Where to Eat and Stay in Amsterdam

From Michelin-starred fine dining experiences set against the backdrop of beautifully ornate surroundings to quirky experimental dishes served up in off-kilter locations, the Dutch capital is out to impress.

When it comes to places to stay, Amsterdam excels itself once more. Here you’ll find everything from luxurious five-star hotels offering opulent décor and the finest, facilities to truly one-of-a-kind designs in spots that are perfect for exploring the city stretching out before you. Here’s our pick of the best restaurants and hotels in the always delightful Dutch capital.

Places to eat in Amsterdam

For artistic surroundings: D’Vijff Vlieghen

If you’ve arrived in Amsterdam in search of the unique, then D’Vijff Vlieghen (‘The Five Flies’) is the place for you. What was once a 17th-century canal house is now a slice of foodie heaven, delivered with an artistic flourish.

Dine beneath original Rembrandt paintings that hang from wood-paneled walls in the cozy rabbit warren of rooms and see if a famous face has been here before you. Copper name plates on the chairs reveal the identities of some of its well-known guests down the decades (Walt Disney among them).

The menu is by no means extensive but boasts enough traditional dishes to satisfy most tastes. Try the jugged Dutch hare with crème of red cabbage and glazed celeriac, succulent pan-fried fillet of beef or the pearl barley risotto with kohlrabi, hazelnut and Rouvener goats cheese.

For imagination: Wolf Atelier

If you want to indulge in the unusual, few Amsterdam restaurants pack more surprises than Wolf Atelier. Set on top of a swing bridge, complete with pivoting windows, the restaurant offers unparalleled 360-degree views across the city.

Inside, the wild imagination of the Austrian chef who lends his name to the restaurant he created enjoys free rein. At times more of a culinary laboratory than restaurant, Wolf experiments with unusual flavors and ingredients to create his weird but wonderful combinations.

For Michelin quality: Ciel Bleu

Quality is the mantra at Ciel Bleu, a two Michelin-starred restaurant with a mouthwatering menu that changes in tune with the seasons.

Devour dishes including scallops and oysters seasoned with vanilla sea salt and gin-and-tonic foam. In winter, feast on rich duck and eggplant dressed with honey and warming spices. And the food isn’t the only wow factor – positioned on the 23rd floor, Ciel Bleu boasts spellbinding views of the fascinating cityscape below to deliver the perfect backdrop to your meal.

For something different: Avocado Show

In a city as hip as Amsterdam, it would be a shame not to pay a visit to one of its more out-there restaurants.

The city’s alternative culture comes alive at Avocado Show, which lays claim to being the first restaurant of its kind in the world. Here, chefs have crafted an entire menu centered around just one basic ingredient – yep, you’ve guessed it, the avocado.

A living green wall and friendly staff create a fun atmosphere, whether you’re tucking into a burger with avocado halves in place of the bun or a salad bowl crafted entirely from slices of avocado. If you really want to get into the spirit of things, give their experimental cocktails a whirl – the Guaca-Mary or avocado daiquiri.

For the perfect setting: De Belhamel

Another Amsterdam restaurant armed with a prestigious Michelin star, De Belhamel delivers exquisite flavors in an equally exquisite setting. Decked out in an art nouveau style, it’s worth heading outside in the summer to dine at one of the canal-side tables – perfect for that truly memorable Amsterdam experience.

When it comes to the menu, the chefs at De Belhamel adeptly create dishes inspired by two of the world’s great gastronomical capitals – France and Italy. We recommend the sole with wild-spinach bisque or the lobster with salmon mayonnaise.

Places to stay in Amsterdam

For 5-star comfort: Pulitzer Amsterdam

Hidden among the iconic canals, with top attractions such as the Anne Frank House and Dam Square within a 15-minute walk, the Pulitzer Amsterdam’s location makes it the perfect spot for your city stay.

A beautiful blend of modern and traditional Dutch design, the Pullitzer is actually a maze of no fewer than 25 interconnected Golden Age canal houses on the edge of the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht waterways.

Inside, discover cozy rooms, peaceful inner gardens a garden café, hotel bar and a restaurant serving up simple but exquisitely crafted dishes.

For sophistication: Seven Bridges

For somewhere a little more low-key yet still brimming with style, check out the Seven Bridges. With only eight guest rooms, this boutique hotel is as intimate as you’ll find in Amsterdam – and in a great location too.

Source: Shutterstock

Perched on the Southern Canal Ring of waterways, you can catch a canal boat to other parts of the city once you’ve explored the local tourist attractions. Back at the hotel, you’ll have to fight the urge to hunker down and lounge for the day with the promise of a cooked breakfast served directly to your room on delicate China crockery.

For retro chic: Hotel V

Stylish and boasting an enviable central location – it faces Frederiksplein and is only a few minutes from Utrechtsestraat, making it an ideal base for exploration – this hidden gem of a hotel is one of Amsterdam’s very best.

Each of the Hotel V’s 48 rooms is meticulously designed, with arty charcoal hues and stone bathroom walls providing a striking monochromatic look. Sure, they might not be the biggest hotel rooms– as is the way in a city where space is at a premium – but they’re perfectly formed. Larger groups can even book a four-person apartment at Hotel V, which comes complete with its own private entrance and kitchen.

For the unusual: Faralda Hotel

Describing your hotel as ‘insane’ is an unusual marketing tactic – but then there are few things about Faralda Hotel that could be called conventional. Towering high over the IJ River in the former industrial area of Noord, the Faralda was once a working crane.

These days, it’s home to three stunning suites and a panoramic lounge that presents a heavenly view of Amsterdam from across the river. If you’re looking to experience a taste of luxury and out-of-this-world design, the Faralda could be the perfect fit.