Best Places To Eat & Drink In Amsterdam 2024
Amsterdam, known for its beautiful canals, lively culture, and a bit of mischief, also has a great food scene. TWT’s team spent a lot of time eating and drinking to really get to know it.
It’s honestly one of the favorite food cities in Europe. If you go beyond the busy tourist areas (which are best avoided), you’ll discover hidden spots offering amazing food, from affordable options to high-end dining.
From cozy cafes with traditional Dutch dishes to stylish restaurants with modern European flavors, this guide will help you find the city’s best-kept food secrets.
1. ARCA Restaurant and Bar
One of those “hidden in plain sight” places you’ll want to share with everyone is ARCA. Located directly across from Amsterdam Centraal station, it’s an ideal spot for drinks and dinner before or after taking the Eurostar.
While many central restaurants can be tourist traps, ARCA is a notable exception. It’s a collaboration between Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, known for his Michelin-starred restaurant Alma, and art’otel. (This means you can easily head upstairs to a beautiful hotel room right after your meal.) ARCA offers delicious Portuguese-inspired sharing plates with an Asian twist, and an impressive selection of cocktails.
Start your experience with a “First Supper” at the bar, which includes a refreshing mix of Campari, Aperol, clementine, bell pepper, and Weiss beer. Then, enjoy the reasonably-priced six-course tasting menu, featuring creative dishes like “Peixe Marinado” (yellowtail with coriander and citrus marinade, sweet potato purée, and dried mulberries). You’re welcome in advance!
Find it at art’otel Amsterdam, Martelaarsgracht 5, 1012 TM Amsterdam.
2. Vlaamse Frites Snackland
For the best fries in Amsterdam, Vlaamse Frites is unbeatable. While Manneken Pis Damrak, which is just a minute from Centraal station, also serves great fries, they don’t compare to Vlaamse’s.
I’ve been going to this small fry stand for nearly ten years, and their quality has never changed. The fries are ultra-crispy on the outside and perfectly fluffy on the inside. Their Joppiesaus, a secretly spiced mayo, is incredibly addictive—trust me, as a food writer, I’ve tried a lot of sauces. Don’t miss it.
Find it at Damrak 58, 1012 LL Amsterdam.
3. Hummingbird Amsterdam
Hummingbird is a coffee shop that’s perfect for coffee lovers (not to be confused with Amsterdam’s “coffeeshops” which serve a different kind of stimulant). They use a multi-roaster approach, curating coffee from around the world to impress both new and returning customers. They serve every coffee they sell, including their house blend, the ‘Onyx Hummingbird Blend,’ created in collaboration with Onyx Coffee Lab.
Though it’s a bit off the beaten path, it’s ideally located for a stroll around De 9 Straatjes. This cozy spot offers a peaceful escape from the busier parts of the city. Plus, its charming outdoor seating area lets you enjoy the street art decorating the nearby walls.
Find it at Spuistraat 217, 1012 VN Amsterdam.
4. Mi-Ami
Canal-side dining is a big attraction for tourists, and my top pick for this is Mi-Ami. Located in Amsterdam West, this cozy cocktail bar and restaurant specializes in pintxos—small, simple Spanish snacks served on bread. What makes Mi-Ami stand out is its focus on using locally sourced ingredients, which helps lower their ecological footprint and keeps the menu fresh and changing.
You’ll find a range of delicious options, from rich sardine rillettes to savory beef with gorgonzola, all perfect with one of their signature cocktails or a specialty beer.
Mi-Ami’s setting is just as thoughtful. The canal-side terrace offers a relaxed atmosphere, while the indoor space combines sleek and casual décor, making it a great spot for anything from a casual meal to a laid-back evening out. It’s a versatile place that works well for meeting friends, going on a date, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment by the water—I even attended a small wedding reception here last week and had a fantastic time.
Find it at Jan van Galenstraat 169, 1056 BR Amsterdam.
5. The Pantry Restaurant
The Pantry offers a true Dutch dining experience with traditional comfort food in a cozy, welcoming setting. The restaurant’s simple interior, with wooden tables and minimal decoration, captures the warmth of a Dutch home. The menu features hearty dishes like hutspot, boerenkoolstamppot, and zuurkoolstamppot—classic mashed vegetable dishes served with smoked sausage or meatballs. The flavors are simple but deeply satisfying. You can also try various set menus to sample a little of everything, with the pea soup, rye bread, and smoked bacon starter being especially comforting on chilly days.
What really sets The Pantry apart are the small touches. The friendly, warm service makes you feel like you’re visiting friends rather than just dining out. While it’s not flashy, The Pantry is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience authentic Dutch home cooking in the heart of Amsterdam.
Find it at Leidsekruisstraat 21, 1017 RE Amsterdam.
6. Bar U.Y.T
Bar U.Y.T (“Unwind Your Time”) has become one of Amsterdam’s most beloved local spots. Its lively, spacious terrace is perfect for spending hours with drinks and snacks, and the food is worth the visit on its own. Their bread and dip, featuring fresh sourdough from Levain & Le Vin served with roasted red bell pepper and fried garlic butter, is a must-try for carb lovers. The bitterballen—a classic Dutch fried snack filled with a rich, stew-like roux—are also excellent, with both meat and vegetarian options.
What truly makes Bar U.Y.T special is its strong sense of community. Located by the canal, it’s a place where locals gather to relax and catch up, and where tourists feel like they’ve found a truly authentic Dutch experience.
Find it at Tweede Kostverlorenkade 70, 1053 SB Amsterdam.
7. Restaurant De Kas
De Kas is one of Amsterdam’s most famous dining spots, housed in a striking 1927 glasshouse that functions as both a Michelin-starred restaurant and an organic kitchen garden. The restaurant offers a true farm-to-table experience, with a menu that changes daily based on the freshest ingredients picked from the garden that morning. This commitment to freshness ensures a vibrant and flavorful menu, blending sustainability with luxury.
Both the lunch and dinner menus focus heavily on vegetables, but dishes like ‘monkfish, endive, anchovies, and opperdoezer ronde’ (a creamy, nutty Dutch potato variety) strike the perfect balance, appealing to both vegans and meat-eaters.
Find it at Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam.
8. Box Sociaal
While Box Sociaal is best known for its popular brunch, its charm doesn’t end there. With locations in both Plantage and Jordaan (the former being our favorite), this café offers a lively atmosphere where locals and tourists alike can enjoy custom cocktails and creative dishes inspired by brunch classics, served all day.
The menu is straightforward yet inventive, featuring unique options like the ‘Princess Jasmine’—fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with jasmine-infused mango compote, jasmine cream, fresh mango, honey-roasted macadamias, and white chocolate coconut shards. The Parmy, a crumbed and fried chicken with house marinara, melted mozzarella, twice-cooked fries, and a green salad, is a standout and has made Box Sociaal a favorite spot in Amsterdam for great food and good times.
Find it at Plantage Middenlaan 30A, 1018 DG Amsterdam.
For more such articles please follow us on Twitter, Linkedin & Instagram
Published: 17th September 2024
Also Read:
The Richest Places In Rhode Island
The World’s Top 15 Bucket List Trips Ranked
World’s Best Vodka 2024
