City Guides - Amsterdam
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One of Amsterdam's delightful secrets, this charming restaurant is an oasis of peace and tranquillity in the midst of the bustle of the Red Light District. A narrow alley leads to the tiny square where Blauw aan de Wal (Blue on the Quay) is hidden, a modern minimalist restaurant with a courtyard that was once part of a monastery. The fare is Mediterranean inspired and the service renowned for its excellence. Reservations necessary. Closed Sunday. Dinner only.
Address: Oude Zijds, Achterburgwal 99
Food type: French
Odeon
Once a rumpled teenage disco but now a revamped chic and cosmopolitan restaurant, the Odeon attracts the stylish and sophisticated diners of Amsterdam. A brassiere, restaurant and nightclub spread over three floors, guests are ensured an entertaining evening out. The restaurant serves fresh, simple and contemporary cuisine and has an excellent wine list. The kitchen is open daily from 11am to 10.30pm.
Address: Singel 460, Rembrandtplein
Food type: Modern Eclectic
D' Vijff Vlieghen
The 'Five Flies' is one of the world's famous restaurants, oozing old-world charm with antiques and Rembrandt etchings on the Spui, and offering New Dutch Cuisine, created using only fresh Dutch products. Brass plaques on the chairs remind diners of the famous names like Orson Welles and Walt Disney who have patronised the rambling establishment that occupies five adjoining historic houses. D'Vijff Vlieghen also offers an organic five-course vegetarian meal. Open daily for dinner. Reservations advised.
Address: Spuistraat 294-302 (opposite the Amsterdam Historical Museum)
Food type: Local
Café de Jaren
Contemporary and stylish, the chief attraction of the Café de Jaren is its waterfront terrace overlooking the Amstel River, in the heart of the city. It makes for a great place for a pre dinner drink, the sampling of a superb bottle of wine or enjoying a strong coffee. The menu is varied and attractive, with fare ranging from soups and sandwiches to steaks and pastas. With a classic French feel to it, the high ceilings and tiled floors of the Café de Jaren exude a refined elegance. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22
Food type: Gastropubs
Dynasty
Amsterdam is well supplied with oriental restaurants particularly in its rejuvenated Chinatown district. One of the most popular institutions, serving a mix of Asian cuisine from Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese, to Malay and Filipino, is Dynasty. The themed interior is exceedingly colourful, the ceiling adorned with upturned paper umbrellas. A big attraction is the beautiful Canalhouse Garden, usually packed out for summer dining. Reservations essential. Closed Tuesdays.
Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 30
Food type: Oriental
Pasta E Basta
The lively Pasta E Basta restaurant has hit on a gimmick that draws customers as much as the delicious plates of pasta it serves: the waiters and bartenders sing opera arias while they tend the tables. This makes for a jovial atmosphere, where guests enjoy the excellent wine list and superb Italian fare in an intriguing environment. Bookings should be made well in advance. Open daily from 6pm for dinner.
Address: Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 8
Food type: Italian
Rose's Cantina
Amsterdam's most popular Mexican-style bar buzzes with warm Latin-American ambience and serves up notoriously potent margaritas along with a number of food specialities. The menu includes regular Mexican favourites like burritos, nachos and enchiladas. Fillet steak and burgers are also available and are well complimented with Mexican beer. Open daily from 5pm.
Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 38-40
Food type: Spanish
Sukasari
No visit to Amsterdam is complete without enjoying an Indonesian 'Rijstafel' at one of any number of Indonesian restaurants. One of the most central and affordable, offering an extensive Rijstafel as well as numerous other specialities, is Sukasari, just off of the Dam Square in the first block east of the Dam Monument. Open daily.
Address: Damstraat 26-28
Food type: Oriental
De Silveren Spiegel
The elegant Silveren Spiegel (Silver Mirror) is one of Amsterdam's best known traditional restaurants, featuring a romantic atmosphere enhanced by beautifully decorated candlelit rooms in two historic houses. Highlights on the menu include seafood and meat dishes, like baked sole with wild spinach or fillet of venison. The lamb dishes are especially fine. Open for lunch by reservation only.
Address: Kattengat 4-6
Food type: Local
De Witte Uyl
A simple Amsterdam restaurant that serves delicious food in a laid back yet sophisticated environment, De Witte Uyl is a popular choice with locals and foreigners looking for a pleasurable night out. While the soft rhythms of jazz music flow through the restaurant, patrons can indulge in the flavours of the diverse contemporary menu that offers dishes like steak of veal filled with sage and pastrami, served with mashed sweet potato, brussel sprouts and parmesan or warm crème of garden peas with mint, with home smoked oysters and steamed wonton filled with chévre, crème fraiche and chives. Order two dishes and a desert for a fixed price and scan the international winelist, which compliments the intricate menu. Open for dinner, Tuesday to Saturday.
