Ciel Bleu

Chef Arjan Speelman and his team will serve you daring original dishes inspired by French cuisine while you take in the panoramic view of Amsterdam. A selection of classic and innovative wines completes this unparalleled culinary experience. The restaurant is the proud holder of two Michelin stars.

• Web:

  www.cielbleu.nl

• E-mail:

  cielbleu@okura.nl

• Address:

  Hotel Okura, Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 678 7450

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 6:30pm–8pm, Sun & Mon closed

• More info:

  Located on the 23rd floor of Hotel Okura. Smart Casual dress code.

De Kas

De Kas is a chic garden conservatory serving Mediterranean dishes. This restaurant housed in a collection of greenhouses that date to 1926 serves a fixed daily menu prepared with vegetables and herbs grown in their own nursery. Their motto is "Harvested in the morning, on your plate in the afternoon".

• Web:

  www.restaurantdekas.com

• E-mail:

  info@restaurantdekas.nl

• Address:

  Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 462 4562

Foodhallen

The impressive food court housed inside De Hallen contains 30+ international restaurants, with offerings ranging from dim sum to steaks to tacos. Some reputable local restaurants have branches here. The common dining area is always buzzing, and live DJ sets are hosted Friday and Saturday nights.

• Web:

  www.foodhallen.nl/venues/amsterdam

• E-mail:

  info@foodhallen.nl

• Address:

  De Hallen, Bellamyplein 51, Amsterdam

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu noon–midnight, Fri & Sat noon–1am

• More info:

  Located in De Hallen cultural centre.

IJ-kantine

The IJ-Kantine is more than just a canteen on the IJ. This striking and transparent brasserie with its fabulous terrace on the NDSM harbour has just about everything: in the morning you can go there for coffee, during the day you can have a royal lunch, in the evening enjoy a cocktail next to the fireplace in the lounge and at dinner time, eat dishes such as wild sea bass, potato cannelloni and half lobster.

• Web:

  www.ijkantine.nl/en

• E-mail:

  info@ijkantine.nl

• Address:

  NDSM-kade 5, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 633 7162

• Opening hours:

  Daily from 9am. Kitchen closes at 10pm

• Subway:

  Regular free ferries depart from the Central Station.

Kaagman & Kortekaas

Kaagman & Kortekaas elevates the Parisian-style bistro with an open kitchen theatre and rigorously seasonal menu. Chefs Giel Kaagman and Bram Kortekaas craft dishes like venison with smoked beetroot or duck paired with unexpected ferments, all served in a renovated space that marries rustic charm with sleek efficiency. Walk-ins can perch at the bar for oysters and natural wines (the cellar holds over 1,000 bottles, spotlighting lesser-known regions), while reservations secure the full tasting experience. Post-renovation, the addition of Basemen — their in-house bakery — means sourdough arrives still warm. The soul of the business remains unchanged: impeccable service, bold flavours and a 9:30pm kitchen curfew. It’s the sort of place where wild ingredients shine, and even the butter (house-churned, of course) feels revelatory.

• Web:

  www.kaagmanenkortekaas.nl/en

• Address:

  Sint Nicolaasstraat 43, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 233 6544

Kitchen & Bar Van Rijn

Kitchen & Bar Van Rijn on the Rembrandtplein is inspired by the beauty and the masterpieces of Rembrandt van Rijn. In a cosmopolitan atmosphere with an open kitchen, you can enjoy authentic Dutch cuisine for lunch and dinner. At weekends, there is even live music and a DJ.

• Web:

  www.vanrijnamsterdam.nl

• E-mail:

  reserveringen@vanrijnamsterdam.nl

• Address:

  Rembrandtplein 17, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 4500 555

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–late

24K Karaokebar

For a fun night out, especially with a group of people, the 24K Karaokebar is a location to uncover hidden talents or to simply enjoy singing along to one of your favourite songs. Fetch yourself a drink and choose one of more than 80,000 songs, available in several languages.

• Web:

  www.karaokebar24k.nl

• E-mail:

  info@karaokebar24k.nl

• Address:

  Halvemaansteeg 8bg, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 6 4705 5022

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 7:30pm–1am, Fri & Sat 6pm–3am, Sun 7pm–1am

Boom Chicago

This American comedy troupe is famous for their English-language comedy, theatrical shows, improvisation, stand-up and burlesque. Improvisation comedy, good food and tasty cocktails have long been Boom Chicago’s recipe for success. This venue, which also features a bar and a restaurant, is regularly transformed into a nightclub with local electro and house DJs filling the dance floor until the small hours.

• Web:

  www.boomchicago.nl

• E-mail:

  hello@boomchicago.nl

• Address:

  Rozengracht 117, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 2170 400

Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street Blues Club is hard to miss when strolling down Leidsekruisstraat — the Blues Brothers are dancing on the roof. The program here ranges from rock to soul and even reggae, with live music every night of the week. Over the years, this amazing venue has hosted many local and international artists, including some big names like Toto and B.B. King.

