Old center – Local tips (restaurants)

This quite bright and clean looking restaurant masters a wide variety of cuisines. The food you order can be Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian or something in between.

The restaurant is located close to Nieuwmarkt, on the lively Zeedijk. This area on the border of Chinatown and the red light district is worth visiting, especially around the evening when the pubs and the restaurants are filling up.

There are plenty affordable restaurants on this street that serve kinds of food from all around the globe. You can try any one of them, but A-fusion is certainly an excellent choice. The restaurant has a very favorable review from Amsterdam’s biggest restaurant expert, Johannes van Dam, to prove it.

The service is efficient, but the waitresses are nevertheless friendly and more straightforward than I’m used to in other Asian restaurants. The huge meals are served attractively in two connected black bowls.

I am renowned for my ability to gulf up incredible amounts of foods, but a dinner at this place takes all the strength out of me, and when I finished my plate I am truly exhausted and satisfied.

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A-Fusion | Restaurants (Asian) | Main course from € 10.00
Zeedijk 130 | Old center | +31203304068
12:00 – 23:00 daily

The menu here isn’t big. And it doesn’t need to be. The only thing you need to order is cheese fondue, entrecote, salad, and finally chocolatemousse as a dessert. I’m a great lover of cheese so this place is really one of my favorites.

The cheese fondue is great and you get plenty of bread to go with it. Any of the different salads will do great for a bit of a fresh taste cause the fondue is quite heavy and obviously cheesy!

The entrecôte comes on a plate which is on a flame where you can further fry the meat in a very tasty sauce. Maybe this is not the place for a romantic first date though. All of the cheese and garlic doesn’t leave your mouth smelling very fresh…

It is busy here every night and this is probably why they have squeezed a lot of tables into the space. You will probably sit close to the other guests but I usually only concentrate on the cheese so it doesn’t bother me!

It is important to know that a reservation is required if you don’t want to eat too late. As soon as your there you will find it easy to spend the rest of the evening there with your cheese fondue and a nice bottle of wine. I can’t wait till the next time! and the next! and the next!

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Bern | Bars, Restaurants | Main meal € 15.00
Nieuwmarkt 9 | Old center | +31206220034
15:00 – 01:00 daily

Brasserie Harkema is situated in the Nes – a very narrow street, more of a alleyway, with lots of restaurants, café’s and theatres. The kitchen is open till 23:00 so it is a great place to get something to eat even after you’ve been to the theatre, or the cinema.

If you walk past the outside of the restaurant you wouldn’t imagine the space on the inside to be so big! Harkema is situated in a building that used to be a factory but now is done up very nicely into a brasserie style restaurant.  The place is enormous and very impressive. On one side the wall is made out of wine bottles stuck into the wall. This is also where you can see people working in the open kitchen.  The other side of the restaurant has a wall full of coloured stripes and a broad narrow window.

I really like it here because of the atmosphere. Because the area is big you feel anonymous but at the same time the service is good and almost always quick. The restaurant is formal and informal at the same time. It is informal because it attracts a crowd of different people who all seem to feel at home and you don’t need to dress up. The people who work here are mostly young people and students, and you could just walk in without a reservation that is usually no problem. But it is also formal because the quality of the food and the wine is good and you get served quickly. Also the interior is very nice.

I know I should try different things, but when I come here I almost always order the same thing: Caesar salad to start and the grilled tuna as a main course. You can also order oysters which I have never done but still intend to do because it looks so interesting! They also serve delicious bread with great olive oil and the homemade fries and mustard mayonnaise is absolutely delicious!

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Brasserie Harkema | Restaurants (European) | Main meal € 18.00
Nes 67 | Old center | +314282222
17:30 – 23:00 daily

Café Crea is located on the grounds of some of the most beautiful buildings of the University of Amsterdam, and it is a haven for students looking for a break. As the place is divided into three smaller parts, the conversations of the guests do not bounce around against the walls, but fill the rooms with a pleasant humming.

Crea is one of my favorite places to go to when I need to study or write, want to drink coffee and read a newspaper, or drink a beer with fellow students. Located in a quieter part, but right the middle of the centre, it is a perfect base of operations to plan your explorations in.

