The Best 65 Restaurants For Every Occasion | Amsterdam
Where the tastemakers of Amsterdam eat (updated regularly)
Recommended by The Bearleaders
Restaurant Sushi Hanabi tip by Bearleader in Gastronomy Jorane Cuppen
Enjoy the very best restaurants for every occasion that Amsterdam has to offer, selected by tastemakers such as artists, designers and Michelin chefs. From guilty pleasures to haute cuisine, from Mediterranean to Asian.
Michelin-Star Restaurants In Amsterdam
A selection of the best Michelin-star restaurants Amsterdam has to offer for those who want the very best.
THE WHITE ROOM RESTAURANT
Grand Hotel Kransapolsky’s Michelin-star restaurant is one of the oldest in Amsterdam. A banquet hall of white and gold that dates back to 1885, it has been kept in its original shape. The experimental cooking of chef de cuisine Tristan de Boer and his team wonderfully contrasts the classic interior and ensures a distinctively contemporary dining experience.
instagram | maps | favourite of Arne Heuwekemeijer, General Manager
FLORE
Chef Bas and his astounding two-star creations are vegan, local, and high quality.
instagram | maps | favourite of Michiel Borstlap, Pianist & Composer
GRAPHITE
Chef Peter cooks like a fine art painter. His speak-easy restaurant stands out!
instagram | maps | favourite of Michiel Borstlap, Pianist & Composer and André Gerrits, Michelin Star Chef
CIEL BLEU
On the 23rd floor of the Okura, you’ll enjoy amazing views and exquisite traditional cuisine with international spices and flavours. Chef Arjan Speelman and his fantastic team have netted this restaurant 2 Michelin stars, which it has managed to hold on to since 2007.
instagram | maps | favourite of Stefan van Sprang, Two Michelin Star Chef
DE JUWELIER
The second restaurant by Michelin Chefs Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot is famous for restaurant 212.
Aimed at making great food accessible, expect reasonably priced - but now Michelin starred! - haute cuisine without the pretense. To be enjoyed in a cool art deco environment.instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
ZOLDERING
A casual dining experience aiming for the atmosphere of an old Amsterdam bar - now with a Michelin star. Despite this amazing recognition of their efforts, the hosts remain as welcoming and open as ever, and a walk-in for some wine and snacks by the bar is always possible. Often fully reserved for dinner, they even encourage trying to walk in around 21:00 to see if any spots are available for a walk-in Michelin dinner. A place to go for dinner, a few glasses of wine, or a wonderful ice cream. While far from an ice cream parlour, they nevertheless serve the best cream in town.
SPECTRUM
Inside Hotel Waldorf Astoria, you’ll find one of Amsterdam's most exquisite fine dining experiences. Outstanding hospitality and creative cooking netted Chef Sidney Schutte and manager Ralph van Hattem, two Michelin stars, within 7 months of opening.
Sidney’s experience at the Librije and in Hong Kong allows him to mix innovative Dutch haute cuisine with Asian twists effortlessly. Much like the hotel, the dishes are all about the details and have an understated elegance. The colours, tastes, and structures are full of contrasts and yet expertly balanced.
instagram | maps | favourite of Roberto Payer, Hotelier, Stefan van Sprang, Two Michelin Star Chef and Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist
YAMAZATO
This was the first Japanese restaurant to achieve a Michelin star in Europe. Yamazato serves traditional Japanese Kaiseki cuisine created by executive chef Tomikawa.
