Restaurant Open on Westerdokseiland in Amsterdam

I don’t know why it took me so long to post my favorite restaurants in Amsterdam, given that I reside there. Here they are, with my absolute favorite - Quattro Gatti - listed first. I have also included takeaway places because they’re often so much better than restaurants (note: service in Amsterdam restaurants is often abysmal making the takeaway option very appealing). In fact, my favorite Indonesian place is not a restaurant, but the tiny, hidden takeaway (toko) called Terang Boelan, known only to the neighborhood. As you can imagine, I am reluctant to share my list of secrets, lest the touristic hordes descend upon these wonderful civilized places where food is the center of the universe.

If you are going to Amsterdam, make sure you read my list of favorite boutique hotels and stylish B&Bs. Never stay at a chain hotel again!

Quattro Gatti (read review)
Hartenstraat 3
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 421 45 85
Italian trattoria in the 9 Streets area
(Reservations are necessary)

Open
Westerdoksplein 20
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 620 1010
www.open.nl
Very cool restaurant serving French and Italian dishes (see photo above)

Terang Boelan
2e Lindendwarsstraat
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 620 99 74
Indonesian takeaway in the Jordaan area, get the Rijstafel for two

Foodware Traiteur and Catering
Looiersgracht 12
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 620 88 98
www.foodware.nl
Fresh, delicious salads, pastas, full meals, desserts
Takeaway with small restaurant for lunch

Hotel de Goudfazant
Aambeeldstraat 10h
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 636 51 70
Industrial chic restaurant in a former shipyard building in Amsterdam Noord

Salle du Jour
Prinsenstraat 10
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 428 2455
www.salledujour.com

Looks (read review)
Binnen Bantammerstraat 5
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 320 0949
www.restaurantlooks.nl
Modern European cuisine

Kinnaree (read review)
Eerste Anjeliersdwarsstraat 14
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 627 7153
www.restaurantkinnaree.nl
Thai

Andalusia
Van Woustraat 173
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 662 2708
Mediterranean fish restaurant in De Pijp

Assaggi
2de Egelantiersdwarsstraat 6
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 420 5589
Italian restaurant in the Jordaan

Bouchon du Centre
Falckstraat 3
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 330 1128
www.bouchonducentreamsterdam.com
French

Van Dam Traiteur and Brasserie
Cornelis Schuytstraat 8
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 670 6570
www.vandamcatering.nl
Perfect for lunch and takeaway, Amsterdam Zuid near Vondelpark

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Check out all of my favorite hotels, restaurants and cafes in Amsterdam on a map.

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Het Parool, the Amsterdam newspaper, has finally redesigned its website and it looks great. Better yet, they put all of Johannes van Dam’s restaurant reviews on a map. Van Dam is Parool’s opinionated restaurant critic. His standards can sometimes be a bit too traditional for me, but I agree with most of his assessments. I have been to Looks and Kinnaree (see Mapplr review). If you want to see more Amsterdam hotel and restaurant reviews on Mapplr, click here.

Below is a snapshot of the Parool restaurant map. It lists the restaurants on the right side with the score (on a scale of 1 to 10) that Van Dam has given them. The reviews are in Dutch, but you can just search for the names of restaurants with 8+ or more on Google. Hint: if van Dam gives a restaurant less than an 8, you must avoid it.

It’s that time of the year again when people are making travel plans for the summer. Here are my personal favorites, many of which I have visited. There are more on Weekendhotel.nl, a website that selects the best B&Bs and small hotels in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The last five years have seen an explosion in the number of high-quality, stylish small hotels and B&Bs in Amsterdam that do not charge over-the-top prices. Their attention to detail, personal service, and beautiful modern rooms are putting pressure on the chain hotels — why go to a chain hotel with bland interiors when, for the same price, you can stay in one of the places listed below.

(1) Top favorite: En Suite

If you have always wanted to stay in a chic canal apartment in the center of Amsterdam right on the Keizersgracht, ten minutes away from the Anne Frank House, this is the place. It is really gorgeous, filled with light and all the luxuries that seasoned travelers appreciate. I know the owners personally and they are really lovely people. You will get personal attention and if the weather is good, ask them if they’re taking guests out on their boat.

