The best restaurants in the Netherlands
A brand new concept, the Restobar. What's a Restobar? It's a combination of a restaurant and a bar (duh). A restaurant is primarily about the food, and a bar is, of course, primarily about the drinks, so a Restobar—you guessed it—is about both. best of both worldsWe think it's a fantastic concept, so we've compiled a list of the best restaurants throughout the Netherlands, from Rotterdam to Amsterdam and beyond.
Photo: Hasta la Vista, Baby (Amsterdam)
Bar Bocht, which recently opened on Goudsesingel, defies categorization, with its unique flair. Coffee bar? Yes. Wine bar? Yes. Lunch spot, cocktail bar, and snack bar? All of them. From early morning until midnight, you can relax here, whether you come for a single espresso or spend an entire evening enjoying sourdough bread and natural wine. The people behind Bar Bocht are no strangers to the city: they're the team behind the acclaimed Restaurant Rotonde (you know, those vegetable wizards with a sustainable mission). Bar Bocht is its more relaxed sister – accessible, cozy, but with the same passion for good food and drink.
Rotterdam has another great addition. Bar Dertien, recently opened, is located on the Linker Rottekade and promises to be the new crush Rotterdam is a must-visit. Lunch is available, and dinner is definitely available. The menu isn't extensive, but everything is delicious. We're standing in line for the charcoal-baked eggplant spread. It's very cozy inside, but perhaps even more charming outside. They have a waterfront terrace. Can you picture yourself sitting there in the sunshine with an Aperol Spritz in hand? You can even moor a boat here, which makes it even more fun.
Reservations are welcome, but you're also welcome to just drop in. Drinks are aplenty, with homemade lemonades, a selection of natural wines, and a few draft beers to choose from.
Nikotin, the new venture from the owner of the recently closed Michelin-starred restaurant Coulisse. Coulisse had just secured its Michelin star when, due to problems with the building's main tenant, it unexpectedly had to close its doors. In those situations, you can either rebuild the same concept elsewhere, or you can take a leap of faith and start something new. Tim van der Molen chose the latter. Nikotin is an accessible restobar with dishes that clearly lean towards Asian cuisine. The corner building consists almost entirely of windows, and the atmosphere radiates from the outside.
Nikotin got off to a flying start and is already filling up night after night with a great mix of young and old. The dishes are clearly a hit. The wine list and non-alcoholic options are extensive and diverse, and the team is knowledgeable and happy to guide you through the choices. Best tip? Go for the set menu: you don't have to choose yourself and are guided through the chef's culinary vision through the various courses. Inside, you'll find cozy and inviting seating, but there's also a terrace with evening sun, right next to the hustle and bustle of the other fine restaurants and cafes in the area.
Enjoy Mediterranean ambiance at Restobar Onda in The Hague. Onda is just a stone's throw from the city center, making it perfect for a night out, whether you're on a date or just hanging out with friends. What's for dinner? Comfort food, but with a chic edge and seasonal changes. We think the menu is fantastic; we absolutely adore butterfly trout. There's nothing wrong with the bar, just delicious wine and cocktails. And then there's the sound... Onda is also a listening bar. Thanks to a beautiful McIntosh system (yes, those iconic blue meters!) combined with Sonus Faber Arena speakers, doesn't that mean anything to you? Yeah, not to us either, but what we do know is that the sound here is fantastic. Every weekend, DJs, vinyl nerds, and music lovers pull up to spin their favorite records. The doors are open Tuesday through Saturday, from 18.00 PM until "we'll see."
Yummy to tune in you can do it at Loop51, on the sunny corner of Dusartstraat. This brand new venue has been running since November last year brunch bar already at full speed. The interior, the vinyl records and the all-day brunch are spotless. You can go there all day long: for a Friday afternoon drink with cocktails, a relaxed lunch or a late break on Sundays. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a rotating lineup of vinyl DJs spinning their best records. What's for dinner? Fresh salads, buttermilk chicken en egg dishes.
In the evening the chairs are moved aside, and everyone knows what that means…
Restobar Grace in the heart of Rotterdam is less than 5 minutes from the station. Or better known as Grace Festive Restaurant, and what does that mean? A party, of course. Besides the amazing cocktails, you can also enjoy truly excellent food here. shared bites. As we said, it's all about partying at Grace, they organize cocktail club nights where the main focus (you guessed it) is drinking cocktails. They also have a special every Thursday Ladies Night And the Grace Festive Nights, though we're not entirely sure what happens there, but it sounds fun, right? If that doesn't sound like a fun Friday or Saturday night, we don't know what would. Whether you're going for the food, the drinks, or the party.
