For the past couple of years, our little guide to eating out in Amsterdam has proved to be a very popular feature of the Broadband TV News IBC Special. So we’re back with a further course. Also, if you have any suggestions, please send them to us – we will be very happy to include them! Use the box at the foot of this page.
If you don’t find what you want in the following recommendations, you can also visit a website specialising in restaurant reviews that features a number of English language entries, namely: specialbite.nl.
Media hot spot
Café Restaurant Dauphine continues to be one of the media hot spots in the city. Named after the Renault model from the 50s, this is a large, brasserie-type of place. It used to be the Amsterdam dealership of the French car manufacturer – hence the name. As an added feature, there is a parking garage underneath for people having lunch or dinner.
Serving French style food, the place is always buzzing with people from the media and advertising industries. While you’re there, have a peek next door, where through the windows you can see BNR, Business News Radio, the country’s only all-news radio station, in action. The same building also houses the FD, Financieel Dagblad, Holland’s answer to the FT.
Call ahead for reservations – they are a must! Phone: 020 462 1646. Dauphine is located near the Amstel train station at Prins Bernhardplein 175.
A newcomer in the same neighbourhood is Café Restaurant Riva, owned by the same people as Dauphine. Overlooking the Amstel river, you can hardly believe you are in the middle of Amsterdam. Riva can be found next to the Philips-tower and Rembrandt-tower, within walking distance of the Amstel station. Just open, and the place is already very popular. Their website offers an online reservation tool, where you can see the available time slots. If you want to book for a group of more than five people, you have to call.
Amstelboulevard 1- +31 20 760 2030.
For a decent, value-for-money steak and lobester restaurant go to Looks (Binnen Bantammerstraat 7 1011 CH Amsterdam; phone 020 320 0949). The restaurant only has threefixed price menus, meat, fish and vegetarian. But they always have oysters, lobster and ‘entrecote’ on the menu – so you can have your ‘surf & turf’. Looks is right in the middle of the old Chinese district of the city, but the food is definitely ‘western’. NOTE – closed on Sundays!
Relatively new is the Bridges restaurant in the Sofitel Grand Hotel (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197, 1012 EX Amsterdam, phone:020 555 3560). The place is ‘inspired by Ron Blaauw’ (a famous Dutch chef) and specialises in fish and wines (Fins and Vins), with a raw bar and a fish-skewed menu. Very good, but with pricers to match.
Meanwhile, Ron Blaauw himself has completely overhauled his restaurant in Amsterdam Zuid (South), ‘downgrading’ from a Michelin-starred place to a Brasserie-type restaurant offering good, but affordable food. Called Ron’s Gastrobar (Sophialaan 55 hs 1075 BP Amsterdam, phone +31 (0)20 49 61 943) the revamped restaurant offers 25 dishes at EUR15 each. Reservations can be made until 7.30pm, after that time you have to walk in and see if there’s a table available.
On the harbour front
The Amsterdam harbour, behind Centraal Station, may not what it used to be, but the last few years a couple of interesting restaurants have sprung up along the IJ river. Most of them offer excellent views of the water and are best enjoyed if the weather is fine. We’ll name a few of these places.
When standing at the back of the Centraal Station, the first building you’ll notice will be the Eye Film Institute. When the weather is nice (you never know, this is Holland!), there is a good, very large terrace overlooking the IJ. The place also houses the Eye Bar-Restaurant, where lunch and dinner is served. Personally, I would go here just for a beer, a glass of wine rather than the food – but the views from the place are quite something – and so is the building itself. You can easily go to Eye by taking the free ferry across the Ij and take a five-minute walk. +31 20 589 1402, IJpromenade 1). Have a look at their menu at the Eye Bar-Restaurant website.
If you like it large – and happen to be a fish lover – go to Stork, the largest seafood restaurant in Amsterdam. Stork Restaurant is located in a large hangar, the former Stork factory of large marine engines. It is located across the IJ river and can be reached by ferryboat – or you can park your own car (free of charge!) near the restaurant. The restaurant seats a 150 people, the bar an additional 100 and if the weather is fine there is a huge terrace overlooking the IJ. Food is mainly fish, but there are some vegetarian and meat choices as well. +31 20 634 4000, Gedempt Hamerkanaal t/o 96, www.restaurantstork.nl)
Also on the Northern side of the IJ is Hotel De Goudfazant, which – despite its name is a very large restaurant, not a hotel. It’s a bit of a trip going out to this old industrial estate – you can take a ferry and walk for about 15 minutes or better take a taxi. Like Stork, this is a really big place, again in an old factory, which is left mostly intact. Food is consistently good and reasonably priced with fixed menus starting at €35. +31 20 63 65 170, Aambeeldstraat 10 H; www.hoteldegoudfazant.nl). NOTE – Closed on Mondays!
