9 trendy places to eat in Amsterdam in 2026

There are so many places to eat in Amsterdam that it’s enough to make you feel paralysed by choice. But geen probleem, we’ve narrowed the list down to 9 places you absolutely have to try.

These are some of Amsterdam’s most chill and hip restaurants that offer delicious food and amazing cocktails!

Also, know that different DutchReviewers went to different trendy places, so we got all our brains together to find the best places. Enjoy!

1. The Lobby Nesplein

Looking for somewhere central yet tucked away from the chaos? Then time to enter “The Lobby Nesplein” into Google Maps.

Nestled down a surprisingly calm and spacious side street, we felt like we had stumbled across a hidden gem when we opened the doors to The Lobby Nesplein. Its cosily lit interior offered us an immediate reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

First step: drinks. We were ready for something special, and that’s exactly what we got.

I ordered the “Pear Pressure” while my friend went for the “Lobby’s Paloma.” We had every intention of trying out a variety of cocktails during the night, but we both enjoyed our initial orders so much that we couldn’t help but order the same again.

Another shoutout? The staff! They were so welcoming and helpful, offering their personal recommendations and making sure we were never left waiting for food or drinks.

Speaking of the food, we have to give it a 10/10. Not just for its execution but also for its inventiveness.

We started with the celeriac and pork belly, then moved on to the farm chicken with polenta and the red cabbage with sweet potatoes for the mains.

Believe it or not, I had the balls to invite my chef friend along for this meal. So I expected a rough breakdown of what could have been done better after each dish, but instead, it was only praise, a lot of “mmmms”, and a chef’s stamp of approval.

2. Ode aan de Amstel

The name “Ode aan de Amstel” translates to “ode to the Amstel” — it’s an homage to the river that flows into Amsterdam’s iconic canal ring and helps shape the city.

Both the terrace and the ground floor of this restaurant are located on the Amstel river (you can even dock your boat on the terrace!), letting you enjoy the peaceful sounds of the rippling water and a stunning view.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Ode aan de Amstel is all about providing guests with a peaceful dining experience. The intimate interior is complimented by an open kitchen and, of course, a menu that will leave your mouth watering.

If every single item on the menu sounds good to you (we feel you), we suggest going with the three, four, or five-course chef’s selection menu. This is a daily-changing menu with the chef’s most tasty, innovative and original dishes.

With only the best cuts of meat and the freshest seafood, this place truly left us wanting more.

3. Taiko Cuisine

Dinner at Taiko isn’t just a meal — it’s a performance. Housed in the elegant Conservatorium Hotel, this high-end Asian-inspired restaurant kicks things off with a literal drumroll. Yes, someone actually bangs a drum to announce your arrival — and yes, it’s amazing.

The interior is just as striking: floor-to-ceiling windows, soft lighting, a lit cherry blossom tree, and bamboo details. It’s cosy and refined, like a luxurious Japanese library.

We tried the five-course tasting menu with wine pairing, and every dish was a standout. From the buttery Balfegó tuna sushi served in a porcelain bento box, to the rich lobster dim sum, melt-in-your-mouth miso cod, and crispy teriyaki duck — each course built perfectly to complement the last.

Dessert was a breathtaking, an intricate but delicate cherry blossom that finished the night with a fresh flavour.

The staff were warm, knowledgeable, and guided us through each dish and pairing with ease. Bonus: halfway through the night, a drummer returned for a floor-shaking performance right in the middle of dinner.

Refined, theatrical, and deeply delicious, Taiko is a must for anyone wanting to dine with a bit of drama.

4. Midtown Grill

An eclectic and excellent eating experience! Honestly, the prospect of eating at a steakhouse near Amsterdam’s Leidseplein wasn’t too exciting initially. But we were wrong!

When you walk into Midtown Grill, you immediately feel it won’t be your usual steakhouse experience. Its interior is showered in class, luxury, and eclectic wallpaper. (How often do you appreciate that in a place?)

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The staff is courteous and never makes you think you’re eating out in Amsterdam — which is a compliment — and the menu is limited. Not 627 options, but what they did, they did well. (It had proper veggie options like any place should have nowadays.)

The steak we had was a proper beast. The staff shows you the cuts beforehand and advises on how you should want it prepped (a thick cut should be a bit medium, or else you’re just eating raw meat).

They also prepared a custom whisky sour, and we have to recommend the ‘mixed plankje and the lobster bitterballs’ (how can we not?)

5. NOMADS

Twice a year, NOMADS “travels” to a different location. Not only does the menu change to the country’s food but the interior design of the restaurant.

We visited when it was adorned with photographs of the streets of Alfama and typical blue tile murals in the bathroom — you guessed it, Portuguese cuisine.

We had a four-course meal, accompanied by a bottle of white Serras de Azeitão from Setúbal. Everything was great, particularly the octopus salad and the pastéis de bacalhau (or codfish pastries).

These are staple dishes in Portuguese culture, and we are glad they haven’t been forgotten. The oysters were the best part of the meal; they literally tasted like the sea.

