North Holland is the most visited province in the Netherlands, home to the vibrant capital Amsterdam, historic Haarlem, and the iconic cheese markets of Alkmaar. The region blends world-class museums, golden tulip fields, windmills, and pristine North Sea beaches into an unforgettable travel destination.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Ciel Bleu
Two Michelin-star restaurant on the 23rd floor of Hotel Okura with breathtaking panoramic views of Amsterdam. Chef Arjan Speelman creates extraordinarily refined contemporary Dutch cuisine with classical French technique, using the finest seasonal Dutch ingredients. One of the Netherlands' most celebrated restaurants.
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072 LH Amsterdam (Hotel Okura, 23rd floor)
De Kas
A celebrated farm-to-table restaurant housed in a stunning 1926 municipal greenhouse in Amsterdam's Frankendael Park. Chef Bas Wiegel grows herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers on-site and on the nearby farm in Beemster, creating a daily-changing menu that reflects whatever is at peak ripeness. A singular Amsterdam experience.
Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam
Rijks Restaurant
One Michelin-star restaurant inside the Rijksmuseum, with a menu that uses Dutch culinary traditions as a starting point for beautifully crafted contemporary dishes. The elegant space looks out into the museum's garden courtyard. An exceptional lunch before or after visiting the museum's collections.
Museumstraat 2, 1071 XX Amsterdam
Restaurant Vermeer
Two Michelin-star restaurant in the NH Collection Barbizon Palace hotel near Centraal Station. Chef Chris Naylor creates outstanding contemporary Dutch tasting menus with exceptional attention to detail. The intimate dining room has a historic feel with exposed timber beams and antique Dutch paintings.
Prins Hendrikkade 59-72, 1012 AD Amsterdam
Moshik
The flagship restaurant of Israeli-Dutch chef Moshik Roth, with two Michelin stars. A creative, artistic tasting experience that blends bold flavours with precise technique. The minimalist space in De Pijp neighbourhood lets the food speak for itself.
Gerard Doustraat 30, 1072 VL Amsterdam
BREDA
A relaxed fine-dining restaurant on the Singel canal with a rotating seasonal menu of contemporary Dutch cuisine. The open kitchen creates a convivial atmosphere. Known for its exceptional Dutch cheese board and its commitment to local and sustainable sourcing.
Singel 210, 1016 AB Amsterdam
Restaurant C
A cosy canal-side restaurant on the Herengracht in the heart of Amsterdam, serving creative contemporary Dutch dishes in a relaxed setting. The seasonal menu changes regularly and there is a good natural wine selection. Popular with both locals and visitors seeking quality without the formality of fine dining.
Herengracht 82, 1015 BS Amsterdam
Pllek
Amsterdam's most celebrated urban beach bar and restaurant, built from recycled shipping containers on the NDSM Wharf in Amsterdam Noord. The large sandy terrace on the IJ waterfront, live music, and eclectic international menu make Pllek one of the city's most beloved hangout spots — especially in summer.
TT Neveritaweg 59, 1033 WB Amsterdam Noord
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Dutch
Café de Jaren
An Amsterdam institution since 1991 — a grand café on the Amstel with arguably the best waterside terrace in the city. The two-level space has an informal brasserie menu, good sandwiches, excellent coffee, and a Dutch newspaper reading area. Packed at weekends but always worth the visit.
Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22, 1012 CP Amsterdam
Jopenkerk
A spectacular craft brewery and restaurant housed in a magnificent 1910 church in the heart of Haarlem. Jopen Bier brews its beers in the former nave of the Jacobskerk, and the restaurant serves hearty Dutch food to accompany the excellent range of craft beers. One of the most atmospheric dining and drinking experiences in the Netherlands.
Gedempte Voldersgracht 2, 2011 WD Haarlem
Kaasboerderij Alida Hoeve
A working cheese farm near Volendam where you can watch the cheese-making process and taste fresh Gouda directly from the farm. The farm restaurant serves simple Dutch lunches. The farm shop stocks a superb range of Dutch cheeses at excellent prices — far better than supermarket quality.
