Amsterdam is packed with hundreds of eateries covering cuisine from every corner of the world. Unfortunately, tourists are often herded towards the ‘Argentinian steak houses’ around Dam Square.
These are neither Argentinian nor Dutch and you’ll never hear a word of the local language spoken in any of them. That’s not what we want to happen. In fact, it is one of the reasons why we’ve put together this list which talks about the best places to eat like a local in Amsterdam.
The trick to enjoying the city, whether you are in for a weekend or for a week, is to find the best places to eat and who better to tell you than a local? Eating what locals love not only ensures that you eat at the best places in the city, you are also more likely to get an authentic experience of the city.
So, if you’re looking for awesome food and a slice of the real Amsterdam, check out this list of 10 best places to eat like a local in Amsterdam
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Table of Contents
1. Best For Breakfast: The Scandinavian Embassy
Tracy certainly knows her way around the best places to eat like a local in Amsterdam.
Scandinavian Embassy is a small café in the hip Pijp district serving the best coffee in the city. So good in fact that there are rumors that they might be the first coffee store in the world to get a Michelin star. Their poached eggs and other Scandi delights are also unmissable.
2. Best For Brunch: De Bakkerswinkel
De Bakkerswinkel is one of Amsterdam’s most beloved cosy or ‘gezellig’ places to eat. There are three branches in the city, but our favorite is the one in the Westerpark. This gorgeous and expansive space with fabulous terrace is the place to enjoy pastries, scones, soup, sandwiches and quiches – and the best home-made jam in town.
3. Best For Lunch: De Ysbreeker
De Ysbreeker is one of Amsterdam’s original grand cafes. Located on a street lined with Linden trees along the Amstel River, this is THE terrace to enjoy in Summer. In Winter the buzz moves inside with a roaring fire large tables to sit and read the papers whilst enjoying fabulous Dutch brasserie food.
4. Best For Tea Or Coffee: The Blauwe Theehuis
The Blauwe Theehuis is a total Amsterdam institution. It might look like a flying saucer in the middle of the vast Vondelpark but this modernist building is the place where Amsterdammers stop by on their bikes for a coffee and cake.
Ask for a ‘koffie verkeerd’ which is a kind of café au lait with warm milk, and enjoy the little biscuit served on the side. It is incredibly popular and one of the best places to eat like a local in Amsterdam.
5. Best For Apple Pie: Winkel 43
There’s only one place in town to head for real Dutch apple pie and that’s Winkel 43 in the historic Jordaan neighbourhood. Pull up a chair on the terrace with the locals and enjoy a huge slice served with a cloud of whipped cream.
6. Best For Amsterdam Banter And A Real Kroket: Van Dobben Eetsalon
Amsterdammers LOVE krokets and if you want the real deal head to the very traditional Van Dobben Eetsalon in town. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the broad Amsterdam banter from the ladies serving whilst you gobble up a kroket stuffed inside a white roll. If you’re feeling brave ask for a glass of buttermilk on the side.
7. Best For Steak: Loetje Restaurants
The best steak in Amsterdam can be found at the beloved Loetje restaurants. There are a number of branches, some more modern but our favourite is the original Café Loetje in the museum district. The steak only comes one way – tenderloins served with gravy – but it will be the best steak you’ve ever had in your life. Guaranteed.
8. Best For A Buzzy Night Out: Hotel de Goudfazant
For a fun night out, head over to the hip North side of the River Ij and grab dinner at Hotel de Goudfazant. Don’t be fooled by the name, this is no hotel but a vast industrial restaurant that has vintage cars inside and some really fabulous, reasonably priced food.
9. Best For A Date Night: Wilde Zwijnen
The best places to eat like a local in Amsterdam makes us want to book our flight right now!
One of our favourite restaurants for authentic Dutch food is Wilde Zwijnen in the East of the city. If you’re up for a fixed menu, try out the main restaurant which serves exceptional seasonal food. Rather choose your own? Then head next door to Wilde Zwijnen’s baby brother – the Wilde Zwijnen Eetbar which serves small plates of the most delicious food in town.
10. Best For Pannenkoeken: De Carrousel Pannenkoeken Amsterdam
I’ll be honest, there are loads of different pannenkoeken places in Amsterdam. Pannenkoeken are dutch pancakes and they come in all different varieties. They can be had for breakfast or even for a meal like lunch depending on what you order. One of the best places to catch a bite is at De Carrousel Pannenkoeken Amsterdam.
It has a number of tables set around an old carousel. Makes for a fun outing!
11. Best For Herring: Albert Cuyp Market
Amsterdam has options for food on the go too!
You can’t come to Amsterdam and not sample the original Dutch specialty – herring. Brined rather than cooked, herring can be eaten on its own or served in a roll with tiny cubes of onion and slices of pickle.
The best herring in Amsterdam can be found at the stall in the Albert Cuyp market.
You’d be mad to miss it! Yup! It is also packed since it is one of the best places to eat like a local in Amsterdam.
So, there you have it. 10 wonderful places to avoid the tourists and enjoy the very best places to eat like a local in Amsterdam.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tracy blogs at AmsterdamWonderland which she describes as ‘Amsterdam curated. Minus the cliche’s. Kids welcome. Stag and Hen nights head elsewhere‘.
She blogs about all that is amazing about Amsterdam (and slightly beyond) and focuses on the best places to eat, things to do, and amazing family days out. The blog is her passion project.
She is married to an Amsterdammer and is determined to show people all that is best about this incredible city – helping them avoid the lowlights and tourist-traps and pointing them instead to the places insiders know and love. You can catch Tracy on Facebook and Instagram.
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*Photographs in this post are not the property of GlobeTrove and have been submitted by the author.