8 Best Local Restaurants in Amsterdam
Where to Find Amsterdam’s Best Local Food?
Amsterdam is one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for unique and delicious cuisine. You’ll find a wide variety of options available, but even global dishes seem to have that special Dutch charm.
To get the most out of your food in Amsterdam, you’ll need to stop by the restaurants that the locals love to frequent. Fortunately, you’ll find enough variety among them to keep everyone’s taste buds happy. Take a look at the top restaurants locals love in Amsterdam.
1. De Kas
Top quality plant-to-plate dining
Good for: Couples, Food
At De Kas, you can enjoy a restaurant committed to plant-to-plate dining, offering quality ingredients in all their dishes and a menu that varies based on the season. Keep in mind that they don’t merely work with local farmers to get their ingredients. They actively grow them on their own in their open-air farm and greenhouse area.
Inside their greenhouse and farm, you’ll find around 300 different varieties of plants, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They’re harvested at the last minute and prepared as quickly as possible to ensure you get the maximum amount of freshness possible.
Location: Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Monday–Saturday from noon to 4 pm and 6 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +31 (0)20 462 4562
De Kas
2. Wilde Zwijnen
The hearty taste of wild boar
Good for: Couples, Food
At Wilde Zwijnen, you can taste whatever game is in season, prepared to perfection by a team that cares deeply about quality food with signature Dutch excellence. The name translates to “wild boar”, and in addition to the meat here, you’ll find several vegetarian options as well.
The decor in this Amsterdam-Oost eatery evokes a rustic-industrial atmosphere with pale walls and wooden tables. All the ingredients are locally sourced, and they offer creative twists on seasonal dishes to keep things fresh.
Location: Javaplein 23, 1095 CJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Monday–Friday from 6 pm to midnight, Saturday–Sunday from noon to midnight
Phone: +31 (0)20 463 3043
Wilde Zwijnen
3. Hotel de Goudfazant
A hip restaurant on the water’s edge
Good for: Couples, Food
Hotel de Goudfazant is in fact not a hotel but a restaurant in what was formerly a giant shed. They offer delicious yet unpretentious food in a trendy setting. You’ll find it in the Noord district, along with a crowd typically consisting of young creatives looking for something different from standard Amsterdam fare.
When you visit this restaurant, you’ll notice the unpainted walls and rusted pillars that were kept from the original building. However, this only adds to the ambience, creating an environment as interesting as the food itself, which is unique without being pretentious.
Location: Aambeeldstraat 30, 1021 KB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 6 pm to midnight (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +31 (0)20 636 5170
Hotel de Goudfazant
4. Stubbe’s Haring
A local rite of passage
Good for: Families, Food
Stubbe’s Haring is where you can find one of Amsterdam’s most iconic dishes, raw herring, so it’s worth a visit if you’re looking to experience Dutch cuisine like a local. You’ll find this popular fish restaurant along the Singel canal, but you don’t even need to know the exact destination, as you can simply follow the divine smell.
While this food kiosk may not seem like the most appetizing option for travelers who aren’t used to it, a quality raw herring sandwich, or any of the other seafood options, can be surprisingly satisfying and delicious. Just be sure to take advantage of the array of condiments they have on offer.
Location: Singel 8n, 1013 GA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed Sundays and Mondays)
Stubbe’s Haring
5. Winkel 43
A quaint and charming cafe
Good for: Families, Food
Winkel 43 is a modest cafe in the Jewish quarter that offers plenty of beverages and sweet treats you can enjoy along with scenic outdoor seating. It’s located within a traditional style Amsterdam house, so it’s a great destination if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture.
When it comes to the food, you’ll find plenty of sandwiches and omelets here with ingredients you can customize, but the star of the show is definitely the Dutch apple pie.
Location: Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Monday from 7 am to 1 am, Tuesday–Thursday 8 am to 1 am, Friday 8 am to 2 am, Saturday 7 am to 2 am, Sunday 9 am to 1 am
Phone: +31 (0)20 623 0223
Winkel 43
6. Pesca
Delicious seafood in a refined atmosphere
Good for: Food, Luxury
Pesca is one of the most iconic destinations in town if you’re looking for high-quality seafood and sweet desserts to finish off your meal. You’ll find an array of options on their menu, including sea bass, halibut, and scallops, that are all cooked to perfection. Common dessert favorites include cheesecake and parfait.
Inside this restaurant, the atmosphere is welcoming but with high-end decor making the overall feeling both relaxing and upmarket at the same time. Pesca’s particularly well-known for its impeccable table service that ensures your experience is as positive as possible.
Location: Rozengracht 133, 1016 LV Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Daily from noon to 2.30 pm and 5.15 pm to midnight
Phone: +31 (0)20 334 5136
Pesca
7. Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels
The iconic Dutch sweet treat
Good for: Budget, Food
Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels is a restaurant that specializes in the iconic Dutch treat (2 thin, crispy waffles with a caramel syrup filling) that tends to stand out from the rest in its modest food truck. You’ll find the truck parked in Albert Cuyp Market, so you can enjoy a bit of shopping on your way there.
When you visit this food vendor, you can effectively enjoy the best of both worlds, combining delicious, quality food with affordability. Just keep in mind that there’s typically quite a crowd here, so your best bet may be to arrive early if you don’t want to wait.
Location: Albert Cuyp Straat, t/o 182, 1073 BK Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 11 am to 5 pm (closed Wednesday–Thursday and Saturday–Sunday)
Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels
8. Little Collins De Pijp
Australian cuisine inspired by Melbourne
Good for: Families, Food
Little Collins De Pijp is a unique restaurant dedicated to the atmosphere and cuisine of the Australian city of Melbourne. Their menu includes some of the more unique offerings in town. Australian food itself is already a bit of a mixture of various cuisines, so you’re in for a treat at this lovely restaurant by Sarphatipark.
When you visit, you can enjoy stunning items like a pan-fried potato hash along with some French toast. Additionally, you can get pork belly with Asian slaw and a wide variety of Bloody Mary beverages, each with its own unique spicy kick.
Location: Eerste Sweelinckstraat 19F, 1073 CL Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Daily from 9 am to 4 pm
Phone: +31 (0)20 673 2293
Little Collins De Pijp
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