Zeddeweg 1, 1132 BC Volendam
Café de Waag
A grand café in one of Amsterdam's most historic buildings — the 1488 Waag (weigh house) on Nieuwmarkt. The building served as the city's weigh house, guild hall, and anatomical theatre (where Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson was painted). The café is atmospheric by candlelight in the evenings.
Nieuwmarkt 4, 1012 CR Amsterdam
Cantine Amsterdam
A lively neighbourhood café and lunch spot in the Westerdok area near the Jordan. Good sandwiches, salads, and Dutch snacks in a relaxed atmosphere with waterside seating. Popular with local creatives and workers from the neighbourhood.
Westerdok 28, 1013 AZ Amsterdam
Alkmaar Brasserie Het Gulden Vlies
A classic Dutch-Flemish brasserie on Alkmaar's beautiful historic canal, serving generous portions of Dutch and Belgian cuisine — mussels, frites, bitterballen, Dutch cheese fondue, and steak. The canal-side terrace is one of the finest spots for dining in Alkmaar.
Verdronkenoord 2, 1811 PH Alkmaar
Traditional Dutch
Haesje Claes
One of Amsterdam's most beloved traditional Dutch restaurants, serving honest Dutch cuisine in a cosy setting with wooden beams and traditional décor. The menu is a reliable survey of Dutch classics: erwtensoep (pea soup), stamppot (mashed potato with vegetables), hutspot, and classic meat dishes. A good introduction to traditional Dutch food.
Spuistraat 273-275, 1012 VR Amsterdam
De Silveren Spiegel
One of Amsterdam's finest traditional Dutch restaurants, housed in two beautiful 1614 step-gabled canal houses near Centraal Station. The menu is a refined take on Dutch culinary heritage using seasonal local ingredients. Game dishes in autumn, North Sea fish, and Dutch cheeses. Atmospheric candlelit interior.
Kattengat 4-6, 1012 SZ Amsterdam
D'Vijff Vlieghen
The Five Flies is one of Amsterdam's most storied restaurants, occupying five connecting 17th-century canal houses decorated with original Delftware, antiques, and even Rembrandt etchings. The Dutch and European menu features game, fish, and traditional Dutch dishes in a uniquely theatrical setting.
Spuistraat 294-302, 1012 VX Amsterdam
Contemporary Dutch
ML Restaurant
Haarlem's finest dining experience — a Michelin-starred restaurant serving outstanding contemporary Dutch cuisine in an elegant setting. Chef Mark Gratama creates beautifully balanced tasting menus using the finest produce from the North Holland region. Outstanding wine list with Dutch and international selections.
Kleine Houtweg 70, 2012 CD Haarlem
Guts & Glory
A creative, daring restaurant with a rotating concept — each season the entire menu is built around a single ingredient or theme (lamb season, pig season, etc.). The nose-to-tail approach and creative technique make for genuinely exciting meals. Located in the lively Utrechtsestraat dining corridor.
Utrechtsestraat 6, 1017 VN Amsterdam
Dutch Brown Café
Café 't Smalle
One of Amsterdam's most beautiful and authentic brown cafés, in a restored 1786 jenever (Dutch gin) distillery on the most picturesque canal in the Jordaan. The dark wooden interior, candlelight, and canalside terrace make this the perfect spot to experience the Dutch brown café culture. Simple snacks, local beers, Dutch jenever.
Egelantiersgracht 12, 1015 RL Amsterdam
In 't Aepjen
One of Amsterdam's two remaining wooden houses (built 1544) and one of the oldest bars in the city. The name means 'In the Monkeys' — sailors who couldn't pay used to leave their monkeys as payment. A living piece of Amsterdam history on the Zeedijk in the old city.
