The best restaurants on Amsterdam’s canals: Top 10.
Blog, Things to do in Amsterdam | Posted on 3 July 2024
If you are looking for a unique culinary experience, Amsterdam’s canal-side restaurants are highly recommended. After all, dining along Amsterdam’s canals offers spectacular views of the hirtoric buildingd, bridges, and passing boats. Have a look at our top 10 best restaurants along the Amsterdam canals.
Whether you are looking for a romantic candlelit dinner, a cosy lunch with friends or just a quick bite on the go, the variety of restaurants in this list offers something for everyone. There are numerous cafés, restaurants, and bars serving a wide range of food and drinks, from traditional Dutch dishes to international delicasies. Overall, the restaurants along the Amsterdam canals are the perfect choice for dining in a picturesque setting.
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Flagship Amsterdam
Imagine: while relaxing on a beautiful salon boat on a summer evening, you cruise through the Amsterdam canals. The soothing sound of the water and the gentle breeze complete the experience. But what makes this evening exceptional, is that you get a fully catered dinner served on board of the salon boat. This is an experience you will definitely not forget.
A dinner on a salon boat through the canals of Amsterdam is a must-do activity when you visit the city. From the water, you’ll have a great view of Amsterdam’s many attractions while enjoying delicious food and drinks. Check out Flagship Amsterdam’s Foodbook, choose the menu that best suits your needs and request a quote. Or stop by at the office at the Leliegracht 50D, and book your dinner on a salon boat directly. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the experience of dining on the water.
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Trattoria Ceppi’s
For the best pizzas in the heart of Amsterdam, you should definitely visit Trattoria Ceppi’s. Located at Lijnbaansgracht 256, this restaurant specialises in Italian cuisine and offers a tantalising culinary experience. Besides pizzas the varied menu offers a selection of multiple authentic Italian dishes. The pizzas are prepared with great passion and care by the talented pizzaiolo Marco Greco, with years of experience he definitely knows how to make the perfect pizza. The interior of Ceppi’s is a perfect mix of modern and traditional, with cosy seating and decorations reminiscent of an Italian trattoria. Want an extra special experience? Then book a seat at the Chef’s Table and watch as the pizzaiolo shows of his skills while preparing your food. During the summer months, enjoy a perfectly shaken Negroni on the sun-drenched terrace, the perfect cocktail to toast to life, celebrare la vita.
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Cafe de Reiger
Located in the heart of the Jordaan at Nieuwe Leliestraat 34, Café de Reiger is one of Amsterdam’s oldest and most beloved brown cafés. This charming spot combines traditional Dutch hospitality with a surprisingly refined menu, making it a perfect choice for both casual dining and a more elevated culinary experience.
The menu changes regularly and features seasonal dishes prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. From classic Dutch favourites to creative modern plates, every dish is crafted with care and attention to detail. Pair your meal with a good glass of wine or one of their carefully selected beers, and you’re all set for a relaxed and memorable evening.
With its cosy interior, friendly atmosphere and location just around the corner from the canals, Café de Reiger offers an authentic Amsterdam dining experience that both locals and visitors truly appreciate. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner, this is a place where you’ll feel at home instantly
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Eetcafé Sonneveld
Anyone who knows eatery Sonneveld, therefore, knows the always smiling hostess Cora, or as regulars affectionaly call her: Tante Coor. This cosy eatery is the perfect spot for a warm Amsterdam welcome, a brown interior and lots of fun. Order a Pikketanussie, and enjoy the beautiful view of the Westertoren while sitting on the terrace. Or go for a perfectly cooked steak including a slice of white bread, and get carried away by the neighbourhood’s the Jordaan music that’s blaring loudly through the speakers. Eatery café Sonneveld, located at the Egelantiersgrachts 72, serves both lunch and dinner, so pick out any moment of the day. During a visit to café Sonneveld, you will taste the authentic Amsterdam atmosphere and cosiness that makes the eatery a favourite spot for locals and tourists alike. Stop by and experience it yourself!
