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We've compiled the best of the best in Canal Rings - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Hidden in plain sight down an alleyway in the crook of the Canal District, this small insider's secret serves up a six-course seasonal chef's menu year-round. The atmosphere is intimate, the cooking supercreative, the service warm and personal, and the wine pairings an experience not to be missed.
Considering its Northern European location, it is, of course, entirely possible to encounter miserable weather in Amsterdam any time of the year. Therefore, should cold weather cravings hit, Bistrot des Alpes is the perfect place to go for comforting Savoyard cuisine: Think raclette bubbling over coal-fired ovens, cheesy trays of tartiflette (rich potato gratin), generous mounds of mountain cheese and charcuterie, and the city's finest fondue. With its retro wood paneling complete with dangling copper utensils, the restaurant would fit right into a French mountain village (there's even an original ski-lift).
On the edge of the Canal District, this classic Amsterdam restaurant is blessed with gorgeous Art Nouveau detailing and wallpaper, as well as views of the Herengracht. The romantic atmosphere combined with attentive and friendly service create the perfect setting for enjoying the French- and Italian-inspired menu. In winter, hearty game dishes such as venison with a red wine and shallot sauce are the focal point of the menu; in summer, the fare is lighter, and can be enjoyed on the terrace. The signature Entrecote Belhamel dish of sliced sirloin with mushrooms, green beans, and fondant potatoes in a creamy sauce is always an excellent choice.
The cozy canalside location of this award-winning wine bar near Leidseplein makes it all too easy to linger over a glass (or three). There's also an extensive bites menu, from oysters and charcuterie platters to Thai papaya salad. If what's in your glass grabbed your fancy, get a bottle to go at the in-house "wine boutique."
What started as Librije's Zusje, the elegantly understated sister restaurant to the three-Michelin star Librije in Zwolle, northeast of Amsterdam, has since become a renowned two Michelin starred restaurant in its own right. The colorful and subtly Dutch-inflected dishes using local ingredients are beautifully presented and often include imaginative flavors. The 10-course tasting menus are the way to go, though you can also order à la carte. Save room for the cheese course—it's always spectacular here. Service can be on the stiff side, though it befits the Waldorf Astoria locale.
This hugely popular sandwich shop from an Italian pizza chef serves up a selection of meat and veggie combos on schiacciata, a crunchy yet spongy flatbread similar to focaccia, using fresh Italian ingredients such as mozzarella di bufala and prosciutto di San Daniele. Meat-lovers can’t go wrong with the Porchetta, roasted pork loin and belly with gorgonzola and rucola (arugula), while vegetarians swoon over the Pomodoro, with Parmigiano Reggiano, red pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes.