Zeedijk 1, 1012 AN Amsterdam
Indonesian
Rijsttafel Restaurant Sampurna
Rijsttafel (rice table) is one of the most important culinary legacies of the Dutch colonial connection with Indonesia — a banquet of 15-20 small Indonesian dishes served with rice. Sampurna is one of Amsterdam's finest Indonesian restaurants and serves an outstanding rijsttafel. Indonesian food is as much a part of Dutch cuisine as herring.
Singel 498, 1017 AX Amsterdam
Indonesian restaurant Blauw
Considered one of the finest Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam, Blauw serves an outstanding rijsttafel with an exceptional range of Dutch-Indonesian dishes. The bright, modern space in the Oud-Zuid neighbourhood is a favourite with Amsterdam's food-lovers seeking authentic, high-quality Indonesian cooking.
Amstelveenseweg 158-160, 1075 XV Amsterdam
Dutch Café
Winkel 43
Famous throughout Amsterdam for serving the city's best appeltaart (Dutch apple pie), Winkel 43 on the Noordermarkt square is a Jordaan institution. The apple pie — a deep-dish, cinnamon-spiced cake served with huge amounts of whipped cream — is a quintessential Amsterdam experience. Saturday morning queues reflect its legendary status.
Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam
Dutch Charcuterie And Wine
Worst Wijncafé
A snug, wine-focused café in the Jordaan neighbourhood specialising in Dutch and European charcuterie (worst = sausage in Dutch) and natural wines. The intimate space has excellent charcuterie boards, cheese selections, and a carefully curated list of natural wines from small producers.
Elandsgracht 67, 1016 TS Amsterdam
Dutch Cheese And Wine
Kaasbar Amsterdam
A dedicated cheese bar serving outstanding Dutch and international cheeses with natural wines, in an intimate candlelit setting. The cheese selection features exceptional aged Goudas, Noord-Hollander, Beemster, and seasonal specialities. An excellent spot for cheese education alongside a glass of wine.
Westerdijk 16, 1013 AZ Amsterdam
Dutch Coffee And Light Food
Koffie Academie
An excellent specialty coffee roastery and café near Artis Zoo in the Plantage neighbourhood. Serves some of Amsterdam's finest single-origin filter coffee, espresso, and pour-overs, alongside freshly made sandwiches and pastries. Popular with a young local crowd.
Plantage Middenlaan 2A, 1018 DA Amsterdam
Dutch Contemporary
Gebroeders Hartering
An excellent modern Dutch bistro in the old city near Nieuwmarkt, with a menu that changes with the seasons and a strong commitment to locally sourced ingredients. The interior is warm and informal. Outstanding value for the quality of cooking.
Peperstraat 10, 1011 TL Amsterdam
Dutch Craft Beer And Snacks
Brouwerij 't IJ
Amsterdam's most iconic craft brewery, housed in a working windmill on the eastern canal ring. Brouwerij 't IJ has been making organic craft beers since 1985. The tasting room and terrace are legendary in Amsterdam — the windmill location is extraordinary and the beers (IJwit, Zatte, Struis) are outstanding.
Funenkade 7, 1018 AL Amsterdam
Dutch Farm
Beemster Cheese Farm Restaurant
A farm restaurant in the UNESCO-listed Beemster Polder, serving lunches made with dairy products from the surrounding farms. The Beemster polder — drained in 1612 — is one of North Holland's most significant historic landscapes. Outstanding Beemster cheeses, fresh dairy, and hearty Dutch farm food.
Middenweg 10, 1462 NM Middenbeemster
Dutch Fast Food
HEMA Snack Bar
The snack counter of Dutch department store HEMA serves some of the most authentic and affordable Dutch snacks in Amsterdam — including the legendary HEMA rookworst (smoked sausage), which has been unchanged since the 1930s, hot dogs, and Dutch stroopwafels. A quintessentially Dutch experience.
Kalverstraat 212, 1012 XE Amsterdam
Dutch Fish Street Food
Haring Stand Volendammer
The very best place in North Holland to eat smoked eel — the speciality of Volendam's fishing heritage. This traditional fish stall on the Volendam harbour sells freshly smoked eel, Hollandse Nieuwe herring, and kibbeling right on the waterfront. A mandatory stop when visiting Volendam.
