Amsterdam, a city renowned for its picturesque canals, vibrant culture and general naughtiness, also boasts a thriving culinary scene. And I’ve done more than my fair share of eating and drinking to get to know it well.
Realistically, it’s one of my favorite foodie cities in Europe. Beyond the tourist hotspots (and there are, indeed, plenty of those to avoid) you’ll find hidden gems that offer world-class culinary experiences, both affordable and high-end.
From cozy cafes serving up traditional Dutch fare to trendy restaurants showcasing modern European flavors, this is your guide to the city’s best-kept culinary secrets.
1. ARCA Restaurant and Bar
One of those ‘hidden in plain sight’ spots you’ll want to tell everyone about, ARCA’s bar and restaurant are straight across from Amsterdam Centraal station, making it the perfect spot for pre- or post-Eurostar drinking and dining.
While many restaurants this centrally-located veer into tourist trap territory, ARCA is a sincere exception. A collaboration between Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa (of double Michelin-starred Alma) and art’otel (which, conveniently, means you can wander upstairs into a gorgeous hotel room seconds after paying the bill), the menu at ARCA is packed full of sumptuous Lusitanian sharing plates with Asian influences – and a curated collection of unbelievable cocktails, to boot.
Start with a ‘First Supper’ in the bar (Campari, Aperol, clementine & bell pepper, and Weiss beer) before moving on to the affordably-priced six-course tasting menu, featuring wildly inventive dishes like the ‘Peixe Marinado’ (yellow tail, coriander and citrus marinade, sweet potato purée, and dried mulberries). We’ll say it now…you’re welcome.
art’otel Amsterdam, Martelaarsgracht 5, 1012 TM Amsterdam
2. Vlaamse Frites Snackland
Vlaamse Frites Snackland, Amsterdam
The best fries in Amsterdam, hands down. While Manneken Pis Damrak claims to be number one – and their similarly-delicious fries certainly benefit from being one minute closer to Centraal station on the descent towards the city’s main attractions – nothing beats Vlaamse’s.
I have been visiting this small frite stand for nearly ten years and the quality has never, ever changed; they’re ultra-crispy on the outside, perfectly fluffy-soft on the inside, and the stand’s Joppiesaus (a secretly-spiced mayo more addictive than any sauce I’ve ever tasted, and I write about food for a living) is second to none. Run, don’t walk.
Damrak 58, 1012 LL Amsterdam
3. Hummingbird Amsterdam
Hummingbird Amsterdam
A coffee shop for coffee lovers (not to be confused with the ‘coffeeshops’ serving an altogether different kind of stimulant) Hummingbird’s multi-roaster approach means they curate coffees from around the world to delight customers new and old. Every coffee they sell, they serve, and their house ‘Onyx Hummingbird Blend’ (a collaboration with their home roaster, Onyx Coffee Lab) is delightful.
Located off the beaten path, yet ideally located for a wander around De 9 Straatjes, this cozy spot offers a calm and relaxing refuge from the city’s busier districts. Bonus points for its charming outdoor seating area, which is well-appointed for soaking in some of the street art that adorns the surrounding walls, too.
Spuistraat 217, 1012 VN Amsterdam
4. Mi-Ami
Mi-Ami, Amsterdam
Canal-side dining is, naturally, a huge draw for tourists, and my favorite spot for it is Mi-Ami. Located in Amsterdam West, this intimate cocktail bar and restaurat focuses on pintxos – the Spanish tradition of small, simple snacks served on bread. What sets Mi-Ami apart is its emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, reducing their ecological footprint while offering a fresh, ever-evolving menu. You’ll find a wide variety of options, from rich sardine rillettes to savory beef with gorgonzola, all designed to be enjoyed with one of their signature cocktails or a specialty beer.
Mi-Ami’s thoughtful approach extends to its setting, too. The canal-side terrace provides a laid-back environment, while indoors, the sleek yet unpretentious décor makes it equally suited for a casual bite or a relaxed evening out. It’s a versatile space (I literally went to a small wedding reception here last week, and had the time of my life) that fits seamlessly into any part of your day, whether you’re meeting friends, going on a date, or simply looking to enjoy a peaceful moment by the water.
