Most people visit foreign countries for sightseeing, while there are many who want to taste the authentic local cuisines and satisfy their taste buds. Amsterdam, the capital of Netherlands, is one such place where you can discover the culinary prowess of the city and bring back home unforgettable Dutch experience.
Amsterdam is a liberal and diverse city. The cuisines served in the city’s many eateries and Michelin-starred restaurants are justifiably multi-cultural and adventurous as the city itself. The visitors here will be pleasantly surprised to discover the varied Dutch cuisines. Before we take you on a virtual tour of some of the best known and most frequented elite gastronomic hotspots in the city, it is important to get a brief update about the Dutch food itself.
The Dutch food is quite simple and hearty. It’s essentially potatoes and meat fare. Fish and seafood also form an important part of Dutch cuisine. The seafood served in most Dutch restaurants is based on shrimp, mussels, eel, mackerel and plaice. The cuisines that are great favorites of Dutch people include “Suddervlees” or slowly braised meat; “Stamppot” or mashed potatoes with mixed vegetables served with gravy and meat; and “Erwtensoep” or smoked sausage and pea soup with ham. The Dutch also greatly relish “Friet” or chips/fries and are crazy about these. If you are visiting upscale restaurants in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, you will find meals served with a side of friet as well as mayonnaise.
With a brief glimpse into the Dutch cuisine, get ready now to visit some of the best restaurants in Amsterdam that are renowned for their gourmet, fine-dining restaurant. Some of these are Michelin-starred restaurant, which you will simply love knowing about. The important restaurants that are must-visit in Amsterdam include Serre, L'Invité, Ricardo's in Odean, Tunes, Bord'Eau, Blue Spoon, Envy, Bridges, and Ciel Bleu.
Serre
Serre Restaurant is the latest culinary offering of Okura. Treat yourself here with a wide choice of Ciel Bleu’s signature dishes from yesteryears presented in a completely new form. The dishes are prepared under the supervision of Chef de Cuisine Marc van der Tang. The customers here are served with innovative as well as classic dishes. The modern design of the restaurant is all set to catch your fancy. The dishes that are a must-try here include grilled lamb with polenta and garlic-and-sage jus, sea-bass tartare with anchovy kadaifi and crispy oysters. The Bento Box, which draws its inspiration from traditional Japanese lunchbox, comprising of six dishes of haute cuisine must be tried. You will relish soft-shell crab with wild spinach and pearl barley or oysters with cucumber-yoghurt foam provided in Bento Box.
L'Invité
L'Invité is situated on De Jordaan, one of the beautiful canals in Amsterdam. The restaurant’s dazzling crystal, black-and-white marble floor, pristine white interior, and classic French cuisine will keep you captivated endlessly. The cuisine served at L'invite le restaurant is 100 percent modern artisanal cuisine. Organic vegetables, fresh seafood, fair meat and sustainable produced ingredients are used to prepare French classics under the expert supervision of Chef Richenel who prides in using less salt, less sugar and less fat. The visitors here love savoring lighter dishes here that are absolutely purer in taste. The popular dishes that should be tried out here include slow-cooked beef with Puy lentils, or Bretonne sardines with a rich Antiboise tomato sauce.
Ricardo's in Odean
Ricardo's in Odean is situated in the Canal Belt. This restaurant bears the name of its founder and renowned Chef Ricardo van Ede. A 17th-century canal-house cellar provides the apt locale of the restaurant. As you enter it a neon flying pig on the restaurant’s wall is ready to welcome you. A ‘surprise menu’ awaits you here. The meltingly succulent mouth-watering partridge, braised in calvados, and delicate smoked eel and fennel are worth savoring here. You can also some good wines at the Ricardo's in Odean.
