{"id":832,"date":"2010-08-16T08:00:58","date_gmt":"2010-08-16T08:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/dutch\/?p=832"},"modified":"2010-07-28T14:44:53","modified_gmt":"2010-07-28T14:44:53","slug":"what-where-to-eat-in-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/dutch\/what-where-to-eat-in-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"What and Where to Eat in Amsterdam"},"content":{"rendered":"
Amsterdam is filled with places to eat. From cheap and fast Febo, a Dutch fast-food chain, to high-end fancy French restaurants, this city has it all. \u00a0In fact, there are at least 1000 restaurants here, so the possibilities are endless. But what is one to do when faced with 1000 options? \u00a0For some reason many of my other expat friends seem to think that in order to find good food in this city, you have to pay a hefty price. \u00a0That simply is not true. \u00a0So I’ve kept my list within the reasonably affordable level. \u00a0I’ve never really eaten at one of those high-brow expensive restaurants anyway. \u00a0I’m also a vegetarian, so all of these places will have vegetarian options on their menu.<\/div>\n
Ethiopian<\/strong><\/div>\n
There are a few great Ethiopian places in Amsterdam. \u00a0If you’ve never eaten Ethiopian food, it’s an absolute must. \u00a0Wash your hands and sit down to a meal eaten entirely with your hands while enjoying a nice banana beer. \u00a0Lek-ker!<\/div>\n
There are two Ethiopian restaurants I frequent: Abyssinia Afrikaans Eetcafe, near the Overtoom and close to Vondelpark. \u00a0The other is Eetcafe Semhar on the Marnixstraat right on the edge of the Jordaan. \u00a0The proprietors of both places are incredibly friendly and the food is just fantastic. \u00a0You should be looking at around 10 to 15 euros for a main course dinner meal.<\/div>\n
Thai on the Newmarkt<\/strong><\/div>\n
Thai Restaurant Song Kwae on the Nieuwmarkt is fast, affordable, and fantastic. The best kind of restaurant for a traveler looking to have a great meal in a nice neighborhood, but not stop for too long to wait around for the grub. \u00a0Another perk is that it’s on the Nieuwmarkt, where you can find a market, lots of local color, and it’s walking distance to many of Amsterdam’s downtown attractions.<\/div>\n
Pacific Parc, de Apenclub, Westerpark<\/strong><\/div>\n
I love Westerpark. \u00a0If I want to go see hustle and bustle, I go to Vondelpark, but to chill out on a Sunday afternoon, it’s Westerpark for me. \u00a0Pacific Parc serves dinner meals at around 12 to 15 euros, but with generous helpings of bread and salad to go with it. \u00a0It has a really relaxed atmosphere and you get your money’s worth pretty quickly. \u00a0Actually, the atmosphere there sort of varies. \u00a0They host live music and dj’s in the evenings, so there’s always something new. \u00a0I’ve walked in on a Sunday afternoon to hear rockabilly music…and the next time around it must have been Salsa Sunday. \u00a0But it’s always relaxed, you can bring your dog along (which I love by the way!) and when you’re done sitting on the terrace you can go hang out in the grass in the park.<\/div>\n
De Waaghals<\/strong><\/div>\n
De Waaghals is my first sort of more expensive restaurant on this list with main courses varying between 10 and 20 euros. \u00a0But it’s worth it. \u00a0The menu changes seasonally and you can choose to order your dishes separately, or as an entire menu for the evening. \u00a0I’ve never actually made it through an entire menu. \u00a0The food is rich in the winter and light and fresh in the summer. \u00a0I’m not actually sure how to describe it, I’m not a food connoisure here or anything, but it’s a lot of classic meals with a twist and slightly unusual ingredients. \u00a0They like to experiment a little, but without going overboard or losing that home-food sort of feel.<\/div>\n
De Bolhoed<\/strong><\/div>\n
De Bolhoed, located off the Prinsengracht in the heart of the Jordan, has a charming hippie-organic-natural foods sort of feel and serves filling and hearty meals. \u00a0In the summer it can be a bit tough to get a seat because the location is so perfect, but even in the winter, the atmosphere is enough to warm you up on a cold day. \u00a0The staff are college-age friendly alternative types, which keeps the whole thing nice and relaxed. \u00a0They serve large portions, something not so easy to find around here, and the menu is very vegetarian AND vegan friendly.<\/div>\n
Rainarai<\/strong><\/div>\n
Ok, I shouldn’t say this…but I will anyway. \u00a0There are two Algerian restaurants run by the same family. \u00a0The one in the Westerpark, and the one on the Prinsengracht. \u00a0If you go to the Westerpark restaurant, you will be paying for the location. \u00a0If you’re willing to eat the same food take-away style and at a much lower cost, go to the Prinsengracht location. \u00a0The food is fantastic with rich mixes of spices, nuts, dried fruits and goat cheese, typical dishes from the nomadic cultures of Algeria. \u00a0The stuffed pumpkin is to die for. \u00a0If you want to pay for location, go to Westerpark, if not, grab it and go on the Prinsengracht.<\/div>\n
Hemelse Modder<\/strong><\/div>\n
Hemelse Modder specializes in natural and wholesome meals made from pure ingredients. I’m not actually sure what they mean by that, but the food is great, albeit a bit more expensive as well. A three course meal will run about 30 euros per person, excluding drinks. \u00a0The atmosphere is much more posh than I’m accustomed to. \u00a0Given the atmosphere of “luxury” the prices are pretty reasonable, and the location is both central and tucked away off of a little canal. \u00a0Hemelse Modder means heavenly mud, after their specialty dessert of chocolate and vanilla mouse. \u00a0You have to eat it, it’s worthy of it’s name.<\/div>\n
de Zotte, Leidseplein area<\/strong><\/div>\n
This is a bar where you can get those big fat French fries and a good steak, or my personal favorite, the BEST quiche in town. \u00a0As a vegetarian, I’ve been handed some pretty lame quiches in my day, as it is often the only vegetarian offering on many menus. \u00a0But vegetarian or not, this is a rich, creamy, cheesy and delicious quiche, which they call their kaastaart. \u00a0Order the kaastaart, you won’t be disappointed. \u00a0It’s also a Belgian beer bar with a very extensive collection of beers, and a staff that knows a thing or two about beer. \u00a0Very helpful when you are confronted with their menu, which is actually a small book of beers to choose from.<\/div>\n
Roti<\/strong><\/div>\n
There are tons of roti places scattered all over town and it’s really a matter of taste which place you will prefer. \u00a0I prefer mine with a slightly thicker sauce, and plenty spicy. \u00a0An average roti meal will cost around 8 euros, but it will be more than enough food for dinner, and maybe a decent lunch the next day. Roti was another food I hadn’t had in before I moved here, and my life is more complete since its addition to my diet.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Amsterdam is filled with places to eat. From cheap and fast Febo, a Dutch fast-food chain, to high-end fancy French restaurants, this city has it all. \u00a0In fact, there are at least 1000 restaurants here, so the possibilities are endless. But what is one to do when faced with 1000 options? \u00a0For some reason many…<\/p>\n

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