Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Dutch cheeses are the speciality of this split-level deli; taste them on cheese boards at its handful of tables, or get them vacuum packed to take home…
Must-see restaurants in The Netherlands
Rotterdam
If there's one thing that can be said about Rotterdam, it's that it is never predictable. So it's hardly surprising that locals have embraced this…
Gelderland
Local fashionistas pile into this vintage-styled corner cafe in the Modekwartier to tuck into creative dishes prepared by rebel chef Werry van Leeuwen and…
Southern Canal Ring
Exercise lovers on the run flock to this pale, gleaming place, which offers fast food that is as healthy as takeaway gets. The poké (pronounced poh-kay)…
South Holland
Green, red and white flags flying outside make it clear that this place is proudly Italian. Dominated by a large pizza oven at the rear, it's popular with…
Amsterdam
An enchantingly pretty place to stop for a bite, this casual neighbourhood gem feels like it's straight out of an Edith Piaf song. Come for a croissant…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Low-key Van Kerkwijk is easy to miss, but locals sure know it's here: the small wooden tables are typically packed. It doesn't take reservations and there…
Rotterdam
Modern Cantonese, Szechuan and Beijing dishes dominate the menu at this upmarket eatery. Its chefs are good at what they do – the Peking Duck is excellent…
South Holland
Set over two floors with a buzzing pavement terrace facing Lisse's main square, this bistro and cocktail bar is a popular spot for dinner or late-night…
Southern Canal Ring
Pastini serves up Italian-infused dishes such as tagliatelle with stewed lamb, tomato, aubergine and parmesan. Authentic starters include fried courgette,…
Friesland
On nippier days, kick back at this fish restaurant inside a historic garage at the old harbour. Its 1st-floor dining room and roof terrace dish up…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
A long line regularly snakes out the door of this narrow, generations-old shop where everyone is queuing for – wait for it – vanilla ice cream. That's the…
De Pijp
Van 't Spit does one thing – free-range chicken (half or full), marinated overnight and spit-roasted over a wood-burning fire, with optional sides such as…
Jordaan & the West
On a picturesque stretch of the Prinsengracht, this brown cafe is an idyllic spot for a drink on the canal-side terrace or in the cosy bar. But it's best…
North Holland
At the water's edge 3km west of town, this seasonally opening wooden teahouse is a charming spot to indulge in high tea (reservations essential), but you…
South Holland
Wisteria drapes the courtyard of this excellent restaurant in spring, making it a great place to enjoy a sandwich or settle in for a leisurely lunch (2-/3…
North Holland
A former iron foundry now houses this cavernous canal-side restaurant near the Marine Museum and ferry terminal. Gourmet sandwiches such as smoked beef,…
Amsterdam
Named after the building's 18th-century architect, Caspar Philips Jacobsz, this restaurant is housed in a grand old inn (a former courthouse, then turned…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
A large coral-filled aquarium sets the scene at this stylish seafood restaurant. Named for the freshwater pike inhabiting only clean, clear water, Lucius…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Two-century-old coffee and tea vendor Wijs & Zonen (the monarch's purveyor) maintains this pretty courtyard restaurant. It serves Dutch stews, a couple of…
Western Canal Ring
It's easy to miss this tucked-away spot, despite its location near the bustling Spui (look for the cobalt-blue awning). The menu is as simple as can be –…
Rotterdam
Rotterdam's best waterfront pub is also a great spot for a meal. Dine on one of two terraces or inside. Mussels, schnitzels and more line the menu but the…
Gelderland
Grab a pew – on a vintage Dutch train seat or saggy old Chesterfield sofa to be precise – at this casual eatery by the train station and take your pick…
Amsterdam
Poco Loco is a good spot for people-watching on Nieuwmarkt, while tucking into filling salads and sandwiches for lunch, or pan-European tapas for dinner,…
Utrecht
This four-table hole in the wall is the least glamorous of numerous buzzing street-terrace cafe-restaurants on Mariastraat but the great-value Vietnamese…
Den Haag
Specialising in satay, this upmarket Indonesian restaurant focuses on classic dishes from Central Java but supplements these with choices from other…
Frisian Islands
At the foot of the western dunes is the Whale, a low-lying wooden beach pavilion on a grassy dune with vast terrace overlooking the shifting panorama of…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
It won't win any design awards, but year in, year out, Nam Kee, serving Cantonese classics, is the most popular Chinese spot in town. The steamed oysters…
North Holland
Across the bridge from Zaanse Schans' windmills, in an apple-green-painted wooden building with red awnings, this outstanding bakery is perfect for…
Jordaan & the West
At this parquet-floored place with marble-topped tables, wood-fired pizzas are made with serious care. Perfectly charred crusts come topped with fresh…
De Pijp
Refined Mamouche's minimalist dining room, with mottled raw-plaster walls and slat-beam ceilings, complements its French-accented North African cuisine,…
Utrecht
In an 1847 shophouse with window seats that are perfectly perched above the canal, there's no doubting the quality of the French bistro food here, centred…
Jordaan & the West
With sunny decks at either end and a cavernous interior, this vintage 1927 ex-car and passenger ferry once plied the IJ and is now permanently moored in…
Amsterdam Noord
Amid artful yet simple decor with a subtle designer feel, Cafe Modern is serious about its gastronomy yet without any stuffiness. There's a choice of a…
Western Canal Ring
Legions of Amsterdammers swear by the crispy chips at Wil Graanstra Friteshuis. The family-run business has been frying on the square by the Westerkerk…
Jordaan & the West
At this shop specialising in okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes; literally 'cook as you like'), your pancakes come in a hot iron dish with your choice of…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
This delightful cafe attached to the Oude Kerk serves freshly made sandwiches such as brie with sweet pepper, rocket and mustard mayo, or smoked salmon…
Jordaan & the West
It's the best of both worlds: Jordino makes rich chocolates and velvety ice cream and combines the two by scooping the ice cream atop cones dipped in…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Bird has some of the best Asian food on the Zeedijk – the chefs, wedged in a tiny kitchen, don't skimp on lemongrass, fish sauce or chilli. The resulting…
Jordaan & the West
Owner Yohannes gives his customers a warm welcome (as do the heavenly aromas wafting from the kitchen) and is passionate about the quality of his injera …
