Restaurants & dining – All our local tips

Boom is an excellent place if you just went to the KIT/Tropenmuseum (see the KIT article), Artis or the Hortus Botanicus. It is very bright inside and they only have tables at the window and of course one main table to read a newspaper or a glossy magazine.

The restaurant has a very calm but warm interior with nice items, such as a handwritten blackboard with the menu on it, shaky chairs at the main table and wines in small bowls.

The food is not expensive and they have nice combinations. Most of the time, the special of the day is typically Dutch, like “stamppot” (Dutch stew). I enjoy the food here every time.

You have a quick bite, but it is also a place to enjoy with your friends. The staff does not give you the feeling to hurry up, they are very friendly and will do anything for you. Please do not forget to make a reservation during the weekend, because Boom does not have a lot of tables and is a popular place to dine.

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Boom | Restaurants | Bite of the day € 10.00
Linnaeusstraat 63 | Plantage/Oost | +31206655224
Mon 17:00 – 01:00, Tue – Sun 12:00 – 01:00

I must say this is one of my favourite restaurants. I just had dinner here and I still love this place at the water. You come here to sit for a drink on the terrace, relax or to have dinner. They have a terrace with lots of sun (when the sun shines) directly located at the water next to a small harbour. There are all cozy apartments and houses with small bridges and a lovely view. Take a walk before or after diner, and you will be surprised that this is part of Amsterdam. I really love it here!

The restaurant is located in a cozy basement, but with more than enough daylight. It has a natural look with wooden tables and chairs. In the back they have tables with bar stools.

The open kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant and is in charge of the owner. His wife is the host of the restaurant. She is a very pleasant woman with knowledge about the food and wines. They both are exited to work here every day; they really have heart for their business.

The food is great, some common things on the menu like spare ribs and satay, but also more uncommon things as stingray and rabbit. The salad with beef is perfect, never had a dish which was so perfectly made and tasteful. All dishes are created with care and creativity and are accompanied by a specifically chosen wine. A real must have are the ice truffles, delicious.

I would say a great place with lovely staff and perfect food!

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Bickers aan de Werf | Snacks, Restaurants | Main course € 14.00
Bickerswerf 2 | Waterfront/North | +31203202951
Wed – Sun 12:00 – 22:30

I try to run everyday and the park is a great location to do so. Usually I pass by the Westergasterras in the evening where it can get quite packed especially when they have salsa or dj nights, almost always grabbing my attention. Sometimes they have campfires near the water and it just looked so perfect that I decided to drop by during the day as well.

This restaurant/bar is just one of many fantastic spots in the Westerpark. I now usually come here during the day to read a book in one of the fatboys on the terrace. Sitting at the pond really makes you forget you’re actually in a big city and on a sunny day it approaches perfection. It’s really quiet and they serve nice coffee, fresh mint tea or the obligatory wheatbeer.

I haven’t tried their food yet, as I usually have lunch somewhere else, but judging by the other guest’s joyous moaning it should be fine.

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Westergasterras | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Relaxing, Restaurants (Intern.) | Meal, 2 drinks € 25.00
Klönneplein 4-6 | Westerpark | +31206848496
Mon – Thu 11:00 – 01:00, Fri 11:00 – 03:00, Sat 10:00 – 03:00, Sun 10:00 – 01:00

What sets apart Edel to me, is the terrace right along the Kostverlorenvaart, one of the biggest canals in the city where big ships still pass. I like chatting away on the floating sundeck (with the ability to moar a boat) and enjoying one of their fruity smoothies in pure relaxation, or just having a coffee and reading a book on the tree-shaded side which is more lively, perhaps even noisy when the trams go “clunk” on the bridge.

Inside the building, a former jewelry smith school, the restaurant is situated. The interior is simple yet modern, and when filled up it makes a pleasant scene, especially with all the neighbourhood dwellers who eat here as well. They host a sort of party later at night on weekends so no reason to flee when the sun sets.

For lunch I really like the “rundertartaar” served with traditional Amsterdam pickled onions, however, of all dishes they make, the desserts are probably the best. So even if you just come for a drink, indulge yourself and get that hazelnut cake, or the crumble with mascarpone. Yumm!

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Edel | Coffee & tea, Music, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (French) | Main meal € 20,00
Postjesweg 1 | Oud-West | +31207995000
Sun – Wed 11:00 – 00:00, Thu 11:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 03:00

The Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam – everyone has heart for this famous hotel!

This hotel holds a special place in Dutch history and hearts. Since first opening its doors to guests in 1867, this gracious Amsterdam hotel has come to be renowned as the most prestigious address in The Netherlands. The hotel is located directly at the Amstel River extends a gracious blend of classic elegance and modern luxury. It gives magnificence and residential warmth; step into the grand lobby and the effect is immediate and inspiring.

Doctor Samuel Sarphati took the initiative to build the first grand hotel in Amsterdam in 1863. The intial plan was to build a hotel with four wings, actually only one was build. Doctor Mezger treated people from all classes of society, but was mainly known for the many eminencies he treated. For already a long time, the Amstel became famous for hosting royal figures and highly regarded nobles. Even our Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Maxima held their marriage here.

I used to work here and I know that it is scary to enter the hotel. It is such an overwhelming and prestigious hotel, that every time I only passed by my heart was beating faster. However, I also have learned that persons who want to be treated like human beings come here too!

So, please do not judge too fast, just go there for a coffee or tea. Lunch or high tea in the closed veranda is a spectacular happening. Prices for high tea are from 35 euros; it is expensive, but really worth it.

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Amstel Hotel | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (French) | Lunch € 12.00
Professor Tulpplein 1 | Canals | +31206226060
24 hours daily