The Dappermarkt area of Amsterdam East used to be a place where dodgy guys hung out and where there might have been some trafficking of illegal substances. But nowadays, there’s a whole new dealer ruling this neighborhood –  a dealer that supplies you with the most addictive Mexican food and cocktails all wrapped up in a colorful Miami Vice-like diner. Get your fix at Local Dealer.

With its neon signs and bright pink and yellow outdoor tables, Local Dealer is easily spotted on the Dapperplein in Amsterdam East. Once seated, one of the friendly staff members will start your night off right by telling you about the amazing (some off the menu) cocktails – like a tepache paloma, a classic pisco sour or a mezcal espresso martini. A mix of classic and modern concoctions and the ideal companions for the greatness that’s yet to come; the food. The menu gives you a small but sufficient amount of choices between tacos, ceviches and some antojitos (meaning: little cravings). They use local ingredients the authentic way only to make the dishes a tad less fat and more fresh than their original counterparts.

My favorites? The tacos with fermented pineapple or that insanely flavorful chicken stew and pickled jalapenos, all served on homemade (!) corn tortillas… Or the ceviche jalisco with corvina and leche de tigre that’s so good you’ll want to slurp out every last bit… Or the ultra-fresh totopos with guacamole & salsa… I honestly can’t choose. Just go and try ’em all out yourself.