Address: Frans Halsstraat 26
Food type: Modern Eclectic
De Eetkamer van de Jordaan
A lovely Dutch restaurant serving a combination of local and international fare, De Eetkamer van de Jordaan is ideal for friends and couples looking for a special night out in an intimate and unpretentious environment. With a fantastic menu that has a variety of enticing cold and hot starters, mains that get the salivary glands flowing and ten different deserts to wind down with, there is a little bit of culinary genius for everyone. Some of the mains include fresh fried Halibut with a Dutch shrimp sauce and Lamb fillet with honey poffertjes (small pancakes) and a sauce of honey and thyme. Make your booking today. Open daily for dinner.
Address: Westerstraat 76
Food type: Local
Café Luxembourg
A large established eatery, Café Luxembourg's affordable prices, traditional atmosphere and superb food continue to draw crowds throughout the year. With heavily wooded tables, a long, well stocked bar, soft lighting and a pleasant atmosphere, Café Luxembourg is the ideal place for a lunchtime salad or sandwich, evening drink accompanied by a mouth-watering array of snacks or a laid back wholesome evening meal. In summer patrons can people-watch from the bustling sidewalks and in winter friends and couples can cosy up with a nice bottle of red or a crisp pint. If you looking for a great meal at an affordable price, Café Luxembourg is the ticket. Open daily from 9am for lunch and dinner.
Address: Spuistraat 24
Food type: Gastropubs
The lively Pasta E Basta restaurant has hit on a gimmick that draws customers as much as the delicious plates of pasta it serves: the waiters and bartenders sing opera arias while they tend the tables. This makes for a jovial atmosphere, where guests enjoy the excellent wine list and superb Italian fare in an intriguing environment. Bookings should be made well in advance. Open daily from 6pm for dinner.
Address: Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 8
Food type: Italian
Rose's Cantina
Amsterdam's most popular Mexican-style bar buzzes with warm Latin-American ambience and serves up notoriously potent margaritas along with a number of food specialities. The menu includes regular Mexican favourites like burritos, nachos and enchiladas. Fillet steak and burgers are also available and are well complimented with Mexican beer. Open daily from 5pm.
Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 38-40
Food type: Spanish
Sukasari
No visit to Amsterdam is complete without enjoying an Indonesian 'Rijstafel' at one of any number of Indonesian restaurants. One of the most central and affordable, offering an extensive Rijstafel as well as numerous other specialities, is Sukasari, just off of the Dam Square in the first block east of the Dam Monument. Open daily.
Address: Damstraat 26-28
Food type: Oriental
De Silveren Spiegel
The elegant Silveren Spiegel (Silver Mirror) is one of Amsterdam's best known traditional restaurants, featuring a romantic atmosphere enhanced by beautifully decorated candlelit rooms in two historic houses. Highlights on the menu include seafood and meat dishes, like baked sole with wild spinach or fillet of venison. The lamb dishes are especially fine. Open for lunch by reservation only.
Address: Kattengat 4-6
Food type: Local
De Witte Uyl
A simple Amsterdam restaurant that serves delicious food in a laid back yet sophisticated environment, De Witte Uyl is a popular choice with locals and foreigners looking for a pleasurable night out. While the soft rhythms of jazz music flow through the restaurant, patrons can indulge in the flavours of the diverse contemporary menu that offers dishes like steak of veal filled with sage and pastrami, served with mashed sweet potato, brussel sprouts and parmesan or warm crème of garden peas with mint, with home smoked oysters and steamed wonton filled with chévre, crème fraiche and chives. Order two dishes and a desert for a fixed price and scan the international winelist, which compliments the intricate menu. Open for dinner, Tuesday to Saturday.
Address: Frans Halsstraat 26
Food type: Modern Eclectic
De Eetkamer van de Jordaan
A lovely Dutch restaurant serving a combination of local and international fare, De Eetkamer van de Jordaan is ideal for friends and couples looking for a special night out in an intimate and unpretentious environment. With a fantastic menu that has a variety of enticing cold and hot starters, mains that get the salivary glands flowing and ten different deserts to wind down with, there is a little bit of culinary genius for everyone. Some of the mains include fresh fried Halibut with a Dutch shrimp sauce and Lamb fillet with honey poffertjes (small pancakes) and a sauce of honey and thyme. Make your booking today. Open daily for dinner.
Address: Westerstraat 76
Food type: Local
Café Luxembourg
A large established eatery, Café Luxembourg's affordable prices, traditional atmosphere and superb food continue to draw crowds throughout the year. With heavily wooded tables, a long, well stocked bar, soft lighting and a pleasant atmosphere, Café Luxembourg is the ideal place for a lunchtime salad or sandwich, evening drink accompanied by a mouth-watering array of snacks or a laid back wholesome evening meal. In summer patrons can people-watch from the bustling sidewalks and in winter friends and couples can cosy up with a nice bottle of red or a crisp pint. If you looking for a great meal at an affordable price, Café Luxembourg is the ticket. Open daily from 9am for lunch and dinner.
Address: Spuistraat 24
Food type: Gastropubs
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