Tag Archives: Netherlands

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Restaurants to Try in Amsterdam

Amsterdam restaurant

From Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants to trendy yet laid-back cafés, Amsterdam’s food scene is thriving, making it a true haven for any foodies that visit. From the first raw bar in the Netherlands to an eatery that only uses local, farm fresh produce, these are some of Amsterdam’s must-try restaurants.

De Kas
In English, De Kas means greenhouse, and the restaurant’s name is in honor of its location – in a massive greenhouse that used to belong to the Municipal Nursery of Amsterdam. The greenhouse is large enough that it has easily been divided into two parts; the first being a restaurant and the second reserved for growing produce that the kitchen can create exciting menus from. With a focus on contemporary European and rural Mediterranean cuisine, this is the restaurant to visit if you want to taste some of the best of Amsterdam’s local produce.

Bridges
With an emphasis on Dutch and French culinary traditions, Bridges has only recently opened its doors in Amsterdam, bringing with it the first raw bar that the Netherlands has seen. Alongside the fresh and succulent oysters, and the more-ish lobster sandwiches, Bridges also has a drinks list that boasts an extensive range of vintage wines and champagnes, as well as a quirky cocktail bar and cigar lounge.

Vinkeles
Voted by TripAdvisor as the best restaurant in Amsterdam, Vinkeles earned their first Michelin star in 2009 for their delicate French cuisine that strikes a beautiful balance between classic and contemporary. The restaurant’s sunken dining room is surrounded by 18th century ovens, reminiscent of an old French bakery, while the garden views provide the perfect backdrop to the elegant meals served up. While the a la carte menu at Vinkeles is always tempting, the tasting menu is usually the best option for those who are dining at the restaurant for the first time, as it gives you the opportunity to taste a wider range of their amazing creations.

Yamazato
In addition to having some of the finest European restaurants in the world, Amsterdam is also home to Yamazato, the only Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Europe. The restaurant is designed to mirror a 19th century Japanese tea house, with the menu focussing on haute cuisine. If you want to taste the best of the restaurant’s dishes, the traditional eight-course tasting menu is what you should order.

Restaurant Johannes
While Restaurant Johannes may not yet have a Michelin star, the food is most definitely worthy of one, as many of their regular patrons would agree. Situated on the ground floor of a canalside house along the Herengracht, considered to be one of the prettiest canals in the city, Restaurant Johannes makes use of classic Dutch ingredients, but in a quirky and innovative way. From the croquettes stuffed with mustard duxelles and ballotine of pheasant to the delicate sweetbreads served with wild spinach, truffles and a red wine sauce, Restaurant Johannes takes Dutch cuisine to a whole new level.

Dining at these Amsterdam restaurants will offer you more than a quick way to fill your stomach. Instead, these establishments all take strong pride in their food, providing guests with an unforgettable gastronomical experience rather than just a simple meal.

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Amsterdam’s Original Beer Bar

Server pouring beer from a tap

Amsterdam is home to some of the world’s biggest names in beer, from Heineken to Grolsch to Amstel, and it often seems as though there are an endless number of bars at which to enjoy an ice cold brew. While there may now be many different beer bars dotted around the city, there is one that has truly won the hearts of the locals. One of four Gollem pubs in Amsterdam, Café Gollem has been around since 1974, and was the very first beer café in Amsterdam to serve up Belgian and international beers.

Café Gollem
Situated in the bustling De Pijp neighborhood in the heart of Amsterdam, Café Gollem enjoys a prime location. Being so well-renowned, the bar can often get quite busy, but this is never too much of an issue as Café Gollem not only has a long bar that can serve many at a time, but also a vertical drinking area outside, as well as a mezzanine level for those who want some privacy.

The Beer
There are not many bars in Amsterdam that can boast a beer list as impressive as the one that you will find at Café Gollum. There are fourteen different taps to choose from, with seven regulars that have earned themselves a permanent place at a tap, to seven guest beers that are rotated on a regular basis. When it comes to their bottled beers, Café Gollum stocks over 150 different varieties, with a strong emphasis on local breweries in and around Amsterdam, craft breweries throughout the Netherlands, and both small and large breweries from neighboring Belgium.

Beers to Try
While official beer tastings are held at a different Gollum bar, guests of Café Gollum are still able to sample a few of the different beers available so that they can make a better-informed decision on which ones to order. Some of the beers worth sampling are Gregorius, which comes from one of the newest Trappist breweries in Austria, and the Chimay Red, which is quite a rare and exclusive beer in Belgium. The beer menu is written on the upper walls of the bar, but if you feel at all intimidated by the vast selection on offer, do not hesitate to speak to the knowledgeable bartenders, who will be able to advise you on the beers that you are likely to enjoy.

The Food
Many beer cafés around Amsterdam take a keen interest in the food that they serve, but Café Gollum has chosen to remain completely dedicated to their beer. While there may not be any freshly cooked hot dishes available, there are plenty of cold snacks that you can order to accompany your drinks. From Dutch cheese platters to traditional smoked sausage, Café Gollum’s beer snacks may not seem too impressive, but they manage to perfectly complement the beer.

For those of you who enjoy trying different beers, and for those of you that want to learn more about European beers, Café Gollum is a great beer bar to visit. While it may have much more competition now than it used to when it first opened its doors, it has managed to stand strong, attracting more loyal regulars year upon year.

