Restaurants and bars in Oost
Coffee and lunch hotspots
Amsterdam Oost is a coffee-lovers paradise with what seems like a new espresso bar or cafe to try every day. At Rum Baba, the beans are roasted on-site, and you can taste the difference. 4850 is a fine dining restaurant by night. During the day, the baristas dish out buns and Scandinavian-roasted coffee to takeaway or sip on the terrace. Elsewhere in the hood, Coffee Bru is the spot to grab a tasty filter coffee (roasted by Rum Baba), buttery scones or a slice of toasted banana bread. You can also check out The Cottage, tHUIS aan de AMSTEL or Bakhuys to get your caffeine fix.
Bar Bachrach
Lovers of modern Middle-Eastern food, look no further! Bar Bachrach, located on Javaplein, is heavily inspired by the cuisines of Lebanon, Tel Aviv and Barcelona. Expect an elevated presentation and a well-varied menu filled with inventive takes such as the liver pate challah toast with pear chutney, shish boreks with pine nuts and yoghurt and much more.
Badhuis
Every neighbourhood has a spot that everyone considers the spot. In the east of Amsterdam, that place was long considered the Badhuis, a former bathhouse on the Javaplein that functioned as a place for the predominantly working-class locals to wash, meet and get together. Now it's an all-day café and brasserie, serving up international fare for the community. The space is arguably the major draw, but then so is the menu, from coffee and croissants in the morning and sandwiches in the day to classic bistro mains like mushroom ravioli and steak frites all paired with wine, cocktails or a custom Badhuis beer.
Bam Boa
An ideal spot for brunch, dinner, summery cocktails and sangria, Bam Boa brings scandi-chic-tiki-beach-hut vibes to the banks of the Amstel all year round. We’d recommend going all in with their selection of sharing plates, whether that’s some Korean chicken bites, confit duck spring rolls, truffle fries or teriyaki roasted cauliflower. Grab a spot on the heated riverside terrace or drop by the to-go bar before finding an ideal boozy picnic location along the water.
Bar Bukowski
This lively hotspot on the corner of Oosterpark channels the notorious author’s love of alcohol, literature and living life to the fullest with a 1960s energy. Enjoy a great selection of cocktails and mixed drinks at Bar Bukowski, as well as an all-day food menu that has got you covered from breakfast to late-night sustenance. Nods to the bar's literary namesake are scattered here and there; from the typewriter-inspired light installation above the bar to Bukowski's quotes (mainly about booze and women) weaved throughout the menu.
Brouwerij ‘t IJ
This brewery bar under a windmill is a beer-drinking institution in Amsterdam. Brouwerij ‘t IJ was one of the city’s first independent microbreweries, and you’ll see locals proudly sporting t-shirts with their iconic ostrich logo all over town. The large enclosed terrace will be packed year-round with punters sampling classic brews like the IJwit, Flink Pale Ale and Natte Dubbel along with new experimental creations freshly poured from the taps. You’ll also find a great menu of Dutch and Belgian snacks such as ox-sausage, pickles and cheese boards to keep your stomach lined during a merry afternoon of beer tasting.
Fuku Ramen
After many pop-up locations, such as in De Kas, 4850 and Borisov, Fuku Ramen now finally has a permanent place on Ingogostraat in Oost. During the pandemic, sous-chef Jakub and his wife Aleksandra sold DIY ramen kits that won the hearts of ramen lovers citywide. So be sure to stop by for a soul-warming bowl of homemade ramen and noodles by this power-couple chef duo who are not afraid to experiment.
Cafe Wu
French and Chinese food may not be the most obvious pairing, but that’s precisely what makes Café Wu so inventive and enticing. A new addition to the market street known as Dapperstraat, this bistro combines the best of Chinese food with the haute cuisine of French gastronomy. Here, you’ll find a gorgeous open kitchen, walnut tables and organic lined furniture, topped with a selection of wine bottles (there are over 170 to choose from), a chef’s and à la carte menu filled with some of the prettiest plates of food you’ll find in Oost. Cantonese roasted duck gets a facelift in a dish of duck breast, Russian cabbage and wrapped in puff pastry, while bone marrow serves as one of the bistro’s flagship dishes, com boned with veal tongue, crispy onions, chilli oil and rice. And there’s even entertainment after the food come 22:00, where vinyls help set a more ambient and intimate mood.
Local Dealer
One of Amsterdam's best hotspots for authentic Mexican street food, Local Dealer is a colourful diner on the Dappermarkt with a straight-to-the-point concept. Choose from a selection of ceviches, antojitos (little snacks) or tacos loaded up with everything from carne asada (grilled steak) to barbacoa lamb or Holy Pastor (their delicious vegan option with grilled pineapple). Or drop by on a Sunday for their brunch event to munch on huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos and chilaquiles with a bloody mary in hand as DJs spin funky tunes. On warm evenings, mezcals, margaritas, micheladas and bottles of Modelo beer fly off the bar towards the lively outdoor terrace - we'd recommend reserving a spot if the sun is out.
Ode aan de Amstel
Perched on the Amstel with a waterside patio and unparalleled river views, Ode aan de Amstel is a new all-day dining spot for unusual but delightful dishes with an Asian twist. Dive into scallops with passionfruit foam with a wakame and pak choi salad or hand-cut steak tartare with green curry cream and matchstick fries. The tandoori-rubbed chicken and prawn skewers served with sticky lemongrass rice cubes, garlicky yoghurt and ponzu dip are also not to be missed.
Tip: pick a fair-weather day to visit, as the terrace here is terrific!
Krux Brouwwerf
Brewed in the smallest vats in Amsterdam, Krux Brouwwerf’s beer goes straight to tap and into your glass. This small-scale set-up allows Krux to experiment with tastes: you will find fourteen beers on tap that change regularly. Relax in the spacious beer garden as you quench your thirst with a fresh pint of IPA or settle into Remy’s Corner inside with a platter of bitterballen to share.
turbo
Midcentury decor, ambient lighting, teak furniture, and a gourmet croquette are just some of the things you’ll find at all-day café turbo. The sister venture to Buurtcafe De Tros next door, turbo (which takes its name from the owner’s favourite Saab car), is the more low-key sibling of the two, a place for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. As a result, the menu is far-reaching, with popular choices like steak tartare, tuna, and chicken legs, all made with seasonal ingredients. There are sandwiches for lunch, too, ranging from meatball subs to katsu fish sando. But the star dish is the “broodje kroket,” a Dutch classic given a new twist. An oxtail croquette topped with remoulade sauce on a brioche bun, this is arguably Amsterdam’s most luxe take on an old favourite. Beyond the food, you’ll find great coffee from Friedhats roastery in Amsterdam and an extensive wine list, too (the orange wine dubbed Little Fluffy Clouds is a must). Stop by here for an afternoon in the sun, where the autumnal hues linger seductively in the decor and the wine.
Wilde Zwijnen
The chefs at Wilde Zwijnen have been giving authentic Dutch dishes a contemporary facelift for over a decade now. As much as possible, the kitchen sources high-quality seasonal products from small-scale farmers in the surrounding region. Delve into a three or four-course menu which encompasses a range of creative dishes - herring caviar, tomato granita, duck stew, razor shell clams and asparagus ice cream - which showcase the very best of modern Dutch cuisine.