Check out the En Suite page on Weekendhotel, which has an online calendar to help you find which dates they still have availability (click on the kamers vrij kalender).

En Suite
Keizersgracht 320
1016 EZ Amsterdam
+31 20 421 1887

(2) Latest hip paradise: Hotel V

If you are wondering why all those travel guides have not listed this boutique hotel yet, it’s because they just opened and we’re one of the first ones to talk to the owner before the launch.

Hotel V is in four 18th century buildings on the Frederiksplein, within walking distance from the Rijksmuseum and from the cool restaurants and bars of de Pijp, Amsterdam’s young, trendy neighborhood. If you need to go online, there’s free Wi-Fi and Apple computers in the lobby. Check them out on Weekendhotel (online calendar included).

Hotel V
Weteringschans
1017 XV Amsterdam
+31 20 676 6398

(3) Stylish pad in the heart of the city: Miauw Suites

Miauw is located in two 17th century buildings on the Keizersgracht, one of the stately canals of Amsterdam. In fact, it’s only a block away from En Suite and about five minutes from the Anne Frank House. It also happens to be on the most fashionable street in the city center, the Hartenstraat, to which I am favorably biased because I live there! The Hartenstraat is one of the streets in the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) neighborhood which is filled with funky boutiques, restaurants and cafes.

Miauw Suites is owned and run by Analik, a Dutch fashion designer who has several apartments in Antwerp as well. If you are thinking of visiting Antwerp, which I recommend, ask Analik about her B&B. Miauw is a favorite among the fashion and media crowd. Because the rooms are on the corner of the canal and the Hartenstraat, you get excellent views and lots of light. As with the other two places listed above, it is very high tech: Wi-Fi plus the latest Apple Macs on which you can watch TV (or surf the Internet). Miauw has 2 luxurious suites and 2 apartments.

Miauw Suites
Hartenstraat 34-36
1016 CC Amsterdam
+31 20 717 3429

(4) Luxurious guesthouse on a canal: Breaks & Butlers

Traditional canal house meets modern luxury at Breaks & Butlers, located in one of the oldest parts of the city, not far from the Red Light district and Chinatown. This has to be the most exquisite place to day in that part of town, which to this day, lags behind the Nine Streets area and Amsterdam south in terms of modern chic accommodations. Like the others listed here, Breaks & Butlers scores very high on personal service and tech amenities, not to mention a full kitchen. Check them out on Weekendhotel (includes online calendar).

Breaks & Butlers
Groenburgwal 1
1011 HR Amsterdam
+31 20 638 9944

(5) College Hotel

The College Hotel was set up as a training site for hotel and restaurant school students, but it has morphed into one of the most atmospheric boutique hotels in the city. Not only that, it houses one of the best restaurants in town. Located in Amsterdam South, considered to be the toniest neighborhood in the city, you can walk to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, to the Concertgebouw and to Vondelpark. Interiors: chic, modern, eclectic but still warm and inviting. Click here to see more and access their online calendar.

College Hotel
Roelof Hartstraat 1
1071 VE Amsterdam
+31 20 571 1511

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If you are on a strict budget but still want a place that does not compromise on style and service, check out the next five.

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(6) Houseboat living: Bed & Breakfast on Board

Ever wondered what it’s like to stay on a houseboat? Well, Bed & Breakfast on Board is a delightful place close to the Rembrandtplein (with its lively night life and cafes). It is docked on the Prinsengracht and has a terrace that you can use when the weather is good. All modern amenities are included so you don’t feel as if you’re camping. They require a minimum 2-night stay.

Bed & Breakfast on Board
Prinsengracht 1027
1017 KP Amsterdam
+31 62 740 8188

(7) Asian inspired B&B by Dam Square: Palace B&B

If you want to be right in the city center, Palace B&B is only a minute’s walk from Dam Square. Asian touches, high ceilings and large windows make this a rare find in the area around Dam Square which is better known for cheap, flea bag accommodations.

