Amsterdam is a fabulous place in which to dine, drink, and enjoy the multitude of eating and drinking establishments. Now, I’m not talking about the tourist churners on Rokin, or the red light places, or the restaurant touters on Leidseplein. I’m talking about tasting cuisines from around the world, all in the most pleasing and very walkable city. Here is my guide to eating and drinking in Amsterdam:
This post was inspired by Jessica Lipowski’s book ‘Flavors of Life’, about expat restauranteurs in Amsterdam, and the array of amazing establishments they have opened to feed the madding crowds!
Eating and drinking in Amsterdam
Bakers & Roasters – brunch
Bakers & Roasters have two locations, one in De Pijp (Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat), and one near Central Station (Kadijksplein). They serve a crazy fusion of New Zealand and Brazilian dishes. You can have piles of pancakes or huevos rancheros. Thanks to Jess Lipowski for tipping me off to this one!
Waterkant – beer garden
The bar Waterkant (Marnixstraat 246) is set beneath an imposing, but weirdly beautiful multi-storied carpark. Waterkant serves beautiful Surinamese cuisine, and a fine drink selection. This fabulous eclectic beer-garden setting is right on the Singelgracht Canal.
De Belhamel – romantic
De Belhamel (Brouwersgracht). Watch the world go by as you sit in the candlelight with views down the Herengracht. The setting of this restaurant really is so picturesque. Serving modern French cuisine in an art nouveau setting, this is my pick if you want a romantic dinner.
De Admiraal – genever + traditional food
Proeflokaal De Admiraal is a restaurant and genever tasting room for the van Wees distillery on Herengracht. Genever is distilled using malt-wine and is the predecessor of English gins. The story goes that the English tried to copy the recipe, but they were unable to replicate the malt-wine, so gin was born instead. De Admiraal have an utterly fantastic selection from the van Wees distillery. Try the sausage and cheese selections, and the bitterballen while you’re there!
Stout! – modern dining
Stout! (Herengracht 211). This stylish bar and eatery serves gin and tonic like an artwork. It isn’t a cheap place to drink, but it has a lovely outdoor sunbathing bed + tables that a perfect for watching the world go by. This contemporary restaurant serves modern Peruvian food in light, bright surroundings.
Verhulst – lunch
Verhulst (Johannes Verhulststraat 105). I love Verhulst for brunch or lunch – the atmosphere is laid back, yet stylish, and the food is hearty yet adventurous (and thoroughly delicious)! It is also a great spot for coffee while shopping in the trendy fashion district.
Schaakcafe Het Hok – cheap beer
I love Café Het Hok (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 134), it reminds me of student bars – cheap and cheerful. You can get pub-food, play board games, and watch the world go by in Leidseplein. They serve a wicked glühwein in winter too!
The House of Bols – genever + cocktails
The House of Bols is a Dutch gin museum, with a tasting room and cocktail bar. It’s fun to learn about Dutch genevers; and then get to make your own cocktail and try different liquors at the end!
Bitterballen – Bar Snacks
One of the best inventions in Bar Snacks ever conceived, bitterballen are classic Dutch snacks. Made from a lush meat ragu, encased in bread crumbs and fried. They are served with mustard, which cuts through the fry-factor and makes them so incredibly moreish!
Eating and Drinking in Amsterdam
I have been to Amsterdam many times, and each trip sees new food and drink discoveries. I love a melting-pot city, where you can eat Surinamese for lunch, Peruvian for dinner, and New Zealand food for breakfast. Drinking in Amsterdam offers variety, fun, and friendly spaces to partake. We always get chatting to locals and learn new places to eat and drink, so I expect to update this post regularly.
Whether you are visiting Amsterdam in the summer or winter, there are so many things to do! If you need planning help, let me know!
All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!).
We want to make a trip to Amsterdam soon, so we will definitely be referencing your blog again when we go! All the drinks look delicious!
Amsterdam really is fantastic for food and drink – you’ll have an amazing time when you visit!
Love some thinly sliced cukes in my gin as well… looks like some great imbibing and noshing spots for when I finally make it to Amsterdam!
Great list! When I was in Amsterdam I was obsessed with the cheese- there’s no question, the Dutch do it well 🙂
Eating outdoors and by the water looks so Ideal so I would definitely enjoy a meal at De Behamel,actually would love to try all your recommendations some day.
Saving this for my trip to Amsterdam this summer. Bakers & Roasters songs like a great place to start the day, I love Brazilian food!
They all look SO romantic. Is De Belhamel, the one where you can sit overlooking the canals? I’m pretty partial to those Fry trucks they have everywhere.
We’ve always enjoyed eating and drinking in amsterdam so much but as we’ve not been for a few years, great to see a list of recommendations, none of which I’d come across last time!
we found tons of different cuisines in Amsterdam including japanese, spanish and argentinian. there were always unusual bistros and cafes popping up on every street. all your suggestions seem wonderful
Those are some cool places to grab a bite. I would like a table by the canal and have iced drinks.
Love the idea of the sunbathing beds at stouts. Not to mention the delicious looking drinks. The only time I was in amsterdam was in the winter and too cold to sit outside. I love this guide for a visit in warmer weather. De Belhamel sounds like my kind of place!!
It’s just like you say: amsterdam has so many good options to eat and drink – already from their multi cultural mix. the options you picked are certainly all worth trying.