There are so many places to eat in Amsterdam that it’s enough to make you feel paralysed by choice. But geen probleem, we’ve narrowed the list down to 7 places you absolutely have to try.

These are some of Amsterdam’s most chill and hip restaurants that offer delicious food and amazing cocktails!

Also, know that different DutchReviewers went to different trendy places, so we got all our brains together to find the best places. Enjoy!

1. Ode aan de Amstel

The name “Ode aan de Amstel” translates to “ode to the Amstel” — it’s an homage to the river that flows into Amsterdam’s iconic canal ring and helps shape the city.

Both the terrace and the ground floor of this restaurant are located on the Amstel river (you can even dock your boat on the terrace!), letting you enjoy the peaceful sounds of the rippling water and a stunning view.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Ode aan de Amstel is all about providing guests with a peaceful dining experience. The intimate interior is complimented by an open kitchen and, of course, a menu that will leave your mouth watering.

If every single item on the menu sounds good to you (we feel you), we suggest going with the three, four, or five-course chef’s selection menu. This is a daily-changing menu with the chef’s most tasty, innovative and original dishes.

With only the best cuts of meat and the freshest seafood, this place truly left us wanting more.

2. Midtown Grill

An eclectic and excellent eating experience! Honestly, the prospect of eating at a steakhouse near Amsterdam’s Leidseplein wasn’t too exciting initially. But we were wrong!

When you walk into Midtown Grill, you immediately feel it won’t be your usual steakhouse experience. Its interior is showered in class, luxury, and eclectic wallpaper. (How often do you appreciate that in a place?)

READ MORE | 33 best things to do in Amsterdam in 2023 [UPDATED]

The staff is courteous and never makes you think you’re eating out in Amsterdam — which is a compliment — and the menu is limited. Not 627 options, but what they did, they did well. (It had proper veggie options like any place should have nowadays.)

The steak we had was a proper beast. The staff shows you the cuts beforehand and advises on how you should want it prepped (a thick cut should be a bit medium, or else you’re just eating raw meat).

They also prepared a custom whisky sour, and we have to recommend the ‘mixed plankje and the lobster bitterballs’ (how can we not?)

3. NOMADS

Twice a year, NOMADS “travels” to a different location. Not only does the menu change to the country’s food but the interior design of the restaurant.

We visited when it was adorned with photographs of the streets of Alfama and typical blue tile murals in the bathroom — you guessed it, Portuguese cuisine.

We had a four-course meal, accompanied by a bottle of white Serras de Azeitão from Setúbal. Everything was great, particularly the octopus salad and the pastéis de bacalhau (or codfish pastries).

These are staple dishes in Portuguese culture, and we are glad they haven’t been forgotten. The oysters were the best part of the meal; they literally tasted like the sea.

For dessert, we got a true Portuguese treat. THE pastel de nata that is so hard to replicate was by far the most authentic we’ve eaten outside of Portugal.

It couldn’t beat the original “Pastéis de Belém” as it follows an ancient recipe from the Jerónimos Monastery, but it would surely beat a lot of well-established bakeries in Portugal.

We also had a “rice pudding”, a take on the classic “arroz doce”. The pudding’s consistency and taste were perfect, which is hard to do with just milk and rice.

It’s usually topped with cinnamon, but the chefs at NOMADS innovated by adding raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, as well as a fruit-infused foam.

It was a great experience. NOMADS made us feel like we were back in a mother’s kitchen in Lisbon.

4. In de Waag

When in Amsterdam, you truly can’t miss out on a meal at one of the city’s most iconic restaurants: In de Waag.

Located in an old city gate in the centre of the lively “Nieuwmarkt”, this place is a historic monument that was built between 1425 and 1488.

What used to be a city gate eventually became a “weighing house” (Dutch: Waag, hence the name ), and finally one of Amsterdam’s trendiest restaurants.

The rustic interior at the Waag is lit by more than 300 real candles, creating a romantic vibe that compliments the interesting history of this building. But besides the stunning interior, the Waag also sports one of Amsterdam’s sunniest terraces — perfect to enjoy during the warmer months of the year.

We stopped by Waag for lunch, and went for the famous Waag burger and the puffed aubergine. Both were fresh, full of flavour, and of course, heel lekker!

For dessert, we were served the “Apple tarte tatin”, a small apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and vanilla custard.

Whether you come here for a mid-day snack or for a nice dinner, the selection of bites, main courses, desserts, and drinks won’t disappoint — and the lovely staff will make you feel right at home.

5. NENI Amsterdam

A sharing menu including the best falafel in town? Sign us up. We took a trip to NENI Amsterdam to try their new Balagan menu — and we weren’t disappointed.

Right next to the Olympic stadium in Amsterdam-Zuid, NENI‘s location might not be the first choice for tourists. However, it is worth the short journey outside of the centre.

As you enter, you’re greeted by the smell of fresh bread baking in the deli (well, only on the weekends). Here you can purchase freshly baked Mediterranean goods, including sourdough, babka, and challah.

The concept at NENI is that sharing is caring. There is a wide range of plant-based, fish, and meat dishes, ideal for when you are as indecisive as we are.

We had the Balagan menu, which offers a variety of their top dishes. The more people you have, the more dishes they add. You can ask for just vegetarian dishes.

It’s not the cheapest, coming in at €40 per person, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. For four people, we were completely stuffed — and happy about it.

All of the food was fresh and had a perfect balance of salt and spice. Our highlights were the caramelised aubergine and possibly the best falafel we’ve ever had. But there wasn’t a dud dish on the menu.

NENI has a great concept and food that’s packed with flavour in every bite. The sharing menu was a little on the pricey side, but you get a lot of food for the price you pay. Perfect for a special occasion or a stop-by for a deli lunch.

6. Kanarie Club

The former tram depot in Amsterdam, known as “Food Hallen”, is where you’ll find one of Amsterdam’s most stylish hotspots.

The interior of the Kanarie Club’s design is made up of materials and colours inspired by the different industries housed in the hall. From woodwork and metalwork to painting.

It’s split up into different zones: a café where you can work, a cosy restaurant, and a beautiful cocktail bar. With film and food halls in the Kanarie Club’s backyard, this old tram depot in Oud-West is rightly one of Amsterdam’s most popular working spots.

The Kanarie Club isn’t just an ideal work spot for students, freelancers and those looking for a place to enjoy some quiet time or chill with friends and family.

The menu is extraordinary, the atmosphere is nice, the staff are cheerful, and the setting is as beautiful as expected.

Whether you’re there for breakfast, for flexible working, lunch, dinner, or just to drink cocktails: Kanarie Club remains one of Amsterdam’s best hotspots.

7. Bardak Amsterdam

Bardark is a Tel Aviv-themed bar in Amsterdam, located in the ever-growing hip and cool area — de Pijp. It’s perfect for those nights when you want to go for some chill drinks but know you’re going to get hungry. It’s truly one of the best places to eat in Amsterdam!

The menu is pretty simple — everything you order will arrive on a tray with three sauces, street food style. The three sides are tahini, manjo, and chilli.

READ MORE | 15 delicious vegan restaurants in Amsterdam

If you like meat and mint, treat yourself to the Arais kebab. It comes in a “flavour-soaked pita”, which is delicious.

If you want to go for something a little less fatty, then we’d advise getting the kebab from the grill, the rib-eye steak or their melt-in-the-mouth chicken liver.

For the vegetarians out there, you’ve got to try the grilled okra. Quite rightly, it’s nicknamed the “Sexy Okra” by the head chef. There’s also a vegan mushroom shwarma, which comes with oyster mushrooms, sour cream, and a lovely warm pita.

The bar offers a unique range of some of the best cocktails in Amsterdam. We’d recommend the Solero Sour, the Chili Cucumber Margarita, and the Pink Lychee Martini.

As for desserts: while the Kanafeh was a beautiful mix of Kadaif pastry and goat cheese (with ricotta and honey), our favourite dessert had to be the Babka, AKA “Grandma’s Chocolate Roll”.

So there you have it! These are some of the best places to eat in Amsterdam in 2024. Have you been to any of these amazing restaurants? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for a great place to eat in The Hague? The political capital of the Netherlands has a buzzing culinary scene, with great options for everything from breakfast to cocktails.

So without further ado, let’s get started with our top 7 places to eat in The Hague.

1. Restaurant ñ: Spanish nights with amazing food

Just a few streets from the Grote Markt and the Grote Kerk in the centre of The Hague, you can find the atmospheric Restaurant ñ.