RESTAURANT ‘T AMSTERDAMMERTJE
While located just outside of Amsterdam in Loenen, this restaurant is worth visiting. Michelin Star Chef André Gerrits makes worldly creations from vegetables from his own garden in combination with other Dutch delicacies. And with André’s Bistrotel - a bistro and hotel in one - nearby, you won’t even have to drive home and can enjoy an accessible lunch the next morning.
instagram | maps, in Loenen aan de Vecht (outside of Amsterdam)
MOS AMSTERDAM
Michelin Star Chef Egon van Hoof unleashes his creativity onto his dishes at MOS. Expect surprising combinations of ingredients while enjoying an unbeatable view of the water.
instagram | maps | favourite of Martin Kruithof, Two Michelin Star Chef, Stefan van Sprang, Two Michelin Star Chef, and Michiel Borstlap, Pianist & Composer
French & International Restaurants
V12
Comfort, simplicity, and a European menu are what you can expect at this all-day restaurant in Noord, founded by three friends. In good weather, you can sit outside on the great terrace. Inside, it has a casual and industrial vibe.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist & World Traveller
PETIT PÉCHÉ
A sister restaurant to the (also excellent) restaurant Beurre, this hotspot in Oud-West serves a wealth of culinary guilty pleasures. The veal tongue especially is just to die for.
MARIE AMSTERDAM
Located in the beautiful Hotel De L’Europe, this restaurant serves elegant French food in a stunning environment. Deserving of mention is their beautiful terrace, a spacious oasis on the canal right in the centre.
MONT BLANC
Imagine yourself in the Alps at this inviting French restaurant. The interior is a symphony of wood, a modern interpretation of classic Alpine design. The dishes echo this sentiment too, with a surprising contemporary tasting menu that still evokes homecooked alpine charm.
BARRACUDA
Situated in an old industrial hall, this fish restaurant embraces simplicity and makes up for it with a large range of fish and seafood, prepared honestly with respect for its natural quality.
CAFE MARCELLA
Simple but delicious breakfast, lunch, and snacks in this beautifully designed pub that also serves a fantastic selection of wine, beer, and cocktails. Their terrace on the Prinsengracht makes this a rare spot of serenity in the center of Amsterdam.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colorist
RESTAURANT EUROPA
Sit down at the long counter, which seats 26 guests, and enjoy a tasting menu brimming with creativity and freshness. A hotspot in Noord.
SINCK
Accessible but luxurious, Sinck is a wine bar and restaurant with an all-star team, guaranteeing exquisite service and food in a relaxed atmosphere. Sommelier Sabas (formerly of the Librije) knows what you want before you do. You can enter for just a glass and some finger food in the cosy bar, or go upstairs for a multi-course meal. Real comfort food, including wonderful snacks like their homemade ‘kroketten’.
QV WINEBAR
On the Beethovenstraat you’ll find this charming wine bar. More of a place to have wine with a snack on the side than the other way around, the food is nevertheless excellent. Expect various European and international delicacies with robust flavours and high-quality ingredients.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colorist
KAAGMAN & KORTEKAAS
An Amsterdam classic. A buzzing vibe and insanely good cooking by chef Giel Kaagman - his sauces are to die for. Think surf and turf on steroids, so seafood and offal. Don’t be scared, though; they will hold your hand and make sure you broaden your horizon without difficulties. What keeps its patrons coming back is this ability to introduce you to something new, in combination with the excellent, playful, and professional service.
BISTRO DE LA MER
An initiative from Richard van Oostbrugge and Thomas Groot, owners of the well-known restaurants 212 and De Juwelier. If you have the chance to get yourself a table, make sure you have a place at the bar. You can literally see how your dishes are prepared in front of your own eyes. The best seafood, prepared in the most exquisite ways. Combine this with a small but well-thought-out wine list offering a fine selection of the best European wines with a focus on Burgundy.
instagram | maps | favourite of Koen van der Plas, Sommelier, Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist, and Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
PEACOCK ALLEY
This elegant lounge with flowing drapery, hand-blown glass, and classic furniture is located in the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam. It is the perfect spot for lunch, aperitif, or a themed Afternoon Tea: an ever-changing, stunning seasonal arrangement.
instagram | maps | favourite of Stefan van Sprang, Two Michelin Star Chef
CLOS WINEBAR & RESTAURANT
A cozy must-visit for wine lovers. Named after the French term for a small and hidden vineyard, Clos is a restaurant where the wine takes the lead, with dishes to fit the grapes rather than the other way around.