Dijk 54, 1131 AK Volendam
Dutch Sandwiches And Lunch
Café Broodje Bert
A beloved local lunch spot in central Haarlem, famous for its generous Dutch sandwiches (broodjes) and simple, honest food. This is where Haarlem locals eat lunch — a good sign of quality and value. The terrace overlooks the historic fish market square.
Riviervismarkt 7, 2011 TW Haarlem
Dutch Snack Bar
Eetsalon Van Dobben
An iconic Amsterdam lunchroom and broodjeszaak (sandwich shop) since 1945. The marble counters and white-tiled walls haven't changed in decades. The speciality is the kroket (Dutch croquette) served in a soft roll — one of the best in Amsterdam. Also famous for its club sandwiches and broodjes (Dutch sandwiches).
Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5-9, 1017 BH Amsterdam
Dutch Steak
Eetcafé Loetje
Amsterdam's most popular traditional Dutch steak café, a neighbourhood institution near the Rijksmuseum since 1980. The biefstuk met uitjes (steak with onions) is the house speciality and one of the best simple meals in Amsterdam. Always packed with locals, with queues at weekends.
Johannes Vermeerstraat 52, 1071 DS Amsterdam
Dutch Street Food
Haring van de Kaaskamer
Fresh Dutch raw herring (Hollandse Nieuwe) served from a traditional fish stall, along with smoked eel, kibbeling (fried fish), and other Dutch seafood specialities. Raw herring eaten with diced onions and gherkin is a quintessential Dutch street food experience that every visitor should try.
Runstraat 7, 1016 GJ Amsterdam
Dutch Sustainable Contemporary
De Culinaire Werkplaats
A pioneering sustainable restaurant in Amsterdam's Oud-West neighbourhood, where the seasonal menu changes every six weeks and centres on a different Dutch agricultural product or theme. The experience blurs the line between art, agriculture, and cuisine. Outstanding commitment to zero-waste cooking.
Fannius Scholtenstraat 10, 1051 EX Amsterdam
French
Restaurant De Luwte
A romantic, intimate restaurant on one of the Jordaan's loveliest small canals. The menu is contemporary Dutch-French with a strong focus on seasonal local ingredients. The canalside setting and excellent cooking make this a favourite for special occasions.
Leliegracht 26, 1015 DH Amsterdam
International Food Market
Foodhallen Amsterdam
Amsterdam's premier indoor food market, housed in a converted tram depot in the Oud-West neighbourhood. Around 20 food stalls offer everything from Dutch bitterballen and Dutch pancakes to Japanese ramen, wood-fired pizza, and craft beer. Lively atmosphere, communal seating, and multiple bars.
Bellamyplein 51, 1053 AT Amsterdam
Mediterranean
Balthazar's Keuken
A beloved Jordaan neighbourhood restaurant with no written menu — just one three-course set menu that changes three times a week based on what's fresh and seasonal. The chef cooks Mediterranean-inspired Dutch dishes with a genuine home-cooking warmth. The intimate space has communal tables.
Elandsgracht 108, 1016 VB Amsterdam
Seafood
Visaandeschelde
Amsterdam's premier seafood restaurant, serving the finest Dutch and European fish and seafood in a stylish waterfront setting in the Rivierenbuurt neighbourhood. The daily fish board changes with what is freshest from the North Sea and Dutch fish markets. Outstanding oysters, North Sea sole, and lobster.
Scheldeplein 4, 1078 GR Amsterdam
Vegetarian
Mediamatic Eten
An extraordinary experimental restaurant in Amsterdam's Eastern Docklands, run by a media arts foundation. The restaurant incorporates aquaponics (growing food in fish tanks), sustainable practices, and experimental cooking. The waterfront greenhouse setting on the IJ is spectacular.
Dijksgracht 6, 1019 BS Amsterdam
Food tours & tastings in North Holland
Eat your way through North Holland with a guide.
Browse food experiences in North HollandWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |