Lion Noir

Had such a memorable dinner at Brasserie Ambassade in Amsterdam on our last dinner of the trip. The…read morerestaurant is beautifully decorated inside, with a great atmosphere right along the canal. We were a family of five, so unfortunately there wasn't enough space for us to sit outside, but the interior was beautiful and made for a really nice evening. For appetizers, we ordered the caviar and seabass tartare. Both were delicious, although the real problem was that the kids kept asking for more caviar . Definitely a good sign! For the entrees, among other things, we shared the tomahawk steak and ordered the fish of the day. The tomahawk was cooked perfectly medium rare and was tender and flavorful, while the fish was simply delicious and beautifully prepared. Great food, beautiful setting, and a really memorable family dinner in Amsterdam. Definitely a place we'd come back to.

Top Notch Breakfast and Dinner…read more.. Brasserie is the restaurant inside the Ambassade Hotel. My wife and I...along with another couple...had 4 breakfasts and 1 dinner there so this review reflects our experience. - Overall: 5 - Location: 5 (for Old Town and the Jordaan) - Exterior: 5 - Interior: 5 - Atmosphere: 5 - Menu: 5 - Food: 5 - Service: 5 (though the head waiter at dinner was full-of-himself) - Price and Value: 5 Pros: - Location: Convenient to the Old Town and Jordaan parts of Amsterdam. - Exterior: Handsome. A beautifully restored and maintained property. - Interior: Contemporary. Brasserie is a high end spot across 3 rooms, yet remains comfortable where conversation is easily accomplished. - Menu: Very healthy buffet at breakfast plus some items which can be ordered. Dinner offers French fare with a relatively light touch...though very different from the wellness-oriented breakfast. - Food: Excellent. The breakfast buffet is not huge, but full of healthy high quality items. I had 3 unbelievable versions of granola spooned from large jars and covered my bowl with the best tasting light Greek yogurt. Fruit and fish was super fresh...bread and pastries baked on premises amazing. Others in our group chose made-to-order egg dishes. It's all part of staying at the hotel. Dinner transformed Brasserie into a bistro with a French twist on many favorite dishes. Check the menu online. Portions are small - as expected - but quality was high. However, prices were very reasonable with most items under $30. - Service: Homey at breakfast..."French" for dinner. Everyone could not have been more friendly and helpful in the morning. Things were a bit more formal at night with a different crew. The chief waiter was very knowledgeable, but we agreed a bit arrogant. - Price and Value: Worth it. I believe the breakfast buffet is only for guests of the Ambassade Hotel. Brasserie is open to the public at night and quite reasonable. - Parking: None. Who has a car in Old Town? Cons: - The only one readily apparent was the brusque, off-the-cuff nature of our main server at dinner. He wasn't over-the-top, but not in keeping with the friendly vibe of the hotel. And that's coming from 2 couples who grew up in New York City and lived for many years in San Francisco and LA. Anyone can...and should...get dinner at Brasserie. There are many reasons to make reservations for a stay at the Ambassade - including access to their breakfast buffet.

Amazing .. definitely enough for 2

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Port

Bleu

4.4(69 reviews)

1.3 km•Centrum

Our first great dinner in town. The food was amazing. We opted for the black angus and a side of…read morepepper sauce. Don't skip on the sauce! It comes on the side and was rich and delicious. We shared the steak and got the large salad with veggies! The veggies were sooo good! Plus you have plenty of protein with your steak. A cute little gem of a place, in a nice area for a nice night out.

Awesome restaurant! The food was amazing. The croque monsieur, charcuterie board, chocolate cake,…read moreand Hugo Spritz were all delicious. The atmosphere inside was perfect, and the service was impeccable. Our waitress was especially lovely, super friendly, and very helpful. One small suggestion: a more fitting soundtrack would elevate the experience even further. The music felt a little too pop-oriented for the atmosphere of the restaurant.

