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Although you'll have to take a ferry to reach this rather remote area on the north side of the IJ River (you can also cab it all the way—consider taking one from Centraal Station to save money; it'll be about €20 one-way), you'll be rewarded with prime people-watching and surprisingly satisfying international fare. Noord includes the former shipyard called NDSM (it stands for Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij), now a trendy area with a handful of interesting restaurants and hotels.
In a high-ceiling former garage—still housing a number of classic cars—this large, modern, and convivial restaurant is worth the trek across the IJ River. The "Golden Pheasant" offers good value for a regularly changing menu of Dutch fare with a French twist: expect favorites like oysters, roast chicken, and Angus beef, along with a variety of specials.