To the West of the train station, there is the modern Nevy, which specialises in fish. There is a ‘raw bar’ where you can have your sushi, sashimi, oysters or ceviche, but in the restaurant itself you can have a choice of more traditionally prepared fish. Top chef Erwin Veenboer recently took the helm of this restaurant. (Westerdoksdijk 40A, phone +31 20 344 6409) Check out the website, where you can also make your reservation.
A bit out-of-the-way, right in de middle of the western part of the Amsterdam harbour, you will find REM Eiland, which should be of interest to people interested in the history of Dutch commercial television. In 1964, Dutch entrepreneurs launched the first offshore private TV station from an artificial island in the North sea: the so-called REM eiland (REM Island), which housed Radio TV Noordzee.
The station only broadcast for a few months – Dutch authorities outlawed the station and marines put an end to the offshore broadcasts. The island, a special version of an offshore oil rig, remained in international waters for a long time as it served as a research post for the Dutch department of water works.
The structure has now been moved to the Amsterdam harbour and is completely refurbished – to start life as a restaurant. We haven’t been there ourselves, but the environment is very special – not only for TV history buffs. Open Tuesday till Sunday from 6pm (Haparandadam 45 – II, phone (+31) 20 – 428 6973. The REM Eiland website is only in Dutch, but offers some nice pictures of the island’s history. There is also nice YouTube video of the building of the island.
Indonesian
Ask a Dutchman about his favourite local food and he will tell you its a ‘rijsttafel” (rice table). The famous dish is a colonial adaptation of the Indonesian dinner and popular only in The Netherlands. It consists of rice accompanied by between 12 and 30, often spicy, side dishes served in small portions. Popular side dishes include egg rolls, sambal, satay, fish, fruits, vegetables, pickles and nuts. The number of side dishes depends mainly on the number of guests. There is a (not very) specific eating order: from mild to spice and then rounded off with fruit or a sweet ‘spekkoek’.
Craving for that Indonesian “rijsttafel”? Eat your heart out at Sama Sebo. Yes, we know it’s touristy, but you can’t beat the food. Reservation is essential at +31 20 662 8146; PC Hoofstraat 27.
We also like Restaurant Blauw, an unusual name for an otherwise traditional Indonesian restaurant that prides itself in serving freshly prepared food. Call them on: (+31) 20 675 5000 ; Amstelveenseweg 158-160.
If you like it spicy – and I mean REALLY spicy – then head for Tempo Doeloe at Utrechtstestraat 75. You can get a rice table here as well, but sharing a few dishes between you and your colleagues is a better option. As a warning, though, some of the dishes are extremely hot (spicy). Call them on: +31 20 625 6718.
Dutch
You asked for it – we’ll give it to you, restaurants that serve “real” Dutch food. A good choice for contemporary Dutch food is Restaurant Spelt (Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 5A; phone (+31) 20 420 7022). Seasonal three-course menus are €29.50 and daily specials start from €14.50. They always use fresh ingredients that are lovingly prepared. The name of the place refers to a traditional typically Dutch type of bread, one of an extremely filling kind.
However, my personal favourite is Restaurant Greetje, which is only open for dinner from 6pm onwards (“now open seven days a week!”). They also specialise in giving traditional Dutch food a modern twist and the result is rather good. The place is in the middle of town, but this is definitely not a touristy place as it is a bit out-of-the-way. Be sure to call ahead to reserve a table. Peperstraat 23, +31 20 779 7450. Full menu and a virtual tour to be found on their website.
For a tradtional Dutch ‘biefstuk’ (steak), go to the unpretentious Cafe Loetje in Amsterdam Zuid near the Concertebouw. A real neighbourhood place mainly catering for locals, but also a long-time favourite of people working in the advertising industry. During the weekends you will also find families with kids here. Another speciality is a traditional calf’s liver! (Johannes Vermeerstraat 52-III, 1071 DT Amsterdam; phone + 31 20 6628173; reservation only for six people and up). After 30 years of succes, Loetke is now also spreading its wings to other places – there are two more Loetjes in Amsterdam. The one in Amsterdam Noord on the Amsterdam Marina has the best views of the IJ river (way out West (Werfkade 14, 1033 RA Amsterdam, + 31 20 3624709) And the third one is in Amsterdam east (Ruyschstraat 15, 1091 BR Amsteram, + 31 20 3624709).
As you probably know, the Japanese and the Dutch are the only two people who have traditionally raw fish on their menu. In Japan, it is of course sushi and sashimi; in The Netherlands go for raw herring at one of the ubiquitous fish stalls. The way to “properly” eat them is: take the herring at the tail, dip it in the onions that come with it and start eating towards the tail. If the idea of eating raw fish with your hands puts you off, you can ask the man in the stall to cut the fish up for you.