instagram | maps | favourite of Stefan van Sprang, Two Michelin Star Chef
CAFE DE KLEPEL
A wine bar with French-oriented bistro cuisine. With a daily changing menu and 300 wines on their wine list, De Klepel has become a household name for any wine-lover. Their terrace is small but very cosy, and they even have a small garden in the back.
instagram | maps | favourite of Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist, and Koen van der Plas, Sommelier
TROEF
Run by an all-star team with a Michelin-starred restaurant experience. Troef makes high-end fine dining accessible and affordable. Inventive reinterpretations of classic Dutch cuisine brought to the next level with masterful French preparation. The open kitchen and beautiful interior are the cherry on top.
CHOUX
The red building that houses Choux can be seen from the Central Station, and yet it still feels like a hidden gem. It is hard to place in any category, but it is the best place to get surprised as a vegetarian. Or as a non-vegetarian, for that matter, but you should really try the vegetarian options—sophisticated, boundary-pushing and creative cooking by chef Merijn van Berlo. The dishes look like plates of art and actually taste as good as they look. You should try one of their excellent plum wines for another pleasant surprise.
RIJSEL
An all-time favorite, so popular that they just released their own cookbook. Be welcomed at the door by your hosts, who politely introduce themselves and make your way into a charming former school. Chef Iwan Driessen is a master in classic French dishes, while Sommelier Pieter will pour you something delectable to accompany the flavours.
PARLOTTE
This cozy wine bar has a great selection of wines and serves delightful classic dishes. Their meats are the best, as are all their snacks.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist, and Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist
BAR DU CHAMPAGNE
Bar du Champagne is perfectly located on the Rokin. Where to go in the center? Now you know. It sounds high-end but is actually very approachable. The food is amazing, champagne is served by the glass. The ambiance does a great job of tempting patrons to turn a few bites into a full-on dinner. Also, definitely take a look at their candy store – the beautiful wine shop behind the glass door within the venue.
BISTROT DES ALPS
This cozy bistro is known for its cheese fondue, but it also has all the perfect ingredients for a drink with appetizers and wine. Their brioche goes perfectly with the foie gras. This place is one of a kind.
They also offer their legendary cheese fondue.
BRUT DE MER
The lobster roll and chips are highly recommended. Fresh seafood is iced on the bar, giving it an authentic market feel.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist and Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist
VISQUE
The best fish restaurant in the Oud-Zuid area. Head there for oysters and champagne.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist and Ivan Cremer, Sculptor
WATERGANG
Table d’hôte by chef Tim van Grootheest and maître Mo Schutte. They change their five-course menu every month and serve an extended lunch every Friday till Sunday.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist and Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist
BINNENVISSER
An incredibly cool little bistro on the corner of the Bilderdijkstraat, with a cozy terrace and a vintage yet minimalist interior and decoration. The music comes towards you through the big open windows on summer nights. Lovely vegetarian dishes and natural wines are served by knowledgeable staff. It’s always a treat going here.
KIKKIE VAN DE PRINSENSLUIS
Former kitchen staff from Parlotte are making their way to this cute place, sitting on one of the beautiful corners of the Prinsengracht. The food is hearty, drinks are flowing, and the last sun rays are just touching their terrace.
Luxurious Mediterranean & Latin Restaurants
Taste the sun at any of these Mediterranean-inspired tips! Whether you are looking for Spanish tapas or fresh, surprising flavours from Latin America, these recommendations are bound to tickle your fancy.
NELA
High-end restaurant Nela is located in The Valley, a skyscraper. Also inside, it doesn’t look like a regular Amsterdam restaurant. Like the crowd, the vibe is high-end, hip, and buzzing, and the interior is carefully put together, as is the extensive menu. With a focus on vegetables, the open fire shows the variation in preparations. Choose a spot at the kitchen bar to feel the warmth of the flames, or choose a table if you’re with a bigger group. The cocktails are on fire, too.
instagram | maps | favourite of Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist and Alon Ben Joseph, Jeweler.
