Best Restaurants in Amsterdam: 10 Modern Classics amsterdamfoodie.nl

A roundup of the restaurants I find myself drawn to again and again when I want good food, friendly service and a cosy, informal atmosphere.

The question I get asked more often than any other: what’s your favourite restaurant in Amsterdam? It’s like asking me which is my favourite child! (Or not, as I’m merrily child-free, but you know what I mean.) Of course, I have different favourites at brunchtime, or when I’m in the mood for Indonesian rijsttafel, or feel like splashing out on fine dining. But the list below is made up of the restaurants I find myself drawn to when I just want good, seasonal, honest food. A cosy atmosphere. Friendly service. Nothing too formal. In other words, what I call: modern classics.

Wherever you eat in Amsterdam, but at these modern classics in particular, you’ll need to make a reservation. Many of the restaurants below have their own reservation systems that use platforms like Formitable to book your table and take a deposit, which is deducted from your bill at the end. You can also sometimes find good deals on TripAdvisor. Whatever you do, however, please avoid websites like Appointment Trader that charge you to make reservations. They are the ticket touts/scalpers of the restaurant world, and are making eating out even less accessible and affordable for diners.