As a port and trading city with a true cosmopolitan spirit, Amsterdam has soaked up culinary influences from far and wide, and adapted them to its own local style. More than fifty different national cuisines are served throughout the capital so anything from Indonisian Nasi Goran, through to Japanese Omakase could be on the menu – and in such a compact city your favourite flavours are only a few footsteps away. In terms of top end culinary experiences Amsterdam really has its finger on the pulse with many Michelin Star restaurants to it’s name as well as some seriously cool places to dine in; there are so many restaurants to choose from! Check out some of our favourites that are not to be missed on a trip to Amsterdam.
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&moshik
Located on the Oosterdokskade next to Central Station, two Michelin Starred &moshik takes the fine dining concept to a whole new level. The restaurant is brainchild of Michelin starred chef Moshik Roth who uses his talents to take diners on a gastronomic journey. Eating here is nothing short of theatre as dishes are presented and many created at your table. There is an A La Carte menu, but go for the tasting menu which comes in découverte and grand sized with meat/fish and vegetarian options and multiple amuse bouche to whet the palate! This is our favourite restaurant in Amsterdam, while the price is high, it’s an experience you won’t ever forget, expect the experience to last at least three to four hours and you’ll leave full and more knowledgeable about food.
MR PORTER
Lovers of steak will want to make sure that they take the time to dine in style at MR PORTER. Located on the top floor of the super cool W Hotel on Spuistraat 175, the restaurant blends a modern steakhouse with a contemporary lounge and tops it off with one of the best terraces in the whole of the city. Although steak plays the starring role here, and with ten to choose from you are spoilt for choice, there are plenty of other dishes to enjoy such as roasted potato Carpaccio with beluga caviar, grilled lobster and grilled octopus salad. The restaurant also excels when it comes to side dishes and diners can enjoy pearl pasta with caramelised onions, black truffle polenta, broccoli with black garlic and a whole host of other imaginative options along with their steak.
Vermeer
Set in the NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace Hotel close to Central Station, Michelin Starred Vermeer boasts rustic charm and an elegant yet laid back setting. The restaurant menu is simple, instead of dishes to choose from there is a list of ingredients that you choose along with whether you’d like to opt for a four, five and six course menu. The dishes that are included in these menus change often as they are inspired by the seasonal ingredients and the focus is on vegetarian and simple unprocessed dishes much of which is grown in the restaurant’s garden. British chef Christopher Naylor can always be depended on to impress and there is always something new to discover as diners embark on an eclectic culinary journey.
The White Room
Famous for being the oldest restaurant in the whole of Amsterdam, Michelin Starred The White Room has been satisfying refined diners since 1885. This stylish establishment can be found inside the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, which occupies an enviable location on Dam Square. To get a feel for the impressive and imaginative dishes that chef Jacob Jan Boerma creates, it is a good idea to opt for the six or eight course menu. The menu is French in style with innovative twists and showcase what Jacob Jan Boerma is famous for by fusing meat dishes with light fruit based sauces. Some examples of the dishes that are just waiting to be enjoyed include venison served with Delcorf apple, pumpkin and chicory and North Sea crab served with a watermelon, beetroot and buttermilk sauce.
www.restaurantthewhiteroom.com/en/
MOMO
The ultra cosmopolitan Momo is in the Park Hotel not far from the Leidseplein. There is a lounge area to enjoy cocktails and the dishes here are mainly pan-Asian inspired, with the focal point being fresh seafood and vegetables. Diners will want to try and secure a seat close to the kitchen so that they can watch the chefs at work. Sushi and sashimi fans are in for a real treat and in addition to classic types of sushi there are plenty of unique options such as the lobster and the mango roll served with creamy wasabi.
Rijks
Amsterdam is the perfect place to enjoy food and art and the Rijksmuseum manages to perfectly combine both. Diners should arrive early to allow plenty of time to admire the collection of artwork which has been created by the Dutch Masters. However, all the dishes on the menu are also works of art and have been created by Michelin-starred chef Joris Bijdendijk. The dishes are playful and yet precise and include the signature dish of fermented celeriac that is embellished with shredded coconut and sambal. This artistic restaurant can be found on Museumplein 2 and also serves as a sophisticated space in which to enjoy Dutch beers and wine from all over the world.