Tucked away in the INNSiDE Hotel by Meliá on the Zuidas, on the nineteenth floor you'll find a rooftop bar and restaurant in a blend of Hollywood glamour and Spanish coziness. Think: an elegant mix of red and pink hues, velvet fabrics, and glittering gold accents everywhere. A touch over the top, but just right. Combine that with the Amsterdam skyline stretching out before you, and you'll understand why this is a place to remember. But there's more. Because besides cocktails and dinner, this is also the place to celebrate your Sunday on a whole new level.
Every first Sunday of the month, Brunch, Baby! lands at Hasta La Vista Baby. Don't expect your typical brunch, but a Mediterranean experience full of surprises and spectacle. For €45 per ticket, you'll be treated to a three-course brunch in shared dining style, live acts that will liven things up, surprises along the way, and DJs that effortlessly transform the atmosphere from easy Sunday to high-energy party. Of course, cocktails are a must: the Bacardi crew will provide a welcome cocktail and drinks that will keep flowing freely.
Kiss, kiss, kiss. Another great place in Amsterdam, Bisous. This flirty restaurant on Albert Cuypstraat combines French charm and Zeeland delicacies, and it works surprisingly well. Think less haute couture chic and more of that fine, casual Paris-meets-Amsterdam vibe. The interior is warm, sultry, and just the right amount of stylish. Beautiful materials, plenty of red-tinted colors, a touch of glamour, but always cozy. Bisous feels like the kind of place where you can just as easily linger for a glass of wine at the bar as you would for a full meal. The cuisine? French classics with a Zeeland twist. touch: Butter, shellfish, oysters—everything that makes you happy. The menu changes just often enough to keep things interesting, but stays true to that delicious, rich style that will keep you coming back.
Enjoy a delicious bite to eat or a drink at Vivid in Utrecht. Located on Nobelstraat, just minutes from the city center, Restobar Vivid is the perfect place to linger at a table. From pan-fried sea bass with spicy cauliflower to roasted bone marrow, a leisurely meal is no problem here. And on weekends? Vivid is open late, and a DJ comes by to spin your favorite tunes. And the best part? Cocktails are only €7,50 on weekends between 21:30 PM and 23:00 PM!
Because it's a corner building, Vivid is wonderfully bright, and you can gaze out onto the street. In the summer, all the windows can even be fully opened, creating a terrace-like atmosphere. We think this is a fantastic property; definitely worth a visit!
At Café Café aan de Amstel it feels a bit like you've spontaneously walked into a film set: a mix of French neo-bistro vibes, Amsterdam nonchalance and a touch of je ne sais quoi It makes you want to stay a little longer than planned. You pop in for a cappuccino in the morning, stick around for lunch—because why not?—and before you know it, you're holding a glass of wine. Sitting at Café Café means everything with a view of the Amstel River. Sunbathing on the terrace is also an option. And then… as evening falls, something happens. The lights dim and the sound goes up a notch. Expect DJs and delicious cocktails in the evening.
Pleasant, warm, cozy, and inviting—that's how you could describe the atmosphere at wine bar and restaurant Bar Bowie! The restaurant exudes ambiance, but with a modern twist. Stylish decor, a solid bar, and French awnings—that's exactly what you're looking for. Enjoy a glass of fine wine, or indulge in one (or more, why not) of the delicious French-Mediterranean dishes. You certainly won't go home hungry, because from small to large appetites, Bar Bowie offers delicious dishes to share, as well as dishes for two, such as delicate cuts of meat or fish. For those with a big appetite, but, needless to say, refined taste.
Wine, wine and more wine. And good food, because those two go according to the team bouzy hand in hand. In 2015 they started with a wine bar, less than ten years later they have another wine bar, a wine restaurant and a wine shop. In addition to wine, the bars serve charcuterie, farm cheeses, oysters and flammkuchen. In the wine restaurant, Chef Philip Kingma and his team are behind the pans.
Classic Southern Italian cuisine at La Contessa in Amsterdam—think fresh pasta, creamy tagliatelle al tartufo, homemade focaccia, and crispy pizzas. The menu also features classic antipasti like burrata with tomato. The wine list is equally tempting: from crisp Italian prosecco to robust reds, perfect for pairing with the Italian classics. If you feel like lingering after dinner, you can also find cocktails that add a special touch. The atmosphere? Cozy and stylish, without feeling like you're in a touristy Italian cliché. The location on Cruquius Island makes it especially charming for a night out in East Amsterdam.
