorated with a large number of paintings of… mothers.
12 BISTRO BIJ ONS
287 Prinsengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 627 9016
Bij ons is a place where you can eat non-complicated genuine Dutch food. The owners say that at Bij Ons you can enjoy their grandmothers’ recipes.
13 CAFÉ VAN ZUYLEN
4-8 Torensteeg; tel: +31 (0)20 639 1055
The patio at Café van Zuylen sits on the city’s widest and oldest remaining bridge, the Torensluis. This popular spot on the corner of the Singel canal is one of the largest café terraces in Amsterdam.
14 DWAZE ZAKEN
50 Prins Hendrikkade; tel: +31 (0)20 612 4175
Come here for a pint and pasta. It’s run by a Christian organisation, but there’s no preaching – only drinking, jazz performances and an ever-changing exhibition of paintings.
15 RESTAURANT-CAFÉ IN DE WAAG
4 Nieuwmarkt; tel: +31 (0)20 422 7772
Originally built in 1488, the Weigh House or Waag, is now a restaurant with a wide choice of international dishes, including vegetarian options.
16 FONTEYN
13-15 Nieuwmarkt; tel: +31 (0)20 422 3599
A modern version of a “brown” bar, with a pavement area for enjoying the sun. Popular and bustling, they serve a range of drinks, from fruit juices and coffees to beers from local Brewery ’t IJ.
17 BRASSERIE DE BRAKKE GROND
43 Nes; tel: +31 (0)20 626 0044
Connected to the Flemish House of Culture, this café, restaurant and spacious terrace are good spots to enjoy a draft beer or choose one of the many bottled beers.
18 THE GETAWAY
250 Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal; tel: +31 (0)20 627 1427
With humble beginnings, this bar has transformed itself into a trendy place to drink cocktails and highlight local DJ talent. Unpretentious and relaxed.
19 DAVID & GOLIATH
92 Kalverstraat; tel: +31 (0)20 623 6736
Eat outside to enjoy the lovely courtyard, or have your meal inside in the company of the statues of David and Goliath. There’s a wide, varied menu to choose from.
20 CAFÉ & GALLERY DANTE
320 Spuistraat; tel: +31 (0)20 638 8839
This is a bar, a restaurant and also a gallery. The menu offers Italian cuisine and modern art adorns the walls. Guests often wander around admiringly between courses.
21 BUFFET VAN ODETTE EN YVETTE
309 Herengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 423 6034
A charming little café offering delicious cakes, sandwiches and drinks in bright, light surroundings. Just right for a break after a shopping trip around the Negen Straatjes.
22 ENVY
381 Prinsengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 344 6407
Envy puts quality first, which is reflected in the wines and cooking. The menu changes weekly as they use products in season.
23 PANCAKES! AMSTERDAM
38 Berenstraat; tel: +31 (0)20 528 9797
A pancake restaurant that combines the traditional Dutch pancake with fantastic, and often surprising, ingredients. You can also create your own pancake.
24 DE ADMIRAAL
319 Herengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 625 4334
An authentic tasting room, where staff will advise you on what best to drink while you gaze at the old distillery tools and casks.
25 GESPOT
422 Prinsengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 320 3733
In a 17th-century building with wooden beams, locals and the beau monde come to enjoy the mainly Italian-inspired dishes, waterside terrace and basement bar.
26 VINOMIO
465a Keizersgracht; tel: +31 (0)20 675 0707
Famous for its fantastic wines, complimentary evening nibbles and authentic pasta dishes.
27 HERENGRACHT FOOD | DRINKS | ART
435 Herengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 616 2482
Outside a terrace faces the water; inside it’s comfortable, with soft couches and a menu featuring international classics.
28 CAFÉ DE JAREN
20-22 Nieuwe Doelenstraat; tel: +31 (0)20 625 5771
Order a Cosmopolitan and sip it on a canal-side terrace in this vast, multi-roomed space with a café and restaurant.
29 CAFÉ BOLLE JAN
3 Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat; tel: +31 (0)20 625 9376
A small, cosy bar serving a variety of light beers with live music almost every night. It’s owned by the father of famous Dutch singer René Froger, who started his career here.
NEW! OPENING 19 JUNE
30 CAFÉ RESTAURANT NEVA
13 Nieuwe Herengracht; tel: +31 (0)20 530 7483
In the Garden Wing above the entrance foyer of the newly opened Hermitage Amsterdam, enjoy panoramic views through 34 windows and a large sheltered terrace.
