Must-see restaurants in The Netherlands

  • In den Doofpot

    Leiden

    Given the sky-high calibre of chef Patrick Brugman's food, advance reservations here are essential. This is extremely assured and creative cooking, with…

  • Urban Espresso Bar

    Rotterdam

    Could this be Rotterdam's best cafe? The coffee here is definitely a cut above most of its competitors (Giraffe beans, expert baristas), as is the food …

  • Kek

    Delft

    The baskets of organic fruit and vegetables at the front of this stylish cafe are a good indicator of what's on the menu – freshly squeezed juices, fruit…

  • Wolf Atelier

    Jordaan & the West

    Atop a 1920 railway swing bridge, a glass box with pivoting windows is the showcase for experimental chef Michael Wolf's wild flavour combinations:…

  • Bakers & Roasters

    De Pijp

    Sumptuous brunch dishes served up at the Brazilian–Kiwi-owned Bakers & Roasters include banana-nutbread French toast with homemade banana marmalade and…

  • Rijks

    Amsterdam

    In a beautiful space with huge windows and high ceilings in part of the Rijksmuseum, Rijks was awarded a Michelin star in 2016. Chef Joris Bijdendijk uses…

  • De IJsmaker

    Rotterdam

    Fresh flavours reign supreme at this artisanal ice cream parlour on Witte de Withstraat and only quality produce is used – the simply spectacular…

  • Restaurant By Ús

    Leeuwarden

    Organic local foods are celebrated at Michiel and Lilian's candlelit bistro with a funky wood-and-leather-meets-street-art interior. Frisian-inspired…

  • Pierre

    Rotterdam

    Like many locals, we love visiting Pierre at all times of the day. At breakfast, the croissants are buttery; at lunch the baguettes have delectable…

  • Smit Bokkum

    North Holland

    Now run by the sixth generation, Smit Bokkum has been smoking local seafood including eel, sea bass, oysters, mackerel and cockles since 1856. Try its…

  • Restaurant Mr & Mrs

    Haarlem

    Unexpectedly gastronomic cooking at this tiny restaurant is artfully conceived and presented. Small hot and cold plates designed for sharing, such as…

  • Het Badpaviljoen

    Zeeland

    Perched on the grassy dunes of Domburg, this legendary restaurant is housed in a majestic 19th-century bathhouse with a huge terrace. Indulge in…

  • De Basiliek

    Den Haag

    Moody lighting, comfortable seating and unobtrusive service set the scene for enjoyable meals at this classy choice. The menu is predominantly Italian and…

  • Pure Vida

    Frisian Islands

    This hipster organic food bar hits the sweet spot, whether for a smoothie to kickstart your day (try spinach, ginger, yuzu and almond milk), a cocktail or…

  • Parqiet

    Rotterdam

    The wild flowers in Kilner jars, terrace seating and striped deckchairs on the front lawn all contribute to the charm of this cafe in a former coach house…

  • Fouquet

    Den Haag

    The three-course 'market fresh' menu at this elegant restaurant is an excellent and bargain-priced introduction to Sebastiaan de Bruijn's seasonally…

  • Tante Nel

    Rotterdam

    Differing from traditional patat (fries) stands in a number of crucial ways, Tante Nel has pleasant street-side seating where its many and varied regulars…

  • Restaurant Hemingway

    Noord Brabant

    Attached to De Draak with a terrace on the main square, Hemingway is one of the region's finest purveyors of modern, locally sourced Dutch food. famed…

  • De Belhamel

    Western Canal Ring

    In warm weather the canal-side tables here at the head of the Herengracht are enchanting, and the richly wallpapered art nouveau interior set over two…

  • De Tjotter

    Friesland

    Herring, mackerel, cod, eel and shoals of tiny Dutch prawns come straight off the boats at Harlingen's premier seafood address. If you can't decide, opt…

  • Gartine

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Gartine is magical, from its covert location in an alley off busy Kalverstraat to its mismatched antique tableware and its sublime breakfast pastries …