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Kikkie van de Prinsensluis
Kikkie van de Prinsensluis is an eatery you absolutely cannot miss when in Amsterdam. Located on the corner of Prinsengracht and Prinsenstraat– hot, hip and happening. The café is open every day from 11:00 am to 01:00 am, so you can go there for a bite to eat and a drink at any time of the day. The menu consists of accessible eatery food with a focus on meat and fish dishes. You can choose single dishes or a multi-course dinner. For wine lovers, there is an extensive top-quality wine list. Make reservations well in advance, as this gem is a popular spot among Amsterdam residents.
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Café Restaurant Verlan
Verlan is not just another new restaurant in town, but a unique addition to the culinary offering. The building in which Verlan is located has a rich history, so it is great to see how this former warehouse at Prinsengracht 381 has been transformed into a beautiful restaurant. The long, marble bar is a real eye-catcher and invites you to enjoy a delicious cocktail or aperitif. The menu is French-inspired and prepared with high-quality fresh ingredients. Watch the chef through the open and see how your dish is prepared. Whether you come alone or with a group, Verlan welcomes you and there is always a seat available. So feel free to drop by and indulge in Verlan’s great atmosphere, delicious dishes and drinks.
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Black and Blue
Restaurant Black and Blue, located at Leliegracht 46, is a must-visit for meat and salad lovers. The organic meat is prepared on the Josper charcoal grill, which has led to the restaurant’s impressive achievement of being included in the ”the 50 best steaks in Europe” list. From a quick lunch, a cup of coffee to a full three-course dinner, Black and Blue offers a suitable option for any time of the day. In the summer months, it is extra enjoyable on their atmospheric terrace with stunning views of the Leliegracht canal. Besides the excellent culinary experience, the restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere and friendly service. Black and Blue’s interior is contemporary and trendy, with an industrial look and warm lighting. Want to make a reservation but they are fully booked? Then try at their second location on Reguliersdwarsstraat.
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Café de Klepel
Café de Klepel is a cosy café-restaurant known for its delicious, honest dishes with matching wines. The interior is warm and cosy, making you feel right at home as soon as you enter. The restaurant offers a casual, culinary experience with a choice of a three-course or four-course menu. Besides the possibility of making dinner reservations, Café de Klepel is also the place to go for an impromptu visit. From Friday to Sunday, for instance, you can drop in as early as 15:00 for a nice glass of wine and a matching dish. The café offers an extensive selection of fine, pure wines, with the service happy to help you make a choice. Café de Klepel can be found at Prinsenstraat 22 and is the perfect place for a culinary experience in a relaxed atmosphere.
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New Dutch Amsterdam
New Dutch Amsterdam is unique café in the heart of the Jordaan. This cosy café is the ideal place for a delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a nice drink. They are open daily from 09:00 to 16:00. Do you have special dietary requirements? Ask the friendly, helpful staff about gluten-free and vegetarian options – there are plenty of these. The restaurant does not take reservations. This means you can just drop by to see if there’s a table free. New Dutch Amsterdam is located at Prinsengracht 60 – 62, so weather permitting, the canal-side terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a bite to eat and a drink in the sun. The café has a warm and inviting atmosphere, so whether you are alone or with friends, you will always feel welcome at New Dutch Amsterdam.
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Sagardi
Number 10 on our list and certainly not the least is: Restaurant Sagardi. Chef Iñaki López de Viñaspre and the team here create fresh, authentic Basque dishes daily. The ingredients are treated with great respect and care to optimise their flavour and texture. The vegetables used in the dishes come from the restaurant’s own garden. The meat comes from local farms and the fish comes straight over from the Basque ports. So the menu offers a wide choice of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. Sagardi is located at Spuistraat 304 and extends to the Singel. This gives you a great view of the canal. For an authentic Basque experience, combined with stunning views and excellent service, head to Sagardi.