This Spanish-themed hidden gem in The Hague serves some amazing food for some very good prices.

The atmosphere on the terrace gave a romantic, vacation-like feel, with the fairy lights and greenery.

But the atmosphere wasn’t the only thing impressing us this late summer evening. This place boasts an amazing tapas-like menu, which also changes quite often, and all of the entries were sensational.

The wines were very nicely paired with the dishes, and the dishes themselves were neatly priced (between €6 and €13, an absolute steal).

The night was perfect, thanks to the young and talented chef Thomas Vandenhecke who’s doing some amazing work there.

2. Vincenzo’s: an Italian dream

Located in the trendy and warm district of Zeeheldenkwartier, you’ll find this pearl of an Italian restaurant — Vincenzo’s. 

First of all: they use cognac to flambee tagliatelle with truffle in a block of giant parmesan cheese. That’s really all you need to know.

I’m always a bit sceptical of Italian restaurants in the Netherlands after my own expat time in Italy. But I heard Vincenzo’s was good, even great and did things differently.

Vincenzo’s started us off with Oysters and Carpaccio. The carpaccio was accompanied by nuts, and all the oysters had different flavours added to them. Enough to make anyone smile, really.

Next up was the showpiece of Vincenzo’s; their Pappardelle al Parmigiano, with black winter truffle. The large Parmigiano is roasted at the top, causing the cheese to melt, before the fresh pasta is stirred in the cheese itself.

After the fresh truffle was added, it tasted just as epic as you would expect. Rest assured, you can order half portions, in case you want to be able to try more of the pasta on the menu.

3. Botanica: for the love of veggies

Botanica is located in the newly renovated Voco Hotel, but it is far more than a hotel restaurant. The sleek interior creates a delicate yet down-to-earth atmosphere — with a menu that matches this vibe perfectly. 

Centred around Dutch cuisine, Botanica is a great spot for those seeking an authentic Dutch food experience without having to eat 9 different varieties of fried snack-bar bites. 

What makes Botanica extra unique is its twist on the traditional: at least 80% of all its dishes consist of vegetables, and all vegetables are seasonal. I’s a vegetarian’s dream!

We started the five-course evening with a delicate summer salad and fresh grilled macarel before continuing with a robust beetroot dish and lovely fowl. All courses were paired wonderfully with unique wines from all across the world. 

The frozen yoghurt with pumpkin and mandarin sauce was a perfect ending to what can only be described as a love letter to Dutch cuisine — and vegetables!

4. STAN: late-night dinner and drinks

STAN has become a household name across the Netherlands, and the Amsterdam branch recently opened its doors in Buitenhof, The Hague. 

Their menu has a nice and trendy set-up of fusion-like dishes, following all the latest culinary trends (as you’d expect).

We started off with some delicate appetizers on a wooden platter, matched with some extra gyoza. Apart from the tasty gyoza, a highlight from the board was the smoked Duck breast.

Moving on to the main, STAN is working with the famed Josper Grill. They’ve got a bunch of amazing meaty options, and when you go for the chef’s special, you can taste them all.

STAN surprised us with delicious food from across the globe for decent prices with a dynamic yet intimate atmosphere.

5. Hotel Des Indes: a grand food experience

Hotel Des Indes might just be the grandest hotel in the Netherlands, and it’s certainly the most exclusive entry in this article. If you ever want to treat your loved one to something special in The Hague, this is your go-to spot.

You won’t be surprised that this is a hotspot for the diplomatic community and has seen quite its share of heads of state visiting. The service is almost un-Dutch as well, and I mean that in a positive way — very hospitable and polite.

It’s fancy for sure, but Des Indes also has affordable arrangements for lunch, dinner and high tea. We sat down for a sumptuous lunch.

There were gratinated oysters, steak with foie gras and truffle, wine-pairing and delicious sweet treats at the end of it all.

Truly for a special occasion, and especially if you’re living in the Hague, something you should at least do once in life.

6. Gallery 61: artsy surprises everywhere

Lunch, dinner, cocktails, or loads of art — Gallery 61 in the centre of The Hague has a lot to offer, and there are surprises everywhere.

First of all, they invested a lot in the artwork on their walls — you can easily spend 15 minutes just checking out the art while waiting for your starter to arrive.

You can also get tricked by this magic chair painting:

The menu also surprises you with all kinds of fancy versions of the street food you know and love. The hot dog is especially worthy of a shout-out, but the burger was also a great way to go. I still have plans to return and try their ‘cheeky pork’ or ‘what the duck’.

As you can see, the dishes are original and colourful. The cocktails were all done just like they should be. The music, cutlery, and a boatload of art on the walls all came together in a well-thought-out concept.

7. Haley’s Comet Breakfast Club: for throwback Thursdays

Haley’s Comet Breakfast Club is a lot more than an all-day breakfast place and quite the 80s experience. As soon as you walk in, you can’t help but feel the retro atmosphere and notice all the old-school decor in the room.

Aside from having an amazing theme, Haley’s Comet Breakfastclub also has a distinctly homey menu. We tried the lovely soft scramble eggs in a brioche bun and the breakfast muffin (all home-baked!).

We also had a Nesquik hot chocolate (the nostalgia hit us hard) and their special brewed coffee (which they also sell in packs, in case you absolutely fall in love with it).

The place also has an open bar and kitchen, so you can see everything happening right in front of you, just like home!

To ensure that people see her breakfast club as a second home, Britt organizes events (like board game nights and pyjama parties) every month.

So, if you’re new to The Hague and in need of a fun community, you can always feel welcome at Haley’s Comet Breakfast Club.

Have you been to any of these amazing restaurants? Let us know in the comments below!

Wondering where to eat in Rotterdam? Looking for a trendy hipster place? A gourmet experience? Or just want to enjoy some fine BBQ in Rotterdam?

Well, buckle up (or better yet, buckles off) and join us on our trip to 13 delicious dinner spots in Rotterdam.

From Afghan cuisine to vegetarian paradise, Rotterdam has it all.

1. Morgan and Mees

Just this summer, this classy hotel and restaurant opened up in the Mathenesserlaan, a short walk from the mesmerizing Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen.

They’ve got a nice terrace, so it’s suitable for summer dinners — but if you have the choice, check out the open kitchen!

Two dishes were a feast for the eyes (and tastebuds joined the party too), and in this case, I’ll let the picture do the talking for the burrata and ceviche.

The menu is simple, but with complex dishes with deep flavours. You can choose to share the merry food or just have a bunch of courses for yourself.

2. By Ami: Urban Bistro

By Ami is the brainchild of Ahmed Baglari (Ami for friends). He has 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry under his belt. So when this much-wanted spot opened up at the Kop van Zuid he jumped on it.

By Ami has a diverse menu with tons of things to choose from, and most of it is pretty affordable, too. The menu also includes extremely fancy and colourful cocktails in case you want to get your booze on (guilty!).

We had the scallops, which were literally smoking. The cauliflower and lamp chops were delicious too, and well, EVERYTHING looked the part.

It’s not very often that you come across a place like By Ami: Urban Bistro that checks all the boxes. Eet smakelijk!

3. Panzerò

If you want to combine comfort and delicacy, go some authentic Pugliese food made by Italian chefs at Panzerò!

Located near Rotterdam Blaak Station, the restaurant is very cosy and offers some amazing dishes that you won’t find at your regular ol’ Italian eatery.

We started with appetizers of burrata, tomatoes, and olives and tasty Aperol Spritz and Limoncello cocktails to go with the food. Cheers!

We were spoiled when the main dishes came to our table: Panzerotti, Polposition, and Parmigiana! The panzerotti came with fresh bread, which was baked to perfection. The polposition was also a great pick for all the seafood lovers out there.

Did we mention this place is also suitable for vegetarians? The Parmigiana, filled with eggplant and layered with fresh tomato sauce, was my friend’s favourite!

After indulging in all that cuisine, we got the sweet pistachio puff pastry bun, the chocolate and pistachio lava cake, and even our dessert stomachs were satiated by the end of the night!

4. Pesca

Pesca had been making a name for itself in Amsterdam. People flocked to the new concept of a live fish auction where you get to pick your fish food before it gets served to you. Their new Rotterdam location is no different: creative concept, playful atmosphere, and of course, delicious seafood!

Luxury touches, classy interiors, a ginormous fully stocked bar and funky music, set the scene for a night out in the theatre of fish.