If want to be really adventurous, you can have dinner at a Dutch family’s home. There is a specialist website, HomeFoodHolland.com, where you can reserve a dinner with a Dutch “home food cook”: “Get to know Dutch food and culture in a unique way. Experience a well-prepared home-cooked Dutch dinner with one of our specially selected hosts. Learn more about Dutch culture, find out more about Holland and enjoy your three-course dinner.” They have a couple of “home cooks” in Amsterdam and Haarlem.
Chinese
Chinese restaurants are plentiful in Amsterdam. Near the RAI is the up-market Oceania (Scheldestraat 77). Go for Peking duck with pancakes or chicken in black bean sauce, which are both delicious. If you don’t like beer with your dinner, there is an extensive wine list to choose from. Call them on: +31 20 673 8907.
Chang-i is a relative newcomer to the large array of ‘modern’ Chinese restaurants, run by the brothers Alex and Yong Chang. This is not your run-of-the-mill take away Chinese; on the contrary, a modern, lounge-style restaurant, welcoming staff and an adventurous kitchen. What do you think of a vegetarian eel made of shiitake? An extensive wine list complements the experience. A private room for parties up to 20 people is available. ((+31) 20 – 4701700, Jan Willem Brouwerstraat 7; www.chang-i.nl)
Sea Palace is a very large, three-storey restaurant near the Amsterdam Centraal Station (just to the East), and as far as we know the only floating one of this kind outside of Hong Kong. It’s a bit touristy, but still a very special place with enjoyable food. Oosterdokskade 8; phone: +31 20 626 4777.
If you like it a bit smaller, go to Nam Kee, where the oysters are great (there is a Dutch movie named after them!) and the staff can sometimes be a bit rude – just like it should be. Make your way past the people waiting for the take-away food and join some others on the large round tables. They are located at Zeedijk 111-113; reservations not possible. They also have a second restaurant nearby, at Geldersekade 117, phone +31 20 6392848.
Unfortunately, the very large Nam Tin is now closed, but the Nam Kee people have now opened a brand new place near the old Heineken Brewery, called Nam Kee Heinekenplein, at Marie Heinekenplein 4, phone +31 20 6702336.
Japanese
Otaru is an unpretentious and informal Japanese restaurant that offers sushi at 40-50% off at some times of the day. It also has a choice of other Japanese dishes. We like it, and not just because the price is right. Frans Halsstraat 2; phone: (+31) 20 670 8972.
On the other side of the scale is Yamazoto, at the Okura Hotel. The only Japanese restaurant in Europe to boost a Michelin star. This is traditional Japanese food at its best in a rather formal setting. Private rooms are available. Ferdinand Bolstraat 333 , (+31) 20 6787450
Best Views
Looking for a restaurant with the best view of Amsterdam? Go to the public library next to Centraal Station. At the top floor you’ll find the informal self-service La Place restaurant with a wide view on the Amsterdam skyline. When the weather is nice, there is a small terrace with the best views. Open till 22.00. Oosterdokskade 143; no reservations.
Almost next to La Place is the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (formerly Mint Hotel), a luxury place to stay near the Centraal Station. The hotel features a Skylounge, where you can choose between cocktails, a wide selection of whiskies, quality wines and local as well as international bottled beers. There is also a restaurant and bar on the ground floor, overlooking the waterfront.
Brand new is the Sky Restaurant Pi atop the Fletcher Amsterdam Hotel, situated right in the middle of Amsterdam Southeast (Zuidoost) with different view of the Dutch capital. The two upper floors of the round, 60-metre-high 4-star hotel house the Restaurant and a bar, the Sky Lounge Pi. From here you will see the motorway system south of Amsterdam, Schiphol airport as well as the office towers of Amsterdam South. (Address: Schepenbergweg 50, 1105 AT Amsterdam; reservations +31 (0)20- 31136. Due to its location, the restaurant is best reached by car (free onsite parking available) or by tax
If money is no object – head for the top floor of the Okura Hotel (Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, nearby the RAI), where you’ll find Ciel Blue. From the 23rd floor you’ll have a great view of the city, especially after dark. The cuisine is classic French. You’ll need to reserve a table. If you can’t get a place, just go upstairs and order a drink from the cocktail bar. Phone: (+31) 20 678 7450.
Your suggestions
Do you have a top tip for IBC dining? Let us know using the box below.
George Jarrett recommends Casi di David (Singel 426, 1017 AV Amsterdam, phone:020 624 5093) “As a regular since IBC moved to Amsterdam I have always lobed the ambience, the welcome from the waiters, a good variety of food options, and the fact that so many other IBC folk that are good to bump into also go to this restaurant. As a producer and chair of multiple IBC sessions over the years, I have taken many speakers there on the evening prior to out sessions, and very single one of them has loved the place.”
