Experience Amsterdam's Restaurants

A few years ago there were really only a handful of restaurant choices in Amsterdam: Stuffy Dutch - French-like (if only) Formal,  Chinese/Thai/Indian/Indonesian blends,  The boring Local Cafe' with the famous dry Toasty, Dry Tasteless non italian Pizza, Fast Food Hamburger Joints and the automat wannabe named FEBO These days, however, things are much more appetizing as well as interesting. Places seem to have a lot more life as owners put more money into style and atmosphere.     Now days Amsterdam offers a fantastic variety of international cuisines to choose from and the ever clever Dutch are making it fun to eat out again. When eating out, the Dutch like to make a reservation, and then stay in the restaurant till closing hour. While this can be quite gezellig for them it will kill a table for hours, meaning no room for your party. It is Very smart to reserve your table in advance in the most popular places.  Look for reservation guidance in the individual listings below

Amsterdam Intro	Basics	Restaurants	Have A Drink	What To See	Our Tours
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The Restaurants

Our recommendations FROM EXPERIENCE: are as follows.

Price-range / Inexpensive * / Midrange ** / Expensive ***

LOCATION:

Just a short walk from the Rijksmuseum in the center of the Antique Quarter

Restaurant La Cigale Spiegelgracht 27, on the corner at "Lijnbaansgracht" Open from 5:30 PM - (17:30) Closed on Monday With your mobile phone... Tel. dial - 020-627-9657

Well above the crowd with their delicious cuisine, great location, and superior personal service. La Cigale ...Always a gastronomic delight. Experience Intimate deigning in this charming old restored canalhouse pearched up on the 1st floor overlooking the picturesque Spiegelgracht. Located in the heart of the world famous art and antiques district, near the Rijksmuseum, and convenient to the Leidseplein Entertainment center district. FROM EXPERIENCE: Personally,  La Cigale is one of our all-time favorite eatery's. and our guests so far have all agreed  ** Visit their web site: www.lacigale.nl for reservations (local) Tel. dial - 627-9657

LOCATION:

In the East of the City. If you are at the Tropenmuseum or in-town windmill it is worth a visit

cafe' restaurant de ponteneur, Eerst Van Swindenstraat 581 Located in the east not far from the Tropenmuseum = (on the corner by the RR trestle) With the traditional Amsterdam flair for drama, this old school building was rescued from the government by public protest at it's impending destruction. This renovated "old school house" is one of our most favorite places in Amsterdam. Relax over a delicious leisurely dinner and you are never rushed out the door. The varied menu includes a selection of vegetarian dishes and... FROM EXPERIENCE: their soups are THE BEST! A huge selection of beer to choose from...all are chalked up on the "blackboard"...Newspapers and magazines (Dutch) to read at the big desks...chess, and other games to play during the perpetual recess. You'll never forget de ponteneur.**

Tig Barra, Overtoom 31. A really sexy Irish bar with a fantastic restaurant. Quite simply the best value we've found. An excellent, regularly changing menu; great big breakfasts, Sunday roasts and live music.**

Cafe' Zoëzo, Vijzelgracht 63. Great food, free sunflower seeds and tasty milk shakes. Internet also available for 10 guilders an hour.**

Boom Chicago, located on the Leidseplein. In addition to the great dinner menu offered at their nightly shows they also have scrumptious lunch specials daily. Good value here on pitchers of beer as well.**

Akbar, Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 33, near Leidseplein. Wonderful South Indian food, with a large menu. Great for vegetarians. One of our Favorites **

An, Weteringschans 199, near Frederiksplein. Japanese -Family run establishment with wonderful food and good service last time we visited **

Het Beeren, Koningsstraat 15, near Nieuwmarkt. Basic Dutch table with cabbage, mashed potato and flavorful meaty stew. **

De Blauwe Hollander, Leidsekruisstraat 28, near Leidseplein. Dutch food in generous quantities. Great for a filling meal and no frills. *

Casa di David, Singel 426. Very Tasty Pizzas! Baked in wood-fired ovens and fresh handmade pasta. We always eat everything on our plates! **

Dionysos, Overtoom 176. Good Greek restaurant Open Later until 1am. *

De Eetuin, 2e Tuindwarsstraat 10, Jordaan. Lots of Dutch food. *

Golden Temple, Utrechtsestraat 126, near Frederiksplein. Vegetarian place and the only nonsmoking restaurant in the city so far.*

Hamilcar, Overtoom 306, near Vondelpark. Moroccan / North African little place has a most excellent couscous. *

Hoi Tin, Zeedijk 122, near Nieuwmarkt. Our Chinatown favorite is very popular with locals as well as tourists, Almost endless menu and delicious vegetarian dishes. **