In the meantime you can enjoy a delicious coffee, French toast, a sandwich or a bowl of soup, or even a decent and decently priced dinner between five and eight-thirty. With a different atmosphere in each of the rooms and a small patio on the canal side, you can be sure to find a spot that fits your mood.

The view from the patio is picturesque in a way that is typical for Amsterdam. Since I have been studying at the UvA, I have found the surroundings of Crea very inspiring. You feel very close to the history of the city and the university. When you are there, take the time to enjoy the atmosphere and stroll around between the university-buildings.

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Café Crea | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Theaters, Restaurants (intern.) | Beer € 2.00
Turfdraagsterpad 17 | Old center | +31205251423
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 01:00, Sun 11:00 – 19:00

I don’t have lots of spectacular things to say about this spot so I’ll just keep it simple. It is simply a really good spot.

The good things are to begin with the location, right on the Nieuwmarkt with views of De Waag. Secondly the reading chairs by the window, very nice! Check out the lunch menu during the day which is tasty and affordable. And last but not least the different kinds of Belgian beers and the nice housewine are worth a try.

Don’t forget to order some bitterballen to go with your drinks and just enjoy!

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Cafe Stevens | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants | lunch € 5.00
Geldersekade 123 | Old center
10:00 – 01:00 daily

This brown colored pub on the Kloveniersburgwal was here when my father was studying in Amsterdam. It is supposed to be a literary café, a place where you can read a book or newspaper in peace, but I usually find it quite lively.

It has a layout that is typical for Amsterdam: quite narrow and deep. There is only sunlight in the front, but bars like these are not supposed to be bathing in light. The crowd is usually positioned in the narrow space in front of the bar, in the smoke free area back you can sit down in relative peace; take a look at the photos that are exhibited, or play a board game.

This place has an atmosphere that you will not find in newer bars, but what is more, they serve beers that you will not find anywhere else in Amsterdam. It is not a beer café per se, but the beers they have on tap are exquisite. I would not know where to find a tastier beer in this city.

During the day you can have a tasty lunch, served on proper, thick slices of bread. After five in the afternoon you can pick your dinner from the small menu written on a chalkboard in front of the bar. The food is tasty and far from expensive; the meal of the day will set you back about Euro 8.50. It is no haute cuisine, but it is good and healthy and you can flush it away with a delicious drink.

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Engelbewaarder | Bars, Restaurants (Lunch and dinner) | Beer € 2.20
Kloveniersburgwal 59 | Old center | +31206253772
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 02:00, Sun 14:00 – 01:00

The lunch is fantastic over here. This restaurant has a trattoria on the Overtoom as well, so you can imagine that the food is of high quality.

It is a Italian restaurant with home made soups, sandwiches like goat cheese, vitello tonato and spicy chicken. They always have fresh fruit juices.

On Sundays there is life jazz music with singers. The place is a little bit small for a band, so it sounds loud, but still it is very nice. The view is great, you overlook the canals and the Waterlooplein.

When it is cold outside and you are done shopping and visiting museums, this is an excellent place to have a tea, coffee or an alcoholic beverage. It is a cosy place to go to.

I already made a few people fan of this lunchroom and I want some more!

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Frenzi | Coffee & tea, Restaurants | Sandwich € 7.00
Zwanenburgwal 232 | Old center | +31204235112
10:00 – 00:00 daily

Besides the Amstel Hotel, this is one of the most beautiful and prestigious hotels in Amsterdam!The Grand is filled with heritage listed examples of the city’s history dating back to 1578. In its origin this building was a monastery. Napoleon directed the City Hall on Dam Square in 1808 to Hotel The Grand, because he needed the building to become The Royal Palace.

Created in 1926 by Chris Lebeau, the First Class Marriage Chamber of Amsterdam’s City Hall is a work of art, with its figures and scenes depicting married life. The hotel is centered around the former council chamber, in which Her Majesty Queen Beatrix was married.

The council chamber is the largest convention room in the hotel itself. Robust wooden furniture, carpets, chandeleers all handmade. Bear in mind that the entire building is a historical monument and can not be changed without a legislation.