Inside

Chocolate cake

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The Pantry

4.6(634 reviews)

0.5 km•Centrum

If you're craving genuine, heartwarming Dutch comfort food near Leidseplein, The Pantry is the real…read moredeal. The space is quaint, cozy, and feels like stepping straight into a classic Dutch living room. If it's your first time or you just want a bit of everything, the stamppot combination plate is unbeatable. Getting to sample all three traditional mashes--hutspot, boerenkool, and zuurkool--paired with a juicy smoked sausage or traditional Dutch meatball is pure comfort on a plate. The Erwtensoep (Dutch pea soup) served with rye bread and smoked bacon is rich, thick, and incredible on a cool afternoon. Start off with the bitterballen or Dutch shrimp croquettes to share while you wait. Service is super friendly, welcoming, and effortlessly switches between languages without missing a beat. Because the dining room is small and intimate, it fills up remarkably fast--booking a table online in advance is essential, especially if you're aiming for dinner. A total gem for proper, unpretentious Dutch cuisine!

Booked a table for two at The Pantry. Completely dissatisfied with the dining experience. We…read morearrived five minutes before our reservation time. We felt like if we had been just a minute late, our table would have been given to someone else. Head Server rushed us to a table. The tables were packed like sardines in a can...barely enough room to sit down. Head server reminded us that we have only an hour and a half time slot for dinner. We then waited 20 minutes before another server took our orders, appetizer took another 20 minutes to be served. We didn't get our main dishes until an hour into our dining time slot. Because The Pantry crowds diners so tightly together, the place is extremely loud...so loud that I felt I like I was part of the adjoining tables' conversations. We could not hear eachother. It was impossible to hold a conversation. It was school cafeteria loud. We were unable to talk about the day and enjoy our meals...the noise was too distracting. Our food was nothing special. It tasted just ok. We expected it to taste better. The sauerkraut tasted pickled...like out of a jar. The red cabbage was overly sweet. The stew had only four chunks of beef. Overall, the food didn't taste fresh made. My wife could have cooked a better dinner at home. When visiting a new country, one expects better food (quality and taste) for 60 Euro. Not sure why other patrons line up to eat here. We will not return to The Pantry.

The Pantry restaurant

Dutch ham plate

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I hadn't had Dutch apple pie since my days waiting tables at Denny's, in the '80s & this was well worth the wait.

Café George

3.7(111 reviews)

0.6 km•Jordaan, Centrum

If you want the classic Amsterdam-chic "see and be seen" vibe, Café George is a must. The…read moreLeidsegracht location is really fun and popular. This place is buzzing. It's high-energy, crowded (in a fun way), and the people-watching is 10/10. It feels like a lively mix of Paris and New York in the heart of the canals. Great for a group lunch. Service is professional and fast-paced to keep up with the crowd. The food (like the Steak Frites) is consistently solid, but you are definitely here for the energetic atmosphere and the perfect location. A great 4-star spot if you want to soak in the fashionable Amsterdam.

Always love stopping thru Cafe George during trips to Amsterdamnot only for the amazing menu and…read moredrinks but the vibe and exceptional staff. And their espresso martinis are certainly one of my favorites!!

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Cannibale Royale

4.4(285 reviews)

0.2 km•Centrum

If you don't know the area, this place can be a little hard to find. Nonetheless, we found our way…read moreand it was well worth the wait. Roasted Chicken was phenomenal and the house-made chicken made my day!

I've been to a few of the other locations, but the Handboogstraat spot just hits different. It's…read moregot that dark, slightly chaotic, "rariteitenkabinet" vibe that makes you feel like you've stumbled into a hidden club rather than a burger joint. We kept it classic this time: * The Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone tender as always. They don't over-sweeten the glaze, which I appreciate. * Le Cannibale Royale: The pulled pork on top of the patty is a heavy hitter, but the sauerkraut actually cuts through the richness perfectly. * The Fries: Still some of the most consistent in the city--thin, salty, and actually hot. Service was busy (it's Handboogstraat, so what do you expect?), but the staff was super chill and kept the craft beers flowing. It's loud, it's moody, and it's exactly what I wanted for a late-night feed. Plus, I've noticed they actually take the time to read and reply to feedback here, which is a rare find for a place this popular. Keep doing what you're doing!