Jan van Galenstraat 169, 1056 BR Amsterdam
5. The Pantry Restaurant
The Pantry, Amsterdam
The Pantry delivers a quintessentially Dutch dining experience, offering traditional comfort food in a warm, welcoming environment. The restaurant’s interior is intentionally simple, evoking the coziness of a Dutch home, complete with wooden tables and zero frills. The menu revolves around hearty, comforting staples like hutspot, boerenkoolstamppot, and zuurkoolstamppot – traditional mashed vegetable dishes served alongside smoked sausage or meatballs – with flavors that are straightforward yet deeply satisfying. Multiple set menus also allow rookie diners to sample a bit of everything, with the pea soup, rye bread and smoked bacon starter a particularly comforting highlight on colder days.
But it’s the small touches that make The Pantry. The homely atmosphere is complemented by genuinely warm service, making guests feel more like visiting friends than restaurant patrons. While it’s not flashy, The Pantry is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the heart and soul of Dutch home cooking in the center of Amsterdam.
Leidsekruisstraat 21, 1017 RE Amsterdam
6. Bar U.Y.T
Bar U.Y.T (an acronym and committed representation of “Unwind Your Time”) has earned its reputation as one of the city’s most beloved local haunts. Its large terrace, always a-buzz, is the kind of place you can easily while away the hours over drinks and nibbles – and said nibbles are, indeed, worth a trip alone. Their bread and dip – stay with me here – is of the Carb Gods, featuring fresh sourdough sourced daily from Levain & Le Vin and served with roasted red bell pepper and fried garlic butter. The bitterballen (a Dutch snack of delectably roux-y, stew-y fried balls) are also fantastic, and come in both meat and vegetarian options.
What sets Bar U.Y.T apart is its sense of community. Also canal-side, it’s a place where locals gather to catch up, and where tourists feel like they’ve stumbled upon something authentically Dutch.
Tweede Kostverlorenkade 70, 1053 SB Amsterdam
7. Restaurant De Kas
Restaurant De Kas, Amsterdam
De Kas is one of Amsterdam’s most iconic dining spots, located in a striking 1927 glasshouse that now serves as both a Michelin-starred restaurant and organic kitchen garden. An exquisite farm-to-table experience, the menu is entirely seasonal, changing daily based on the freshest ingredients harvested from the garden that morning. This dedication to freshness results in a vibrant and flavorful menu, with every bite grounded in its sustainable-yet-luxuriant ethos.
Boh the lunch and dinner menus are incredibly veg-heavy (natch), but dishes like ‘monkfish, endive, anchovies, opperdoezer ronde’ (the latter of which is a variety of potato native to the Netherlands, known for its creamy texture and nutty flavor) use the perfect amount of sustainably-sourced protein to delight vegans and meat-lovers alike.
Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam
8. Box Sociaal
Box Sociaal, Amsterdam
Despite being best known for its brunch, which has earned it a loyal following, this café’s appeal extends beyond the morning hours. With locations in both Plantage and Jordaan (the latter of which also does dinner, but the former is our favorite), Box Sociaal offers a vibe-y environment where locals and tourists can gather to enjoy bespoke cocktails and creative “all day” dishes inspired by brunch classics.
The menu is refreshingly unpretentious but still manages to be inventive, with options like the ‘Princess Jasmine’ (fluffy buttermilk pancake stacked with jasmine infused mango compote, jasmine cream, fresh summer mango, honey roasted macadamias and white chocolate coconut shards) offering something truly unique. The Parmy (crumbed and fried chicken topped with a house marinara and melted mozzarella with twice-cooked fries and green salad) alone has cemented its status as one of Amsterdam’s go-to spots for good times and great eats. Bon appetit.
Plantage Middenlaan 30A, 1018 DG Amsterdam