For dessert, we got a true Portuguese treat. THE pastel de nata that is so hard to replicate was by far the most authentic we’ve eaten outside of Portugal.

It couldn’t beat the original “Pastéis de Belém” as it follows an ancient recipe from the Jerónimos Monastery, but it would surely beat a lot of well-established bakeries in Portugal.

We also had a “rice pudding”, a take on the classic “arroz doce”. The pudding’s consistency and taste were perfect, which is hard to do with just milk and rice.

It’s usually topped with cinnamon, but the chefs at NOMADS innovated by adding raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, as well as a fruit-infused foam.

It was a great experience. NOMADS made us feel like we were back in a mother’s kitchen in Lisbon.

6. In de Waag

When in Amsterdam, you truly can’t miss out on a meal at one of the city’s most iconic restaurants: In de Waag.

Located in an old city gate in the centre of the lively “Nieuwmarkt”, this place is a historic monument that was built between 1425 and 1488.

What used to be a city gate eventually became a “weighing house” (Dutch: Waag, hence the name ⚖️), and finally one of Amsterdam’s trendiest restaurants. 🙌

The rustic interior at the Waag is lit by more than 300 real candles, creating a romantic vibe that compliments the interesting history of this building. But besides the stunning interior, the Waag also sports one of Amsterdam’s sunniest terraces — perfect to enjoy during the warmer months of the year.

We stopped by Waag for lunch, and went for the famous Waag burger and the puffed aubergine. Both were fresh, full of flavour, and of course, heel lekker!

For dessert, we were served the “Apple tarte tatin”, a small apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and vanilla custard.

Whether you come here for a mid-day snack or for a nice dinner, the selection of bites, main courses, desserts, and drinks won’t disappoint — and the lovely staff will make you feel right at home.

7. NENI Amsterdam

A sharing menu including the best falafel in town? Sign us up. We took a trip to NENI Amsterdam to try their new Balagan menu — and we weren’t disappointed.

Right next to the Olympic stadium in Amsterdam-Zuid, NENI‘s location might not be the first choice for tourists. However, it is worth the short journey outside of the centre.

As you enter, you’re greeted by the smell of fresh bread baking in the deli (well, only on the weekends). Here you can purchase freshly baked Mediterranean goods, including sourdough, babka, and challah. 🥐

The concept at NENI is that sharing is caring. There is a wide range of plant-based, fish, and meat dishes, ideal for when you are as indecisive as we are.

We had the Balagan menu, which offers a variety of their top dishes. The more people you have, the more dishes they add. You can ask for just vegetarian dishes.

It’s not the cheapest, coming in at €40 per person, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. For four people, we were completely stuffed — and happy about it.

All of the food was fresh and had a perfect balance of salt and spice. Our highlights were the caramelised aubergine and possibly the best falafel we’ve ever had. But there wasn’t a dud dish on the menu.

NENI has a great concept and food that’s packed with flavour in every bite. The sharing menu was a little on the pricey side, but you get a lot of food for the price you pay. Perfect for a special occasion or a stop-by for a deli lunch.

8. Kanarie Club

The former tram depot in Amsterdam, known as “Food Hallen”, is where you’ll find one of Amsterdam’s most stylish hotspots.

The interior of the Kanarie Club’s design is made up of materials and colours inspired by the different industries housed in the hall. From woodwork and metalwork to painting.

It’s split up into different zones: a café where you can work, a cosy restaurant, and a beautiful cocktail bar. With film and food halls in the Kanarie Club’s backyard, this old tram depot in Oud-West is rightly one of Amsterdam’s most popular working spots.

The Kanarie Club isn’t just an ideal work spot for students, freelancers and those looking for a place to enjoy some quiet time or chill with friends and family.

The menu is extraordinary, the atmosphere is nice, the staff are cheerful, and the setting is as beautiful as expected.

Whether you’re there for breakfast, for flexible working, lunch, dinner, or just to drink cocktails: Kanarie Club remains one of Amsterdam’s best hotspots.

9. Ter Marsch & Co

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to eat the best burger in Amsterdam,” then say no more and get those feet moving to one of Ter Marsch & Co’s two Amsterdam locations.

This iconic Amsterdam burger joint will have you drooling over their menu. The pièce de résistance is the ‘La Fiest De Carne’, a juicy cut of Spanish Black Angus Beef, fennel, Manchego cheese custard, Andaluz créme, dried tomato, and Serrano ham — and boy can we recommend it.

A meal isn’t complete without their loaded fries (we particularly loved the ‘My Umai’) and a Ter Marsch & Co. home-brewed IPA or gin.

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Need more convincing? The accolades are endless: Winner best hamburger Netherlands 2020 and 2024, Winner best hamburger Benelux 2020, and Winner best fries Netherlands 2020. We love it!

So there you have it! These are some of the best places to eat in Amsterdam in 2026. Have you been to any of these amazing restaurants? Let us know in the comments below!