  • Lucas Rive

    North Holland

    Chef Lucas Rive took just five months to achieve a Michelin star at this chic, contemporary space on Hoorn's lively harbour front. Book ahead for daily…

  • Bij Jef

    Texel

    The Michelin-starred restaurant of boutique hotel Bij Jef has a constantly changing menu created from local produce, such as Texel suckling lamb, De…

  • De Kas

    Amsterdam

    In a row of stately greenhouses dating to 1926, De Kas has an organic attitude to match its chic glass setting. It grows most of its own herbs and produce…

  • CEO Baas van Het Vlees

    Rotterdam

    Meat lovers should be sure to book a table at Rotterdam's best steakhouse. Working in their open kitchen, chefs cook spectacular cuts of beef to order. We…

  • Gebr Hartering

    Amsterdam

    Lined in pale rustic wood, this gem was founded by two food-loving brothers, who offer either à la carte or a multi-course menu that changes daily…

  • AJÍ

    Rotterdam

    Good-quality Asian food is hard to source in Rotterdam, so we were thrilled to discover this chic bistro serving dishes inspired by Asia and the…

  • Guts

    Southern Canal Ring

    Guts' four-course menu is constantly changing and customisable with add-on à la carte options, like razor clams and charcuterie. The focus is on…

  • Buffet van Odette

    Southern Canal Ring

    Chow down at Odette's, a white-tiled cafe with an enchanting canal-side location, where delicious dishes are made with great ingredients and a dash of…

  • Vegan Junk Food Bar

    Southern Canal Ring

    This flashy restaurant, vaunting pink graffiti walls and neon lights, serves healthy 'junk' food. Plant-based burgers are the best-known fare, but you can…

  • Gourmet cuisine in a stylish setting at Ron Gastrobar

    Ron Gastrobar

    Amsterdam

    Ron Blaauw ran his two-Michelin-star restaurant in these pared-down, spacious designer premises before turning it into a more affordable 'gastrobar' …

  • Dikke Graaf is the perfect spot for a bite in Oud-West

    Dikke Graaf

    Amsterdam

    This local favourite features industrial-styled copper lamps and scrubbed-wood tables, and opens to an olive-tree-ringed terrace. It's a truly fabulous…

  • Den Boerenstamppot

    Noord Brabant

    Joyously life-affirming proprietors Fred and Marloes van Weerd have been serving up good old homestyle Dutch dinners here for 45 years. The classic meal…

  • Bisschopsmolen

    Maastricht

    A working 7th-century waterwheel powers a vintage flour mill that supplies its adjoining bakery with the spelt that is used to bake its 100% spelt loaves…

  • De Burgerij

    Noord Brabant

    In the expanded living room of a Tilburg townhouse, this lovable restaurant offers modern Burgundian food with a touch of old Dutch or, in their words,…

  • Louie Louie

    Amsterdam

    With its rough wooden floorboards, big windows, fur-backed bar, model stags, squashy leather sofas and covered terrace, this relaxed brasserie-style place…

  • Junk food with a twist at the Vgean Junk Food Bar, Amsterdam

    Vegan Junk Food Bar

    Amsterdam

    Not your average plant-based eatery, the Vegan Junk Food Bar serves up cruelty-free fast-food favourites in a casual setting with bright graffiti-strewn…

  • Feeling peckish? Grab pizza by the slice at Sugo in De Pijp

    Sugo

    De Pijp

    Spectacular pizza slices at this two-storey restaurant are cooked daily, displayed beneath glass and warmed in ovens. Its 20 different topping…

  • Top-notch Indonesian cuisine is the order of the day Blauw restaurant, Amsterdam

    Restaurant Blauw

    Amsterdam

    The New York Times voted Blauw the 'best Indonesian restaurant in the Netherlands' and legions agree. The rijsttafel (Indonesian banquet) is a feast with…

  • Order up a big scoop of gelato at Massimo, Amsterdam

    Massimo

    De Pijp

    Gelato is made daily on-site from family recipes using local, organic milk, butter and yoghurt, along with imported Italian ingredients such as lemons…

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