Amsterdam
Set in the century-old Royal Dutch Steamboat Company (KNSM in Dutch) arrivals hall, this huge, airy cafe has kept some vintage fittings and there's a long…
Must-see restaurants in The Netherlands
Southern Canal Ring
This decadent stalwart is part club, part restaurant, part venue. It's a regal space, with beds instead of chairs for reclining, Roman emperor–style,…
Jordaan & the West
Yep, you can buy a picnic meal here. Mix and match from the changing list of sandwiches (bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, ciabatta with hummus),…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Watch the world go by on Café Luxembourg's sunny terrace over an all-day breakfast, snack platter (cured meats, cheeses and croquettes) or an Old Dutch…
South Holland
There are very few decent lunch options in Gouda, which is why we've listed this small cafe in one of the town's main shopping precincts. Veggie choices…
Friesland
The obvious place to eat any time of day; on summer days, the terrace tables around the cafe and along the canal-front fill up fast. The menu changes…
Amsterdam
This little place, a simple cafe with a black and white tiled floor, makes a mean bowl of laksa (spicy noodle soup), a complex beef, chicken or prawn…
Utrecht
Utterly simple but deliciously spiced, this friendly family joint is essentially four plain tables attached to a takeaway where precooked Surinamese fare…
Amsterdam
With Alpine dishes that are ideal for the chillier months, this delightfully well-worn cafe overlooks the Waag, Nieuwmarkt's turreted former weigh house…
Amsterdam
If you like any of the vintage furnishings at Latei, you can take them home: they're for sale. This laid-back split-level cafe, one of the hipper spots…
Jordaan & the West
Neighbourhood residents pile into Razmataz for drinks in the sun on the cheery terrace, simple lunch dishes such as poached eggs on sourdough, and more…
Amsterdam
Order at the counter and find a spare stool in the mezzanine-style dining space overlooking the chefs preparing wood-fired thin-crust pizzas, with…
Amsterdam
This long-running, friendly not-for-profit restaurant is run by a volunteer committee at the OT301 squat. Expect unpretentious cheap, organic, vegan meals…
Amsterdam
Homemade ice cream at this spot near the De Gooyer Windmill comes in Dutch flavours, such as stroopwafel (classic caramel-syrup-filled wafers), plus…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Run by students, this friendly cafe-bar is an excellent place to get fat sandwiches on thick slices of multigrain bread; healthy main dishes include…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
A refuge from Red Light District madness, this Christian-run corner cafe has big windows and a menu of sandwiches (eg spicy sambal-marinated chicken and…
Western Canal Ring
The blue-tile tables at snug little Pancakes! are always packed with diners tucking into the signature dish, whether sweet (apple, nuts and cinnamon) or…
Rotterdam
Fast-food style Surinamese and Chinese dishes are served at this no-nonsense establishment close to Centraal Station. We suggest avoiding the bland and…
Overijssel
Unpretentious, stick-to-your-ribs pub fare like burgers, schnitzel and feisty steaks in pepper sauce is served in abundance at this brownish cafe near the…
Amsterdam
In stark contrast to its surrounds, this floating pagoda-style Chinese restaurant has three floors busy with locals and visitors here for the great views…
Jordaan & the West
A Belgian success story, Ellis goes beyond beef with varieties such as the Funky Chicken (with tarragon mayo and Parmesan), meatless options (portobello…
Den Haag
This local institution – here since 1977 – looks like something you might stumble upon in a Parisian back street. The elongated interior's red-leather…
De Pijp
The popular white-walled 'Daredevil' is stylish enough for non-veggies to re-examine their dining priorities. The menu features a rotating array of…
Amsterdam Noord
Going by the name, it should come as no surprise that this restaurant is in a hangar. It's a relaxing choice on the water's edge, with a great deck and…
Jordaan & the West
Inside the Antiekcentrum Amsterdam antique centre and opening out onto a narrow canal, this simple brasserie has lunchtime sandwiches and well-priced…
Amsterdam
This 'Children Cook Cafe' is a great place to go with kids, right by the Vondelpark. In this topsy-turvy heaven, your kids can cook for you. They can…
Amsterdam
Eetcafé MKZ is a collectively run, no-frills squat restaurant at OCCII, run by volunteers – all profits go to social causes. Call between 2.30pm and 6pm…
Groningen
Such a deal: soup or appetizer plus a hearty plate of veggies, fish or meat with sides for under €10. No wonder the large, bright dining hall is much…
Groningen
From its busy corner of the Vismarkt, sidewalk tables give a prime vantage for the inevitable speeding cyclist–dawdling shopper catastrophe. The casual…
Groningen
An unpretentious purveyor of classic Dutch comfort food, this fluorescent-lit diner has just three formica tables and counter seating. The many broodjes …
Amsterdam Noord
Vintage Italian prints on the wall and a black-and-white tiled floor give this smart Italian restaurant a '60s-inspired trattoria feel. Authentic thin…
South Holland
The clue is in the name: the twin specialities at Koeien en Kaas (Cows and Cheese) are steak (multiple cuts and sauces) and fondue (two kinds) made from…
Amsterdam
This snug split-level cafe with leaf-print wallpaper is popular for its excellent, good-value Indonesian food, including a mini €20 version of the…
Rotterdam
The front terrace at this neighbourhood favourite is inevitably crowded in sunny weather, and queuing for tables is not unknown. Breakfast is the busiest…
Den Haag
Staff zip about this hopping cafe at the nexus of several pedestrianised shopping streets; it also has some streetside tables along close-by Hoogstraat in…
Amsterdam
Cosy Sama Sebo resembles a brown cafe rather than a South Sea joint, but the food is fine enough for a lunch or dinner spot close to Museumplein. The…
Southern Canal Ring
Laid-back Lavinia has mismatched furniture in a stylish jumble and a menu offering all-day healthy breakfasts, spelt mini-pizzas, smashed avocado on toast…
Amsterdam
This hip cafe near Amsterdam Zuid Station caters well to local office workers and is especially good for upmarket sandwiches and baguettes with out-of-the…
De Pijp
Diners crowd around blond-wood tables up on a mezzanine level at this small restaurant serving dishes designed for sharing. The 'psychedelic cauliflower' …
Rotterdam
In the Provenierswijk neighbourhood behind Centraal Station, this cafe/wine bar/restaurant hybrid offers a menu of French brasserie fare and a tempting…