When your sardine case number (it will make sense when you’re there) is up, you can have your pickings at the fish auction.

Prices are on display, and the upbeat Pesca staff happily presents you with all the possible options for three rounds of seafood: cold, warm and big complete fish. After selecting all that, it’s time to pick your wine!

It all comes together for a fun night out, some real winners among our choices were the oysters, the scallops and definitely the turbot in butter sauce.

5. Atithi Restaurant

Since the summer of 2023, Atithi has boasted a new spectacular interior and reinvigorated menu.

The staff is super friendly and speaks exclusively English and the place was packed with Dutchies and internationals (and Indian people, always a good sign).

They’re bringing an extensive menu to the figurative and literal table, and what stood out immediately was the GINORMOUS selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Three things caught our eye especially:

• The paneer: This young, marinated Indian cheese was very smooth, making it a nice starter
• The butter chicken: Can’t go wrong with this classic, and they certainly got it right
• The Josh Rogan Lamb: My favourite of the night: a must-have!

It was moderately priced and not that spicy at all! (but I’m sure they can accommodate awesome levels of spiciness). There’s also a terrace there if you want to dine outside in the summertime!

6. MAAS

Sometimes a fancy name might just cover up what you’re in for when you’re visiting a restaurant. Rotterdammers are straight talkers and get to the point — even more than other Dutchies. And what you read is what you get right here: unlimited gorgeous views of the Maas!

We visited MAAS on a chilly March evening and the views were to die for. The skyline basking in the sunset, Rotterdam’s water taxis speeding past, and the big ships passing by — all good entertainment and MAAS’ terrace in the summer is surely a must-do.

They’ve got a solid and affordable menu with a couple of items that I can recommend. 

As the main course, they had a Latin-American sharing platter (which was a tower). The empanadas stood out — made in-house and crispier than a certain fried chicken joint. 

And of course, dinner is incomplete without a dessert: the butter cheesecake was off-the-charts delicious — you definitely don’t want to miss out on this one. 

They’ve also got a nice menu of local Rotterdam craft beers to choose from; the ‘Je Moeder’ (Your Mother) was both funny and delicious. So plenty to enjoy while you’re “sitting on the dock of the bay, watchin’ the tide roll away”. 

7. Restaurant KITE

Being a fussy eater, I was intrigued about trying Afghan food, and it did not disappoint. We rocked up and found restaurant KITE near Witte de With, the life and soul of Rotterdam.

When we arrived we had a set menu, which was perfect for two people who were completely new to the cuisine (but don’t worry, on the menu you can pick whatever you want!).

We started with a delicious crispy samosa, along with a steamed dumpling that had an onion-mince filling and covered with a sauce of tomatoes and split peas. Yeah… it really did taste as good as it sounds and looks.

Next came lots of different dishes to try, which included curries, meatballs ‘kofta’, fried eggplant ‘banjan’, and potatoes in a tomato and garlic sauce, all with white and brown rice.

The food was so good that despite being full we tried our hardest to try and eat it all. But of course, you’re never too full for a dessert…

We both went for the creme-roll and lava cake, and they were delicious. It was so well presented that we almost felt guilty tucking into it.

We tried a variety of cocktails and honestly, hand on heart, they were some of the best cocktails I’ve ever tried (and I love my cocktails).

If you’re looking for an authentic and trendy restaurant with amazing cocktails, the most lekker food and friendly staff, all in a great location in Rotterdam, this is the place to try.

8. Aji

Aji is located in the ‘Pannekoekenstraat’ which is on the verge of being the new Witte de Wit when it comes to its offerings of restaurants.

Chef Pelle Swinkels, young and talented, teamed up with Mario Ridder, who is something of a celebrity in the restaurant world of Rotterdam.

We started outside on their nice terrace — it was a joy to watch the street life pass by and enjoy those oysters, of course.

When it comes to the food, Aji refuses to fit neatly into one box. There are Asian influences, European gourmet food, and Latin American touches. I guess you could call it ‘fusion’, with an abundance of seafood on the menu too.

We can say that the level of cuisine and cooking is absolutely great when you compare it to the prices. All dishes were well-crafted and combined many flavours for roughly €10 to €25.

If you’re looking for a place to eat in Rotterdam that is trendy and relaxed and serves up some delicious and refined dishes, then you can’t go wrong with Aji.

9. Restaurant Van de Leur Rotterdam

Welcome to Restaurant Van de Leur in Rotterdam, where we enjoyed a fab seven-course meal. It’s one delicious dish after another, paired with elegant wines in a fairytale decor.

Van de Leur serves a few courses in a sitting; you can choose between four courses (€60) up to seven (€105).

The menu is updated frequently, so the food is always fresh, and if you’re not into meat or fish, you can indicate that, and they will adapt accordingly — no probs for your veggie/vegan friends.

They also offer paired wines and beers for every course, which developed into an excellent culinary and alcoholic adventure for us.

You should take your time as well, as you see the dishes are little works of art, and it takes some time to serve them out. We were there for four hours, and it’s not a quick bite before you see a movie or a play. Totally worth it, though.

10. ROFFA Food

This one was on my to-feast-at list for a long time. BBQ meat, smoked specialities and craft beers from Rotterdam? Sign me up! So together with a few friends, we went to Roffa.

Now, there are three things you should know about this one. One: “Roffa” is slang for Rotterdam, and it goes without saying that the Rotterdam-vibe is definitely there. Two: they’ve got two equally tasty locations in the Foodhallen Rotterdam and Rotterdam North. Three: this place does meat really, really well.

They’ve got an epic smoker and all those great BBQ specialities such as brisket, spicy chicken wings, pork belly and some of the best smoked sausage I ever tasted.

They’ve got an epic mixed meat platter — mix it up with some of these crafted beers from Rotterdam, and you get one happy DutchReviewer.

If you’re looking for a place to eat some great bbq-meat (don’t worry, they’ve got some vegetarian options for you too), then we can definitely recommend the Roffa street food bar.

11. Bertmans

Not in the market for all that meat? This one is for you.

Bertmans has two locations, one in Rotterdam Noord and one in downtown Rotterdam at the Schouwburgplein (just a short walk from Central Station).

Out go stuffy establishments, and in come the funky and delicious hotspots of Rotterdam. So sit down on their nice (and heated) terrace and watch the colourful people walk by.

Bertmans is not a vegetarian restaurant by definition, but if you’re a veggie or just into healthy and organic food then you definitely came to the right place. They boast an awesome selection of healthy dishes and make them look good too; plenty of choice!

They change the menu every now and there’s bound to be something new there for you. Portions were pretty big, which is great, considering prices were fairly modest too.

If you’re searching for a hip and healthy spot to eat in Rotterdam, Bertmans is a solid choice!

12. Vessel 11

DutchReview made it to Vessel 11 in Rotterdam to try out their new spring and summer menu! The restaurant is hard to miss because it’s a refurbished red boat, fully equipped with a deck that overlooks the water.

They have an assortment of beers, great choices in meals, and delicious desserts. They are a British gastro-pub, so you can expect traditional British dishes and alcohol.

We tried their V11 Indian Pale Ale and V11 Golden Blonde beers. The atmosphere is relaxed but lively, with everyone happily chatting away with each other over a few pints.

We didn’t have to wait too long before our main courses arrived: their Vegan Hot Pot and their Herefordshire Hamburger.

The Vegan Hot Pot came in a small dish, but I was positively stuffed! It came with a side of sourdough toast, with lentils, some good ol’ veggies and topped with chives.

It was perfect for one person, and it ticked all my boxes for nutrition, deliciousness, and presentation.

The hamburger was equally delicious, with a generous portion of fries (chips, as the British call them). They get their meat from the local butcher Beter Leven, known for their ethical practices.

No meal is complete without a dessert to end it with. On recommendation from the staff, we tried their cheesecake and it was the perfect way to end the meal, with its biscuit base and sweet top.

All-in-all it was a positively enjoyable experience for us! They also host many live musical acts. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one scheduled for the evening we were there, but their agenda for the coming months looks promising!

13. Koffiebar Namasté

Founded by the friendly Dutchie Jordy, Koffiebar Namasté opened its doors in May 2020. Located in the hip area of Katendrecht, it’s the perfect place for a weekend brunch. 

Next to delicious coffee from a local coffee roaster, Namasté offers a wide selection of teas and homemade beverages. Their menu boasts dishes from all across the world — from Rotterdam toasties to Middle Eastern foods. 

