Amsterdam - Dining & Drinking

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Going out in Amsterdam is something that's imbedded in the culture; restaurants and bars are brimming with customers the whole week through. If you're planning to eat out in Amsterdam, the one problem you'll be faced with is the amount of choice available. The cultural diversity which typifies the city is best reflected in what it has to offer its hungry visitors. From typical Dutch cuisine at Dorrius to the taste of South Africa at Indaba.

Along the Zeedijk

Top quality restaurants such as Blakes and Dynasty make for a great if slightly expensive evening, but what makes eating out in Amsterdam all the more enjoyable is the large range of inexpensive restaurants which serve great food. Walking along the Zeedijk you'll find restaurants like Nam Kee and New King, favourites of many locals, and rightfully so. These restaurants aren't famed for their looks or even their service, but if you want a good meal you really can't go wrong, especially not for these prices.

The Centre, Pijp & Jordaan

Around the centre you'll find a lot of restaurants targeted mainly to tourists, some of which, like Iguazu, are very good. However, for a true culinary experience you mustn't be afraid to branch out. Neighbourhoods like Pijp and Jordaan are stuffed to the brim with restaurants and cafes. Pijp is a favourite among Amsterdam's large student fraternity, so expect to find a young, trendy crowd in the bars and restaurants such as The Duvel. Beddington's also attracts it's fair share of trendy, if slightly better-off, clientele.

Jordaan was originally a real working class neighbourhood, but has evolved into an absolute centre of trendy activity. Restaurants like Toscanini and Bordewijk show the city at it's most natural. Laid-back, with not a care in the world, shying away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city centre.

If you do find yourself in the centre and looking for a good meal, why not try D'antica, probably the best Italian restaurant in Amsterdam, or the centrally located D'Vijff Vlieghen.

Bar & Pub Culture

After you have lined your stomach with a good meal you are ready to discover the extensive bar and pub culture that is such an integral part of Amsterdam. The most famous places to spend your evening are the Leidse and Rembrandt Square. Bars like Bourbonstreet and Heeren van Aemstel are highlights in these bustling areas. Expect a mostly young crowd busy drinking and dancing the night away. Don't hesitate to try out different bars to see what suits you best. From the relaxed Irish hospitality of Hoopman to the "look at me" atmosphere of The Palladium.

Where the red light district is famed for other, more obvious and eye-catching qualities than it's bars, The Last Waterhole and Durty Nellys are vivacious and lively places, perfectly suited for a relaxed evening. Expect to find a lot of tourists, all looking for, and hopefully finding, the same good time as you are.

As with restaurants, branching out in Amsterdam to bars and cafés is a definite must. Walking through Jordaan and Pijp you'll find a large selection of good bars. Check out De Pieper to experience that most traditional of Dutch bars, the brown one. the brown refering to the dark interior. Other bars typical to Amsterdam are Cafe Nol and De Twee Zwaantjes. These places show off the qualities that typify Jordaan. They're brash, noisy and filled with music and nice people. Expect to hear Dutch music blared out at a most disturbingly high volume and be aware of the inevitable sing along.

A Touch of the Irish

Amsterdam is blessed with a great selection of Irish pubs. From the pure brilliance of The Tara to the musical accompaniment that can be found at Mulligans, not forgetting Molly Malones for the best British breakfast in Amsterdam, the Irish pubs are a favourite among locals and tourists alike. A day spent pub hopping is therefore a more than worthy exercise. Look out for the Daily Craig, a monthly Irish pub guide with a handy map highlighting the best pubs in Amsterdam.

Beer Lovers

If you like to think of yourself as a lover and connoisseur of beer in all its guises, be sure to visit In de Wildeman and Gollem for a very large selection of beer. Be sure to visit De Bierkoning, the definitive beer shop in Amsterdam.

Explore!

The best tip we can give you is to look around, don't be afraid to stray from the Leidse and Rembrandt Square. There is a whole city out there to explore. Just take a look at Westpacific or Amsterdam to see what you would be missing out on by staying in the centre.







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Jordaan
Amsterdam
Jordaan
Pijp
Amsterdam
Pijp
Tara Irish Pub


Trendy pub
 Rokin 85-89
Amsterdam 1012 KL
+31 (0)20 421 2654
http://www.thetara.com/
Tara Irish Pub
Molly Malone's


Lovely Irish pub with good food
 Oudezijds Kolk 9
Amsterdam 1012 AL
+31 (0)20 624 1150
Molly Malone's
Mulligans Irish Music Bar


Authentic Irish pub
 Amstel 100
Amsterdam 1017 AC
+31 (0)20 622 1330
http://www.mulligans.nl/
Mulligans Irish Music Bar
Bourbon Street


Live music every night
 Leidsekruisstraat 39241
Amsterdam 1017 RH
+31 (0)20 623 3440
http://www.bourbonstreet.nl/
Bourbon Street
Dynasty


High Quality Thai
 Reguliersdwarsstraat 30
Amsterdam 1017 BM
+31 (0)20 626 8400
http://dynasty.orientalrestaurants.nl/
Dynasty
Bordewijk


A top restaurant in the centre
 Noordermarkt 7
Amsterdam 1015 MV
+31 (0)20 624 3899
http://www.bordewijk.nl/
Bordewijk
Vijff Vlieghen (d')


Exclusive dining
 Spuistraat 294-302
Amsterdam 1012 VX
+31 (0)20 530 4060
http://www.d-vijffvlieghen.com/
Vijff Vlieghen (d')
Heeren van Aemstel


Live music and lots of students
 Thorbeckeplein 5
Amsterdam 1017 CS
+31 (0)20 620 2173
http://www.deheerenvanaemstel.nl
Heeren van Aemstel
Ristorante d'Antica


Old Family Recipes
 Reguliersdwarsstraat 80-82
Amsterdam 1017 BN
+31 20 623 3862
http://www.dantica.nl/
Ristorante d'Antica
Iguazu


Brazilian/Argentinian restaurant serving great meat
 Prinsengracht 703
Amsterdam 1017 JV
+31 (0)20 420 3910
Iguazu
Restaurant Dorrius


Authentic Dutch Cuisine
 Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5
Amsterdam 1012 RC
+31 (0)20 420 2224
http://www.dorrius.nl
Restaurant Dorrius
In de Wildeman


For fanatics of beer
 Kolksteeg 3
Amsterdam 1012 PT
+31 (0)20 638 2348
http://www.indewildeman.nl
In de Wildeman
Cafe Gollem


Small café, great atmosphere
 Raamsteeg 4
Amsterdam 1012 VZ
31 (0)6 4675 0155
http://www.cafegollem.nl
Cafe Gollem
Twee Zwaantjes


Spontaneous singing in the bar
 Prinsengracht 114
Amsterdam 1015 EA
+31 20 625 2729
http://www.detweezwaantjes.nl
Twee Zwaantjes
Palladium


Grand Café just off Leidseplein, discotheque at night
 Kleine Gartmanplantsoen 39272
Amsterdam 1017 RP
+31 (0)20 620 6566
http://www.palladiumamsterdam.nl/
Palladium
Café Nol


Redefines 'kitsch'
 Westerstraat 109
Amsterdam 1015 LX
+31 (0)20 624 5380
Café Nol
Amsterdam
Amsterdam - Art & Entertainment
Amsterdam - Historical Background
Amsterdam - Where to Stay
Amsterdam - Neighborhood Guide
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