Palace B&B
Spuistraat 224
1012 VT Amsterdam
+31 64 26 08847

(8) Small on price, big on design: NL Hotel

Aren’t you tired of paying through the nose for boutique hotels “done” by famous designers? NL Hotel isn’t one of those even though it is designed by a well-known Dutch designer (Edward van Vliet). It’s chic yet cozy. The local Amsterdam paper, Het Parool, awarded it best hotel in Amsterdam in 2007.

NL Hotel
Nassaukade 368
1054 AB Amsterdam
+31 20 689 0030

(9) Classic 19th century guest room: De Kamer van Kaatje

If your tastes run a bit more to the classic, De Kamer van Kaatje, a lovely guest room in a stately 19th century house will appeal to you because it also happens to be in the trendy district call De Pijp which is where a lot of new restaurants and bars are popping up.

De Kamer van Kaatje
Govert Flinckstraat 297huis
1074 CA Amsterdam
+31 20 670 7776

(10) Apartment in De Pijp: City Apartment

If you prefer to have an apartment (no pesky hotel cleaning ladies trying to get you out of bed at 9:00 in the morning), then consider City Apartment in De Pijp, a trendy and lively district of Amsterdam filled with new restaurants and cafes. It’s reasonably priced, modern and convenient.

City Apartment
De Pijp
+31 628 425 860

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Here’s a Google map of Mapplr’s favorite hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and cafes in Amsterdam.

View Larger Map

There’s no reason why anyone should have to spend a lot of money eating great Italian food in Amsterdam and put up with snobby personnel or overdesigned “trendy” spaces.

Quattro Gatti, a tiny Italian restaurant in my neighborhood (the Negen Straatjes or Nine Streets), is absolutely the best in town. Prices are reasonable and the food is divine. Because it’s small, reservations are difficult to come by. The chef, who is also the owner, does not believe in expanding the place because he says he will lose control over quality.

Johannes van Dam, food critic of Het Parool (the Amsterdam newspaper), gave Quattro Gatti a 10- (click here to read review in Dutch). And everyone here knows it’s nearly impossible to get a 10 from him. Ever since van Dam reviewed Quattro Gatti, getting a table has been difficult for the neighborhood regulars who, for several months, had this place all to themselves, a real well-kept secret.

• Vibe: relaxed, trattoria feel

• Pros: best Italian food in Amsterdam, mostly northern Italian dishes but sometimes Sicilian since the chef is from Sicily, reasonable prices, outstanding home-made pasta, luscious desserts, good service

• Cons: small space, chairs are a tad uncomfortable, limited wine list

Quattro Gatti
Hartenstraat 3
Amsterdam
+31 20 421 4585

I think I’ve found the best Thai restaurant in Amsterdam. It’s a new place called Kinnaree, located in the heart of the Jordaan. Unlike other Thai places in town, the interior decor departs from the traditional features of bamboo and loud colors. Instead the space is airy (it’s in a 19th century building with high ceilings) and modern. The food is absolutely delicious. We tried the beef with basil, and the shrimp curry with vegetables, and both were outstanding. And spicy, just as we like it. There is a small wine list. The prices were reasonable, too.

Two weeks ago, we tried a new trendy chic restaurant called Looks, which is located in Chinatown. Looks has an un-Amsterdam interior, which consists of large airy spaces and high ceilings, dark walls, recessed lighting, comfortable chairs and tables that aren’t squished together. I say “un-Amsterdam” because it is very difficult to find large airy restaurants in this city, and just as hard to find a place that doesn’t pack in the tables like sardines. The food is excellent — modern European cuisine. The lamb and entrecote were outstanding. They have an excellent wine list. Like Kinnaree, the prices are reasonable.

You can find my favorite restaurants in Amsterdam, including Looks and Kinnaree, on Mapplr. Join now and find out about other good restaurants (and hotels and cafes) in your city. You can create your own list too. It’s a good way to keep track of your favorites, as well as places you want to visit and share with your friends.

Looks
Binnen Bantammerstraat 5
Amsterdam
+31 20 320 0949

Kinnaree
Eerste Anjeliersdwarsstraat 14
Amsterdam
+31 20 627 7153