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Restaurants in Amsterdam are very varied and usually not overpriced. Although Dutch cuisine tends to be dominated by dairy products and raw fish, there are some hearty stews (stamppots) to enjoy as well as tiny pancakes called 'poffertjes', cooked while you wait at street markets and fairs. The history of the country's colonial past is reflected in the diversity of cuisines, mainly from Surinaam and Indonesia, and the large Japanese population are well catered for in the south of the city. (The result of the important trading link between the Japanese and The Dutch since the 18th Century). Many restaurants don't serve food after nine in the evening unlike in more southern European countries, but those that do seem to advertise this clearly on their windows. So, be prepared to eat early and fill up with some interesting dishes that are often hard to find elsewhere in the world. Prices mentioned below are per person. De Blauwe Hollander: A small but very central restaurant serving only Dutch dishes. The tasty meatballs are highly recommended, as is the stamppot, a meat stew with potatoes eaten by farmers during cold Dutch winters. Vegetarian meals are few and far between (the menu seems to include only some rather predictable salads). The Dutch adore their pea soup with ham, (ewrtensoep) so don't attempt this unless you are prepared for a meaty surprise. There is some uncertainty about what the 'griesmeelpudding' might consist of, so ask the waitress for further details. Bad acoustics, so don't come here if you want a quiet conversation. Leidsekruisstraat 28020 623 3014 Plancius: A relative newcomer to the city, offering inventive,
reasonably priced gourmet food to a mixed clientele. Quite a few Dutch
media professionals dine here as so many TV companies are based in the
vicinity. This former motorcycle garage has been decorated in strong purples
and reds with dark green leather seating, but the comfortable furnishings
and high ceilings don't make this modern restaurant feel formal or imposing.
Plancius has an excellent wine list, friendly waiters and somehow manages
to maintain a perfect balance between offering a special night out whilst
remaining relaxed and unpretentious. There are about eight tables set
outside in warmer weather and the view of the Artis zoo entrance is a
pleasant distraction in this well-to-do, neighbourhood. Bark Brasserie: One of the few restaurants open until midnight.
(One way to tell if you've found Bark Brasserie is when you see the bold
sign 'tot middernacht' declaring their late opening on the window). An
excellent choice for fresh fish, their speciality. They offer mainly traditional
dishes, which are not that highly spiced. They also have a good selection
of oysters which are brought chilled to your table. The wines are reliably
good and although this building is located in the upper-class enclave
of Oud West, it doesn't feel pretentious or over-bearing. They have a
few seats outside and pre-concert menus are available for anyone going
to a performance at the Concertegebouw nearby. Greek Restaurant, De Griekse Taverna: Near to the Zuiderbad public
swimming pool, so good for an evening meal after a late afternoon dip.
Also close to the Rijksmuseum and other sites around Museumplein. Todine @ Hotel Arena: Excellent restaurant with a modern European influence. The dining area is part of this three star hotel, recently converted from a former orphanage. Every Friday and Saturday night different DJs are invited to select dance music in the bar from 22.30. Anything from 70's and 80's bands to something more recent… Mid-price range Trams 3, 6, 10 and bus 22 The Golden Temple: A calm, organic vegetarian restaurant on one of the nicest 'restaurant streets' in Amsterdam. Run by turbaned Sikhs, there is a surprisingly varied choice of dishes on the menu. Try the house Thali, a selection of Indian meals in small portions served on a large tray with chapattis and yoghurt. Surprisingly, there are also Middle-Eastern dishes as well as a Mexican combined meal. Vegans are well catered for, even down to the homemade ice creams and caffeine-free, soya milk hot drinks (they taste nicer than they look). No alcohol is sold on the premises and the entire building is a smoke-free (and chicken egg-free) zone. Recommended as a healthy option after too many excessive nights out. Very reasonable prices: From 8 to 12 for main courses. Sapporo: A courteous, welcoming restaurant near De RAI, Amsterdam's
massive conference centre and congress hall in Rivierenbuurt. These are
the kind of subtle flavours that are virtually impossible to reproduce
at home, (unless you are Japanese), and Sapporo is one of the best Teppanyaki
restaurants in the city. Try the stir-fried eel, (the Dutch and the Japanese
both seem to be partial to this oily fish). Alongside the clean taste
of sake, a Japanese rice wine served warm in porcelain beakers, this is
a treat. Sapporo Teppanyaki & Sushibar Trams 4 to De RAI, 12 or 25 to Churchillaan La Place: A great place to take children and members of the family,
as there is a wide choice of different dishes and everyone can see the
food being cooked in front of their eyes. (No more surprises or disappointments
when your order eventually arrives at your table). There are fresh fruit
shakes, delicious muffins as well as 'mix your own' salads and smoked
salmon filled rolls. Plenty of choice for vegetarians, including at least
one hot soup. The only disadvantage is that you have to carry your loaded
tray round a sometimes crowded self-service area, but the food is freshly
prepared, so balancing your selection for a few minutes is worth the effort.