Keuken van 1870, Spuistraat 4. Former soup kitchen serving good Dutch Basics. *

Mensa Atrium, Oudezijds Achterburgwal 237. Central self-service cafeteria attached to the university priced for the students. Open to the public as with most state food service venues. Very cheep *

LOCATION:

Near the Dam square area. Across the ally from Abraxis coffeeshop. Hard to find but good things are sometimes

A truly unique dining experience is in store for you at the supperclub ***

Click on S to visit the club    Jonge Rolensteeg 21, Amsterdam

The Supper Club, an unbelievable (and expensive) place that should impress even the most jaded. Lying down on couch-beds, you eat whatever they prepare in their open kitchen. Meat or vegetarian is the only choice. Decor changes, things hang from the ceiling, and the strange chef-painter-owner acts crazy and spins music. I half-expected an orgy to break out at the end of the night. f120+ per person with wine. Make reservations and dress well, or the beautiful-artsy-wealthy people will laugh at you. Trendy but really a good time will be had if you let yourself go. Tel +31 20 63 80 513              fax +31 20 63 90 034

Lounge on huge padded platforms strewn with large soft comfortable pillows while you dine on a 5 course meal and enjoy the best in variety entertainment. Jonge Aroelend-steeg 21, an alley near the Dam - so small, it's not on the map, phone 638 0513. the BOOM CHICAGO review Prodigious brainchild of Thorwald Voss, notorious cook and visual artist, has grown to maturity. After a thorough renovation and reorganization, the artistic restaurant in the old center of Amsterdam is now more beautiful, robust and refined than ever before. Grown up together with the many visual artists, writers, musicians, fashion designers, and kindred souls, for whom it still is the place in town. What's more, the supperclub  continues to grow. Without losing any of it's open-minded playfulness, innovative strength, and intemperate enthusiasm. Giving even more room to the unbridled creativity that has made this unique combination of restaurant, art-gallery, stage and club into such a wild success during the last decade. Now the supperclub is open to the public again. In fact, it is now more open than it ever was before.   Open: restaurant:   Monday - Friday: 8:00PM-1:00AM -- Saturday and Sunday: 8:00PM-3:00AM lounge:    Monday - Friday: 6:00PM-1:00AM -- Saturday and Sunday: 6:00PM-3:00AM info@supperclub.nl

Shiva, Reguliersdwarsstraat 72.One of the best local Indian restaurants, delicious food. Vegetarian is the main theme **

Sisters, Nes 102, city center. A busy vegetarian restaurant serving delicious balanced meals, as well as plenty of snack-type items. Closes early *

Tempo Doeloe, Utrechtsestraat 75, near Rembrandtplein. Quality Indonesian food.*

De Vliegende Schotel, Nieuwe Leliestraat 162, Jordaan. One of the most popular vegetarian restaurants and for Good Reason, serving the most delicious food in large portions. 

Super Snack Places...

Pret a Porter, Take away sandwich shop has great Cookies! Herenstraat 1, 10:00 am till 11:00 PM

La Frutería juice bar, Nieuwezids Voorburgwal 141, 1012 RJ Amsterdam. Opposite Magna Plaza. Great fresh juices. The owner occasionally puts out cookies his mum makes, or other baked goods that are incredible.

Coffee Connection, Nieuwe-zijds Kolk 33. Has fantastic coffee, cookies, bagels and other delightful baked goods.

Cafe' Esprit, Spui 10a. Modern café, with delicious sandwiches and superior salads.

Gary Muffins, Prinsengracht 454, near Leidseplein; Reguliersdwarsstraat 53, near Koningsplein. The locals favorite for the best muffins and bagels in town.

Greenwoods, Singel 103 near Dam Square. Small English-style tea shop, with a decent breakfast.

Maoz Falafel, Reguliersbreesstraat 45, near Rembrandtplein. Some say the best Falafel in the city with bread and as much salad as you can eat.

Mr Hot Potato, Leidsestraat 44. Baked potatoes are not fancy,but good tasting and very cheap.

The Pancake Bakery, Prinsengracht 191. A large selection of pancakes from around f10.

Puccini, Staalstraat 17-21 near Waterlooplein. Superior cakes, pastries and chocolates, All are handmade. This place is very dangerous to your waist size!

Studio 2, Singel 504. Tearoom with the most tasty sandwiches.

Toko Sari, Kerkstraat 161. Popular Indonesian take-away.

Villa Zeezicht, Torensteeg 3, at Singel. Small place, with excellent sandwiches and the best apple cake in Amsterdam.