Restaurants in The Netherlands
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A
La Forca
On a narrow quiet street, this trattoria (run by a charmer named Guiseppe) has tiled tables in a space as compact as the inside of a cannelloni. Perfect Tuscan and other Italian fare (the parmesan-crusted steak is amazing) draws gaggles of locals.
reviewed
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De Bolhoed cv
The hippyish interior at Amsterdam’s best-known vegetarian restaurant provides a nice setting for tucking into enormous, organic Mexican-, Asian- and Italian-inspired dishes; in warm weather, there’s a verdant little canalside terrace.
reviewed
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C
Hein
Hein loves to cook, and it shows in her simple, stylish, sky-lit cafe. Media types, doing business over brunch, comment that she has a great touch with simple dishes: croque monsieur or madame, smoked salmon and fresh fruit salads.
reviewed
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D
Montmartre
This brasserie has décor that's a little bit lacy and a lunch menu that's very French: understated, yet refined, with lavish attention to detail. The baguettes are seriously pleasing, with all kinds of cheeses and extras like marinated eggplant.
reviewed
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E
Café Walem
The industrial-mod building by Gerrit Rietveld, two terraces, friendly service and a changing menu keep this place busy. There’s a popular carpaccio sandwich, mains including fish and duck, a neat line of soups and salads, and coffee from Illy.
reviewed
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Lust
Parquet floors and walls, super-mod ceiling lamps and Brazilian dance beats animate this glam café. It's a fair bet you'll spot models nibbling focaccia sandwiches, tostis, generous salads or the popular grilled chicken club with avocado.
reviewed
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Pasta di Mamma
Casual, friendly Pasta di Mamma is supremely located for picking up a picnic to take to the Vondelpark. You can choose from dozens of antipasti, gorgeous salads and more substantial plates. The countrified-cafeteria space is also pleasant for eating in.
reviewed
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H
Koffiehuis van den Volksbond
This laid-back place began life as a charitable coffee house for dockers, and it still has a fashionably grungy vibe. The ever-changing menu has huge plates of comfort food with ingredients such as mussels and merguez (a type of spicy sausage).
reviewed
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I
La Cloche
A stalwart of the Pieterskerk district, the years have not dimmed the passion for fine dining at this very inviting Frenchified restaurant. In fact the flowers just seem to get fresher and more numerous. The inside is all elegance: brass and chandeliers.
reviewed
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Pâtisserie Pompadour
Join society ladies sipping top-notch tea and nibbling away at homemade Belgian-style chocolates and pastries at this chichi little tearoom in the Negen Straatjes. Note: it’s not open on Sundays, but a second branch is open daily at Kerkstraat 148.
reviewed
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Op de Tuin
This is the kind of informal neighbourhood restaurant where you can sit snacking on an antipasti platter (let the chef decide on a mix of Mediterranean standards) or a light pasta dish, and fantasise that you live across the street. Many of the regulars do.
reviewed
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Deeg
A charming corner location in the museum quarter is but the first draw at this casual bistro, which has nightly set menus that change regularly. Fresh local produce gets a Mediterranean accent and many items – such as the cheeses – are organic.
reviewed
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Jacobus Pieck
Touches such as freshly squeezed OJ put this tidy bistro on a higher plane. The menu bursts with fresh dishes, from salads and sandwiches at lunch to more complex pasta and seafood choices at dinner. Staff are welcoming; snag a sunny table on the back patio.
reviewed
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N
De Vliegende Schotel
Service can be spotty at the ‘Flying Saucer’, but if you’re prepared to take your time in the summer camp–chic dining room, you’ll enjoy some of the city’s favourite vegie gratins, lasagnes and Indian-inflected meals.
reviewed
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O
Eat Mode
This smart little fusion diner covers the Pacific Rim in style. Order, take your number and plop down at a New Age marbled-wood table while they whip up your seaweed salad, California spring rolls or Thai tom yam goong soup. Does a booming takeaway trade too.
reviewed
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P
Garoeda
Since 1949, this elegant restaurant has been serving spicy and fresh Indonesian fare from its airy corner location. Most people opt for one of seven variations of rijsttafel, the panoply of dishes that let you savour foods from across the archipelago.
reviewed
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Pasta e Basta
There may be better Italian food in town, but Pasta e Basta is popular with large groups year in, year out thanks to its singing waitstaff, who perform opera, standards and more. Regulars swear by the antipasto buffet and grilled meats. Reserve well in advance.
reviewed
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R
Ariola
The head-turning smells wafting from its doorway, and crowds milling inside, speak of only one thing: Ariola is an outstanding little Italian deli. Its broodjes (filled bread rolls) are made to order and only topped by the home-made pastas and lasagne.
reviewed
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Rôtisserie Kerckeplein
This cosy restaurant has got cooking local lamb down to a fine art, with seven choices in this category alone. You can sit in the loft and wash it all down with a dark Texels Speciaalbier. In high season it serves lunch – enjoy on the small front terrace.
reviewed
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S
Pastini
With a gezellig, rustic-Renaissance interior and a can’t-beat-it location facing two canals, Pastini wins praise for its looks, pastas and prices. A speciality is the antipasto starter (€10.50 for three choices), but save room for dessert.
reviewed
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T
Moeders
Mum’s the word at ‘Mothers’, a delightful hodgepodge of decor and food, including stamppot (potatoes mashed with kale, endive or sauerkraut), seafood, Moroccan dishes and an assortment of other lip-smacking traditional Dutch dishes.
reviewed
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Roopram Roti
There’s often a line out the door at this bare-bones Surinamese place, but don’t worry, it moves fast. Place your order – lamb roti ‘extra’ (with egg) and a barra (lentil doughnut) at least – with the man at the bar, and don’t forget the fiery hot sauce.
reviewed
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Muller
You can enjoy the show here for free by watching the artistry in the kitchen from the windows on the street. But really why settle for half? Menus change regularly and include delights such as lobster, scallops, lamb and much more. One of the region’s best.
reviewed
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Mangerie De Jonge Koekop
Mangerie De Jonge Koekop - always popular, this bistro has fresh and inventive fare. Dine under the stars at outside tables in summer. Look for the sculpted cow’s head on the front, which is as narrow as the first stalk of spring asparagus.
reviewed
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Brasserie Harkema
This cavernous ex-tobacco factory started its career as a restaurant in fine fashion a couple of years ago. Now the hype has subsided, it's just a very good stylish brasserie, with a simple lunch menu and staples such as Caesar salad and entrecôte for dinner.
reviewed