There is a small open-air balcony on the upper floor and a non-smoking
section under a glass roof. There is also a ground floor bakery, Le Marché,
selling focaccia bread, apple cakes, pizza slices and cold drinks to take
away. (All made on the premises, so children can have a look at dough
being mixed behind the counter). A Dutch delicacy, 'gevulde coekjes' (almond
filled cakes) are sold in packs of four to take away. Inside V&D (Vroom and Dreeseman department store. Entrance on Rokin
as well as Kalverstraat) De Portugees: A lively restaurant serving excellent Portuguese
cuisine. They have gregarious waiters who make you feel at home, and the
food is mainly fish and meat based. Typical dishes include clam stew with
pimento and garlic and sausages flambéed in brandy. Zeedijk 39a Café-Restaurant Amsterdam: Situated in a former water pumping station built in 1897, this huge space is now an impressive café and restaurant open from mid-morning until late. Known as Holland's most beautiful industrial monument, it still houses a majestic diesel engine next to the bar. Look out for the fish decoration over the water fountain in this remarkable building; one of the many things lovingly cared for by former workers. Above you hang impressive floodlights from the former Ajax and Olympic stadiums, adding to the unique atmosphere. It may be difficult to park here, however, as the restaurant is sited in an 'eco' car-free zone, but clear instructions as to how to get there can be found on their website. (This also includes some intriguing old black and white photographs and some fascinating facts about the historic building). The 'international' dishes are well-prepared and reasonably priced. Typical menu: Tram 10 to the terminus at Van der Hallstraat De Waaghals:"Waaghals' apparently means 'dare-devil', but
this probably refers to the adventurous combinations of different ingredients
served in this attractive vegetarian restaurant. Located in a leafy part
of De Pijp, the atmosphere is informal, but the menu is unusual and creative.
Organic ingredients are used as much as possible, and a wide choice of
different fruit and vegetable juices make a refreshing start to their
meals. Each month a dish focuses on a different country and their menu
selection changes twice a month, so, unusually for a vegetarian restaurant,
there is always something new to look forward to. They have a large selection
of beers (including locally brewed ones) and organic wines. The Brouwerij
het Ij beer, (Trippel or Dubbel) is remarkable, and is produced in a windmill
nearby: Look out for the Ostrich on the bottle label. The interior of
the restaurant is very comfortable and has a non-smoking area, and on
nice summer evenings you can dine outside in a small but pleasant garden.