1.5 km•Haarlemmerbuurt, Centrum

Le Classique Burger

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DRINKS!!

De Belhamel

4.2(99 reviews)

The bread and butter they offer in the beginning of your meal was some of the best French butter…read moreI've ever had. Our server, Mitchell, was helpful in explaining the menu and gave recommendations. The bartender working that day made an amazing Hendrix martini. And our other friend, from Bangladesh, was giving us lots of information about the restaurant as well as the local area, almost like a personal tour guide. The first course, escargot with herbed butter, was delightful to say the least. Save some bread to absorb the remains. The seasonal white asparagus dish with ham, hard boiled egg and petite potatoes was superb. We don't offer this style of cuisine much in the States; a treat to dive deeper in traditional cooking. The sea bass as a main was swimming with flavor. I appreciate this style of French cuisine in "the Venice of the North". The atmosphere and the staff made the experience terrific. I would enjoy coming back for a second visit. Atmosphere: 10 | 10 Service: 9.5 | 10 Food: 9.5 | 10

Place is super cute. Service was good and friendly. Food was fantastic. Bread was warm and…read moredelicious and they even brought more butter when she noticed I had run out. The shallot tarte was flaky and flavorful. The gnocchi was rich and buttery. Would absolutely come back

1.4 km•Museumkwartier, Zuid

All that is left is the shells

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Exterior entrance

L'Entrecôte et les Dames

4.1(31 reviews)

I had heard about this place online, and was so stoked when I stumbled across it in Amsterdam…read more Basically they have a very simple menu of either steak and fries or fish and fries, which comes with salad and bread. The fries are endless and they do give a second helping of the steak! Also the chimichuri sauce is absolutely delicious. I left so full and satisfied.

Amsterdam's take on the classic "Le Relais de l'entrecotte". We walked in around 5:30 on a weekend…read moreand were sat straight away. The salad is very similar to le relais but less "mustardy", the fries are crispy, and the steak is flavourful and cooked as ordered. The sauce is much creamier and is more of a mix of a chimichurri and the traditional sauce but I loved it all the same but if you are an aficionado of the traditional just know it will be different. We shared the ile flottante for dessert and it blew us away, so yummy! Service is friendly and attentive, very clean location with great decor.

Bread and butter

Steak and fries

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Salad

Restaurant Zaza's

4.7(56 reviews)

1.1 km•De Pijp, Zuid

Came here on a Monday night with a reservation and the restaurant was full. Highly recommend a…read morereservation. Service was friendly, but timing can be a little bit off. They do make up for it with their personalities. The restaurant itself is small and typically can hold groups of 2 to 5. The menu is small, but all the dishes are high quality. 1. Amuse bouche goat cheese - had a nice smoky flavor and fresh 2. Scallops - small but packed with flavor. There is a white sauce that complimented the scallops and the bread pastry with onions 3. Goat cheese terrine - very nice soft goat cheese mixed with onions as well as berry and veggies. Only wish there was more bread. 4. Sea bream - very nicely done with a fresh taste of the meat and a crispy skin. Pairs well with its sauce and tomatoes. 5. Ravioli - nicely done al dente with a herby sauce and packed ravioli 6. Bread pudding - one of the best I've had and came out fresh and hot. Comes with a white sauce as well as boozy caramel sauce. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant which has received very nice reviews for over 10 years. I'm glad we chose this restaurant during my stay here.

This place is absolutely perfect. Excellent food, ambiance, service! We liked it so much that we…read morecame two days in a row!

Inside

Perhaps the best bread pudding in Amsterdam!

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This wine selected by our server was excellent.