• Web:

  www.bourbonstreet.nl

• E-mail:

  info@bourbonstreet.nl

• Address:

  Leidsekruisstraat 6-8, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 623 3440

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 10pm–5am, Sun 10pm–4am

Cafe de Druif

Cafe de Druif — ‘The Grape’ — has been a local institution for at least 400 years. Wooden casks line the walls and plenty of earthenware jenever bottles can be found behind the bar. Virtually unknown to tourists, De Druif feels like a glimpse into Amsterdam’s past.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/cafe_de_druif

• E-mail:

  info@cafededruif.nl

• Address:

  Rapenburgerplein 83, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 786 8619

Canvas

Located on the 7th floor of the former office building of the Volkskrant newspaper, this club/cafe/restaurant is characterised by an easy-going vibe. Canvas is renowned for its affordable yet lush cocktails and a stunning view of Amsterdam which, in the summer can be taken in fully from the spacious roof terrace.

• Web:

  www.volkshotel.nl/canvas

• E-mail:

  info@canvasopde7e.nl

• Address:

  Volkshotel, Wibautstraat 150, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 261 2110

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 7am–1am, Fri 7am–3am, Sat 8am–3am, Sun 8am–1am

• More info:

  Located at Volkshotel

De Trut

De Trut is a queer disco that has been organised 100% by volunteers for more than 35 years. The profits from the parties go to LGBTQAI+ projects worldwide. The party is held every Sunday evening from 10pm. Expect a long line, but it's definitely worth the wait.

• Web:

  www.detrut.amsterdam/en/index.html

• Address:

  Bilderdijkstraat 165 E, Amsterdam.

• Opening hours:

  Sun 10pm–3am

• More info:

  Strict house rules: cash only, no cameras, phones off. No hard drugs.

Café de Jaren

Café de Jaren is one of the largest cafes in Amsterdam. The building features a spacious cafe on the ground floor with an international press reading-table, a pleasant restaurant with a large salad bar on the first floor, as well as a superb terrace with a canal view.

• Web:

  www.cafedejaren.nl/en

• E-mail:

  info@cafedejaren.nl

• Address:

  Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 625 5771

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Wed 10am–10pm, Thu–Sat 10am–11pm. Kitchen closes at 9pm

Café de Prins

Across from the Westerkerk (Western Church) and the Anne Frank House, on the edge of the Jordaan, this cafe is surrounded by history. Although the Prins has retained its typical 'brown cafe' character, its kitchen has become one of its most important features in recent years. Stop by for beer, fondue and cheese plates, as well as sweet and cute mini-pancakes — poffertjes.

• Web:

  www.deprins.nl

• E-mail:

  info@deprins.nl

• Address:

  Prinsengracht 124, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 624 9382

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 10am–1am, Fri & Sat 10am–2am. Kitchen open until 10pm

De Koffieschenkerij

Located in the Old Church, the oldest building of Amsterdam, this coffee bar serves daily breakfast, organic coffee, tea, hand-made pies and freshly baked cakes to be enjoyed in a relaxing and historical ambiance. For the ones who prefer other refreshments, homemade lemonade and fresh juices are also on the menu.

• Web:

  www.koffieschenkerij.com

• E-mail:

  info@koffieschenkerij.com

• Address:

  Oudekerksplein 27, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 6 5265 3302

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–6pm

Loop 51

Loop 51 blends Amsterdam’s brunch culture with vinyl obsession. By day, sunlight floods this De Pijp corner as diners dig into buttermilk chicken waffles and spritzes, soundtracked by resident DJs spinning house and hip-hop. When the kitchen closes at 5pm, the space sheds its café vibe and tables make way for standing crowds, though the records keep playing. The menu walks the line between hearty (Nashville hot sliders) and fresh (shaved fennel salads), while the audiophile-grade sound system ensures music stays at the heart of the event. Come for pancakes, stay for the party.

• Web:

  www.loop51.nl

• Address:

  Dusartstraat 51, De Pijp, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 233 8439

Melly's Cookies Bar

If you would like to treat yourself, Melly's Cookies Bar pairs sweet recipes from Latin America with traditional Dutch specialities. Get yourself a Dutch stroopwafel with different toppings, a cookie, a piece of cake or try one of the Argentinian alfajores or some dulce de leche alongside a cup of coffee or traditional mate tea.

• Web:

  www.mellyscookiebar.nl

• E-mail:

  info@mellyscookiebar.nl

• Address:

  Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 137, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 423 4797

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8:30am–7pm

• More info:

  Near the Royal Palace Amsterdam

Proeflokaal 't Blauwe Theehuis

This unusual construction in the centre of the 19th century Vondelpark and its large surrounding terrace (fits 700 guests!) attracts crowds of creative Amsterdammers at the first ray of sunshine. You can even enjoy yourself here in the winter–thanks to the outdoor electric heaters. Proeflokaal 't Blauwe Theehuis offers craft beers, breakfasts, and pizza. And on Sundays, DJs spin laid-back music.

• Web:

  www.brouwerijhetij.nl/taproom-het-blauwe-theehuis/?lang=en

• E-mail:

  info@brouwerijhetij.nl

• Address:

  Vondelpark 5, Amsterdam

• Phone:

  +31 20 235 7170

• Opening hours:

  Daily from 10am