De Waaghals is very popular with a growing number of non-vegetarians,
so it is advisable to book in advance. Maximiliaan: This micro-brewery (one of two in the city) is a congenial bar on the edge of Nieuwmarkt. Built on the site of the former medieval Bethaniën Monastery, Maximiliaan offers tasting sessions and guided tours as well as specialist beers. There are still hand-hammered copper kettles in the brewery, which create a unique atmosphere for all beer lovers. Here, various kinds of natural, unpasteurised and unfiltered beer are brewed according to traditional methods. Apart from the welcoming bar, where copper pipes lead the beer from the home brewery to the taps, Maximiliaan houses a restaurant and a Tasting Bar. In the à la carte restaurant you can order meals, many of which have beer as an essential ingredient. Beer connoisseurs can try their latest concoctions which are brewed on site, which apparently makes the beer taste quiet different. (The flavour of beer being affected by transportation). You can even attend a lunch concert in the Bethaniën monastery and enjoy a delicious meal afterwards. Amsterdams Brouwhuis Maximiliaan Kantijl & Tijger: Rather expensive Indonesian restaurant in the city centre - but worth it, for the excellent food. The interior has a colonial feel, with art deco glass in the entrance and window panes. The dishes are inventive and varied, and locals know this so Kantijl en de Tijger is always full and booking ahead is advisable. (This also makes it a noisy place to eat). There's a 20-dish rijsttafel for two, with tofu omelette, bean sprout salad, fried tempeh, chicken in soy sauce but there are also fish and vegetarian selections available. If you can't manage twenty dishes between you, there are single dish meals, such as green beans with prawns. After your meal try the coffee, because it's apparently wonderful. Spuistraat 291-293 Trams 1,2,5 to Spui or 4, 9, 16, 20, 24, 25 down Rokin to Spui. Indian Restaurant, The Guru of India: A lively, popular restaurant near Leideseplein. This Indian restaurant is a relaxed, informal place to eat with meals from different parts of India, specialising in neither northern or southern cuisines. Don't be surprised if you are offered a hot towel to refresh yourself before the meal. There are good vegetarian options and many dishes are presented in copper pans at your table, adding to the party-like atmosphere. Inexpensive. Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 56 Spanish Restaurant, Centra: In the middle of this busy central
area of narrow streets and cruising tourists, (maybe wondering if they
are in the red Light District yet), you can find one of Amsterdam's nicest
Spanish restaurants. Food is served on formica tables or at the tapas
bar and there are usually lots of Spanish diners here, so it must be good.
Their huge seafood paella (ordered for two) was enough to feed at least
four, so order this rice dish only if you are really hungry. It might
be difficult to find Centra without a map, so check your route before
you set out. The Pancake Bakery: A very popular restaurant a few minutes walk from the Anne Frank House on one of the prettiest central canals. The range of pancakes is wider than anywhere else in the city, so you don't have to be stuck between the two 'traditional' choices: cheese or ham. There are imaginative vegetarian fillings, such as pine nuts with goats cheese and a Norwegian version with smoked salmon and crème fraiche. (You can always tell a Dutch person, however perfect their English, because they turn their nose up at this variation, insisting that it is impossible to combine fish with pancakes). The pancakes are cooked in an open kitchen, which makes it entertaining for children, but there may be a long wait, as the place stays busy throughout the day. (Their selection of children's toys at the back doesn't look that clean, however, so bring your own). Their cream and liqueur soaked sweet pancakes are a meal in themselves, so don't overdo it on the first course. Prices from 10 Trams 13, 14, 17, 20 to Westermarkt Bird Thaise Cafe: One of the best Thai eateries in the city. Rather
than making your way through Chinatown to the main Bird restaurant, go
to the café/annex opposite. Two cooks prepare very hot, spicy coconut
milk noodles with red curry sauce in only a few minutes. This is fast
food at its best: fresh, full of different textures and stunning flavours.
The room is a bit cramped, but the turnover is fast, so this isn't a place
to linger. (Twenty seats in total). A good place to watch what is going
on the busy Zeedijk. No reservations. Zeedijk 77 La Sala, Comidas Caseras: A very lively and friendly restaurant
near Artis, selling mainly Spanish/Portuguese tapas. They have a wide
selection of fish, vegetarian and meat dishes, including their tender
marinated octopus and grilled peppers with goats cheese. It doesn't really
feel like being in the centre of Amsterdam, eating here. The service is
incredibly fast and the food is surprisingly good for a tapas restaurant.
A great place to come if you don't want to stay all night, or even if
you do… Plantagekerklaan 41 Manzano: On the edge of the Jordaan, this busy tapas and Spanish
restaurant always seem full of people enjoying being with their friends.
Not a place to wander in if you are on your own…unless you just want to
view the impressive wooden beams in this huge 17thC building. Great food,
(but sometimes they get the orders mixed up…and are then nicely apologetic).
