Amsterdam Restaurants

Amsterdam is one of the world’s most diverse cites when it comes to dining. Because of its centuries long status as a major trade port, Amsterdam has long been exposed to global ingredients and spices. The residents have very diverse tastes as a result. If there is an ethinic favorite, is it Indonesian fare, and rijsttafel is the favored choice. It is a mix of spicy foods served in little bowls (as many as 20 at one meal), and you simply pile your plate with rice and add the toppings as you wish. It is a delicious and unique dining experience.

 

Traditional Dutch food is hard to define, as it is a combination of influences. Americans rarely “go out for Dutch” the way we do for Chinese or Italian, and many of the flavors may be unfamiliar as a result. If you want to see want Dutch fare is all about, try De Silveren Spiegel for a high-end dining experience or De Prins and Haesje Claes for wonderful, and more moderately priced meals. The menus vary widely even among “traditional Dutch” restaurants, so you just have to check them out for yourself. Common denominators are usually stews, potatoes, and fish. A popular tourist option for a great Dutch meal is D’Vijff Vlieghen, where the seven dining rooms are decorated with a nod to the country’s 17^th century Golden Age.

 

One thing Dutch cuisine is famous for are the desserts. Some of the traditional offerings include poffertijes (little pancakes) and oliebollen (powdered sugar doughnut holes). You may not recognize the names, but these pastries speak a universal language of deliciousness. 

 

If you are in the mood for coffee during your Amsterdam stay, there are a couple of very important facts to know. “Coffee Shops” are actually establishments dedicated to smoking the legal marijuana the city is somewhat famous for. If you want an actual cup of coffee, go to a café or an eetcafé.