Here’s a selection of Amsterdam restaurants for you to lick your lips at. It incorporates cuisines from all over the world, including Asian Fusion, Mediterranean and International.
Let your taste buds guide you around Amsterdam…
ASIAN FUSION
Blauw
Slick Indonesian restaurant in the south of Amsterdam. The design may be modern, but the food is traditional and mouth-watering: sate ayam, rendang and other specialties from the Spice Islands. Try the Rijsttafel – a Dutch colonial invention, literally ‘rice table‘ – sampling menu to get a taste of it all.
Amstelveenseweg 158-160
www.restaurantblauw.nl
Take Thai
Not your average Thai restaurant: with its stylish, minimalist decor, tables laid with quality linen and a more-than-respectable wine list, Take Thai ups the ante, taking things to the next level. The menu is classic Thai with the occasional innovative variation thrown in: think delicious spicy duck in cognac sauce.
Utrechtsestraat 87
www.takethai.com
Yokiyo
Head to the Red Light District for a taste of authentic Korean cuisine. Named for the word used to attract a waiter’s attention in Korea, stylish restaurant Yokiyo serves spicy soups, intriguing wraps, barbecued organic chicken and delicious seafood from the open kitchen – until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 67
www.yokiyo.nl
MEDITERRANEAN
A Tavola
This Italian restaurant between the Scheepvaart Museum (National Maritime Museum) and Waterloo-plein serves a small but carefully-selected menu of meat, fish and pasta dishes. A Tavola means ‘at the table’, so simply pull up a chair for some authentic Italian food and excellent wines.
Kadijksplein 9
www.atavolarestaurant.nl
Barça
Serving up a menu of authentic Catalan titbits, including patatas bravas, padron peppers and shrimp croquettes, this slick bar offers a large heated terrace overlooking Marie Heinekenplein. Inspired by the warmth and friendliness of Spain, the staff here is attentive and the attention to detail impressive.
Marie Heinekenplein 30-31
www.barca.nl
Lion Noir
At this beautifully decorated hotspot you can feast on fine French cuisine – or simply opt for a few cocktails and bar bites on the ground floor (which quickly gets packed with bright young things on weekends). On warm days it’s possible to eat in the lovely garden of this 17th-century former coach house.
Reguliersdwarsstraat 28
www.lionnoir.nl
INTERNATIONAL
ANNA
Located in the oldest part of Amsterdam, with views of the Oude Kerk church, restaurant ANNA serves contemporary dishes of the highest quality. The food on your plate is as beautiful as the decor, yet the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere refreshingly relaxed. A great choice for an unforgettable evening.
Warmoesstraat 111
www.restaurantanna.nl
Brasserie Harkema
A contemporary Dutch take on the classic Parisian brasserie, situated in a former tobacco factory in the Old Centre, Harkema boasts more breathing space than most Amsterdam restaurants. Besides the obvious brasserie classics (oysters, steak) you can choose from a range of Asian-inspired dishes.
Nes 67
www.brasserieharkema.nl
Burgermeester
This culinary burger place has several venues, all with at least eight burgers to choose from, ranging from organic Blonde d’Aquitaine beef to wild salmon. And vegetarians haven’t been neglected (the lentil burgers are allegedly top-class). But be warned: you won’t find French fries here.
Albert Cuypstraat 48, Elandsgracht 130, Plantage Kerklaan 37
www.deburgermeester.nl
