Hi, I’m Lex, your local private guide in Amsterdam. I want to talk to you about some surprising places to eat in Amsterdam. Surprising offbeat dining experiences in Amsterdam where business people can meet, for example. Or alternative ways to eat out in Amsterdam for small groups.
Some are unusual restaurants and some are hidden gems for dining out. There are popular street food options too.
Ask me, city storyteller on the Amsterdam streets and online, for personalised food and meet-up recommendations in that tempting city. I can tell you all about those eating-out ‘eating out Lexperiences’.
I speak French, German and English, as well as my native language: Dutch. (I also speak the language of street food. ;) ) Ask me about my latest discoveries, which I haven’t had time to add below yet, like that new, trendy Chinese restaurant on Dappermarkt.
recent reviews about so-called “Amsterdam Lexperiences”
When we talk about typical offbeat dining experiences in Amsterdam, 28 things are on my mind: (Some being pretty hidden.)
Indonesian food, because of our history and the quality of the food. ⇓
I have been eating Indonesian in Tashi Deleg and Sampurna (And I have eaten there with satisfaction.) And I add an Indonesian food option on Java island. (Center-East)
And 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, however expect good food! (I got no shares. ;))
Finally, there are several low budget Indonesian restaurants with a buffet and fixed prized meals. An example is “Indonesian Indah” on Javastraat, “east”. Another (good) one is to be found near the martime museum, on the Eastern Islands. (Wittenburgergracht.)
“Eetcafés“. Eating in a cafe with limited choice, however fresh, cheap and from the heart.
One so-called eetcafé (“eating house”) in the Red Light District at a great location on the waterside: Haven van Texel. (A tip from my colleague Frank.) Not open on Mondays.
Another eetcafé is on the Singel, the most inner canal, above the “big 3” Herengracht – Keizersgracht – Prinsengracht. It is called Singel 404. However this spot is for lunch and not for dinner.
For me the typical hidden gem restaurant “Eetcafé” 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. Check the picture beneath. My review on Google Maps.
An alternative along river Amsterdam (Amsterdam-East): Café Hesp.
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)
Hidden Places to Eat and Drink in Amsterdam City Centre for Groups (Quiet, Historic)
Looking for quiet places in Amsterdam city centre where you can take your group without getting overwhelmed by the crowds? Especially on Saturday afternoons, the historic heart of the city can feel packed. That’s why we share these hidden gems in Amsterdam — calm, atmospheric spots where groups can relax, eat, drink, and enjoy the city’s history without the hustle.
Top 2 Quiet Group-Friendly Places in Central Amsterdam. (More to come.)
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Pension Homeland
Located inside the peaceful Marineterrein, this former naval area offers space, history, and a lovely view of the water. It’s perfect for groups looking for a calm break near the city centre. Our review on Google Maps.
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Captein & Co. – A Local Refuge Near the Crowd
Just steps away from the busy streets, but wonderfully relaxed. A great spot for groups wanting a cosy, authentic Amsterdam atmosphere. A (simpel however good) “eetcafé” which is located and hidden behind the Amsterdam School Architecture Bridge and & former shipping head quarter. Hardly any tourist knows this place.
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. (Even from small African countries; for example on “Overtoom”.)
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 during a private tour in amsterdam.
China Town (Red Light District, Zeedijk + Nieuwmarkt + Gelderse Kade) houses great places for both Chinese and Vietnamese food. An example of Vietnamese streetfood: 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, Lex, I have checked it out on August 31th, 2025 and I have liked it.
Traditional Dutch food is to be found at Hap-Hmm. This hidden gem restaurant, not far away from Vondelpark, is very authentic. For me it is like I walk into my Grandma’s house. Even dishes from the 50-ties and the 60-ties. Like “griesmeelpudding”. (Google it)
Fancy eating along the IJ river: head for Meneer Nieges. No Meneer Nieges it has been taken in 2023 over by restaurant Vooges.
An eating out classic on the canals in Amsterdam is Spanjer & van Twist. (I have 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”.
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 a place even pretty unkwon with locals: Tennispark Kattenlaan.
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 and restaurant Blaauw.
Hidden gem fresh market local farmer restaurant; ideal for people arriving by car.
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. Near the ring and free parking.
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?)
Touring idea: have breakfast at “Landmarkt”, and then we’d take you on a private countryside biking tour in “Noord”. (rural north)
Streetfood in Amsterdam
Eating French fries on a market (while you walk): Vita’s Friet, a stall on the very local Dappermarkt (East Amsterdam, chk the picture beneath.). Very good! (And chosen “best fries of Amsterdam”, a few years ago by Netherlands 2nd national newspaper. “AD”.)
I have liked the chips from a stall next to the ferry from “Noord” to Amsterdam Central Station, called “Pont Neuf”, on September 21, 2025. However EUR 6,50 for a large portion with Flemish mayonaise is what the Dutch call “the main prize”.
By the way I like the chips of “De Frietfabriek” in Amstelveen as well. (Not far from Amsterdam-South and Amsterdamse Bos).
You might want to check out those fries right when you need them most — during a private bike tour through Amsterdam.
Fancy good burgers? Go check out “Jungle Burger” on Wijde Kapelsteeg 6. (Very near metro station Rokin) OK, I admit, I know the owner and it is a nice, dedicated man. (Joep, nickname with us: “Tosti Joep”.)
In “the Wild West” (Amsterdam-West, my own nickname.) I love to go (or take others) to “Broodje Daan“, which is not fare from exit S103 on the A10 ringroad. (Far from the crowds, although the locals, like me, Lex, love it.)
In Javastraat, Indische Buurt, East Amsterdam, go get that trendy, rewarded and lovely streetfood from Syria. Tigris en Eufraat.
Team outing idea: Eat & Tour in Amsterdam-East.
Other surprising offbeat dining experiences in Amsterdam
- 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.
- On my beloved “Cruquius Island” you can grab “brown fruit” (like “bitterballen”), together with a game of French pétanque (balls, jeu de boules) next to café and brewery Krux.
- 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
- Eating in this windmill. (Krijtmolen d’Admiraal) Ask us, as the information on their website is just in Dutch.
- Next to Amstel River, in Amsterdam-East, you can eat in the total dark, served by blind people.
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, out of the box private tour guide in tempting Amsterdam
Page from that local private tour guide in Amsterdam with unusual tours & blogger
Private local guide in Amsterdam and North-Holland with partly pretty unusual tours
Hidden gems in Amsterdam ; a Lex and the City top-42
We are f-Lexy and we know it. (Including unusual places to eat in Amsterdam)
Tour guide says Happy Christmas from New Amsterdam, unusual cafe with link to New… York. An unusual place to eat in Amsterdam as well!