APOLLONIA
This exciting restaurant located in the eastern harbor of Amsterdam is a no-frills affair that has perfected simplicity. Pure, identifiable ingredients in creative yet minimalist dishes, paired with fantastic organic wines.
MESIBA
Delicious Mediterranean food on the Lijnbaansgracht with a clean yet festive atmosphere. Some of the best ceviches in Amsterdam are a must-try.
SAGARDI
Basque cuisine is done right. The best way to save yourself is a trip to San Sebastian. This is it; from the high-poured cidre as an aperitif to the selection of Txakoli wines and amazing aged cuts of meat and fatty fish. It’s all about ingredients here, which they know how to pick. Another bonus? It’s close to Hoppe, so you can combine your visit with the opportunity to get a perfectly tapped beer before!
SINS OF SAL
Talking about vibes. This snake-pit slash vampire cult place, which feels like walking into a Mexican back alley, serves quick and draft cocktails, which have been prepped before to still get that depth in flavour. The food is finger-licking, sinful good. Try the torta libre, a brioche bun with lechon or oyster mushrooms dipped in (vegetarian) jus de veau. Or the sweetbread tostadas with spicy Coca-Cola glaze.
COBA TAQUERIA
Delectable tacos in Amsterdam North. A beautifully styled Mexican restaurant with authentic dishes full of tangy and smoky flavors, from octopus to beef. Together with Bacalar (opened by the former chef of Coba), this is the go-to place when it comes to authentic Mexican cuisine. The vibe, the cocktails, the flavourful food.
instagram | maps | favourite of Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist and Ferry Loeve, Senior Hair Colorist
BACALAR
For high-quality novelty tacos, you have to visit the north of Amsterdam. A unique hip atmosphere and creative interpretations of Mexican classics, with nice cocktails to boot.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
NAZKA
An excellent Peruvian restaurant with great ceviches, exquisite tastes, and an extensive wine selection. Nice mixed crowd.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist, Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist and Michiel Borstlap, Pianist & Composer
SALMUERA
This gem on the Rozengracht is the place for fabulous cocktails and the best Argentinian food. Everything here is amazing, from the music and the interior with candles and roses to the menus encased in old books. They have delicious ceviches, different cuts of meat, and mezcal or cocktail pairings to go with it. An absolute must-visit.
A Taste of Italy in Amsterdam
Discover Amsterdam's best pizza and pasta in these lovely trattorias and restaurants.
GIÓ CUCINA ITALIANA
An honest, deeply authentic Italian restaurant that serves family recipes not often encountered in Amsterdam. In Italy this would be called an Osteria in terms of the interior.
instagram | maps | favourite of Roberto Payer, Luxury Consultant
NNEA
Awarded one of the best pizza restaurants in the world, there is always a line here, but recently they’ve allowed pickup. It’s well worth it: they’ve perfected the artisanal Neapolitan-style pizza, with fluffy yet crispy dough and perfectly balanced ingredients.
CALISTO
Stunningly beautiful Italian dishes full of authentic flavour, served in a tastefully reshaped canal house. Their pastas are spectacular, but the sides can’t be missed either.
DOMENICA
It is one of the best Italian/Mediterranean restaurants in the city, situated in the middle of the Jordaan. A cozy restaurant that serves simple yet incredibly tasteful dishes. Flavio is a hero in the kitchen. His menu makes it hard to choose, simply because you will want it all. Start with a negroni and let the staff help you select a wine complementing the food.
instagram | maps | favourite of Jorane Cuppen, Gastronomist, and Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
DE KLAPROOS
A pizza & pasta pop-up restaurant in Noord. A cool industrial setting in an old warehouse, close to creative shared spaces for an inspiring environment.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
LA CONTESSA
Perfect! A great Italian restaurant in Amsterdam Oost.
instagram | maps | favourite of Michiel Borstlap, Pianist & Composer
PIANETA TERRA
This restaurant is listed as one of the 50 best Italian restaurants in the world, and for good reason. This is where contemporary creativity meets authentic Italian cooking, with organic, slow-cooked ingredients.
