Do Amsterdam restaurants automatically add a service charge?

Dutch menu prices are legally required to include service and VAT, so there is no automatic service charge added to the bill. Tipping is appreciated but discretionary, typically rounding up or leaving a small amount rather than a fixed percentage. If a bill does show an added charge, ask the server what it covers before paying.

Do I need a reservation, and how far ahead?

Smaller and well-known restaurants can fill up especially for weekend dinners, so booking a few days ahead is a safer habit than in cities with more seating capacity. Casual lunch spots and walk-in-friendly places generally don't require this. Check each listing for a reservation link or phone number and use it directly.

Can I pay by card, or do I need cash?

Card and contactless payment, including phone and watch payments, are the default across Amsterdam and cash is accepted less consistently than visitors expect. Some smaller places are card-only and carry no cash float at all. If cash matters to you, confirm with the specific restaurant rather than assuming.

How do I know if a restaurant handles dietary restrictions like halal, vegetarian, or allergies?

Dutch food service rules require staff to be able to tell you about allergens on request, but the listing itself won't always state this. Ask the restaurant directly, ideally before you arrive, especially for anything beyond common allergies. For halal or other specific dietary needs, confirm with the restaurant rather than assuming from the cuisine type alone.

What's the difference between a restaurant, a bar, and a bruin café listing in this category?

A restaurant in this directory generally means table service and a full menu, while a bar or bruin café (a traditional Dutch brown pub) may serve food but centers on drinks. The listings above cover a mix, so check the description on each one rather than assuming from the name. If you specifically want a sit-down dinner, look for restaurants described as full-service.

Are opening hours reliable, especially on Sundays and Mondays?

Some Amsterdam restaurants close on Mondays or have shorter Sunday hours, and this varies by business rather than following one citywide pattern. Listed hours can also change seasonally. Check the restaurant's own website or call ahead before a special trip, particularly early in the week.

Amsterdam Restaurants – Essentially Amsterdam

Essentially Amsterdam Reader's Choice 2026

De Kas

Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam 4.7★★★★★ (3651 reviews)

Essentially Amsterdam Reader's Choice 2026

De Kas is Amsterdam’s well-known fine dining restaurant and kwekerij in Park Frankendael, serving lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday. Its website highlights seasonal cooking with fresh ingredients, and the restaurant draws a large volume...

Fine dining restaurant
Restaurant

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The Cottage

Linnaeusstraat 88, 1092 CP Amsterdam 4.8★★★★★ (1940 reviews)

Essentially Amsterdam Reader's Choice 2026

The Cottage in Amsterdam is a gastropub and restaurant with a large review count and a strong five-star reputation. It combines pub-style drinking with a proper dining room in the city.

Restaurant
Gastropub

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Ziggo Dome

De Passage 100, 1101 AX Amsterdam 4.5★★★★★ (30581 reviews)

Ziggo Dome is Amsterdam’s major concert hall and event venue, known for large-scale live shows in the city.

Event venue
Concert hall

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ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport

Schipholweg 181, 1171 PK Badhoevedorp 4★★★★★ (13606 reviews)

ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport in Badhoevedorp includes a restaurant within the hotel, and it has a very large review base with more than 13,000 Google reviews. It is one of the busier hospitality addresses in...

Restaurant
Hotel

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A’DAM Tower

Overhoeksplein 1, 1031 KS Amsterdam 4.6★★★★★ (10748 reviews)

A'DAM Tower in Amsterdam combines a restaurant, bar, club and coworking space under one roof, with a large visitor footprint and active social channels on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Restaurant
Bar

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Brouwerij ‘t IJ

Funenkade 7, 1018 AL Amsterdam 4.6★★★★★ (8005 reviews)

Brouwerij ’t IJ in Amsterdam combines a brewery, bar and brewpub, and draws a very large crowd online.

Brewery
Bar

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Strandpaviljoen Paal 17 Aan Zee

Ruijslaan 94, 1796 AZ De Koog 4.3★★★★★ (7958 reviews)

Beachfront hospitality venue in De Koog with restaurant, beach pavilion and event space, overlooking the North Sea and popular with day visitors.

Restaurant
Strandpaviljoen

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McDonalds

Kleine Wijzend 1, 1647 DT Berkhout 4★★★★★ (7459 reviews)

McDonalds in Berkhout is a fast-food and family restaurant with takeaway service, backed by a very large review base of 7,459 Google reviews.

Hamburger restaurant
Family restaurant

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Mercure Amsterdam City Hotel

Joan Muyskenweg 10, 1096 CJ Amsterdam 4.3★★★★★ (5182 reviews)

Restaurant at Mercure Amsterdam City Hotel in Amsterdam, serving hotel guests and visitors with a full dining option on site.

Restaurant
Hotel

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Holland Casino Amsterdam

Max Euweplein 62, 1017 MB Amsterdam 4.1★★★★★ (4949 reviews)

Holland Casino Amsterdam includes a restaurant and stays open daily from 10:30am until 4am. It is one of the busiest entries here, with thousands of reviews and active Facebook and Instagram pages.

Restaurant
Casino

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Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam

Damrak 1-5, 1012 TM Amsterdam 4.4★★★★★ (4741 reviews)

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam is a major hotel at Amsterdam Centraal with restaurant, bar and banquet facilities, plus business-to-business services. It also has a very large review base, with 4,700+ Google reviews and active Facebook...

Restaurant
Banquet hall

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Hotel Casa Amsterdam

Eerste Ringdijkstraat 4, 1097 BC Amsterdam 4.4★★★★★ (4706 reviews)

Hotel Casa Amsterdam’s restaurant EAST serves breakfast through dinner in a relaxed hotel setting, with specialty coffee and cocktails on the menu. The venue also includes a beer garden and coworking space, making it a...

Restaurant
Beer garden

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Amsterdam Restaurants

Top Amsterdam Restaurants

De Kas

The Cottage

Ziggo Dome

ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport

A’DAM Tower

Brouwerij ‘t IJ

Strandpaviljoen Paal 17 Aan Zee

McDonalds

Mercure Amsterdam City Hotel

Holland Casino Amsterdam

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam

Hotel Casa Amsterdam

How to choose a restaurant in Amsterdam

Questions people ask

Do Amsterdam restaurants automatically add a service charge?

Do I need a reservation, and how far ahead?

Can I pay by card, or do I need cash?

How do I know if a restaurant handles dietary restrictions like halal, vegetarian, or allergies?

What's the difference between a restaurant, a bar, and a bruin café listing in this category?

Are opening hours reliable, especially on Sundays and Mondays?