A small detail is the painting in the restaurant of Karel Appel, a famous painter in the Netherlands. The story about this painting is that after a previous renovation a wall was broken down and this painted wall was behind. After taxation it happened to be of great value.

Right now a part of the hotel is being renovated, but still open.

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Hotel The Grand | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (French)
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197 | Old center | +31205553111
24 hours daily

A Kantjil is a small deer, and the Tiger, yeah that’s the tiger, but the fairytale tells about this small but extremely smart deer, which remains alive after all.

This Indonesian restaurant is located on a busy spot in heart of the city. They serve traditional good Indonesian food. Recommendable is the “Rijsttafel” Kantjil, with several small dishes. Rijsttafel is actually a Dutch phenomenon: we introduced this way of having & sharing dinner during the time Indonesia was a Dutch colony.

They serve great Lumpia Semarang. The Kredok, which is salad but than Indonesian style & the Peteh Oedang are among my favourite dishes in this busy and popular restaurant. Just around the corner, they opened an easy take away for one plate mixed rice or mie dishes. Good food & value for money.

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Kantjil & de Tijger | Restaurants (Indonesian) | Rijsttafel + drinks p.p. € 35.00
Spuistraat 291-293 | Old center | +31206200994
Mon – Fri 16:30 – 23:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 23:00

NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, a five star hotel located right at Dam Square, is a famous building which dates back to 1865. The original owner was Adolph Wilhelm Krasnapolsky, who bought a Polnish coffee location and rebuilded it into a popular restaurant. In 1879 he bought the buildings next door and turned them into hotel rooms. He is the one who invented the Winter Garden (Wintertuin) in the back yard, a hot-house with a glasdome and palms. The architect is G.B. Salm. Glas, iron and electricity were not very common at that time, so the Wintertuin is extraordinary.

The NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky has a Summer Garden and a monumental Winter Garden where you can enjoy an extensive buffet breakfast in the morning. In the a-la-carte restaurant Reflet, a varied selection of French style cuisine belle époque is served and in Shibli Bedouin an oriental cuisine. Lunch and high tea are served in the lounge overlooking the Dam, people really love it!

Book a room this website!

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Krasnapolsky Hotel | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (French & Oriental)
Dam 9-15 | Old center | +31205549111
24 hours daily

The unusual, unpretentious coffeehouse Latei is one of Amsterdam’s special gems. What makes Latei so special is that everything in it is for sale (the chairs, tables, cups, walldecoration etc.)!!

The second-hand 60/70s style furniture and other kitsch stuff give Latei its uniqueness. Old-fashioned but of good quality, messy but cosy.
On the background there’s always good music, mostly oldies / classics.

Visit Latei for a tasty nutritious (inexpensive) sandwich (the one with hummus and grilled eggplant is suberb!), a great cup of coffee (with organic milk), a healthy fresh juice or one of the delicious homemade cakes (the apple pie is to die for)!

In addition, you can also have a bowl of soup and on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Latei serves Indian food. Three tasty versions (also a vegetarian option) for a very affordable price! They use fresh ingredients with great spices.

Haven’t seen enough vintage? Latei has a small shop just around the corner packed with old dolls, clothing, furniture etc. (Geldersekade 60-62).

Another plus is the free wireless Internet access.

Want to know about a fairly well kept secret of Amsterdam? This is it.

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Latei | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Restaurants (Intern.) | Indian dish € 8.00
Zeedijk 143 | Old center | +31206257485
Mon – Wed 08:00 – 18:00, Thu – Fri 08:00 – 22:00, Sat 09:00 – 22:00, Sun 11:00 – 18:00

You might not have had Malaysian food before, I had never had it cause I’ve never been to Malaysia and there aren’t many Malaysian restaurants in Amsterdam. But now that I’ve tried it I know it’s really good! And its something different than the same old Chinese take-away.

You will find this restaurant close to the Nieuwmarkt and the Zeedijk – both full of Chinese and other Asian restaurants and eateries. The restaurant is small and quiet and the people who work there are very friendly and helpful. The menu is quite extensive so you will definitely find something you like. The soup is really good (and spicy!).

They don’t serve alcohol which shouldn’t be a problem as there are plenty of nice bars in the neighbourhood where you can go afterwards and while you’re eating you should just be paying full attention to your delicious plate of great smelling and even better tasting food!

