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.
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
Jaimie van Heije Restaurant
Jaimie van Heije entered the food scene as sous chef to the internationally acclaimed Ron Blaauw. The passionate young apprentice jumped at the opportunity to take over the restaurant at Ouderkerk on the Amstel, and has since infused it with his passion for food, unexpected flavour combinations and graffiti scrawled walls. Expect Indonesian influenced dishes and a fabulously unpretentious fine dining experience.
Jaimie van Heije Restaurant | Kerkstraat 56, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
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 Kruidfabriek by Lute
Inspired by the building’s former purpose as a gunpowder factory, celebrity Chef Peter Lute opened a restaurant specialising in spices. De Kruidfabriek (spice factory) is stylishly furnished with sofa-style seating, industrial lighting and photographs of its former factory days. As for the menu – you’re in for a treat. Creative combinations of herbs, spices and seasonings permeate the largely vegetable-based dishes.
De Kruidfabriek by Lute | De Oude Molen 5, Amstelveen
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
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.
Table 24 | Oude Groenmarkt 24, Haarlem
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
For more information please visit: www.iamsterdam.com