Either your looking for a place to meet a friend for coffee on a sunny terrace, a co-working space, a restaurant to impress you with a fine dining experience or looking for a healthy vegan restaurant, Amsterdam has it all, but where to go? To make it a little easier for you, we set up a list of our favorite places in the city center. These hotspots are almost all situated on walking distance from Central Station and well worth a visit!
Meneer Nieges
Wine, dine and shine at our absolute new favorite restaurant and best terrace in Amsterdam! Meneer Nieges is owned by the men behind Hanneke’s Boom, Disco Dolly, the Vergulde Eenhoorn, Cannibale Royal and the Bloemenbar. Situated on the waterfront just a short walk from central station on the Westerdoksdijk, the restaurants is the perfect spot for endless summer (and winter) nights. Relax on the cozy though spacious terrace filled with romantic lights or have a seat inside in the hippie, chique designed restaurant. The restaurant has floor to ceiling windows for a great view on het IJ, Eye, Overhoeks and central station. Either you’re looking for a surprising lunch or delicious eastern inspired diner Meneer Nieges has it all. Order some dishes to share and make sure to try out there trout with a cream of sweet potato and their signature dish the roasted cauliflower.
Price: $$
Website: http://www.meneernieges.nl/
Address: Westerdoksdijk 40, 1013 AE Amsterdam +31 20 215 9482
Restaurant Vermeer
Fine dining in style at the renewed elegant restaurant Vermeer near the Central Station. The kitchen is led by Michelin star chef Chris Naylor. What I like so much about his style is that he puts vegetables on the spotlights and uses fish and meat as a side dish. The number of courses is up to you and all dishes are prepared with well-selected local quality food. Some of the vegetables and herbs are harvested from the rooftop garden of the belonging Palace Hotel. We were welcomed by Maître and sommelier Bjorn van Aalst with a sparkling wine in the lounge before we started our five-course dinner. He handed us a list of seasonal ingredients replacing the traditional menu to show us what each dish would be based on. The dishes are served by professional and entertaining staff and guided with excellent pairing wines selected by the sommelier. One of the August features was langoustine with baked cabbage and seaweed topped with langoustine coulis cooked to perfection. Every course is a new taste experience and the food is creatively presented on beautiful plates. Vermeer is one of the finest restaurants in Amsterdam that belongs to the culinary top. Perfect if you are looking for a memorable dining experience.
Price: $$$
Website: http://www.restaurantvermeer.nl/
Address: Prins Hendrikkade 59-72, 1021 AD Amsterdam
Betty Blue
Betty Blue is a comfortable and creative spacious cafe in the middle of the center of Amsterdam. They serve breakfast and brunch all day. Choose your eggs any style or enjoy one of their delicious flamküchen. Sandwiches are made with tasty organic bread; they sell many homemade beautiful cakes, smoothies and great coffee. On sunny days you can either sit outside, on the terrace or in the door opening. You can easily sit down and work, there is free Wi-Fi and the place is great if you need some creative inspiration!
Price: $
Website: http://www.bettyblueamsterdam.nl
Address: Snoekjessteeg 1-3, Amsterdam
Finch
If you are looking for something different, you will find it in this cute cafe on the Noordermarkt. If you are lucky there is a little place for you on the sunny terrace. It’s a perfect spot to watch people pass by. Finch serves the best coffee in town and has very friendly staff. The charming interior is a mix of vintage and retro furniture, which gives the cafe a characteristic tint. The Surinamese roti made by Ryan is their specialty, but there are also delicious soups and sandwiches on the menu. Either you are looking for a cozy place to drink coffee, dine, have drinks with friends, or work on your laptop (there are many power points) and free Wi-Fi, Finch has it all!
Price: $
Address: Noordermarkt 5, Amsterdam
Frenzi
Frenzi’s cozy interior and exterior (two terraces, one facing the canal) immediately catches your eyes when you pass by. The beautiful tiled floor, wooden bar and cubic walls (used as isolation against the noise) are all made by the owner himself. The place is decorated with plants and flowers and they exhibit paintings and photographs of young artists on the walls. Seven days a week Frenzi is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just drinks. The people working here are very friendly and open and you can walk into the kitchen to see how your dish is prepared. Frenzi is well known for their tapas selection. The food is cooked with as much fresh and organic ingredients as possible. Every Sunday afternoon there is a live jazz band performing, on this day it is best to make a reservation.
Price: $
Website: http://www.frenzi-restaurant.nl/
Address:Zwanenburgwal 232, 1011 JH Amsterdam
Dwaze Zaken
Situated at the beginning of the Zeedijk near Central Station you will find art-eatery Dwaze Zaken. Whether you come for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’ll always be surrounded by friendly staff and embraced with a good ambiance. On the menu is simple but quality food, mostly prepared with organic ingredients and friendly priced. For example start your day with organic pancakes or yogurt with homemade granola. On ”crazy Mondays” many locals come to have dinner. Every week a different dish for only 6,90 with a free live performance provided by an upcoming singer-songwriter and bands.
Price: $
Website: http://www.dwazezaken.nl/
Address: Prins Hendrikkade 50, Amsterdam
De Brakke Grond
This unique cafe is where artists from the cultural Flemish center, tourist and local meet. With the feel of sitting down in a living room, it is the perfect place to just chill out, check your e-mail and work a bit. Come here to drink a Belgian pint with friends or enjoy a Flemish dish with of course homemade Belgium mayonnaise. Check out the cultural program, to combine your dinner with a dance performance, theater or exposition.
Price: $
Website: https://www.brakkegrond.nl/eten-drinken
Address:Nes 43, 1012 KD Amsterdam
The Alchemist Garden
This small cafe and shop is serving raw vegan food made with love by the owner, Alec Boswijk. It is a bit out of the center, but totally worth it! Everything is healthy, organic, vegan and gluten free. From fresh squeezed juices, smoothies with nut milk, fresh coconuts and vegan cakes, to pasta made of zucchini noodles. Everything is healthy and tasty. Order a biodynamic wine to complete your meal enjoy your meal inside or on the terrace.
Price: $$
Website: http://www.alchemistgarden.nl/
Address: Overtoom 409, 1054 JP Amsterdam