Our personal recommendation is the delicious shakshuka. You can either go for the classic one with tomatoes and roasted paprika or the green one with spinach, lentils and dill — with some feta cheese on top.  

To satisfy your sweet tooth, there’s a generous selection of homemade cinnamon buns, muffins, brownies and cheesecake.

The café has a spacious outside terrace, perfect for warm sunny days. Come with your family or friends for lovely moments spent together or by yourself for a little study session.

Know any other great places to eat in Rotterdam? Tell us about them in the comments!

Editor’s Note: Emma Brown, Abuzer van Leeuwen, Kavana Desai, Veronika Licheva, and Jana Vondráčková from DutchReview all went to various places.

Looking for a new place to stuff your face in throughout 2024? Want somewhere trendy to explore?

The food lovers here at DutchReview roamed the capital to try out some incredible places. Here are some awesome Amsterdam hotspots which will really satisfy that hunger

1. NOMADS

Twice a year, NOMADS “changes” to a different location. Not only does the menu change but so does the interior design of the restaurant. As a Portuguese, seeing photographs of the streets of Alfama and our typical blue tile in a mural in the bathroom was heartwarming.

But tasting the food was the most important. A Portuguese person judging Portuguese food abroad? There is nothing we hate more than people trying to replicate our local food and failing miserably — particularly with the Pastel de Nata.

NOMADS was a breath of fresh air. Instead of replicating local dishes, the chefs develop the dishes further and give them a special twist. The key elements in each dish made me feel at home, and the added twists made it truly a culinary experience.

We had a four-course meal, accompanied by a bottle of white Serras de Azeitão from Setúbal. For the first course, we had baby octopus salad, bread with sesame butter, asparagus cooked three different ways (wow!), Pasteis de Bacalhau (codfish pastries) and oysters with cucumber gel.

Everything was great, particularly the octopus salad and the Pasteis de Bacalhau. These are staple dishes in Portuguese culture, and I am glad they were not forgotten. The oysters were the best part of this course; they literally tasted like the sea.

For the second course, we had some lovely mackerel and a bacalhau à brás that was different from what I had seen. This classic dish is essentially shredded codfish with scrambled eggs.

At NOMADS, the bacalhau à brás is topped with a milk foam infused with codfish.

However, under the foam is a Bacalhau à Brás that tastes exactly like it has been cooked by a Portuguese grandmother.

You would think we would be heading to dessert, but no. They do dinner the Portuguese way — lots of food.

For the third course, we have some Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice), which the waiter kindly pronounced to the best of his abilities, and oxtail.

The arroz de marisco even included clams — another Portuguese staple. The oxtail dish was incredible — the tail cow meat was tender and perfectly cooked. It really paid a tribute to the amazing meat dishes in Portugal.

For dessert, we got a treat from home. The Pastel de Nata that is so hard to replicate was by far the most authentic I have eaten outside of Portugal.

It could not beat the original “Pasteis de Belem” as it follows an ancient recipe from the Jerónimos Monastery. Still, it would surely beat a lot of well-established bakeries in Portugal.

We also had a “rice pudding”, a take on the classic “Arroz Doce”, a dessert my grandma makes all the time. The pudding’s consistency and taste were perfect, which is hard to do with just milk and rice.

It is usually topped with cinnamon, but the chefs at NOMADS innovated again by adding raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and fruit-infused foam.

It was a great experience. NOMADS made us feel like we were back in our mother’s kitchen in Lisbon. If a Portuguese tells you where to eat good Portuguese food, trust them.

2. Toni Loco Pizzeria Restaurant

Shortly after a trip to Italy, I was dying for a pizza that had some love in it. Frankly, I was done with the likes of Dominos (that’s definitely not worthy of being ‘Italian’ at all) and wanted something that really got my taste buds going.

Toni Loco is the new kid on the block and offers pizzas of all sizes and toppings. For a perfect snack at lunch, you can buy a single slice, or you can get a super-sized pizza.

This pizzeria restaurant is modern and trendy and gives the atmosphere of Mama’s kitchen. You can watch them make the pizzas by hand. After that, it’s all yours to enjoy!

I opted for a bit of everything as I couldn’t decide. My absolute favourite was the tuna and red onion pizza, mouth-watering (never diss tuna on pizza until you’ve tried it).

We chose a sesame crust, which I’d never tried before (I thought I would hate it). However, it was delicious and left me wondering why no one else does this.

When I asked about it, they said that Dutch people didn’t ever seem to eat the crusts on pizza, so they did this to encourage them to eat the whole pizza. I’ve always loved the crust, but now I love it a little bit more.

What makes this hotspot even better is a wide selection of champagnes to sip alongside your pizza. So if you’re looking for something more classy than vanilla coke (gross), then this is the perfect opportunity to get a glass or two of bubbly in.

Verdict: Overall, I loved the food, I loved the champagne, and I loved the hospitality. You can also order and have it delivered to your door (#blessed).

3. Vanderveen Bar and Restaurant

Looking to impress a hot date but don’t want to break a sweat? Well, here’s a cosy little nook that will do all your charm for you. Vanderveen Bar and Restaurant is managed by Fabio, with Luca at the bar, and a dynamite team of five chefs who make their mark in fine dining.

This hotspot will leave you full and happy. The same chefs that do breakfast and lunch have also mastered fine dining in the evening. The staff at Vanderveen are cut from the same very special cloth, and at very reasonable prices.

This hidden gem can be found in southwest Amsterdam on Beethovenstraat. Upon entering, it’s immediately visible that they’ve got enough space for heaps of people.

The front end has a communal vibe, as if you’ve just come in for a game of chess and a coffee. Out the back is where the wining and dining happens, the real magic.

Knowing that Fabio and his chefs had kept a cheeseburger on the menu, my stomach ordered for me. He smiled and agreed it would fix any hunger I had. For the sake of taste, we agreed the best starter was their refreshing chilled salmon tartar. Grazing the dinner menu, I kept getting distracted by the wine selection.

With wines from Australia, Italy, France, Portugal, and even further imported by their next-door neighbour, it wasn’t long before Luca suggested one. We went with the white wine from Deakin Estate Australia — perfect.

The duck took its final form, drizzled in a seductively sweet orange reduction. The cheeseburger? Well, it was delicious, my girlfriend joined me, and she doesn’t like any burger — well, she loved this one.

When it came time to depart, Luca, the bartender, asked if we’d like coffee, agreeing two espressos were the perfect end to a cosy evening at Vanderveen. Talking with Fabio or Luca for a few minutes, it’s plain to see they love good food and good wine.

More impressive still is that Fabio’s family has made their own olive oil for generations. It is available to try right now, so if you’re looking to get out of the cold and relax with some good company, Vanderveen on Beethovenstraat is the place.

The music you’ll hear in Vanderveen is reason enough to step in for a hot cup of coffee on a snowy Sunday. They’ve created seamless playlists for morning, noon and night.

4. De Roode Leeuw – Hotel and Brasserie

If you’ve gone looking for traditional Dutch flavours or an elegant spot in the city centre, De Rode Leeuw is where you will end up. If you love a good bit of steak or you’re a fan of culinary exploration, take a trip to central Amsterdam and let your tastebuds melt.

The mix of modern and traditional Dutch cuisine is seamless, a good portion of the menu is reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is electric. The starters were deliciously simple, a poached egg showered in five spices, and served in a glass. From the appetizer, it only gets better.

5. Kanarie Club

The former tram depot in Amsterdam known as “Food Hallen” is where you’ll find one of Amsterdam’s most stylish hotspots. The interior of the Kanarie Club’s design is made up of materials and colours inspired by the different activities that took place in the hall, such as woodwork, metalwork, and painting.

Different zones make the hall into a café where you can work, a cosy restaurant and a beautiful cocktail bar. With the film and food halls in the Kanarie Club’s backyard, this old tram depot in Oud-West is rightly one of the most popular work spots in Amsterdam.

Drinking with a large group at Kanarie Club

Kanarie Club not only offers a nice spacious bar (including cocktails and bar bites), but it is also centrally located and is ideal for large groups.

The bar bites offer an excellent variety, and there is always something for everyone. There is also the possibility of playing a game of beer pong with colleagues and/or friends. The famous Kanarie Club pool bar serves as a playing field for beer pong.

Besides beer pong, there is also enough space to have a drink or celebrate with a nice group of friends. Kanarie Club has introduced the “Bird-Day Box”.

