Rakang (Elandsgracht 29-31, Amsterdam) — A meal here is a delight to more than just the sense of taste. The dishes, many of them authentic regional specialties, come in generous portions and are seasoned with Thai spices, carefully blending fierce chili peppers with delicate flavors like ginger, coriander (cilantro), and Thai basil, to suit any […]
Popocatepetl (Spaansepoort 71, Rotterdam) — In a country with a large number of restaurants from Indonesia and other exotic corners of the planet, there are not too many Mexican or other Latin restaurant in Holland. A visit to ‘Popo’ means a night of lively and exuberant Mexico. Cheerful servers, classic cocktails, authentic dishes and Latino […]
Little V (Grotekerkplein 109-111, Rotterdam) — Little V is Vietnamese food at its best. This restaurant situated next to the Laurence Church proves that Vietnamese cuisine consists of more than eggrolls. Some dishes are familiar, others are a pleasant surprise. Pure, fresh ingredients with many influences from surrounding countries, enhanced by a French cuisine. They […]
Duende (Lindengracht 62, Amsterdam) — Dark, atmospheric, friendly — there’s no better place than Duende to experience the varied palette of small plates that are Spanish tapas. Take just one or two and you have a nice accompaniment to a few drinks; put five, six, or more together and you have a full-scale meal. Pick […]
De Silveren Spiegel (Kattengat 4-6, Amsterdam) — The menu at “The Silver Mirror,” one of the oldest and best-known restaurants in Amsterdam, offers updated preparations of traditional seafood and meat dishes, such as baked sole filets with wild spinach, and trilogy of lamb with ratatouille — but just as in the old days, the lamb […]
De Pijp (Gaffelstraat 90, Rotterdam) — Over 110 years old, De Pijp is a well known restaurant among locals. Frequented by students, politicians and artists this is truly a no-nonsense homey restaurant. The menus are written on chalkboard and the dishes are mostly Dutch favorites like mussels or steak with baked potatoes.
De Knijp (Van Baerlestraat 134, Amsterdam) — One of this fine restaurant’s advantages is that it’s open late — its kitchen still takes orders when chefs at many other Amsterdam restaurants are tucked up in bed. This would not count for much, of course, if the food weren’t good, but De Knijp is definitely worth […]
De Jaren (Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22, Amsterdam) — This cafe-restaurant with picturesque surroundings is fashionable without being pretentious. It occupies a solid-looking former bank; ceilings are unusually high and flooring is multicolored tiled mosaic. Students from the nearby University of Amsterdam lunch here, and it’s popular with the media crowd. De Jaren’s unique selling point […]
D’Vijff Vlieghen (Spuistraat 294-302, Amsterdam) — The “Five Flies” has nine separate dining rooms spread over five canal houses decorated with objects from Holland’s Golden Age — among them four original Rembrandt etchings. Each dining room has a different character. There’s the Rembrandt Room; the Glass Room, with a collection of antique handmade glassware; and […]
Alain and his team offers traditional French cuisine, quality and completely homemade: Duck breast, duck confit, steak sauce Roquefort, snails and frog legs … There is not a real card sets, but each week a slate of suggestions is announced. This great chef, qualified from the Hotel School of Thonon-les-Bains, one of the best schools […]