Restaurants and bars in Noord

Terraces along the River IJ

Locals flock to Amsterdam Noord for sun-soaked afternoons along the water, where the sun hits until late in the day:

• Boutique cinema FC Hyena is an iconic riverside setting made famous from the Dutch TV series Anne+, offering nowhere better to watch the passing ships before catching an arthouse film
• A brasserie, brown café and restaurant in one, Polly Goudvisch is the perfect terrace pitstop for anyone hopping off the Buiksloterweg ferry.
• Café 't Sluisje is a 100-year-old brown café overlooking the Nieuwendammerhaven harbour for a wonderfully simple lunch or dinner with a stunning view.
• Everything about Café de Ceuvel is unique and sustainable, from the hammocks on the veranda to the seats on the boat deck.

Coba Taqueria + TULA Cantina

One of Amsterdam's most reliable spots for Mexican food, Coba Taqueria delves deep into Mexico's lore and culture. Indulge in rarefied tostadas – some filled with cactus, others veal tongue (it's good promise) – and smoky mezcals and tequilas in a moody, ambient interior with wicker stools and cactuses that summon the best of Mexico City at dusk. The menu features a range of rarely found tacos: one stuffed with soft-cooked pork neck and grilled pineapple, and another pulpo, brown beans and peanuts. The standouts are the most unusual dishes though, particularly a tostada with sea bass, mandarin, habanero, and topped with sea urchin mayonnaise and egg yolk, for a creamy delicious finish. Afterwards, head next door to TULA Cantina for mezcal-infused cocktails in ambient, sun-baked surroundings, one of Noord's best late-night venues.

Papillon

Stylish, spacious and light-filled, Papillon's daytime menu and space is one way to keep the winter blues at bay. One of a collection of new spots to open around the Papaverweg, this modern eatery combines an expansive terrace with a visionary kitchen and some lovely hits of cobalt blue decor. Run by the team that has made Mitts a mainstay in Oost, expect Mediterranean flavours to appear on the menu here. In the day, the in-house bakery prepares freshly baked croissants, gooey chocolate chip cookies and expert coffee. Come the afternoon, the restaurant relaxes into an intimate space where fresh focaccia-style bread, katsu sandos and a range of croquettes and crispy potatoes are there for devouring, alongside boutique cocktails and biodynamic wine (because who wants a normal glass anymore?).

Metro

If you plan on visiting the recently opened NXT Museum, the Netherlands’ first dedicated to new media art, do make a reservation at the adjacent Café-Restaurant Metro. Situated in a converted warehouse, it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Still, you can also stop by for brilliant bar snacks, such as garlicky razor clams, moreish maritozzo (brioche buns) filled with quince and creamed chicken liver and sticky grilled aubergine garnished with lemony gremolata. Or pizza fritta, an ancient, almost doughnut-like street food version of the Italian staple: deep-fried, split and stuffed with creamy burrata and salted anchovies. So good!

Chateau

Pair excellent Italian food with Amsterdam-made wines at the sleek new 3000 m2 location of urban winery Chateau Amsterdam. Inside you'll find an Italian restaurant, wine bar and shop adjacent to an impressive glass-walled production space. Here, you can enjoy over 25 Amsterdam-made wines and upcoming chef Joey Baas’ brilliant bar snacks such as panisse (chickpea fries), polpette di baccalà (salt cod balls) and tarte de Menton (onion and Taggia olive tart). Or linger longer over steaming bowls of spaghetti with spicy nduja-doused mussels or pappardelle with saffron butter and ragu of slow-cooked beef shanks. Delicioso!

Pelusa

One of the latest hotspots to grace the streets of Noord, Pelusa is a gastropub with a difference. The seasonal menu makes use of an Argentinian parilla smoker to deliver a delicious twist on familiar ingredients. You can choose from a daily-changing selection of main dishes that are possible to share between two to three people. Whilst beer lovers will be impressed by the selection of wild-fermentation beers and local breweries such as Kromme Haring, Walhalla and Butcher's Tears. 

Corner Store

Corner Store is not a shop as the name might suggest, but a wonderfully vibey restaurant/cocktail bar with a great terrace in Noord. Inside, the decor is spacious and light and music (courtesy of the DJ booth) plays a central role. The menu carries predominantly Japanese-inspired dishes such as raw halibut with fennel and kosho (a chili-citrus marinade), cucumber with seaweed and dashi or spicy fried chicken. The cocktail selection is knockout and you’ll also find some superb sakes and wines on the drinks list.

Klaproos

Klaproos is just around the corner from Corner Store and it's too good to miss. Drop by for excellent pizzas, antipasti and unusual wines all weekend or get some slices to go and find a spot to eat by the water. The vibe is typical for Amsterdam-Noord and why we love this part of town: a hip converted space decked out in industrial lighting, trendy people of all ages and a gorgeous riverside terrace for sundown.

Lowlander

An excellent spot for group dining, Lowlander Botanical Bar & Restaurant offers a plant-led, seasonal menu centred around fresh takes on familiar classics, such as jackfruit rendang, aubergine steak or potato terrine. Every dish is prepared using herbs, spices and techniques that pack a flavourful punch. Their creative list of botanically brewed beers (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), botanical sodas, fresh teas, all-natural juices and cocktails is also well worth shouting about.

Europa

With heaps of new trendy concepts - listening bars, clubs and urban wineries - popping up along the Gedempt Hamerkanaal, this pocket of Noord is fast becoming one of the most exciting places to eat and drink in the city. Restaurant Europa is no exception, a counter restaurant with 26 seats offering two delightfully inspiring tasting menus, including a veggie version. The drinks menu is small but punchy with natural wines, speciality beers, kombuchas and choice cocktails.

Moon

It is not often that you get to see Amsterdam from above. At Moon, a restaurant located on the 19th floor of A’DAM Lookout, you get to enjoy the views of Amsterdam from all sides. The restaurant revolves (literally!) so all guests can enjoy a 360-degree view of the harbour, city centre and the horizon. Lunch patrons can dine à la carte; dinner guests can select one of the set menus of the evening. Using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients — mixed with a few exotic ones, like the Japanese dashi and miso — Moon takes you on a culinary and literal adventure.

Papa Thang

Vietnamese bistro Papa Thang is a firm favourite for many. Chef Thang Pham takes inspiration from his roots, mixing traditional Vietnamese food with the irreverence of the street, a touch of international flavour and a lot of creativity. The result is a colourful menu of delicious, playful dishes that will get your tastebuds tingling in new ways. And if you happen to have a boat, you can also sail by to pick up a takeaway picnic basket.