This box contains all the necessities to celebrate a good party with your friends. The box can be reserved for groups of 10 people or more.

What do you get? A cask of beer, two rounds of the famous Dutch bitterballen, balloons and a DJ at the weekend from 9 PM to play your favourite birthday songs for you.

The costs for the Bird-day Box are as follows: 10 people (€130), 20 people (€170) and 30 people (€210), etc.

The Kanarie Club isn’t just an ideal work spot for students, freelancers and those looking for a place to enjoy some quiet time or chill with friends and family. The menu is extraordinary, the atmosphere is nice, the staff cheerful, and the setting is as beautiful as one could expect.

Whether you’re there for breakfast, for flexible working, lunch, dinner, or just to drink cocktails: Kanarie Club remains one of Amsterdam’s best hotspots.

Have you ever been to any of these restaurants in Amsterdam before? Tell us about your experiences in the comments!

What are the best places to get vegan food in The Hague? In honour of vegans everywhere, we’re presenting you with our six favourite vegan cafes and restaurants in the beautiful city of The Hague.

Having lived in The Hague for over three years, I know my way around the vegan scene.

Each of these cafes will please both the consummate vegan and the carnivorous-but-curious: from fresh, exciting salads (they do exist, I promise) to traditional baked goods to mock meats, they’ll have everything your heart desires.

In a rush? Skip ahead!

• 1. Veggies on Fire: fancy vegan dinner in The Hague
• 2. Maoz Vegan: vegan fast food in The Hague
• 3. Plenty: vegan breakfast food in The Hague
• 4. FOAM: aesthetically pleasing vegan food in The Hague
• 5. Quench: vegan food and drinks in The Hague
• 6. Conscious Kitchen: community-style vegan food in The Hague

1. Veggies on Fire: fancy vegan dinner in The Hague

Veggies on Fire is perfect for when you want to celebrate something with a really special meal. It opens in the evenings, so it’s very much a dinner place, and reservations are recommended (though I have managed to eat there without one as well).

The servings are super generous, which is awesome, and contain a real variety of foods. Their desserts are delicious as well.

I also love it because it’s out of the centre of the city, on Beeklaan, but easily accessible by tram (or bike, if you want to work up an appetite beforehand).

2. Maoz Vegan: vegan fast food in The Hague

If you want fast food, Maoz is the place to be. It’s mostly a falafel shop, selling fries, wraps, bowls and salads.

Located right on Plein, where a lot of people go for a drink in the evening in The Hague, it’s the perfect place to stop off to grab something quick and delicious.

My personal favourite is the falafel pita with mounds of Maoz’s delicious garlic mayo — plus fries. They have some incredible spicy sauces as well, along with pickled chilis for the brave among us.

3. Plenty: vegan breakfast food in The Hague

Let me say it clearly: I’m OBSESSED with Plenty.

Freshly baked croissants, cinnamon rolls, soda bread (so crunchy! so chewy!) and chocolate cake galore — this is the place to come for a vegan baked treat or, even better, breakfast (and then brunch and then lunch and then afternoon tea).

The decor is also mind-blowingly good — think Scandinavian hipster with salt lamps and a postcard on each table that you can write while you wait for your food.

Please, if you do one thing with your life, it should be to eat here.

4. FOAM: aesthetically pleasing vegan food in The Hague

FOAM is so good, I can’t even explain it to you. It’s a fully vegan brunch/lunch place, also in Noordeinde.

It has a beautiful back garden with trailing climber plants, and inside the cafe you can see glass jars filled with spices and pickles.

All the food is made right in front of you — there’s no separation between the kitchen and the restaurant.

FOAM also always has incredible homemade baked goods, which I can never resist taking with me for later.

5. Quench: vegan food and drinks in The Hague

I have such a soft spot for Quench, because it was the first place I found vegan croissants at in The Hague.

Other cafes have them now too (as I’ve mentioned above), but I can still remember the bliss of crunchy, flakey goodness I experienced there.

Quench, as the name suggests, actually specialises in drinks. It’s really like walking into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, but for vegan beverages (alcoholic or not).

They also do an amazing selection of homemade bagels.

6. Conscious Kitchen: community-style vegan food in The Hague

The Conscious Kitchen is an incredible place. Located on Witte de Withstraat in The Hague, it opens every Thursday evening to feed people with food that would have otherwise been thrown away from the Haagse Markt.

Everything is vegan, and you pay what you think the meal is worth — most people pay about eight euros.

READ MORE | If everyone in the world went vegan it would solve world hunger: Dutch research

The food is collected, prepared and served by volunteers. It’s an amazing way to get to know people in your local community, as well, as many people come alone and are in the mood to chat.

Are you going to eat at any of these places soon? Or do you know any other vegan hotspots in The Hague? Let us know in the comments below. 

As you might know by now, Leiden has a special place in our hearts here at DutchReview. Given it’s where our office is based, it should be of no surprise that we frequently get asked: “where should we go out for dinner in Leiden?”

Well, if you’re wondering the same thing, then lucky you — we like eating, and we like writing about it. So we have come up with the top hotspots for a lekker night out at restaurants in Leiden.

Let’s kick off this list with the best place to eat meat in the city (don’t worry, we got some excellent veggie options coming as well).

But not just any meat…

1. Just Meet

This one was on my Leiden list for a long time, but it was always packed when I tried to walk in on a Saturday or Sunday. I was relieved when I finally secured a reservation at this deluxe meat-eating establishment on the Breestraat.

Just Meet is located in an absolutely fabulous building. There are two large dining rooms, both equally atmospheric and divided by a hallway with a large piano in it. It also has one of the best classic staircases you’ll encounter in Leiden.

We started this dinner with a serving platter called ‘Plateau Just Meet’, and that was awesome from the get-go. It even featured some vegetables on it:

But now, let’s go on a truly carnivorous adventure. See, for real meat lovers, you need to go for one of the sharing steaks. After selecting your meat of choice (ask the waiter for their recommendation), they will collect your meat from the “curing cabinet”.

A fun part of the process is that you get to select your own knife. Each knife comes with its own story (we definitely talked about these knives for 10 minutes — sorry to our lovely waitress for keeping you so long!)

After the foreplay, you can watch the cooks prepping a beautiful plate of meat.

And there it is, one of the best steaks I’ve ever tasted in the Netherlands. My mouth is watering evening now as I’m writing about it.

2. Aan de Rijn

Having a coffee or beer at the beautifully located Aan de Rijn while visiting Leiden’s Saturday street market is one of my favourite things to do. It’s just made for your Instagram.

So if you’re pining for the classic canal views of Leiden, this is the place to be. The interior is also pretty goddamn gorgeous when the weather in the Netherlands fails us, as usual.

As you can see, the place has got it going on. With some funky tunes and the quality service by Roos, David, and the crew, you’re in for a fun night eating out in Leiden.

Shared dining is the done thing here. The idea is that you select a couple of small dishes at once, which are beautifully arranged on a wooden board. It’s a solid concept, and you can mix and match whatever you want (honestly, there are no bad choices).

A great terrace, lovely decor, and a shared dining concept is just the start of what Aan de Rijn has to offer — you can’t go wrong with that.

3. Bar Lokaal

Not far from Aan de Rijn is another crowd-pleaser in Leiden (not that anything is far away in Leiden, but this one is literally around the corner). Bar Lokaal brings you some deluxe veggie dishes, but no need to worry meat-lovers. They’ve got some top-notch cuts for carnivores as well.

First of all, it’s worth noting that Bar Lokaal is located at one of the most beautiful squares in Leiden — the Hooglandse Kerkplein. After having a few glasses of wine, you can almost taste that romanticized 16th/17th century.

Like many other spots in the city, Bar Lokaal encourages sharing (which is good because I’m always eyeing up what everyone else has ordered). The portions, and the price tags, are a bit bigger than other shared dining venues, so you should be satisfied if you order between four and six dishes.

We devoured a lovely smoked rib-eye, but where Bar Lokaal really shines is in when it comes to their vegetarian dishes. Especially their cauliflower dish is making a name for itself. Here’s a picture of it — it tasted just as good as it looks.

Other tips? Well, make a reservation if you want to bag a spot — it’s packed most of the time, and you can see why. Luckily, they’re open for breakfast and lunch as well if you’re around for a daytime bite.

4. Freddy’s Gastrobar

For a tasty meal that will have you lekker waving and a cosy interior, Freddy’s Gastrobar in Leiden is a great place to grab a filling lunch or romantic dinner.

