Amsterdam Food-Restaurants

Amsterdam Food-Restaurants information

Dutch

Blauw aan de Wal ** Oudezijds Achterburgwal 99 Tel: +31 (0)20-330-2257 Haven of international and Dutch cuisine in the throbbing heart of the Red Light district. The location is on a surprisingly quiet alley, although it's still lit by the crimson neon of the "shop windows". Make sure you book in advance. Sluizer ** Utrechtsestraat 41-45 Tel: +31 (0)20-622-6376 A convivial, typically Amsterdam style ambience defines the two Sluizer restaurants, found side by side. One serves a traditional Dutch menu, the other specialises in fish. Excellent value. Bordewijk *** Noordermarkt 7 Tel: +31 (0)20-624-3899 This restaurant continues to polarise opinion among Amsterdam's visitors. There is a French influence to chef Wil Demandt's traditional cuisine, but many think that there is a slightly too French influence on the waiting staff as well. Although the menu rivals Christophe's as the best in Amsterdam the ultra-modern, slightly conservative ambience is more at home on the Champs Elysee than in laid back Amsterdam.

French

Mangerie de Kersentuin *** Bilderberg Garden Hotel, Dijsselhofplantsoen 7 Tel: +31 (0)20-570-5600 A fixture on the Amsterdam dining scene for more than two decades, the restaurant of the five-star Bilderberg Garden Hotel is deservedly famous among the city's fans of fine cuisine. Chef Michel Van Der Kroft is famously flamboyant, and his menu takes its inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine, punctuated with exotic twists, utilising Asian flavours and spices to create startlingly innovative dishes. A real treat. Smart dress is required. Christophe *** Leliegracht 46 Tel: +31 (0)20-625-0807 Boasting a Michelin star Christophe is (on paper at least) considered the best restaurant in the city. Naturally it is expensive, but the French Mediterranean menu is correspondingly fine. Very elegant atmosphere, although again some people find the service slightly snooty for Amsterdam tastes. Stoop ** 1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 4-6 Tel: +31 (0)20-639-2480 A French Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of the Jordaan district, Stoop is definitely one of Amsterdam's best-kept secrets - but probably not for long. Café Roux *** Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197 Tel: +31 (0)20-555-3560 In the Grand Hotel the beautifully refined Café Roux is yet more evidence of the renowned culinary city that Amsterdam is becoming. Under the guidance of chef Albert Roux the restaurant offers a mouthwatering menu of fine, French-influenced dishes. Expensive but worth it. Le Petit Latin ** Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 306 Tel: +31 (0)20-624-9425 The Petit Latin offers wonderful Provençal cooking in a romantic setting. Thankfully not too hard on the budget either.

Italian

d'Antica *** Reguliersdwarsstraat 80-82 Tel: +31 (0)20-623-3862 Serving authentic Italian food created by genuine Italian cooks, d'Antica is a great choice for people who appreciate authentic cooking. The fresh flavours of the sauces and perfect pasta mean that this is the perfect restaurant for a touch of romance. Pianeta Terra * Beulingstraat 7 Tel: +31 (0)20-626-1912 This relatively new Italian restaurant draws rave reviews from the local press, but tourists have been slow to come across it. Definitely phone ahead for weekends.

International

Blakes *** Dyan Hotel, Keizersgracht 384 Tel: +31 (0)20-530-2010 The restaurant at the Dyan Hotel (formely Blakes) and housed in a fantastic 17th-century building, Blakes is regarded as one of the finest places to eat in the city. Intimate and full of character the restaurant serves a finely thought out menu of fusion food, mixing influences of Southern Europe with the Far East to create some wonderfully flavoursome dishes. Best of all, this is the favoured place for a selection of celebrities to dine when they're in the city. 18 Twintig *** Ferdinand Bolstraat 18-20 Tel: +31 (0)20-470-0651 A very trendy restaurant/bar, 18 Twintig offers a varied menu of European favourites. There are some excellent fish dishes but people seem to come here more for the ambience than anything particularly spectacular on the menu. You'll have to reserve a table if you're planning on coming on the weekend. De Ondeugd *** Ferdinand Bolstraat 13-15 Tel: +31 (0)20-672-0651 Fresh from a refurbishment, De Ondeugd is once more taking its place among the cool restaurant set of Amsterdam. The food again is good but unspectacular, but the eclectic decoration is worth coming to see with its over-the-top kitsch style, features ranging from mirrored ceilings to gauzy drapes. Blender *** Van der Palmkade 16 Tel: +31 (0)20-486-9860 It's not dead central but for years Blender's subtle mixing of international flavours has tempted Amsterdammers and visitors out of the city to sample creative and delicious modern cuisine. The ambience is loungy with funky music at weekends.