Their salads are plentiful; instead of skimpy wilted lettuce they present
diners with massive platters of crusty bread, chunks of goats cheese,
curly endive and black olives. Rozengracht 106 Eat Mode: A brand new restaurant on Zeedijk, Amsterdam's very
own Chinatown.From the restaurant you can glimpse the stunning Buddhist
Temple, run by gentle, saffron robed nuns. Inside the restaurant you'll
find a modern, well-designed room with long bleached wood benches, quite
unlike most pink ceramic tiled places in this street. With its eclectic
menu and cheap, well-prepared food, this is a welcome addition to the
area. Zeedijk 105-7 Latei: An unusual daytime café, which has the added attraction of having lots of things for sale, in fact everything you can see around you can be bought: the tables and chairs, oddities from the fifties, the artwork and particularly the homemade food. There is a retro feel to the place, and it is a pleasant place to have breakfast, a mid-morning drink or a simple, home-made lunch. Inexpensive: Albina: One of the best Chinese-Surinamese cafes in the cosmopolitan
area of De Pijp. The Albert Cuyp Market is just round the corner, so this
is a good place to stop for a cheap midday meal after some shopping nearby.
Try the 'loempia', (spring rolls) followed by stir fried squid with seasonal
vegetables. This is the friendliest, most delicious roti shop in Amsterdam
and offers excellent quality for the prices. (Roti are thick pancake breads,
served with curry sauce, a boiled egg and green beans and potatoes, and
meat versions are also available). Albert Cuypstraat 69
Maoz Falafel: Opening times 11:00 to 24:00 Branches at Muntplein, Albert Cuypmarkt and Regulierbreestraat. FEBO: A unique Dutch experience…buying hot snacks from plastic heated containers, so you don't even have to speak to another human being to fill that hunger gap. If you like rather predictable, but hot greasy food late at night and don't want to go into a restaurant, this is the ideal place to stop by and pick up something without having to wait around.Nothing costs more than 3 , (the Chicken Saté) and most of the beef or pork croquettes are just 1. Vegetarians can try the cheese soufflé, but don't expect to get something that has been slowly rising in an oven. Branches all over the city, from Ferdinand Bolstraat to Leidestraat.
Feduzzi Italian delicatessen: Definitely the best take-away sandwiches
in Amsterdam. Their home-baked ciabatta breads are filled with fresh pesto,
buffalo mozzarella and rocket, marinated mushrooms or salami. They have
a wide variety of fillings, with mouthwatering Italian cheeses and dried
meats. Although this delicatessen is a bit of a walk from the centre,
it is worth the trip, especially if you are wanting to stock up for a
picnic in the delightful Beatrix Park nearby. Scheldestraat 33 Renzo's: A slightly crowded restaurant near Museumplein, serving
vegetarian and meat dishes from a wide selection on the counter. They
do excellent take-away food, from very tasty sandwiches made to order,
to oven baked pasta meals or fish salads. You can choose from the 13 home-made
fresh pasta sauces on display, including gorgonzola or clams. They also
have risotto, couscous and quiches in plentiful supply. For sandwiches,
try their sunflower seed, maize breads or pain de campagnes with goats
or cows cheeses from around the world. Sip freshly squeezed fruit juices
or some chilled wine and, if you can manage it, indulge in a tiramisu
dessert or some chocolate mousse. A good place to linger over Sunday lunch.
You even might find a place to sit on their benches outside. Open Monday to Friday 10.00-22.00 Saturday and Sunday 11.00-19.00 Gary's Muffins: Gary's muffins are springing up all over Amsterdam.
The first one opened several years ago as a brainchild of two Americans,
one from the East coast and one from the West, who thought the time was
right to introduce to Amsterdam the two things most adored by the coffee-loving
Americans - bagels and muffins. The Dutch have taken to their cinnamon
buns too, whilst tourists appreciate having somewhere to recover from
an excess of sightseeing. Each cafe seems to provide a warm, comforting,
homely feel, like going into your grandmother's kitchen and finding something
just out of the oven. Their wide choice of muffins makes even the most
diet-hardened utterly tempted, from their healthy, low-fat banana ones
to rich white chocolate or their scrumptious brownie of the week Marnixstraat 121 tel 020 638 0186 tel 4201452and Kinkerstraat Open Monday to Friday 8.30-18.00 For the Jodenbreestraat branch, take trams 9, 14, 20 or the Metro to
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