A new restaurant to the landscape of Leiden’s many food hotspots, Freddy’s opened up in 2022. Built into the lowers floors of the Heineken Head Office, this gastro bar is named after the famous Freddy Heineken.

With multiple food choices on offer, from three-course set meals to delicious desserts and even vegan options for those plant-based folks, this restaurant in Leiden has something for everyone.

Freddy’s is also a mere hundred metres away from Leiden station, so it makes a great final stop on a day out in the small Dutch city. Plus, with some epic borrel deals, it’s also a great spot for post-work drinks — because we all know that Dutch 9-5 is stressful.

And, if you’re a big beer drinker, you’ll be delighted to know that Freddy’s has two tables with their very own beer taps, meaning you can have a night with endless drinks and chatter.

If you do take a trip to Freddy’s, make sure you do a bit of research about Freddy Heineken, the man who was kidnapped, and make sure you note the painting of the namesake himself on the walls while you enjoy the plush seats and sit at the grand wooden tables.

5. Pizzabakkers in Leiden

Fancy a pizza with a view of the prettiest house in Leiden? And all that without breaking the bank? Well then, you’re in luck because there’s a Pizzabakkers in Leiden too!

De Pizzabakkers is a small and homley franchise. A few of them are popping up around the Netherlands, all of them run by spirited owners who put in their heart, soul, and salami. Their pizzas are always delicious, thanks to the influx of Italians in the Netherlands. You’ll even find a young Italian lad doing his magic in the kitchen. This authenticity puts it far above other generic franchises.

Since I lived in Italy for a while, I have been absolutely spoiled when it comes to pizza and espresso. So I can happily report that the Pizzabakkers in Leiden also passes my totally unscientific pizza-eating trial.

What else is there to know? Well, prices are reasonable, which is good if you want to swing by for a quick pizza. I had the pizza of the month twice, and both were great pizzas with premium toppings and were enough to satisfy my (large) appetite. Another plus side to the Pizzabakkers in Leiden is that they have a scenic terrace where you enjoy the view of (what is in my opinion) the prettiest house in Leiden.

6. The Roof at PLNT

Wait a minute, isn’t the DutchReview office at PLNT? It sure is! And you might have spotted the rooftop in our Instagram stories.

The roof at PLNT is a unique place in the city’s heart. In the middle of the ‘Singelpark’, it’s a great place for students, startups, entrepreneurs, and residents to congregate. Dutch innovation is even put to the test on the roof. For example, there are plans to make the roof retain rainwater and for plants to generate electricity.

It is covered with beautiful flowers and greenery and boasts stunning views over Leiden and, yes, even a chicken coop! You might have just thought that it was only open for us lucky few, but the Rooftop is opening up to the public more and more.

Is the weather decided to be typically Dutch and rain? Well, you’re always welcome to stop by for coffee or have lunch in the ultra-hip workplace/cafe in PLNT.

Both the roof and the indoor Midi provide a range of healthy options and with economical prices. ( You might even run into us!)

7. City Hall

If you’ve ever visited Leiden, you’ll know the City Hall — a beautiful building that marks the city centre. But it offers more than admin queries. Tucked within the historic building is an Italian bistro. This is the perfect place for a treat (as the menu is on the pricey side), but it’s worth splashing out.

8. Tabú

Did you know that Leiden never used to have a Latin, Mexican, or taco restaurant? That’s loco, right. Well, Tabú has solved this issue with its stunning canal views, colourful decor and zesty food.

It has to be mentioned that every Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 7 PM, they host a “cocktail madness” when two of their daily special cocktails go for 12 euros.

9. Lot en de Walvis

It’s a staple of the Leiden food and drinks scene and one of my favourites (whenever the weather permits). One of the best parts of Lot en de Walvis is the great location, with gorgeous views of the marina and an extensive terrace.

Here was our list of top dining spots in Leiden! Have you been to any of these restaurants yet? Or have we missed your favourite off the list? Let us know in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in July 2019 and was fully updated in December 2022 for your reading pleasure.

On the lookout for somewhere good to get in your eats, a glass of scrumptious Dutch beer, and cosy vibes? You’re in luck, because Freddy’s Gastrobar in Leiden has the perfect recipe for a relaxing evening out.

You can find fine dining and good food at Freddy’s Gastrobar, which opened in early 2022. Located on the lower floors of the Heineken head office, the restaurant is fittingly named after the famous Freddy Heineken himself.

Another plus is that this gastro bar is located right outside Leiden Centraal station, so sit back and sip one more cocktail; your train platform is only five minutes away.

Take it from us, the menu is lekker

The food at Freddy’s had us all doing the lekker wave. We visited for our recent team dinner, and the atmosphere gave us that warm, gezellig feeling.

This restaurant in Leiden gives you a menu with a range of choices. From set menus offering two or three epic courses to the à la carte menu, or even a series of delectable delicacies on offer from Freddy’s borrel, there’s a dish for everyone — even those pesky vegans!

What’s on offer?

We went for the two-course set menu. With a tasty offering of bread to line our stomachs, we dived into our first course: steak tartare with a classic garnish and truffle mayonnaise, smoked burrata, and finally, salmon served with potato salad. 

The salmon was a personal favourite, but the second course really knocked it out of the park. With juicy Thai fish cakes that leave your mouth watering and sweet chili dip, this dish was also a tasty treat. 

Plus, with the delicious and soft gao bao, served on perfect bao buns and with crisp but tender pork, followed by some fresh crispy sushi, this second course left us feeling full and satisfied. 

The menu also offers a three-course menu meal, which is followed by a selection of dessert delicacies. 

Borrel and A La Carte menu

Freddy’s also boasts a tantalising borrel offer. With two tables that can host up to 50 people at a time, you can choose to purchase a barrel of beer that will be served from the very table you sit at.

Plus, with the A La Carte menu, you can pick through the dishes yourself and make a delectable choice; from open sandwiches to a tasty offering of four different dishes for just €35 per person, their dinner menu is a wonder to behold! 

Old-fashioned cosiness meets luxury nights out

The decor at Freddy’s is cosy, comfortable, and luxurious. With leather chairs, a wonderful wooden interior, twinkling lights, huge tables for epic work dinners, and tables for the whole family on offer, the gastropub has really hit the mark! 

Plus, if your party is on the small side (or even a party for one!) there are some smaller, equally luxurious tables for that anniversary dinner or last-minute dine-out. 

And Freddy’s has one additional quirk: two tables that have their own personal beer taps, where the drink will keep flowing all night long! 

Even their bathroom looks like an interior-design model; located at the top of some winding stairs, its decor is unlike anything we’ve encountered before — but we’ve offered enough spoilers. You’ll just have to take a look for yourself.

While you sip on some tasty Dutch beer at this epic gastropub in Leiden, you can reminisce on the story of Freddy Heineken’s kidnapping — or enjoy some good gossip and gastro bar luxury. Whatever it is, Freddy’s will make sure you eat and drink well while you’re at it.

Will you be grabbing dinner at Freddy’s? We certainly will! Tell us your plans in a comment below. 

Editor’s Note: Freddy’s invited us to do our thing — review their food! While they certainly influenced our tastebuds, they had no influence over the content of this article.

Just a few minutes’ walk from Blaak station and the Markthal, you’ll find a cosy but delicious restaurant serving you godly Italian food. 

This fun-sized restaurant climbed to the top three of TripAdvisor’s best restaurants in Rotterdam. So, what sets it apart from your local Italian eatery?

Say you’re in the mood for Italian food, but — and this happens — not just for classic pizza and pasta. Instead, you’re on the hunt for:

Can’t be that hard to find such a place in a big city, right? You’d be surprised! Thankfully, we found Panzerò.

Real Pugliese food

My expat experience consisted of a short year in Italy — this was during a time when Facebook was still cool, and Mark Rutte wasn’t prime minister.

Much has changed since then, but I’ve never lost the love (or resulting kilos) for all that good food my Pugliese roommates served me.

While Rotterdam may not have my old housemates, it does have Luigi, our passionate host from Puglia and the proud owner of Panzerò. Upon founding Panzerò, the team had a few goals: 

A little bustling Italian holiday

Sitting down in Luigi’s restaurant makes you feel like you’re on a holiday in Southern Italy for a moment. Adding to the good vibes are the international staff, who you can tell really enjoy working there. 

Now it’s time to really lean into that holiday feeling and start your food journey with a giant spritz and some starters.