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Nyonya Malaysia Express | Restaurants (Malaysian) | main meal € 10.00
Kloveniersburgwal 38 | Old center | +310204222447
13:00 – 21:30 daily

Saturday and Sunday you are standing in line, and get a number. You will be called when a table is ready. But stay put: No time to go to the Bijenkorf in the meantime.

Oriental City is one of my favorites in Chinese place. Usually I go there on Sunday mornings for dim sum, and we just order every dim sum they have and extra the broccoli, which is delicious.

Pots of Jasmine tea accompany the spectacle of good food in great surroundings, on the first and second floor in the old heart of Amsterdam, corner Damstraat and Oude Hoogstraat.

It’s having lunch or dinner with a view. But also on Saturday for lunch you have to stand in line, actually the line is having fun, with all the Chinese fans.

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Oriental City | Restaurants (Dim Sum) | Dim Sum from € 4,00
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 177 – 179 | Old center | +31206268352
12:00 – 00:00 daily

Snack Bar Bird is on the busy Zeedijk, this is the China Town of Amsterdam. By far the best place to eat here is Snack bar Bird.

This tiny place serves the best Thai food one can imagine. Unfortunately the place is also very small and cramped, so often you have to wait outside before there is a table available. But luckily they are really quick so the wait is never too long. Sit at the window if you get the chance. You’ll see some interesting people…Once you’ve managed to squeeze yourself into a seat you wonder how you will ever get out. Don’t worry, you’ll manage.

I always have the beef in oyster sauce and I’ve never tasted it better than here! To get you started the spring rolls are delicious too. This is really the place for a quick bite that isn’t junk food. The portions are big and will keep you going for the rest of the evening.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed dinner there is also the option of Bird restaurant just across the street. It has the same owner as the snack bar but it is a real restaurant with more tables and more space. For any group bigger then 4 people the restaurant is a better option than the snack bar. Unfortunately it does lack the snack bars atmosphere. So if it’s in any way possible, go for the snack bar!

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Snack Bar Bird | Snacks, Restaurants (Thai) | Main meal € 12.50
Zeedijk 77 | Old center
14:00 – 22:00 daily

If you’re looking for a relaxed evening out you’re in the wrong place here. Eating sushi at the Tokyo café can be quite hectic, but that’s part of the fun if you ask me!

The concept here is ‘all you can eat’ for a set price. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday they serve all you can eat sushi for only €20,80 (the drinks are a bit expensive by the way). Thursday till Sunday the concept is the same only then the price is €23,80. Lunch is also possible daily, this costs €16,80.

Back to the ‘all you can eat’. This is how it works: Every round each person can pick five choices from the menu and when it’s all eaten it’s time for the next round!

When you start, you feel like you can go on forever but don’t fool yourself. I’m sure that after four or five rounds you will be near exploding. So prepare yourself.

Another tip is to take it easy with the ordering. Usually you do have plenty of time and the restaurant doesn’t like to waste any food. If you do manage to leave food you will have to pay for it!

It is important to know that its wise to make a reservation and the restaurant works with an early (17:30 – 20:00) and a late (20:15 – 22:30) shift. I would recommend the late shift cause there wont be people waiting around for their food while you are still finishing your meal.

Good idea for when the weather gets warmer: They also do take away!

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Tokyo Cafe | Restaurants | All you can eat € 20,80
Spui 15 | Old center
12:00 – 22:30 daily

Making a reservation is not an option. Just enter the restaurant, see how busy it is, find a place to sit or stand between all other waiting people at the bar or on the stairs and order a drink because it can take a while. This is an impression of a regular evening in this restaurant.

The staff is friendly (adroit) and working like crazy. When your time has come and you finally get a table, the waiter will come and sit next to you. They don’t have a menu; every day they serve slightly different meals. So, you better listen carefully, because they will only tell you the menu once…

The food is terrific, especially when you see the one square meter kitchen of the Chef, applause for him!

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Van Kerkwijk | Restaurants (French) | Main course € 15.00
Nes 41 | Old center | +310206203316
12:00 – 22:00 daily