Restaurants worth travelling to from Amsterdam
Whether your taste buds are craving Michelin star sophistication, Dutch seaside dining or a fashionable modern eatery, there are plenty of delicious reasons to venture into the greater Amsterdam Area. Here's our round-up of the best restaurants to add to your culinary bucket list.
De Mark
In the picturesque village of Durgerdam, you will find the restaurant of boutique hotel De Durgerdam. The menu is composed by star chefs and contains only homegrown ingredients, such as a salad of shallots with ice cream made from Zaanse mustard, sole with white asparagus, or rhubarb with sabayon of salted lemon. Eat at the long bar next to the crackling fire, in the wine cellar or, if the sun is shining, on the waterfront overlooking the IJmeer.
De Mark | Durgerdammerdijk 73, Durgerdam
Brasserie Bakboord
Let the exquisite sea views and landscapes of Almere guide you to a dining experience inspired by nature. Brasserie Bakboord prides itself on freshly caught seafood and produce from its own organic vegetable garden. The harbourside restaurant has long been considered one of the best in Flevoland, and in 2015 received the Michelin Bib Gourmand: an award for exceptional food at moderate prices.
Brasserie Bakboord | Veerkade 10, Almere
Restaurant Aan de Poel
Restaurant Aan de Poel is a crowd favourite, considered to be one of the most successful restaurants outside of Amsterdam. Its loyal following is attributed to the Michelin Starred restaurant’s flair for innovative cuisine. Walk through the opulent entranceway, heavy on matte black and chandeliers, through to the terrace overlooking the Poel Lake, which offers exceptional views of the Amsterdamse Bos.
Restaurant Aan de Poel | Handweg 1, Amstelveen
Papa’s Beach House
Escape to the Haarlemmermeerse forest for a cosy meal by the fireplace - choosing from succulent burgers, steaks and plentiful seafood options. This unique panoramic lakeside restaurant offers sweeping views, a country cottage vibe and a cosy firepit for the cooler months. During the summer, the terrace slopes down to the water, and you can rent standup paddleboards from the cabin adjacent to the restaurant.
Papa's Beach House | IJweg 961, Hoofddorp
SAAM
Enjoy a beautiful marriage of Dutch and South African gastronomy at SAAM in Amstelveen. Excite your tastebuds with the five-course menu featuring a mix of the two cuisines with such stars as the mackerel with wild shiso and fennel, north sea crab, and a physalis dessert with baobab and macadamia.
SAAM Restaurant | Amstelzijde 59, Amstelveen
De Hoop Op d'Swarte Walvis
With windmills on the horizon, antique Delft tiles lining the walls and local produce on the menu, it doesn’t get more traditionally Dutch than De Hoop Op D’Swarte Walvis. The restaurant is rich with history and was named after a 19th-century whaling ship from Zaanse Schans (Hope for the Black Whale). Today it serves gourmet interpretations of Dutch culinary classics.
De Hoop Op d’Swarte Walvis | Kalverringdijk 15, Zaandam
Table 24
For informal dining at its most stylish, head to Haarlem’s Table 24. The beautifully appointed space lures you in with industrial style exposed brick, copper accents and a well-heeled crowd. Choose from the traditional three course menu, or the delicious journey of miniature appetisers: a bite of Peking duck, a taste of saffron scallop, a dash of spinach and truffle – that leaves you wanting more, and more.
Effe Anders
Whether it’s the slow cooked comfort food, the dark stained wood interior or the crackling open fire, Effe Anders draws you in and makes you never want to leave. Nestled in the centre of Purmerend, just a short trip from Amsterdam, the quaint and cosy restaurant has a firm emphasis on classic European dishes with a gourmet twist.
Effe Anders | Koemarkt 5-7, Purmerend
On the Rock
A sun-soaked terrace overlooking the Westeinderplassen provides the perfect ambiance for indulging in some modern cuisine and award-winning wine. This hidden gem in Aalsmeer is a popular wedding venue due to its photogenic location, and the perfect finish to a day exploring the Netherlands’ famous flower region. Treat yourself to the locally caught seafood, or try the chef’s menu du jour.
On the Rock | Kudelstaartseweg 22, Aalsmeer
De Bokkedoorns
Located in the beautiful dunes of Haarlem and Zandvoort, De Bokkedoorns has a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere considering it boasts two Michelin stars. The tranquil beauty of the lakeside setting is translated to the plate, as seasonal ingredients are prepared with care and imagination. Both an escape from city and a culinary adventure, De Bokkedoorns is a true feast for the senses.
De Bokkedoorns, Zeeweg 53, Overveen