RISTO ENOTECA PEPENERO
One of the oldest Italian restaurants in Amsterdam, it is a traditional place that many famous artists, like Mick Jagger, visit when staying at the Amstel Hotel around the corner.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
LA FIORITA
This stylish and vintage-looking restaurant in the Jordaan area serves traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist. Apart from the fantastic food, they have a beautiful wine cellar that every wine-lover can appreciate.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
ROBERTO’S RESTAURANT
Traditional Italian cuisine with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Their simple, minimalist style in both cooking and design, combined with their great personable service, bring the taste and feel of Italy to Amsterdam.
TOSCANINI
Probably the most well-known Italian restaurant in Amsterdam. It’s the place for a simple Italian dish or a great bottle of wine. It’s incredibly popular, so you definitely need to make sure you reserve in advance.
EURO PIZZA
The name might sound cheap, but this great pizza & wine bar in Amsterdam North serves amazing sourdough pizza with high-quality ingredients.
Uniquely, it features a lot of local and seasonal ingredients on its pizza. Traditionally made dough meets inventive toppings in a hip environment with a spacious terrace. It is not traditional Italian by any means, but it is worthwhile precisely because of it.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
Fusion & Asian Restaurants
From newly established Fusion concepts to decade-old institutions, Amsterdam is rich in Asian food culture. These tips cover whether you want a spicy, comforting, or complex meal.
SUSHI HANABI
Refined Japanese sushi restaurant serving two Omakase courses. Excellent quality and service.
KID
Asian-inspired comfort food that warms the soul, from dumplings to burgers and fried chicken.
CORNER STORE
A wine bar in the north of Amsterdam, inspired by the tradition of the Japanese music bar, with funky organic wines and even funkier vinyl tunes. From the same owners as Binnenvisser, this restaurant feels like a fresh breeze. The vinyl is spinning, the crowd is buzzing, and the food is delicious. Vegetarian dishes are the main focus, and food lovers can eat their hearts out without the up-tight vibe that sometimes can come along with it. Go with friends and just let the evening be decided for you.
NOMADS
This genuinely international restaurant resides in Oost and brings you a wide variety of dishes and wines from all over the world. With the chef, you decide which countries you want to visit, and they’ll whip up a food and wine-tasting menu to take you there.
instagram | maps | favourite of Stefan van Sprang, Two Michelin Star Chef
MONDI
Here, you can enjoy shared fine dining and soul food, with Caribbean cuisine and culture at the centre. The vibe and interior are incredibly chill and create a welcoming and warm atmosphere.
instagram | maps | favourite of Shiran Gort-Jankie, Founder and Micky Hoogendijk, Artist
TAIKO
This contemporary Asian restaurant near Museumplein is a real treat. Chef Schilo van Coevorden combines his classical French training with a love for Asia. The result is an explosion of flavours and colours, served in a beautiful cosmopolitan environment.
instagram | maps | favourite of Alon Ben Joseph, Jorane Cuppen and Stefan Scholten
FOU FOW RAMEN
This is one of the first, best, and oldest Japanese ramen noodles restaurants in Amsterdam, with locations in the Jordaan and De Pijp. Their tan-tan ramen is my favourite.
HELLING 7
You'll find this restaurant right on the IJ River by the docks. Housed in a beautifully restored building that’s incredibly industrial yet open in feel, you can enjoy the sun on the terrace and inside its glass walls. Enjoy watching the shipyard and beautiful industrial setting.
The food also matches the decor, with a modern and fresh take on cooking with fire. It does not belong to any particular kitchen, but it is smokey and flavourful, with a lot of vegetables.
instagram | maps | favourite of Ferry Loeve, Sr. Hair Colourist