Clinking glasses, vinyl records, and dimmed lighting in Rotterdam-Noord at Lou. This delightful restobar brings together music, wine, and delicious food. The cuisine is seasonal, the dishes are tasty but unpretentious, and you can easily share a few small bites or dine fully. Combine that with their carefully curated wine list or a cocktail, and you have an evening that takes care of itself. Lou is open Wednesday through Sunday, ideal for drinks. date nights or that moment when you think you'll just have “one drink”.
Bonjour mon amourIn the heart of Rotterdam, we've found another great spot: Beau Rotterdam. In the morning, you can enjoy a croissant, cappuccino, or a warm baguette. In the afternoon, you can, of course, enjoy Croque Monsieur and a whole heap of baguettes at this French gem. And in the evening, you're welcome until late for oysters, sirloin steak, and mussels. We think the interior is incredibly cozy, albeit a bit kitsch. The entire restaurant is filled with prints, especially leopard and zebra. The atmosphere is very cozy, with red tones and dim lighting. They're open seven days a week, and on Fridays and Saturdays, they're open until 02:00 AM, so if you fancy a dance, you can. Cheers!
Just won the Golden Ladle. What's that? The AD's annual restaurant test, and Vista Rotterdam is thrilled. Located on the Wilhelmina Pier overlooking the Erasmus Bridge, Vista Rotterdam is a delightful restaurant. Not only did they win the Golden Ladle, but they're now also listed in the Michelin Guide, where they keep winning. Looking for an accessible culinary highlight? Then Vista Rotterdam is the place to be, as they serve dishes like: Côte de Boeuf, mAisenhoen and whole North Sea sole. For the perfect evening, pair it with one of their fine wines and a fantastic view of the Rotterdam skyline.
Are you a fan of Vista in Rotterdam? Then we have good news, because you can also find Vista in Curaçao, and they have a Michelin star! For those who love sun, sea, and Michelin-star quality, this is a double recommendation.
Bleu of course stands for Blue in French and this is noticeable in the restaurant, because the cobalt blue colours keep recurring and they serve dishes from the French cuisine, such as “mussels a la marinière”&“celariac escalope” , well if that doesn't sound very French. Bar Bleu is located on Hooistraat in o,o, The Hague. And if you want a good insta-worthy If you're looking for a spot, Bar Bleu is the perfect place for you. It's right on the canal, and every corner is photogenic. We're not usually fans of natural wine, but at Bar Bleu, we absolutely love it!
The SIREN is one of those Amsterdam hotspots where you walk in and immediately think: yes, this is absolutely perfect. Right in the heart of Amsterdam's Rokin, you'll find a restaurant with a strong Mediterranean twist, but with Amsterdam flair. The menu is full of comfortable classics with a chic twist: delicious pastas and beautiful fish dishes. The place itself is a touch glam, but thankfully not too stuffy. The bar is perfect for a first drink (or a last one...), the seating is cozy enough for date night, and there's even a champagne cork for those who want to make the evening a little more festive. Good to know: The SIREN is open Tuesday through Saturday, starting around 18.00 PM. Reservations are easy to make online.
In the A'DAM Tower—you know, that 80-meter-high tower overlooking the IJ River—there's also a fantastic nightclub at the very top: Madam. Besides swinging over the edge of the tower (if you dare) and dining with a view, the evenings are a real party. When the sun goes down, Madam transforms into Amsterdam's most beautiful sky bar, where you can enjoy a delicious meal, drinks, and cocktails during the week. You can definitely get a good meal there. With their shared dining menu, inspired by Asian cuisine, it's the perfect place to dine with all your friends! When the week is over, the weekend is celebrated extra well. That's when Madam loves to hit the city's highest dance floor and often invites local legends for an epic party. So it must be fun. And after all, you're only doing it for the view, right?
More tips
-
Why you should pack your bags next weekend for a trip to Roermond
-
Vin Fou: new French spot on JP Heijestraat, Amsterdam (opening September 2026)
-
New restaurants in Amsterdam: This is the Barts Boekje list
-
WILS Café Amsterdam: new establishment by Joris Bijdendijk on the Weesperzijde
-
Rotate Amsterdam: eating and dancing (almost) on Leidseplein
-
Vermut Amsterdam, the new drinks hangout in Amsterdam West
-
Prego! An all things Italy edit | By Plinius Homes + Barts Boekje | Part 2: Tuscany
-
Het Broeker Huis (Broek in Waterland, North Holland) is that cool, no-nonsense place you were looking for.
-
The best addresses for a day in the Hanseatic city of Deventer
-
Weekend tips: July 3 to 5 (and more)