What do you know about local Dutch cuisine? Potatoes, herring and stroopwafels? Of course you will certainly taste those while you are there. However one should know that Amsterdam also has a scene with well-cooking kitchens both with local and international cuisine. So we have prepared you a list of them as well! Here’s 12 favorite local restaurants in Amsterdam and your guide to local Dutch cuisine.
The old and traditional diet in Netherlands was actually based mostly on potato – as it is today- , seasonal vegetables available and meat or fish. Interestingly this combination in fact had an acronym: ACV – which stands for potato, meat and vegetables in Dutch language. Since 14th century, Dutch cuisine had influenced from a variety of events, groups or countries: Mainly from France and also other parts of Europe, its own colonies in the east back in time and also from globalization.
Even it is not known for its gastronomic peculiarities, in Amsterdam you will be able to enjoy the comfort food but also elevated versions of those at the same time. Enjoy your bites and open your world into a new cuisine!
1.HAESJE CLAES
Haesje Class is a classical Dutch cuisine restaurant opened in 1974. The name is dedicated by the owner to the founder of the first orphanage in Amsterdam: Lady Haesje Claes. The restaurant is very famous for its meatballs with pepper sauce and also black bean soup. They offer a tasting plate with seven different specialties of the house as well This is a highly adored place both by travelers and locals so make sure you book your place for dinner.
Address: Spuistraat 273-275, 1012 VR
Phone: +31 20 624 9998
2. VAN KERKWIJK
Van Kerkwijk is another place which serves Dutch cuisine based specials with a different perspective to local cuisine. Here there is no menu and all available dishes are presented to your table by your waiter/ess. The idea behind not having menu is to be sure to deliver the freshest food available to their guests. The service is very attentive here; they make you feel comfortable having your meal. If you are new to Dutch cuisine, you can ask if their appetizer plate available that day.
Address: Nes 41, 1012 KC, The Netherlands
Phone:+31 20 620 3316
3.DE REIGER
A well secluded place in the beautiful neighborhood of Jordaan. It was first opened as a café in 1896 –then by time it turned into different places. Lastly at the end of 80’s it finally took its current situation. Now it’s a small and cozy lunchroom in the area. You can see the specials written on a blackboard every day – in English! They have a mix menu between Dutch and European cuisine. Lovely staff moderately priced. It’s a gem for a lovely local-like dinner.
Address: Nieuwe Leliestraat 34, 1015 ST
Phone: +31 20 624 7426
4. GREETJE
Greetje is an example of sublime Dutch cuisine with its ancient recipes passed down to generations. Even only with its high quality service and attention to detail, it stands out easily. In Greetje, you won’t see a super extensive list of dishes. Here every item is carefully chosen in order to be put on the menu. If you want to indulge yourself into authentic Dutch cuisine, they offer a deluxe tasting menu – min. 2 people- , you can taste all cold & and hot appetizers and desserts – in high tea porcelain stands – with an optional selection of main course.
Address: Peperstraat 23, 1011 TJ
Phone: +31 20 779 7450
5. VLAMING
Restaurant Vlaming is a family owned restaurant which is small yet has home-like environment ambiance. It’s off-track from the touristic area, so you will see mostly locals hanging out here. Interior also feels comforting with wooden chairs and leather covered diner seats; mostly copper red is dominant with few vibrant decors. They offer a variety of appetizers as bites platter. Vegetarian risotto and lazy women fries are recommended here!
Address: Lindengracht 95, 1015 KD
Phone: +31 20 622 2716
6. CAFE DE PRINS
Café de Prins is actually known as a brown café in Amsterdam. A brown café is a concept similar to what they have as pubs in London. The aim is to provide a cozy atmosphere for both locals and travelers to drink and eat together with a good conversation. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so come whenever you want. Café is right next to the canal and has a terrific view. You can enjoy your poffertjes – small pancakes, Dutch pea soup or a simple Dutch style herring outside.
Address: Prinsengracht 124, 1015 EA
Phone: +31 20 624 9382
7. WILDE ZWIJNEN
It’s a local-favorite place however the popularity is growing among the tourists as well. Wilde Zwijnen means wild boar in English – which you may be able to eat there actually. Along with the a la carte menu, here one of the guests’ favorite is chef’s surprising tasting menu. All you have to do is to tell the service what you don’t eat and how many courses you want – either 3 or 4. Then chef creates a surprise menu for you. You can also get a wine pairing for your tasting menu which costs 5€ per each glass!
Address: Javaplein 23, 1095 CJ
Phone: +31 20 463 3043
8. SCHEEPSKAMEEL
Scheepskamel is an open-kitchen restaurant which is located in one of the old marina warehouses in Eastern Docklands. The menu is seasonal and all plates look simply amazing. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you can be sure that you will be well taken care of both by the kitchen and service staff. Their style is a mix of modern Dutch and with a European mash-up. Seafood dishes and also madeleines are so far favorite items on the menu. Plus, they have an amazing all-German wine listé
Address: Kattenburgerstraat 7, 1018 JA
Phone: +31 20 337 9680
9. HAP-HMM
If you are looking for a more home cooked meal like place, Hap-Hmm is the answer. Comfort food with affordable prices and a homey environment are like a package here. The place is mostly frequented by locals so it’s hard to go wrong with this choice. Try their soups, grandmother’s meatballs and Dutch steak here. Order a glass of house wine with those and you’re good to go.
Address: Eerste Helmersstraat 33 , 1054
Phone: +31 20 618 1884
10. MOEDERS
Moeders is a traditional Dutch restaurant which is dedicated to the lovely kitchen and labor of all mothers around the world. When you enter the restaurant, you will see that the walls are covered with photos of women. Those are the mothers of people who simply visited and had a meal here. If you decide to go there, make sure you bring a photo of your mom you can also stick it to the wall. Since the issue here is a mom-made comfort food, the whole menu is easily recommended. However you can go for Dutch ricedish which is a combination of Dutch specialties on the menu.
Address: Rozengracht 251, 1016 SX
Phone: +31 20 626 7957
11. DWARS
If you are looking for a bit different experience in Amsterdam, Dwars can easily accommodate that. In Dwars you can only go for a tasting menu either 3,4 or 5 courses. The ingredients used are locally sourced just like their beer pairing offered. Yes- it’s right they offer beer pairing with your tasting menu and those beers are from local microbreweries around Amsterdam. It’s a very eclectic experience both with the food and the beer. If you don’t like beer you can always opt for wine pairing as well.
Address: Egelantierstraat 24
Phone: +31 20 625 5306
12. SKEK
Skek is a restaurant like pub which happens to serve really good food. Mostly referred as Dutch fusion, the menu has an array of typical dishes but also dishes like burger and ravioli-of-the-day are available. Skek is owned and managed by all-students group therefore they offer 25% discount for the students here -wow! Bitterballen – meat based Dutch croquettes and local draft beers are recommended here. Menu is also vegan and vegetarian friendly. Colorful metal and wooden benches, barrels as chairs and cool people inside – you are going to love it here! Plus, they hold some gigs here once in a while.
Address: Zeedijk 4 – 8
Phone:+31 20 427 0551