Tunes
Tunes is located in the Conservatorium Hotel in Museum Quarter, one of the most frequented places in Amsterdam. The muted fabrics, cheeky flashes of color and clean lines make Tunes a haven of contemporary chic. The restaurant offers delectable cuisines prepared by its famous Chef Schilo van Coevorden. You can look forward to treating yourself to smoke-flavored grills like wagyu beef with varied beetroot preparations and a hazelnut jus. Other dishes worth relishing here include whole candied lemons stuffed with cream, and eel glazed with apple syrup on Chinese steamed bread. This place is also greatly visited by those who enjoy cooking themselves. If you want to cook here itself, just seek a table near the open-plan kitchen at the Tunes.
Bord'Eau
Bord'Eau Restaurant is a part of Hotel de l'Europe, situated at the Centre. Chef Richard van Oostenbrugge is the main person behind the delicious cuisines prepared here. He uses local, pure and fresh ingredients to prepare the food. The high-end cuisine comes in varied style. The tiny leaves of chard, Romanesco tips, green asparagus, appear exotic when served with a ridge of basmati-rice. It is a popular dish served here. You can get amazing view of the 17th-century Munttoren on River Amstel if a window table is booked in advance. The ambience and décor is remarkable at Bord'Eau.
Blue Spoon
Blue Spoon Restaurant is situated in the Andaz Hotel in the Canal Belt. The garden courtyard drawing inspiration from Alice in Wonderland provides amazing view through a glass wall. It looks simply fabulous. The white, black, bare wood interiors are professedly Dutch, minimalist and low-key in design. The steaming “Bouillabaisse” with its saffron aroma is a must-try. Other local Dutch cuisines such as wild duck with beetroot, sweetbreads, braised veal cheeks, and roasted brill should also be tried out.
Envy
Envy is situated in the famed Canal Belt in Amsterdam. The restaurant attracts elite customers. The décor here is dark with dim lighting providing a romantic ambience. The chefs here prepare innovative Dutch dishes rarely offered in other restaurants in the city. Have you ever savored tempura cherries along with smoked pigeon? This dish is simply exotic. It is offered in four-bite portions. Individual menus can also be ordered. Some customers arriving here in groups also share 5 or 6 dishes served in haute-tapas styles. The restaurant has its own signature dish – Italian charcuterie. You can also go for yet another exotic dish prepared here – “Dutch gourmet sausages”.
Bridges
Bridges Restaurant is situated inside The Grand Amsterdam at the Centre. The dishes are prepared by its renowned Master-Chef Ron Blaauw and Chef Joris Bijdendijk. The Dutch fish prepared with a typical French twist created by Chef Joris Bijdendijk is the specialty here. Local ingredients used in traditional ways are used to prepare dishes here. Other famous seafood that can be savored here includes Langoustines served with hangop or fresh curd cheese and cucumber crème. You can also order crusted brill complementing with smoked eel, cauliflower and chanterelle mushrooms, as well as spicy vin jaune sauce. Poultry and meat dishes are also available for those who don’t prefer seafood.
Ciel Bleu
Ciel Bleu Restaurant is situated on 23rd floor of the Okura Hotel, which is one of Amsterdam’s tallest hotels. Get a fascinating view of the entire city while enjoying your lunch at the restaurant. The famous Michelin-star Chef Onno Kokmeijer and his team are great favorites among the visitors here. They are popular for their delicious creations. The exotic pigeon dish served with smoked beetroot and pistachio cream is simply wonderful. A large number of rich clients including businesspersons are the prominent regulars here. The wine list here is equally impressive. Consider booking a table at the window, particularly on the northern side, for getting a magnificent view of the city of Amsterdam.
Librije’s Zusje
Librije’s Zusje Restaurant is situated in Waldorf Astoria. The restaurant is renowned for its exotic, gourmet dishes. The delicious cuisines that are a must-try here include asparagus pudding, cod with green-tea oil, crispy tulip bulbs served along with beef tartare, and smoked-mackerel macaroon. The dishes here are prepared by famous Chef Sidney Schutte.
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