Best Traditional Dutch Restaurants in Amsterdam

From stroopwafels to krokets and poffertjes, the Netherlands has gifted the world many appetising treats. The dining scene in Amsterdam reflects this deep tradition with contemporary spaces updating old-world recipes and ingredients. Discover Amsterdam’s 10 best traditional restaurants, from contemporary Dutch bistronomy to old-school favourites.

Hap-Hmm

If you’re wondering where locals eat in Amsterdam, look no further than Hap-Hmm. This local institution has been running for over 60 years, serving up hearty Dutch fare in warm and homely interiors. While you’ll find little deviation from Dutch cuisine’s traditional meat, veg and potato pairings, the menu changes with the seasons and local suppliers, so you only get the best produce. It’s all reasonably priced, too, with average meals costing around €23 per person. Standouts include the home-style Grandma’s meatballs and stamppot, served with boiled vegetables like carrots and beetroot.

Moeders

Moeders, or “mothers”, is as welcoming as restaurants come. Plastered with multi-coloured pictures of mothers, the restaurant focuses on the best of traditional homecooked Dutch cuisine. Meals cost €26.50 to €30.50 per person for a main course and dessert. Look for the stamppot, a mash of potatoes, veg and meat, and seasonal rabarber (rhubarb) on the menu. Despite its homely interiors and old-school aesthetic, you should book this popular joint in advance to ensure a table. Its location is also a treat right on the edge of the canal ring, always bustling with a cheerful atmosphere.

Albert Cuypmarkt

While not a restaurant, Albert Cuypmarkt is lined with traditional food stalls serving up Dutch classics like stroopwafels, poffertjes and haring (herring). Pickled herring, in particular, is one of the must-try foods in Amsterdam. Traditionally served with diced onion, gherkins and bread, it’s a zingy and tantalising treat that accompanies a stroll around the market. Look for the iconic Vlaardingse Haringhandel stall, complete with Dutch flags, along the market street for the best herring in Amsterdam. Expect to pay between €3 and €13 per person to sample the delights here.

De Silveren Spiegel

De Silveren Spiegel is an iconic and memorable experience for special occasions overlooking the Singel Canal. Spread across two 17th-century red-brick townhouses, the dining room features replica paintings from Dutch Old Masters and exquisite table service with handcrafted porcelain. The menu is contemporary and creative with classic dishes like Zeeland mussels and Dutch ribeye steak cooked to technical perfection. The restaurant also has a poignant history as it housed hidden Jewish families beneath its floorboards during the Nazi occupation. An average meal here costs around €100 per person, without a wine pairing.

Café Loetje

Now a small Amsterdam chain, Café Loetje is much-loved by locals and visitors alike. They serve up classic Dutch dishes like croquettes (krokets) and veal alongside a speciality tenderloin steak (biefstuk) menu. In fact, many proclaim this the best steak restaurant in the city. The original café near the trendy De Pijp neighbourhood still bustles as it did over 30 years ago when it first opened. Its outdoor terrace is particularly scenic in summer and a fine place to have a steak while people-watching. An average steak here is priced at around €30 per person.

Restaurant Blauw

As something of a curve ball, the Netherlands’ colonial history means you’ll find many fine Indonesian restaurants that are just as important a part of the local cuisine as traditional Dutch dishes. Blauw is one of the best and it specialises in rijsttafel, Indonesian banquets consisting of dozens of small dishes served with white rice. The restaurant itself is a fantastic little gem close to Vondelpark. Its interiors are bright and bold, with blown-up family photographs for added atmosphere. You’ll also find a range of authentic Indonesian curries and salads with plenty of veggie options. A three-course chef’s menu here costs €39 per person.

Winkel 43

Apple pie is one of the best Amsterdam food specialities, so why not dine on the best? Winkel 43 is consistently labelled as home to the best apple pie in Amsterdam. Perfect as a mid-afternoon treat, this cosy cafe is located in De Jordaan, the old Jewish quarter. Friendly and traditional, the place is always heaving – and it’s easy to see why. Aside from the apple pie, Winkel 43 also serves quick lunches like sandwiches, Dutch sausage and salads, as well as hearty dinners from 6 pm. Menu items range from €5 for a snack to €17.50 for a full meal.

Stamppotje

Another “not quite a restaurant” listing on our recommendations of the best Dutch food/cuisine, Stamppotje is the spot to try Amsterdam’s signature stamppot. Open only during colder seasons, you can pick up hearty stews of mashed potatoes, vegetables and meat to take away. These range from traditional favourites like sauerkraut and kale to indulgent modern updates loaded with cheese and leek. There are eight locations across the city spreading from Amsterdam Centraal to Sarphatipark. The concept is quite brilliant as when warmer weather rolls around, Stamppotje becomes IJscuypje, an ice cream vendor. Expect to pay around €12 or €13 per person for stamppot here.

D’Vijff Vlieghen

One of Amsterdam’s high-end Dutch cuisine experiences, Restaurant d’Vijff Vlieghen is located within five interlinked 17th-century canal houses. The interiors are an antique dream, boasting wood panels, beams and impeccably dressed tables to complement your meal. You’ll even find some Rembrandt originals hanging on the walls. The menu itself is split between multi-course options ranging from 3 to 6-course menus. Prices per person range from around €40 for 3 courses without drinks to €111 for 6 courses with wine. The food is both inventive and classical with locally-sourced farmhouse chicken, smoked goose and roast veal on offer. Famous diners include Walt Disney, who frequented the restaurant when in Europe.

 

Last update: 1 August, 2023. Originally, this content recommended the restaurant Haesje Claes in Spuistraat, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic the restaurant closed permanently in 2020.