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Kaas Shops & Dutch Cheeses

Cheese shop

The Netherlands is known for their cheese production, and chances are that you have already tried a few different Dutch cheeses. While the Netherlands may be one of the top cheese exporters in the world, the best way to experience fresh and authentic ‘kaas’ is by visiting different parts of the country, tasting regional cheeses and visiting local kaas shops.

Gouda
A mild, semi-hard cow’s milk cheese, Gouda is considered to be the king of Dutch cheeses. However, what many people do not realize until they actually visit the Netherlands is that there are actually six different types of Gouda, with each type being categorized by its age. Generally speaking, the younger the cheese is, the milder and softer it will be, and, as it ages, it takes on a sharper and nuttier flavor.

Edam
Edam makes up around a third of the cheese production in the Netherlands, and is the second most popular cheese after Gouda. Edam is also a semi-hard cheese, but has a lower fat content than most other traditional Dutch cheeses, boasting a mild, salty taste that appeals to just about everyone.

Nagelkaas
Nagelkaas, otherwise known as clove cheese, originated in the northeast of the country thanks to the Friesian people that used to live there. While it may be tasty and relatively popular, it can be quite difficult to find, so keep an eye out for it when visiting any kaas shops.

De Kaaskamer
Situated in Amsterdam, De Kaaskamer is one of the most popular and well-known cheese shops in the country. With a strong focus on tradition and craftsmanship, De Kaaskamer stocks over 400 different kinds of cheese from around the world, but specializes in local Dutch cheeses. If you are not able to take a full block of cheese away with you, the store also sells salads and sandwiches that can be made with the cheese of your choice, and they even shrink wrap cheeses if you are wanting to take them overseas.

Henri Willig Cheese & More
Another fantastic cheese shop with outlets all over the country, Cheese & More is a store that produces award-winning local cheeses, earning them a widespread international reputation. Some of their standout cheeses that have won awards include the goat cheese with fenugreek, the organic cow’s milk cheese with green pesto, and their unique baby Gouda.

Cheese Markets
If you would like to shop for cheese in a more traditional way, there are five authentic cheese markets in the Netherlands that still function as trading centers for cheese. The markets in Gouda and Woerden attract local cheesemakers who sell their products to wholesalers, while the markets in Alkmaar, Hoorn and Edam are known for their impressive demonstrations and traditional cheese stalls. Due to the seasonality of many of the cheeses, most of the markets are only open from late spring to early autumn, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.

Cheese is firmly rooted in the history of the Netherlands, and has become as strong a part of Dutch identity and culture as the windmills and wooden clogs. With a dairy industry that is valued at almost 8 billion Euros, it would seem as though the cheesemaking traditions of the Netherlands are going to stand strong for years to come.

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How to Live Luxe in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

It is sometimes all-too-easy to think of Amsterdam in terms of the clichés that surround it, but, when you take the time to look deeper, the city’s vibrant and dynamic heart shines through. From luxurious shops to extravagant restaurants, this is your guide to living luxe in Amsterdam.

P.C. Hooftstraat

lornet / Shutterstock.com

Luxury Shopping
For the most high end and luxurious shops in the city, head to P. C. Hooftstraat, which has frequently been rated in the top three in lists of the nicest places to shop in the world. This has been an exclusive shopping destination since the 1970’s, and boasts a wide range of international brands, from Hugo Boss to Ralph Lauren to Gucci. If you are searching for high-end local designers, then the Van Baerlestraat is the place to go, as it is here that you will find a fantastic selection of boutiques from Dutch designers. Willemsparkweg is also home to an exciting array of boutiques, and it is quite easy to spend the entire afternoon browsing through the accessory, fashion and homeware stores.

World-Class Fine Dining
When it comes to dining out, Amsterdam has some of the finest restaurants in the world, from classic Michelin-starred fine dining to casual but elegant cafés. La Rive is one of these Michelin-starred restaurants, and while it may not be easy to secure a table here, once you do, you will be amongst the company of dignitaries, royalty and rock stars. Ciel Bleu is the only restaurant in Amsterdam with two Michelin stars, guaranteeing you an unforgettable meal. If you decide to pay it a visit, try to request a table by the window on the northern side of the restaurant, because, with the restaurant being situated 23 floors above the city, these are the windows that offer a rare panoramic view down onto the busy streets of Amsterdam.

Bartender making a cocktail

Handcrafted Cocktails
Amsterdam may be packed with bars and clubs, but there are some that pride themselves on being a cut above the competition in terms of the quality of their drinks and the ambiance of their setting. Hiding in Plain Sight is one of these venues, and has been voted as the best cocktail bar in Amsterdam on more than one occasion. As elegant as this bar may be, there are always times when you want something more exclusive, and this is when you should pay a visit to Door 74, which is one of the city’s secret bars. A phone number needs to be called to secure a reservation, which can only be done each day itself, and the mysterious décor, coupled with the creative cocktails and custom concoctions, make it a bar that is a delight to spend time in.

Luxury living is synonymous with the heart and soul of Amsterdam, and, if you know where to go, it is easy to live luxe in the city. From dining at Michelin-starred eateries to sipping on one-of-a-kind cocktails, Amsterdam is a city that welcomes those who appreciate elegance and class.