Looking for all the latest openings this October? Karin Engelbrecht's monthly roundup is always packed with Amsterdam's most exciting new additions, launches and seasonal offerings. Interested in a broader list of places to eat and drink? Explore our comprehensive coverage of bars and restaurants in Amsterdam.
Savour playful plates at Restaurant Daalder
A mere six months after receiving its first Michelin star, Daalder’s exchanging its famously informal setting in a former Jordaan café for a much larger location out West-way. Says chef-owner Dennis Huwaë, “For years, I’ve been dreaming of a star restaurant that does things a little differently: a relaxed spot where everyone feels at home. Now we finally have enough room to really make that happen.” In the monumental Het Sieraad, street art, graphics and neon contrast the Amsterdam School architectural features of this former goldsmith’s college, where Huwaë and his team continue to craft their creative blend of internationally-influenced casual fine dining. Choose from a four- or five-course chef’s menu for lunch (from €65) or six-, eight- or 10-courses for dinner (from €95) or order a la carte. Expect all the signatures, from an artful Indonesian-spiced satay ayam amuse (pictured, bottom left) and a perfectly-judged slow-cooked 65-degree egg with textures of porcini mushroom, brown butter brioche croutons and a kaffir lime foam to that now-iconic dessert of stroopwafel parfait wedged between crispy salted caramel kletskop cookies. Later this year, Huwaë and his team aim to transform the Lindegracht location into a new fine-dining destination. Watch this space!
RESTAURANT DAALDER, Postjesweg 1
Sample the world’s first Dutch tequila
Canals, clogs, tulips and… tequila? While traditionally a beer and genever country, the Netherlands can now add tequila to its list of local tipples thanks to two entrepreneurial women. Aiming to “change tequila culture, one sip at a time,” Iris Sijlmans and Ambre van de Berg want people to “take the time to savour the spirit, instead of just doing shots at 3 am”. After growing tired of not being able to find good sipping tequila in Amsterdam, the women decided to head to Mexico and make their own. Their 100% agave tequila blanco, LALA Tequila, is produced in small batches at an award-winning distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. It has citrusy tones and a smooth slightly sweet finish with notes of jasmine, white pepper and freshly mown grass. Pick up your bottle (€43.50) via lalatequila.com.
Discover the city’s best plant-based pizza
After a stint out West, Mastino is back in De Pijp with “a new look and new energy”. Explains the Sicilian co-owner Novella Scholten, “It still makes me proud that we were the first all-vegan, plant-based pizza to go place in the Netherlands – it was time for a new type of pizza.” You can taste the passion for product here, and you can see it too. Every picture-perfect pizza is lovingly topped with colourful veggies, plant-based “meats” and surprisingly convincing vegan “cheese” on a light and crispy, slow-risen dough crust that falls somewhere between Neapolitan and Roman in style. In fact, we think that the Alleria, with its smoked aubergine, purple cauliflower, roasted bell peppers and courgettes, spicy almond mozzarella, lentil mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce and basil cream (€16, pictured, top right) is one of the best pizzas in Amsterdam, vegan or otherwise.
MASTINO VEGAN PIZZA, Eerste van der Helststraat 78H
Settle in with the latest home scents
As the leaves drift down and the chill creeps in, it’s time to cosy up inside. Set the mood with one of the latest releases by the best and brightest in the booming home fragrances industry. The new range of relaxing scented candles by Aromatherapy Associates are bursting with the therapeutic power of pure essential oils. With a burn time of 40 hours, the 100% natural wax candles are blended with up to two bottles of essential oils (!). We love Rose, an uplifting blend of damask rose, palmarosa and geranium, and Deep Relax with vetiver, sandalwood and chamomile (€60.50 from Babassu). Up the glamour ante with the gorgeous green fluted glass Trudon Diffuser (€160 at De Bijenkorf), which offers 3-4 months of passive diffusion. It’s available in four fabulous fragrances, from the delicately floral Joséphine to the Oriental orange blossom-infused Odalisque. Or, if you’re looking for something local and slightly more affordable that will still scent your home for a season, your favourite Rituals fragrance sticks now come in some seriously stylish matte glass containers (from €25.90 at Rituals).
Snuggle up in the warmest Dutch woollens
With the onset of sweatshirt weather, let’s not kid ourselves that we’ll be playing major dress-up after spending a year in loungewear. That said, Autumn-Winter 2021 offers some delicious caramel latte tones and a fun juxtaposition of textures, silhouettes and slouchy-chic styles. The By-Bar A/W collection teams a boho batik dress (€149.95, pictured) with trendy sneakers, and pairs combat boots with flouncy floral skirts (€169.95) and super soft oversized cropped wool cardies in rich earthy colours (€139.95). Stock up on cosy knits at Knit-ted, where some of the best new knits in warm neutral shades and pastels feature New England wool, a pure, ultrafine Merino (from €149.90). Combine them with soft jersey trousers (€129.90) and shimmery blouses (€139.90).
Grab a bite at Amsterdam’s newest Burger Bar
After successfully opening five locations in Amsterdam, and outposts in Utrecht, The Hague and, randomly, Bordeaux, Burger Bar has just opened a colourful new spot in Zuid. The mini-chain has built a reputation for quality burgers, with premium beef patties that are always grilled to order and topped with fresh ingredients on locally-baked buns (from classic sesame and brioche to crispy Italian). You’ll also find house-cut Belgian-style fries, crispy onion rings and creamy milkshakes here.
BURGER BAR, Stadionweg 255
Looking for up-to-the-minute eating, drinking and shopping recommendations? Follow Karin on Instagram where you’ll find her checking out the latest restaurants, bars and shops, and returning to old favourites.