Van Speyk

4.5(148 reviews)

1.2 km•Centrum

My son Brody and I were in Amsterdam on our way to Germany and we wanted some authentic Dutch food…read morewhile we were there. After reviewing best Dutch restaurant on Yelp, VS was #1. We sat on the patio. Our server brought us complementary bread with butter while we read through the menu. I'm told my meal was authentic Dutch food, but it just seemed like a strange combination. The name slipped my mind, but it was a pile of mashed potatoes with endive, with a meatball on top with brown gravy and then beside that with some type of smoked sausage with a pile of mustard. I've always felt that whatever food you put on a plate should taste good together sausage with the mustard with the meat and the gravy and the mashed potatoes just seem disjointed to me. With that sad, I ate every drop of it and enjoyed it so maybe I learned something from this meal. ‍ My son took the alternative approach and ordered a meal with Indonesian flavors; chicken with peanut sauce was the main entrée and it came with french fries. He definitely enjoyed his meal as well. I'm glad we gave VS a try. It turned out to be a good meal of Dutch food in a touristy area with food from all over the world. I guess I'm old-fashioned because I just wanted a taste of the local cuisine. Cheers!

This restaurant was across the street from our hotel during our stay in Amsterdam! The interior is…read moreinviting and intimate & the chandeliers add to the charm. The waitstaff were super friendly and attentive! The food was high quality and delicious. I had the oysters, mussels and shrimp cocktail. I enjoyed the time spent here and what added to the mood was the awesome playlist of music! Nice!

A little bit of Beauty and the Beast theme going on here.

Hot pot

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Lion Noir - french - Updated October 2026

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Café Caron

4.4

(8 reviews)

We found this cozy tiny French restaurant near our Air BnB place. No reservation, but we could seat…read morecounter. Server is kindly served and offered many good recommendations, Start with three different kind of oysters, cheese , asparagus, main entree sea bass and chicken, end with ice cream desert. I had four glasses of wines.

Lovely place, attentive service, but our meal was just ok…read more We came on the recommendation by Esquire Bib Gourmand and ordered 2 appetizers and 2 entries. The hen was AH-mazing, the swordfish carpaccio was delish, but the main course veal was underwhelming and the duck eggs was a mistake to order for us. I will be back for that chicken though - juicy, tender, with crispy skin

Restaurant Vinkeles

4.3

(30 reviews)

We were staying at The Dylan and had the opportunity to have dinner here. Exquisite! The restaurant…read moreis situated in what was once bakery. Beautiful unpretentious space. Every dish was spectacular....what stood out the most for me was the meringue dish...the chef must have gone through countless eggs to execute the most perfect meringue....not a single crumb when cutting it in half.

It was our first time in Amsterdam and it was our 10 year anniversary. I had high hopes for this…read morerestaurant being that it is a Michelin star restaurant. We arrived at 6:30 and was immediately seated. The staff was extremely friendly and was very knowledgeable about every dish. For the price point and being Michelin star restaurant, I expected perfection. I've been to several Michelin restaurants so I had high expectations. If I could, I would give it 4.5 stars. The menu was interesting and curated thoughtfully. The service was superb. The presentation was impeccable. My only complaint was the oyster was fishy which threw off the whole dish. Otherwise, this was an enjoyable event.

Flore

4.6

(29 reviews)

