Amsterdam

General Information

For general information on Amsterdam check out www.visitamsterdam.nl, and for an overview of the Netherlands go to www.visitholland.com. Additional web sites of interest are the Amsterdam Heritage site (www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/index_e.html), and Amsterdam Hotspots (www.amsterdamhotspots.nl).

For more information about Expat Life in Holland, visit Expatica (www.expatica.com) and Elynx (www.elynx.nl).

Restaurants

We eat out often and especially enjoy the following restaurants:

Breakfast, Lunch and Munchies

	For ice cream, we travel to Pisa Ijs (near the RAI). Our favorite flavors are Banana, Chocolate, Lemon Cream, Panna Cotta (vanilla with swirls of caramel), Pear (try it with a chocolate flavor) and Tiramisu. Actually we haven't found a flavor we don't like!
	Gary's Muffins -- some the of the best bagels in Amsterdam, they have 4 locations. We usually go to the one on Jodenbreestraat for take-away coffee! Another good place for take-away coffee is Bagels & Beans (several locations, one near Albert Cuyp Market, and another on Keizersgracht near Leidsestraat).
	Puccini has the best chocolates in Amsterdam. We've tried all the flavors and they are fantastic. For something different, try the lemongrass or savory flavors (i.e. pepper or thyme). One shop and kitchen are located on Staalstraat, and the other shop is in the Jordaan.

Dinner

	Our Number 1 Favorite Restaurant is GIULIA'S on Hobbemakade. Plan to spend a few hours at this wonderful, relaxing, Italian restaurant with the most delicious food. Let Giulia herself guide you through the wine list.
	De Struisvogel (The Ostrich) -- in the Jordaan on the Prinzengracht, a 3 course set menu for fl. 33 featuring, but not limited to, ostrich meat.
	Haesjes Claes -- "typical" Dutch food with "gezellig" atmosphere, on the Spuistraat.
	Hard Rock Cafe -- Max Euweplein near Leidseplein. There is no better place to indulge in a "real" American cheeseburger and traditional ice tea (unsweetened and no bubbles). Loud and touristy.
	Het Zuiden -- Eclectic. The menu includes Mexican, Asian and Continental dishes. Good quality.
	In De Waag -- International restaurant lit with candles located in the old weigh house on the Nieuwmarkt. Salmon is usually on the dinner menu, and has always been delicious. Open for lunch as well.
	Koerdistan Restaurant -- small Kurdish restaurant on Ferdinand Bolstraat near Albert Cuypmarkt
	Le Zinc et Les Dames -- Country French, Prinzengracht 999. If you are craving pate this is the place to try. Hearty country French food in a nice relaxed atmosphere. Run by the same people as Zabar's.
	Los Pilones -- Mexican, Kerkstraat 63 (near Leidsestraat). True Mexican food, homemade guacamole and salsas, Negro Modelo beer and top shelf tequila. Erik is in 7th heaven!
	Margarita's -- Caribbean food. Beware -- service is extremely slow! The black beans are authentic, spicy (not hot, though) and great. The food is good overall but there is a lot of it. Thea would be happy with black beans, fried plantains and rice. It can be loud, and you may have to wait if you don't have a reservation. The non-alcoholic tropical drinks are also delicious. Make sure you go to the Caribbean restaurant named Margarita's (not the Mexican restaurant or the Salsa Club with the same name).
	Palmers -- pseudo American on the Zeedijk near the Golden Tulip Barbizon Palace
	Pier 10 -- located on the Ijs behind the Central Station. Beautiful views of the river, and delicious food to match. We recommend the lamb medallions served with a coriander red wine sauce.
	Pygmalion (South African Bistro) -- Nieuwe Spiegel Str 5A, serves lunch daily and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. While a bit pricey (29-40 NLG for an entree) the food was delicious and the service excellent. The menu makes excellent use of exotic meats and spices, and also has several vegetarian options. The springbok medallions were delicious with a hint of black pepper. The tantalizing ostrich and apricot kebabs were marinated in a mild curry curry and served with rice and 2 chutneys. All entrees come with vegetables and salad.
	Song Kwae -- Thai, near the Nieuwmarkt on the Kloveniersburgwaal. Our favorites are the Pad Thai, the Green and Red Curries, and the Stir Fried Rice with Chicken Peppers and Thai Basil.
	Tempoe Doeloe -- Indonesian Rijstafel (buffet) on Utrechtsestraat. One of the top-rated Indonesian restaurants in the Netherlands. And if they warn you its hot, they mean _really hot_.
	Trattoria Grekas -- Singel near Spuistraat. Greek takeout with a few tables, the walnut cake and gyros are delicious!
	Wagamama -- Japanese inspired noodle and rice dishes. Located at Max Euweplein near Leidseplein. Visit their website for a look at their menu (www.wagamama.com).
	Zabars -- Mediterranean food with influences from Italy, Spain, France and Morocco. The food is very good, and the salmon is always delicious. The decor is nice but not elegant. Service can be spotty and it gets very smoky in the winter (from all the Dutch patrons who smoke while they eat). Van Baerlestraat near the Concertgebouw.

For online descriptions and sample menus for lots of restaurants, including some of those listed above, check out Dining City.

The Independent Restaurant Guide (IENS) is an indispensable little black book, available in both Dutch and English, which lists reader-supplied ratings for most of the restaurants in Amsterdam and other cities. You'll find them on the web at http://www.iens.nl. Another review site is with restaurant reviews in English is Special Bite (http://www.specialbite.nl).

If you'd prefer that the food come to you, try Urban Bite. The participating restaurants are fairly good and you can't beat the convenience!

Sites To See and Special Events

	Rijksmuseum -- the national museum, highlight is Rembrandt's masterpiece "The Night Watchmen"; if you are looking for something in particular, check out the multimedia kiosks in the room behind "The Night Watchmen" (www.rijksmuseum.nl).
	Van Gogh Museum -- recently reopened after years of renovation, 3 floors of Van Gogh's artwork, as well as artwork by his contemporaries. The audio tour is really helpful because the exhibit is so overwhelming. (www.vangogh.nl)
	De Nieuwe Kerk hosts various exhibits; find out their schedule at www.nieuwekerk.nl.
	Keukenhof Gardens (famous for its tulips) is open from mid-March to mid-May. (www.keukenhof.nl)
	We highly recommend the canal cruises for a good overview of beautiful Amsterdam. The boats are available all over town, but a majority of them operate near the Centraal Station.

This page was last updated on 07/20/03 .

Contents:

General Information

Restaurants

Sites To See and Special Events