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Best Restaurants in Amsterdam

Best Restaurants in Amsterdam

Amsterdam North Holland, The Netherlands Travel Guide

Culinary Overview

Cultural & Historical Context

Dutch food developed from a need for sustenance rather than elaborate culinary art. It emphasizes produce in season, dairy products, meats, and fish.

The Netherlands' vast trading network brought spices and international ingredients, especially from former colonies like Indonesia. This influence led to the integration of international flavors, making Indonesian Rijsttafel (rice table) a popular dining experience.

Ingredients & Flavors

  • Staples: Potatoes, various vegetables (cabbage, carrots, onions, endive), and bread.
  • Dairy: Renowned for a dairy product made from milk (Gouda, Edam) and butter.
  • Proteins: Pork, beef, and a variety of fish (herring, cod).
  • Flavors: Traditional Dutch flavors are generally mild and savory.

Dining Customs & Etiquette

Tipping

Not mandatory but welcome for excellent service. Service charges are usually included.

Reservations

Recommended for dinner, especially on weekends or for popular restaurants.

Service

Service is generally efficient and direct. Staff may not hover; signal if you need assistance.

Typical Meal Times

  • Breakfast (ontbijt): 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM (light meal).
  • Lunch (lunch): 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (cold meal, sandwiches).
  • Dinner (avondeten): 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (main meal).
  • Kitchens often close between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Must-Try Dishes

Local Delicacies

Stroopwafels

Thin, round waffles with a caramel-like syrup filling. Best fresh and warm from stalls at the market.

A sweet treat, perfect with coffee.

Haring Raw Herring

A Dutch delicacy. Served with chopped raw onions and pickles at street fish stalls.

Hold by the tail, tilt head back, and bite upwards.

Bitterballen

Deep-fried crispy meatballs with a savory ragout filling, usually served with mustard.

A popular snack in bars and cafes.

Street Food & Beverages

  • Patat (Fries): Thick-cut fries with various sauces (e.g., frietsaus, oorlog, speciaal).
  • Poffertjes: Small, fluffy pancakes with powdered sugar and butter.
  • Stamppot: Traditional winter dish of mashed potatoes with vegetables and smoked sausage.
  • Kibbeling: Deep-fried battered pieces of white fish with dipping sauce.

Iconic Snacks & Beverages

Beer & Jenever

Popular local and international beers, plus traditional Dutch gin (Jenever).

Appeltaart & Drop

Dutch apple pie with crumbly topping. Licorice (Drop) is very popular, having lots of varieties.

Dining Options

Fine Dining

For special occasions, consider Ratatouille Food & Wine (Michelin-starred) or Brick for upscale experiences.

  • Upscale ambiance.
  • Acclaimed cuisine.
  • Reservations recommended.

Mid-Range Restaurants

Numerous options offering diverse cuisines. Mooie Boules Haarlem, Specktakel, and Toujours are popular choices.

  • International flavors.
  • Comfortable dining.
  • Good for groups.

Budget Eateries & Street Food

Explore eetcafes, kebab shops, and concession stands. Street food stalls on Grote Markt offer quick bites.

  • Affordable meals.
  • Numerous locations.
  • Market food stalls.

Special Dietary Needs

Vegetarian & Vegan Options

Vegetarian dishes are increasingly available. Dedicated vegan restaurants are emerging.

Look for "vegetarisch" or "veganistisch" on menus.

Gluten-Free & Allergens

Awareness of allergies is growing. Inform staff clearly.

Use apps like HappyCow to find restaurants suitable for children.

Local Culinary Experiences

Jopenkerk

Brewery in a former church, unique ambiance.

Markets

Grote Markt has food stalls on Saturdays.

Food Tours

Explore Haarlem's culinary scene with a guided tour.

International Cuisine

Wide range from Indonesian to Italian.

Haarlem Food Scene

Cooking & Tours

  • Food Tours: Focused on Haarlem's culinary scene.
  • Farm Visits: Surrounding areas feature cheese farms or flower farms with tours.
  • Food Festivals: Occasional seasonal food festivals, like Haarlem Culinair in August.

Unique Concepts

Jopenkerk Brewery

A former church converted into a brewery and grand cafe/restaurant. Experience local craft beers.

Offers brewery tours and has an unique ambiance.

Jopenkerk Live Events

Regularly hosts live music events. Check their schedule.

Blends past with modern craft culture and entertainment.

Popular Street Food

Haarlem Street Eats
Stroopwafels
Haring (Raw Herring)
Bitterballen
Patat (Fries)
Poffertjes
Kibbeling
Other Snacks

Beyond the popular items, look for Frikandel (skinless, deep-fried sausage) and Kroket (deep-fried roll with creamy meat ragout filling).

  • Frikandel: Prevalent at snack bars.
  • Kroket: Similar to bitterballen but longer.
  • Enjoyed with various sauces.
Dining Out

Haarlem has fine dining, mid-range restaurants, and budget eateries. International cuisine, especially Indonesian, is available.

Visit GetYourGuide for food tours in Haarlem.

Further Culinary Insights

Food Blog Highlights
  • Seasonal Dutch Dishes
  • Best Haarlem Cafes
Local Review Platforms
  • HappyCow for vegan/vegetarian
  • TripAdvisor for general reviews

Dining & Local Tips

Dining Etiquette

Meal Timings

Breakfast 7-9 AM, Lunch 12-2 PM, Dinner 6-8 PM.

Dinner is the biggest meal. | Kitchens shut around 9-10 PM.
Translation Card Advice
Tipping & Service

Tipping is not mandatory; service charge is usually included.

Appreciated for good service.
Reservations

Recommended for dinner, especially on weekends.

Popular places book fast.
Book a table

Seasonal Delights & Desserts

  • Oliebollen: Traditional deep-fried dough balls, popular around New Year's Eve.
  • Asparagus: A seasonal delicacy in spring, often served with ham, egg, and butter sauce.
  • Appeltaart (Apple Pie): Dutch apple pie, served with whipped cream.
  • Drop (Licorice): Extremely popular, with many varieties (sweet, salty, hard, soft).

Top Foodie Destinations

Ratatouille Food & Wine

Michelin-starred for a top-tier dining experience.

Exquisite dishes and wine pairings.

Brick

Another upscale choice for fine dining.

Offers a refined culinary journey.

Local Favorites

Mooie Boules Haarlem

Combines indoor jeu de boules with a food hall atmosphere.

Specktakel

Offers international fusion cuisine in a setting.

Toujours

A popular French bistro serving classic dishes.

Dietary Advice

Awareness of allergies is growing among Dutch restaurants. It is always wise to inform the staff clearly about your dietary restrictions.

  • A phrase like "Ik heb een allergie voor..." (I have an allergy to...) is helpful.
  • For serious allergic reactions, carrying a translation card is recommended.
  • Use apps like HappyCow to find vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants.
  • Check restaurant websites or call ahead to confirm options.
  • Halal options are in Turkish or Middle Eastern restaurants. Kosher is limited.
Best Restaurants in Amsterdam. Food, Dining, Local Cuisine