The freshness of it all

It’s here when you can really taste the difference. Olives, burrata and sun-dried tomatoes — the flavours hit harder than normal, and you can feel the Italian sunshine in your mouth. 

Did I mention that it’s totally suitable for vegetarians too? There was no meat in sight during our meal, and the sumptuous menu is well balanced with tons of great non-meat options. 

If you’re feeling extra fancy — or it’s just a Tuesday evening — treat yourself and order a glass or bottle of Primitivo as well.

A tale of Panzerotti, Polposition, and Parmigiana

Second serving, Panzerotti time! The difference (and beauty) is in the dough. With just one bite of a Panzerotti, you can immediately tell the dough is different from a regular pizza and that it’s ultra-fresh. 

I fell in love with the Alberobello because of the used ‘Nduja (a spicy spreadable salami-like substance). My friend found the Tonnato one a bit unconventional, but I loved the combo of tuna and citrus-like salsa — I’d suggest you give it a try!

A special mention goes to anything with octopus on the menu. We tried the Polposition sandwich, and everybody agreed that this was some amazing grilled octopus. If you’re a fan of a good eight-legged meal, it’s not to be missed.

The Parmigiana, which is without pasta, brought the same feeling to my veggie friend (but by all means, share all those dishes with each other, everything goes here).

And yes, they make a mean lasagna

This Italian restaurant still smuggles in some pasta — how could it not?? Luigi and his crew can bake you a few oven dishes that will soothe any Garfield-like lasagna fiend such as myself. 

I’ve already thrown heaps of deserved praise on the Parmigiana, but there’s more. The lasagna caserecce is the comfort food you need in life, and actually a steal for just €18. 

Book that holiday

While we were completely stuffed after all this good food, we did manage to devour some desserts. And boy, do we have some recommendations for you.

The pistachio lava cake is their best-selling pastry, and you can see why; who doesn’t love pistachio creme in a pastry, after all?

Combine it with an espresso and/or a limoncello, and you’re all good to go back into the Dutch streets — a bit heavier — but also much happier.

If you’re looking for fresh food, something different than your classic Italian menu or just want to taste some of that passion that Luigi and his colleagues are bringing to the plate, then say no more. 

Will you be heading over to Panzerò for a bite of delicious Puglian food? Tell us in the comments below!

The Dutch catering industry is currently suffering from an acute staffing shortage. So much so that entrepreneurs and restaurant owners have been forced to bring in cooks from Portugal, Spain, and Greece.

The catering industry is allowed to open again, but it hasn’t been plain sailing — many restaurants are severely understaffed.

Dick van Ostaden who works at the recruitment company ‘Cooks from Spain’ tells the NOS that “the influx into professional catering training courses is minimal, and is currently at 30% of its capacity.”

As a result, he has been receiving requests for staff from a wide range of establishments. He’s provided staff for “street corner eateries, to five-star hotels in Amsterdam and Michelin restaurants.”

The coronavirus crisis took a toll

The existing dilemma was intensified during coronavirus. A lot of Dutch staff left the catering industry during lockdown and haven’t been inclined to make their way back to the kitchen.

Hendrik Karabagias, a restaurant owner from Zwolle tells the NOS, “The RIVM and the GGD pay better, and we can’t compete with that.

The demanding schedule also means that many people prefer the idea of working an office job to literally slaving over a hot stove for hours on end.

New ways of operating

In Zwolle, Karabagias has been experimenting with new ways to deal with the staffing shortage. He has placed a tablet on every table so that customers can order their food and drinks themselves without a waiter having to walk back and forth several times. (It works but we miss the friendly faces.)

Some restaurants in the Netherlands have also been offering signing bonuses of a few hundred euros to try and attract new staff — or poach them from their competition. That works too.

What are your thoughts on this crisis in catering? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Michael Browning/Unsplash

Do you want to check out a beautiful Dutch city that isn’t Amsterdam? Are you eager to prove to your friends you travel “off the beaten path”? Or do you simply want respite from touristy and crowded cities? Then consider Leiden! We have all the tips and tricks on where to shop, eat and drink to ensure your trip to Leiden is a good one.

Leiden is a bustling and picturesque town centrally located in between Amsterdam and The Hague. Leiden University, which is nearly 435 years old, attracts students from all over the world who are eager to learn at one of the Netherland’s top universities. The fresh faces that arrive each university year keep this historic town young and vibrant.

The Heineken factory is located not far from Leiden and the delicious beer is consumed in many of the bars and restaurants that spill onto cobbled stone pathways and border picture-perfect canals. The appeal of this quaint town is enhanced by its proximity to the North Sea and the many lakes with abundant sailing facilities — all of which are within cycling distance. 

Before we get going with this guide to Leiden, you might be thinking ‘I want to move to Leiden!’. Well, luckily for you, we have all the info you’ll need upon arrival to this beautiful student town.

Visit Leiden — Here to get your journey started

For all other questions regarding where to shop in Leiden and such, we can’t recommend enough to check in with our friends at Visit Leiden! If a digital visit isn’t enough, then you also visit them physically, they are located right in front of the Leiden Station if you need them (Stationsweg 26). They’re in the same building as the Tourist Information Center of Leiden, so that’s handy.

Best Bars in Leiden: where should you grab a drink?

Café in de Oude Marenpoort — for a true Dutch drinking experience

The first place we recommend trying is Café in de Oude Marenpoort (or De Mapo, as locals call it.) Head here if you’re looking for an authentic Dutch experience. Not only will you find a cosy and classic Dutch interior, but you are also guaranteed to find some cheerful, jolly Dutchies and to become equally jolly yourself in no time (4 delicious G&T’s and you’ll be spinning till well into the following afternoon.)

Cafe De Uyl van Hoogland – If you’re looking to drink next to a church

De Uyl is located on Nieuwstraat 28 in the historic centre of Leiden and boasts a terrace that overlooks the Hooglandse church. This bar, which has been around for about 40 years, keeps growing in popularity. Order a cheese platter and a delicious beer and watch the world go by.

Proeflokaal 1574 — For the fancy folk 

Located at Apotherkersdijk 38, three friends teamed up and put their vast experience in the food industry to use when they opened Proeflokaal 1574 in 2018. This bar is known for its lovely atmosphere and top quality wines that they scoured while touring Europe searching for the best wines.

Cafe de Bonte Koe — the cosiest of them all

You’ll find Cafe de Bonte Koe at Hooglandsekerk Choorsteeg 13. The interior of this bar was originally designed for a butchery that never came to be and has remained unchanged ever since. Such a well-preserved 19th-century building with tiled walls is rare in the Netherlands.

Cafe de Bonte Koe source all their beers independently and are not in contract with corporations such as Heineken which gives them the freedom to source top-quality products from smaller companies. They have nine tap beers, speciality bottled beer and a range of wines.

Twee Spieghels — drink and enjoy some great live music

Up for something different? Grab a few friends and head along to De Twee Spiegels. This charismatic cafe is one of the finest jazz and wine bars in Leiden. You can find it right next to the Hooglandse Kerk on Nieuwstraat 11. They have free live music every Monday and host regular shows by fantastic musicians.

Einstein — both a Dutch and international treasure

Named after Einstein who lived in Leiden for a couple of years. Einsteins are centrally located at Nieuwe Rijn 19 and have a primely located terrace next to the canal. Here you can sit and read a book and watch the world go by. Or if you’re feeling something a little wilder, it also hosts an international student drinking night every Wednesday that starts at 10 pm and if you don’t care about your Thursday university classes, then stay on until 3 am! 

North End — for any homesick Brits

Know a Brit that is coming to the Netherlands? Do they want grubby pub food instead of being cultured and trying Dutch food like bitterballen or frikandel? You can take them to the North End on the similarly named Noordeinde 55, where they can satisfy their British cravings with a carpeted floor and shepherd’s pie.

Stadsbrouwhuis — for some unique craft beers

Located at Aalmarky 1-3, this bar and restaurant opened its doors in 2016 and is a fantastic place to come if you want to momentarily step away from Heineken. Stadsbrowhuis has over 20 unique beers on tap — I had the delicious Kick-Start stout.

The staff are exceptionally knowledgeable and can go into detail about each and every one of the beers so you will definitely find something to satisfy your personal taste. On the menu, you can even find a rating next to each one of the beers which are generated from an app where customers have ranked the tastiness of the drinks.