Rob de Poorter of SES Platform Services submitted another Italian restaurant, A Tavola’ (Kadijksplein 9, 1018 AC Amsterdam, phone:020 625 4994). “I’ve been bringing lots of customers and (ex-)colleagues to this Italian restaurant which offers typical Italian dishes (no pizzas) but tasty as you would expect in Italy itself. Every IBC, I’ll be there with my guests, who mostly wanted to go back the next evening as the service was impaccible. ‘A Tavola’ offers a special IBC menu for IBC guests and visitors. Make a reservation as there is only limited space available.”
Talking Italian, Hugo Bellaart, Director for Innovation at Ziggo, recommends Restaurant d’Antica for its authentic and truly Italian kitchen. “This restaurant is free from tourists, only frequented by people in-the-know. Probably the best Italian in Amsterdam and beyond. It is located in the city centre, close to the Rembrandt plein. It is best to reserve a table upfront to avoid disappointment…” Reguliersdwarsstraat 80- 82; phone +31 20 623 3862.
Lukas Kernell, general manager of thematic channels at DMC, Chellomedia, recommends Bordewijk (and we agree!). “Restaurant Bordewijk, on Noordermarkt (7 – phone: +31 20 6243899) in Amsterdam has consistently been culinary heaven for the last 25 years. Chef Wil Demandt prepares a new 5-course menu every day, mixing traditional French cuisine with fresh in-season produce and a large dosis of creativity. Combined with the excellent staff (of which some have been with Will from the start!), attention to detail and the exquisite wine list, Bordewijk could easily be one of the most expensive restaurants in town. The bill at the end of a gourmet-night is just the last of many pleasant surprises!”
Gay Bell, managing director, Platform PR, also has praise for Restaurant Bordewijk: “Discovered it last year and it’s excellent – fabulous food and an atmosphere that takes you away from the stresses of the RAI. Also the glamorous Le Garage – at Ruysdaelstraat 54 – fabulous atmosphere, great food and always an experience, one of our favourites for a long time.” See www.restaurantlegarage.nl
Jonathan Marks writes, I’d like to share two restaurant discoveries for Robert’s IBC Guide, both on the west side of the centre. Restaurant Toscanini (Lindengracht 75, 1015 KD Amsterdam; Tel: +31 20 623 2813) has been around in the Jordaan area of town for decades. There are quite a few Italian restaurants along the Lindengracht, so look for the one with two white globes outside. Inside there’s plenty of room, ideal for small groups. Excellent home-made pasta – I found the menu of the day to be superb and overall the best value. Organically grown produce used for the most part. Varied Italian wine list. You can have a virtual look around on their website. It can get busy, so reservations essential. The kitchen is open, so you can see everything happening. www.diningcity.nl/toscanini Paid parking in front of the restaurant, like most of Amsterdam central region is expensive (€4 an hour). Public transport: Tram 3 (Willemsstraat),Bus 18 (Willemsstraat)
Restaurant Marius. Barentszstraat 243, 1013 NM Amsterdam +31 20 422 7880. Great Italian food at this restaurant a two-minute walk from the terminus of tramline 3 at Zoutkeetsgracht. It is 1.5 km from Central Station. They work with a set menu – all fresh ingredients. Cosy atmosphere, – you might have to share a table when its busy. Reservations essential. Shut Sunday evening. http://tinyurl.com/24d5jvs
Nicole Ludwig, Product Manager Electronic Media at pps, Berlin, submits Pianeta Terra, Beulingstraat 1, Tel. 020-626 19 12, www.pianetaterra.nl. “Just around the corner of the busy Spui a very personal Italian Restaurant did surprise me so much when I first visited it. I never expected such a creative, fresh and delicious Italian cuisine here. The menu changes every day, they choose absolutely fresh ingredients and they prefer organic. Just the best of the “pianeta terra” I guess, some of the vegetables were so tasty, I can’t believe… They have so well combined dishes, it was delicious and a very new experience. The atmosphere in the room is also very nice, quiet, with a good service and perfect for a business dinner of a small group.”
Jonathan Try, VP Broadcasting at Chellomedia Programming BV, has this suggestion, Le Pescadou in Amstelveen: “Really good fish restaurant just 10 minutes by taxi from the RAI is Le Pescadou in Amstelveen. Small, but with attentive staff and good food, it’s popular with the locals. It’s a good idea to ring first for a reservation and they’re closed on Mondays. (Contact details are: Visrestaurant Le Pescadou, Amsterdamseweg 448, 1181 BW Amstelveen. Phone: +31 20 647 0443