2 Best Restaurants in Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam

This dark, woody, and well-loved café—as cozily cluttered as a Jan Steen painting seen through a ’70s filter—has been serving the same simple cheese fondue for decades, along with a steak entrecôte that you cook at the table. Order a salad to start (there are five types to choose from) and then dunk bite-size bread bits into the gooey melted cheese. The atmosphere is boisterous and friendly: you'll very likely be sharing a communal table with a group of locals out for a night on the town.

In 2001, three Mexican brothers put down roots in Amsterdam and introduced their authentic cuisine to the city. Today, they run two colorful restaurants, this quaint taquería just a short walk from Centraal Station and their original cantina near Leidseplein. Popular dishes include huevos rancheros (a brunch classic), enchiladas with mole (a spicy chocolate-chile sauce), and tacos al pastor (marinated pulled pork). Expect to find fresh guacamole and salsas, a selection of tequilas, and margaritas that pack a punch.