Californian

Esprit Café ** Spui 10 Tel: +31 (0)20-626-3624 With its standard Californian menu (read: burgers, pastas and salads) Esprit Café is ideal for lunches and early evening bites. The ultra-modern décor stems from the fashion store that owns it.

Japanese

Yamazato at the Okura Hotel *** Ferdinant Bolstraat 333 Tel: +31 (0)20-678-8351 Japanese food eaten by Japanese customers - a high recommendation. This is a truly top-order restaurant and very pricey as a result.

Thai

Thai Corner ** Kerkstraat 66 Tel: +31 (0)20-320-6684 The Thai Corner was quick to establish its reputation for excellent East Asian cuisine and has retained its popularity with tourists and locals alike.

Unusual

Garlic Queen * Reguliersdwarsstraat 27 Tel: +31 (0)20-422-6426 The name says it all - you can even get garlic ice cream. Superbly tacky, loads of fun, loads of garlic. Just don't take your vampire mate. Closed Tuesdays.

Bars

Bars are the sole reason why many people come to Amsterdam and they are both numerous and variable throughout the city. Quality can range from refined continental pavement cafés through to the city's earthy "brown" cafés and infamous "coffeshops". The main tipples are the domestic Heineken beer and imported Belgian bottled beers. In terms of spirits the local firewater is jenever, similar to gin and often drunk neat or in cocktails - the city's proeflokaals (bars dedicated to spirits) are where to head if you fancy trying this concoction. Brown cafés are often confused with the more notorious "coffeshops". Brown cafés got their name through the staining of the walls with nicotine and are simple coffee shops and bars that serve alcoholic drinks. The "coffeeshops", on the other hand, are where you'll find cannabis in its many and varied incarnations on open sale. Many of these do not have a licence to sell alcohol - but do serve other refreshments. Here is a by no means exhaustive cross section from Amsterdam's thousands of bars and cafés: Van Puffelen Prinsengracht 375 Tel: +31 (0)20-624-6270 Get seen in this large brown café where Amsterdam's hip and trendies take refreshment. Doubles as a restaurant and sometimes offers live jazz. Café American Leidsekade 97 Tel: +31 (0)20-556-3009 The oldest and one of Amsterdam's most prestigious Grand Cafés, the Café American's interior is sumptuously decorated with chandeliers and Art Nouveau styling. De Beiaard Spui 30 Tel: +31 (0)20-622-5110 An old style bar serving numerous beers from all the Benelux nations. An ideal venue to cure your thirst after visiting the nearby historical museum. Du Lac Haarlemmerstraat 118 Tel: +31 (0)20-624-4265 A stylish place to take your afternoon or evening tincture. Get a balcony seat on a warm summer's evening and enjoy one of the more refined cafés in the city. Cineac Reguliersbreestraat 31-33 Tel: +31 (0)20-530-6888 A trendy kitsch bar with bordello décor Cineac proves enduringly popular with a young stylish set. As you might guess from the name, this was once a movie theatre, and inside its cavernous interior two floors are given over to a cool contemporary restaurant. Luxembourg Spui 22-24 Tel: +31 (0)20-620-6264 Another of Amsterdam's refined Grand Cafés with al fresco seating. Sit among Amsterdam's well-heeled and watch the world go by. Sas Marnixstraat 79 Tel: +31 (0)20-420-4075 Lively and extremely popular bar famous for changing its décor at the whim of its capricious owner, artist John Sas. Canalside location and basement restaurant adds to its popularity. Greenhouse Oudezijds Voorburgwal 191 Tel: +31 (0)20-627-1739 The most famous of Amsterdam's "coffeshops" by virtue of it winning the Cannabis cup for five years in succession during the 90s. Even if you're not interested in smoking the peace pipe, visiting a coffeeshop is a unique chance to see Amsterdam's liberal culture in action.