Located just steps from the bustling center of Amsterdam Restaurant Flore finds Chef Bas van Kranen…read morepreparing a very interesting sort of "conscious fine dining" focused on Dutch seasonality inside Hotel De L'Europe. An organic concept with two Michelin Stars plus a green one, the dining room and multi-faceted chef's table expectedly natural in appearance, van Kranen selects all products daily from a very small collection of purveyors and no milk is used in the cuisine. Open for Lunch as well as Dinner Wednesday through Saturday, the €250 menu suggesting seven proper courses plus gifts at both ends, guests begin in the kitchen where lengthy aging of lamb is the focus of conversation before transitioning to seats with Tomato Broth bolstered by Peppers plus Fruits. Reserved for the Chef's table, a communal space where diners can see the canal, dining room and kitchen, it was while Frank Ocean and others loudly dropped F-Bombs as well as racial slurs that Canapes arrived including delightful Vegetable Maki plus a fragrant Pea Tart. Taking a lot more chances than the usual Dutch Fine Dining space, "Vegetables of the moment" quickly moving to assertive Aguachiles with Snails, barbecue Monkfish proved effective and well-prepared atop Ajo Blanco while follow-up Red Mullet would have been equally effective without its raw Strawberry prop. A universally complex style, perhaps overly so in many cases, Aliums and Mushrooms prove van Kranen's gift when focused while "50-day dry aged lamb loin, Cherries with pickled Elderflower, Sweetbreads Sausage, Grilled Peas, Anchovies, Sauce of Lamb "Prosciutto" with Capers and Peppers" is exactly what it sounds like - intentionally complicated to the detriment of the dish. Just 44 seats total, less than half-filled Saturday for lunch, staff is pleasant yet professional when checking in regarding pacing before moving to a Dessert of Soft Serve under slightly bitter ice and a lightly-fried Flower. Offered Coffee or Tea to finish, a €10 upcharge left to guessing as listed, Beans are explained and prepared in an elaborate display involving scales before four Mignardises including a Shishito Pepper and Cocktail-themed Gummy Bear.

We were a party of 4 with various ages and tastes…read more Let's start with the excellent: The ambiance was top notch with a beautiful city view and well spaced apart tables. The service was also exceptional. Good: The dishes were definitely designed by someone going all-out on creativity. And if your Michelin experience is all about something creative and never tasted before, this restaurant is for you. None of the dishes were excellent or mind blowing, however, and having eaten at quite a few Michelin restaurants, I feel that they were going for all creative at the cost of taste. Many courses were meh. Poor: They offer 2 options, herbivore or ominvore. Keep in mind the omnivore is still heavily vegetable based and the meat is just a tiny bit of fish/seafood except for the main course. Our main course was the quail which was decent enough but they gave us each half a quail. Also, our group felt that their menu had some repititon. All the seafood was all raw (there's more than one may to provide seafood!) They used artichoke 3 times in 7 courses. It may be in season, but don't just repeat. There was one dessert inside a hollowed out fruit that was completed inedible. All 4 of us couldn't even swallow one bite. We were here for our anniversary dinner and they confirmed it when we sat down but they didn't do anything for it.

Breda

4.5

(37 reviews)

This place - every dish was the best we've ever had!!! From the wine selection to each bite =…read moreperfection This one is going down in my book as the perfect meal Thank you!!

We found this place by chance on google. The menu is a surprise menu - you pick the number pf…read morecourses. The "full monty" of 9 courses was more than enough food. The servers were friendly and the atmosphere casual though still upscale. Stop by amd you won't be disappointed

Café Luxembourg

3.8

(55 reviews)

Good spot for lunch or a quick drink if you are in central Amsterdam. Sit out side and watch the…read morebeautiful cityscape in front of you. The service is casual, but good.

Delicious food, fast service, and great Amsterdam dining experience!…read more We stopped by Cafe Luxembourg for dinner in August 2023 after our first day of exploring Amsterdam. It was a challenge to find a restaurant having space for 4 people around 6-7pm. We were walking by people sitting outside, relaxing, and happily eating and felt very lucky getting seated there as well. The food didn't disappoint! All the dishes we ordered were truly delicious and had a nice presentation! We really enjoyed our dinner while watching passers-by on a typical Amsterdam street. Thank you Cafe Luxembourg for such a great finishing for our first day in Amsterdam! We certainly recommend Cafe Luxembourg if you are in the area looking for a local Amsterdam dining experience. (Not local food though.) Food ordered Beef Carpaccio - excellent, tender, melting in the mouth with perfect accompaniments! Quiche Luxembourg - perfect! Chicken Satay - tasty. Luxemburger - great juicy burger, done exactly as ordered - medium rare! Kids Satay - our 8y older daughter loved it! Dame Blanche "Chocotoff" - don't miss this one! Apple Pie with Ice cream - good as it's supposed to be.

