Hi, Lex, here, local private guide in Amsterdam. I want to talk to you about food in Amsterdam. Places to eat. Some being unusual restaurants, some being hidden gems for eating out.
Click on my photo after having read THIS article about hidden gem restaurants in Amsterdam, for places I have visited in Amsterdam East, with a journalist of National Geographic Traveller; September 2022.
When we talk about typical eating out in Amsterdam, 5 things are on my mind:
1. – Indonesian food, because of our history and the quality of the food. ⇓
From this top-5 of Indonesian restaurants, I have been eating in Tashi Deleg and Sampurna (And I have eaten there with satisfaction.) And I add an Indonesian food option on Java island. (Center-East)
Update November 2022: There’s a new Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam-East. Called Purnama. In Javastraat. 1st Indonesian restaurant in the Indische Buurt! Now still being a hidden gem restaurant in Amsterdam.
An alternative, linked to our history, is Surinamese food; on the Waterside. (I had a good time over-there.) A hidden gem Surinamese option is to be found in Amsterdam East: Roopram. Do not expect any luxury, just expect good food!
2. – “Eetcafés” (eatcafé). Eating in a cafe with limited choice, however fresh, cheap and from the heart.
One so-called eatcafé in the Red Light District at great location: A tip from my colleague Frank. (Not open on Mondays)
Another eatcafé is on the Singel, the most inner canal, above the “big 3” Herengracht – Keizersgracht – Prinsengracht.
It is called Singel 404. However this is for lunch and not for dinner.
For me the typical hidden gem restaurant “eatcafé” in the midst of the historical town center, is the Schreierstoren. It is a surviving defense tower of the 1st city wall Amsterdam. And…most of the time it is relaxed inside. I have never see any queue here. For me as a local tour guide it is also like a shelter, to get some rest & peace in between activities. The menu is simple, and that I consider a positive factor. Chk the picture bneath.
An alternative along river Amsterdam (Amsterdam-East): Café Hesp
A (simpel however good) eatcafé which I consider a hidden gem, is located and hidden behind the Amsterdam School Architecture Bridge and & former shipping head quarter. Hardly any tourist knows this place. Captein & Co. Another simpel taugh romantic one is located in one of Amsterdams’ oldest buildings. In the Schreierstoren.
One in the famous Jordaan (A bit further from your Hotel): De Blaffende Vis. (famous place because of Queensday; see picture beneath with….;) )
I have eaten there a lot.
And finally an “eetcafé” in an unusual tempting area, called Eastern Docklands. It is called Ocean. (Website is in Dutch)
3. – We’ve got kitchens from all over the world, as in Amsterdam 181 nationalities live together.
The contradiction here: The Netherlands hardly has a kitchen from its own, however Amsterdam has the whole world in the house concerning food.
An international good place is Bar van Rijn on the Rembrandt-square, next to the statue of the famous painter. I have eaten well there with good service.
China Town (Red Light District, Zeedijk+ Nieuwmarkt+ Gelderse Kade) houses great places for both Chinese and Vietnamese food.
Traditional Dutch food is to be found at Hap-Hmm. This hidden gem restaurant, nor far away from Vondelpark, is very authentic. For me it is like I walk into my Grandma’s house.
Fancy eating along the IJ river: head for Meneer Nieges. No Meneer Nieges it has been taken in 2023 over by restaurant Vooges.
Eating French fries on a market (while you walk): Vita’s Friet, a (red) stall on the very local Dappermarkt (East Amsterdam).
An eating out classic on the canals in Amsterdam is Spanjer & van Twist. (I liked it.)
Brasserie Nel is a playful place next to the Prince canal, which is suitable for eating with your children. It has got a great square, including “Pétanque (Jeu de Boules track), which is a popular French game in the Netherlands.
Chinese restaurant: Sea Palace, floating hotspot on the so-called Oosterdokseiland
Vietnamese food: it is a tip from one of our Lex and the City team members: Tomas. Little Saigon on the Zeedijk. He says: Here you eat Vietnamese streetfood as you do in the streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh.
Me I like to go to the non-touristic sort of hidden gem restaurant Khorat Thai Restaurant, next to famous Vondelpark. cheap and good. In Vondelpark itself, you might go to “No Rules”, Vondelpark 3.
Or the Vondeltuin, which is to be found on the other side of the Vondelpark. And I like “het Melkhuis”(the Milkhouse) for a simple lunch.
Indonesian restaurant near the parc: Blue Pepper.
5. – Hidden gem fresh market local farmer restaurant; ideal for people arriving by car or coach. Near the ring and free parking
Landmarkt is located between 2 villages which are hidden gems by itself: Schellingwoude and Durgerdam. It is an oasis of fresh flavours in Amsterdam North – East.
On the banks of the IJ, at Schellingwouderdijk 339, you’ll find Landmarkt: a restaurant where you can sample pure, authentic cuisine. The menu changes seasonally, with fresh, local produce prepared with love. The supply comes from local farmers.
Landmarkt
Website (I did not find an English version, however you can translate the whole website, right?)
- In “Noord”, at Jumbo Food Market, you can you can take food from the shop, eat at the restaurant and pay afterwards, easy and economical.
- For business and leisure large groups there is this unique opportunity to have dinner together in this windmill “Krijtmolen d’Admiraal” in Amsterdam North.
- Spots to have lunch with your business group in Amsterdam
Australian group visiting the dutch F1 GP and the day after doing a private guided bike tour with Lex and the City passing by chalk mill in Amsterdam North
Talk 2 you later, Lex, private tour guide in Amsterdam
Private local guide in Amsterdam and North-Holland
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Hidden gems in Amsterdam ; a Lex and the City top-42
We are fLexy and we know it.