Eat: Amsterdam Restaurants & Cafes

There is a large diversity of restaurants in Amsterdam, with something for every appetite. There are hundreds of restaurants and cafes throughout the city, and chances are you won't have to walk far to find a good one.

Avoid at all costs any steak house in the centre - they are well known tourist traps.

Febo: You will notice vending automats in Holland dispensing croquettes, souffles and little hamburgers. The food is prepared by a worker behind the automat and replenished as it is consumed. Febo is fairly greasy, low quality, and very heavy. For a euro, it is worth a try and very unique.

Budget Eats

For food during the day, the Albert Heijn supermarkets (largest national chain) usually have cheap ready-to-go meals on hand, from pre-packaged sandwiches and salads to microwavable single-serving meals. There is one right behind the Royal Palace on Dam Square, on the Nieuwmarkt, on Koningsplein and in the Vijzelstraat.

For budget meal, check out also the various Falafel and Shoarma restaurents around the Damstraat and Muntplein. They usually include in the dish a large amount of salad. Many restaurants serve portions large enough for 2 people to split. Thai Bird Snack Bar and Burger Bar have huge portions of good food.

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Dim Sum Court Rokin, Zeedijk 109 (Chinatown), Rokin 152 (New Side). It offers an all-you-can-eat (maximum one hour) Chinese buffet for €7.50 (beverages not included, but available for an additional fee). Vegetarian and vegan options are available, just ask the cashier/waitress about the contents of individual dishes.

Rapper, 30 Oudebrugsteeg (New Side). Offers a delicious sandwiches in freshly backed wraps and salads with a selection of home made sauces. Prices vary, from €4 for vegetarian wrap to €6 for Black-Angus Entrecôte wrap.

Thaise Snackbar Bird, Zeedijk 72 (Chinatown). Very crowded little snack bar with fantastic Thai food. Not to be confused with the restaurant of the same owner, on the other side of the street. Try the chicken in green curry. One of the best places in town.

Pancakes! Amsterdam, Berenstraat 38, ☎ +31 20 528 9797. An amazing variety of both sweet and savory pancakes. Quaint atmosphere and the street side tables are great to people watch.

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Gary's Muffins, Jodenbreestraat 15 (Old Jewish Quarter). A pleasant, warm cafe with oversized cups of coffee, muffins and bagels galore. It's a combination of a New York deli and a California cafe where American style products are baked on location. Muffins, brownies, giant cookies, cheesecake and bagels spread with various toppings are served at reasonable prices to a clientele that is a mix of locals, tourists, and expatriates hungry for a taste of home.

Greetje, Peperstraat 23-25 (Old Jewish Quarter), ☎ +31 20 779 74 50. Interesting, traditional Dutch dishes which you will not find elsewhere, alongside French classics. Excellent food combined with friendly, professional service. Located in an historic building on a quiet side street near Central Station; it's off the beaten track so most of the diners are local. Open every day except Mondays; a reservation is usually necessary.

Kantjil & de Tiger, Spuistraat 291 (New Side). Great spicy meat dishes, Indian/Indonesian food. Try the Nasi Goreng Rames.

Nam Tin, Jodenbreestraat 11 (Old Jewish Quarter, near Waterloo Square just opposite Rembrandt's House). A huge Chinese restaurant. Very authentic food: about half of the customers are Chinese tourists or expats. They serve cheap but delicious dim-sum at lunchtime.

Rembrandt Corner, Jodenbreestraat 2 (Old Jewish Quarter). Around the corner from "Rembrandt Huis" is a very nice eetcafe with fresh food, wireless internet and workstations.

De Blauwe Hollander, Leidsekruisstraat 28, ☎ +31-20-6270251. Noon-10 PM. A Dutch restaurant with an extensive menu of hearty home cooked dishes like herring, pea soup and hutspot. Unlike most restaurants in this area, this one gets local diners too, and if it gets crowded enough you may have to share tables. Pancakes served only until 5 PM.

Damsteeg, Reestraat 28-32. They specialise in fish dishes, but they also have a wide variety of meat and vegetarian meals to choose from.

Dimitrij, Prinsenstraat 3. Offering dozens of interesting sandwiches and salads. Dimitrij is on a street which is packed with an ever-changing line-up of fun boutiques and is a must for lunch.

Barney's, Haarlemerstraat 98. A gorgeous brassiere with outside seating which has the best breakfast in Amsterdam for very reasonable prices. Their milkshakes are especially excellent.

De Korte Prins, Haarlemmerdijk 8. Open daily from 8 am till 4 pm, Sat. 9 am till 6 pm. Closed on Sundays. De Korte Prins is a lunchroom café in the heart of the Jordaan area. The friendly staff serves great bagels, rolls, and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Spend the afternoon with coffee lovers, rich coffee, and a delicious brownie or cheesecake. Regulars often drop by for cookies and muffins takeaway as well.

Proust, Noordermarkt 4, ☎ +31 20 623 91 45. Proust is a little off the beaten path, near the intersection of Brouwersgracht and Prinsengracht, but it's worth a visit for the inexpensive and satisfying meals as well as the company: it's a local favorite.

STOUT!, Haarlemmerstraat 73, ☎ +31 20 616 36 64. Nice and modern bar/cafe/restaurant with a young hip clientele.

Vliegende Schotel, Nieuwe Leliestraat 162. Since Green Planet is closing, you better look for alternative vegetarian hang-outs. Believe it or not, but Vliegende Schotel is even better than its Australia-moving competitor. It has big portions of unbelievably good vegetarian food, in an unpretentious but authentic atmosphere. Minimalist service and a little walk from the centre, but worth it. Small selection of organic and fair trade wines and a non-smoking room. Mains €9-15, daily special €8. Bottle of wine €13.

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Akbar, Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 15 (Near Leiden Square). Indian restaurant, Muslim (halal) / Hindu (no beef). Good quality dishes from different regions of India. Main courses €15-20.

La Margarita, Reguliersdwarsstraat 49 (Near Rembrandt Square and the flower market), ☎ +31 20 623 07 07. Daily 5PM-11PM. This Caribbean restaurant offers a huge range of plates, including three different vegetarian options. Every dish comes with ample sides of white rice, black beans, plantains, and vegetables. In addition to having great food, the restaurant is decked out with a range of fantastic and magic-realist art. If you like your food hot, be sure to ask for the special home-made hot sauce. Reservations accepted. €20-30 per person, with drinks.

Proeverij 274, Prinsengracht 274, ☎ +31 20 421 18 48. Daily 6PM-10PM. Small, cosy restaurant on one of the main canals. Classic French based with Italian and Asian influences. Personal service and fresh food in a relaxed environment.

Amsterdam Jewel Cruises, Singel 235 (Near Dam Square), ☎ +31 20 422 13 85 (info@amsterdamjewelcruises.com). Exclusive Dinner Cruise / Sailing Restaurant. A la carte dining while cruising the famous canals of Amsterdam. Cruise and 3 courses dinner €115-125.