Brasserie Blazer

4.2

(35 reviews)

We needed a place very close to our Vrbo and we found Blazer and we were not disappointed. It was a…read moreTuesday evening and wasn't busy at all . The staff was great, the food was delicious and the ambiance was inviting. They only had 2 members of staff that we interacted with and it was easy since it was quiet. My steak was cooked to my specifications . Thank you

Good vibes, chill servers, good spot close to Elandsgracht and facing the Liknbaansgracht if you…read morewant to be outdoors during sunny weather. It's just outside the hustle and bustle of Jordaan. The terrace is pretty cozy or airy depending on the season, they have heating lamps and local Dutch vibes - you can order something and they will leave you alone for as much time as you want until you wave them down again, so it's great to hang out and read a book. The charcuterie plate was pretty decent. Good first date spot, since it's right in that not-too-cheap not-too-expensive price point, you know what I mean . I'd say it's convenient, nothing so special that you'd go out of your way, but not bad either!

Bark

4.0

(21 reviews)

Decent dinner. We shared the lobster soup which was ok, I didn't find it very flavorful. I tried…read morethe assorted seafood platter; it had a good variety on it. If you're a seafood lover, this one's for you. I had the halibut for dinner. It was pretty tasty. It didn't come with any sides but the pieces were big. I sampled the duck which was very delicious. For dessert we shared the creme brûlée and chocolate mousse. Overall, it was a decent dinner.

Nice little restaurant. The service was ok, but the food made up for it. Started with the goat…read morecheese salad (forgot to take a picture) which was great. We ordered the rib eye and the bouillabaisse, and we were very satisfied with both.

Kaagman en Kortekaas

4.6

(26 reviews)

This is just a short 8-minute walk from Kimpton De Witt hotel (near Centraal Station) and is a…read moreMichelin-star restaurant. We sat at the bar where we had a front row seat to the action in the kitchen. The place was hopping - nearly every table was taken - and the space was very well lit. You have a choice between picking 4, 5, or the 6 course tasting menu. We selected the five-course menu - nothing written (maybe because they knew we weren't Dutch), but all explained verbally and full of surprises. The creme brûlée inside a large marrow bone was a showstopper. The other dishes leaned in on seasonal ingredients and the meats were succulent. Overall, a very special dinner, and well worth it.

Best meal we had in Amsterdam. Wonderful upscale & non-touristy ambiance w/a cool open kitchen…read more Professional service. Creative menu. Known for their unique combinations of meat & seafood. Disclaimer: I'm not a Baroque art expert, but I'm pretty sure the truffle ravioli we had at Kaagman en Kortekaas is what inspired Rembrandt to paint "The Night Watch."

Restaurant Zaza's

4.7

(56 reviews)

Came here on a Monday night with a reservation and the restaurant was full. Highly recommend a…read morereservation. Service was friendly, but timing can be a little bit off. They do make up for it with their personalities. The restaurant itself is small and typically can hold groups of 2 to 5. The menu is small, but all the dishes are high quality. 1. Amuse bouche goat cheese - had a nice smoky flavor and fresh 2. Scallops - small but packed with flavor. There is a white sauce that complimented the scallops and the bread pastry with onions 3. Goat cheese terrine - very nice soft goat cheese mixed with onions as well as berry and veggies. Only wish there was more bread. 4. Sea bream - very nicely done with a fresh taste of the meat and a crispy skin. Pairs well with its sauce and tomatoes. 5. Ravioli - nicely done al dente with a herby sauce and packed ravioli 6. Bread pudding - one of the best I've had and came out fresh and hot. Comes with a white sauce as well as boozy caramel sauce. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant which has received very nice reviews for over 10 years. I'm glad we chose this restaurant during my stay here.

This place is absolutely perfect. Excellent food, ambiance, service! We liked it so much that we…read morecame two days in a row!

Bridges

4.0

(52 reviews)