Lot en de Walvis — drink on the water

This is a classic in Leiden nowadays. Given any sunny day, the excellent terrace of Lot en de Walvis (Lot and the whale) is packed. It has a gorgeous boutique-like terrace which catches a lot of sun all day long, with great views of the little marina next to it.

You’ll find this beautiful place at Haven 1 near Zijlpoort and it is here that you will spot some quintessentially Dutch activities. Many people from Leiden swing by with their boats and dock up to enjoy a drink or even dinner – which is also totally a good idea.

So yeah, there are eating options here too — Lot en de Walvis also could have made it to our next list of places to eat in Leiden!

Best places to eat in Leiden

Had a few drinks too many drinks with your friends and need to soak up the alcohol? Or do you have the munchies and want to try some delicious food? Then here are some of the best places to eat in Leiden.

Just Meet — for the meat lovers

Just Meet is located at Breestraat 18 in a fabulous building. There are two large atmospheric dining rooms, divided by a hallway with a large piano in it and one of the best classic staircases you’re going to encounter in Leiden. The meat is delicious and you can even select what knife the chefs prepare your chosen dish with!

This restaurant is all about the meat experience, you can see them hand-pick your meat from the curing cabinet, which makes the experience very unique. It is slightly on the pricier side but if you have some extra euros then it is worth a visit.

Aan de Rijn – for the Dutch interior and food

If you’re vying for the classic canal views of Leiden, this is the place to be. Located on the Nieuwe Rijn 37, Aan de Rijn also offers a cosy, modern interior so it’s also perfectly nice to sit inside when it’s raining (as it often does in the Netherlands). Shared dining is the thing here, and they mean it. The idea is that you select a couple of small dishes for a round and they serve it on a wooden board. I recommend the shrimp croquettes (served with a lemon and parsley mayo) and the Buddha bowl.

Bar Lokaal — great for the vegetarians!

Bar Lokaal is one of the best places for deluxe veggie dishes. But fear not meat-lovers; they’ve got some top-notch cuts and meats as well. The portions (and prices) are a bit larger than Aan de Rijn, so you should be satisfied if you order between four and six dishes. Their cauliflower dish (pictured) is making a name for itself as it tastes spectacular. You can find this little treasure at Hartesteeg 13.

Try and make a reservation if you want to be sure to have a table there for dinner – this place is packed most of the time. Luckily they do breakfasts and lunches as well.

Pizzabakkers in Leiden — for affordable dining

Pizzabakkers is a small and up-and-coming franchise. A few of them are popping up throughout the country (this one popped up at Herenstraat 1 in Leiden) but do not worry! The quality of a delicious pizza is not compromised. The prices are more reasonable as well if you can’t afford to splash out.

I ate the Napoletana and the Prosciutto pizza — both of which were delicious! This place also has a terrace so it is a wonderful way to devour traditional wood-fired pizza while watching the world go by!

The Rooftop at PLNT— A terrace with an incredible view

Isn’t the DutchReview office at PLNT? It sure is! And you might have spotted the rooftop in our instagram stories and posts (we might be a little biased but it is honestly one of the best views of Leiden in the city).

Located at Langegracht 70, the Roof at PLNT is a unique place in the heart of the city and in the middle of the Singelpark. It is covered with beautiful flowers and greenery and boasts stunning views over Leiden and yes, even a chicken coop!

There are events coming up regularly, and whenever there’s good weather (aka no rain) the rooftop is opened from two o’clock in the afternoon. Both at the roof and the indoor binnentuin have plenty of healthy and delicious options and prices are very economical. Given the fact you might just run into us, doesn’t that make a trip here worth it in and of itself?!

Van der Werff — Close to the station and delicious!

This restaurant offers a big terrace, but also plenty of seating indoors. Located near the station at Steenstraat 2 with a great offering of drinks and some straight-forward-and-delicious stuff on the menu — what more could you ask for? Stadscafe Van der Werff is always a good idea to go if you’re looking for a place to eat or drink in Leiden. Pretty tasty stuff to be had too as you can see in the following pics:

Cityhall — eat at the centre of the city

Cityhall is located in the centre of Leiden, right at — you guessed it — the city hall of Leiden (which is something you need to see in Leiden anyways). It has a beautiful terrace, a big indoor area and loads of excellent Italian food to enjoy. Cityhall also has plenty of drinking options available on their menu, so this one could have also easily been under the “where to drink in Leiden” tab.

Vet Gezond — A great place to enjoy good food at reasonable prices

Located near Leiden Lammenschans at Omegaplantsoen 4, the vintage-looking Vet Gezond brings you an excellent selection of both greasy “Vet” and healthy “gezond” food. And all for financially-healthy prices too! All of that makes it a perfect spot to grab some casual dinner on a week-day or have a student meal without succumbing to a heart attack when you see the receipt. You can also follow their Facebook page for some sweet deals.

Time for some history! Museums in Leiden

Leiden and Rembrandt

Do you know Leiden is actually the birthplace of Rembrandt? The “Young Rembrandt Studio” is a great museum where you can learn all about Rembrandt and his life.

The Lakenhal museum

This gorgeous and recently renovated Lakenhal Museum has everything from Rembrandt paintings to beautiful dresses made from fabric manufactured in Leiden. We also really enjoyed a stained glass window showing how a newspaper was made- pretty relevant for us, right?

Shopping in Leiden: Where to go and what to buy 

After you’ve filled your head with history, why not break up the day by going shopping?  Everything in moderation after all, right? Here are our recommendations for a great and unique shopping experience in Leiden.

Babooka — the weirdest bookshop in Leiden

Babooka is a bookstore situated on Breestraat 113 opposite the grand Leiden City Hall. This architecturally beautiful building boasts a plethora of attractive and interesting coffee table books. Themes range from Warhol, to contemporary houses, to vintage bicycles. So you are sure to find something that piques your interest. Head along to this bookshop and have a look.

VNTG — for those who love a good haul

VNTG is cheap vintage shop that has everything from leather bags to funky earrings and patterned shirts. The store tries to source sustainable clothing and up-cycles, reuses and donates when possible. Find it at Botermarkt 11, it’s a fun place to explore even if you are not on the look-out for anything in particular.

Pluum — Looking to buy some gifts?

An eclectic store full of Scandinavian-styled assortments that are minimalist, contemporary and stylish. Head to Pluum if you’ve forgotten your friends birthday and need a last-minute gift — you’re bound to find something. It is located at Urgsteeg 2, down a cute street very near Einstein and Twee Spieghels. 

Wonderful Nature — for the strangest objects nature has to offer

Wonderful Nature offers an array of all things nature such as stuffed animals, polished seashells, fossils and ceramics. There are taxidermy animals in the store (see lion pictured) but the shop assures customers they have been bought and killed in a responsible manner. The protected animals such as baby rhinos were only bought after dying a natural death (I certainly hope so).

Located at Breestraat 114C, it is also possible to have an animal commissioned (is taxidermy an ode to nature or for those who have a superiority complex?) Regardless, you’re bound to find browsing this shop intriguing.

Eduard — a sustainable shopping experience

Eduard is a cute shop situated at Hooglandsekerkgracht 6, in between the Hooglandse Kerkgracht canal and the Oude Rijn canal. The shop is filled with beautifully crafted items such as wallets, office supplies, ceramic bowls, watches, jewellery and so much more. They aim to source sustainably and from artisan companies who are experts in their field. They also have bags by the brand FREITAG which are renowned for being stylish yet durable. Head to this store to browse amazing items!

The Leiden Street market — for anything and everything

If you happen to be in Leiden on a Wednesday or Saturday, then make sure you check out the market along the Nieuwe Rijn. You can buy organic vegetables, fresh fish, delicious fruit, flowers, clothes and delicacies and exotic spices from all over the world. The Leiden street market runs from 8 am until 5 pm.[td_smart_list_end]

Body and mind in Leiden

Get a massage with Alexandra from Alexmassage

Alexandra set up the first mobile massage business, Alexmassage, in Leiden. Now she travels throughout Leiden and the surrounding villages giving top quality, extremely relaxing massages in each of her clients’ homes. Not only does that mean that you don’t need to brave the disgusting Dutch weather post-massage, it also means you get to save time and know that any money you pay is going directly towards the quality of the experience.

Talk your problems out with Roy from BrightMind

Roy is a clinical and organisational psychologist working in Leiden who grew up in Israel. After his masters at Leiden University, he set up his practice, BrightMind in this beautiful city. He uses an integrative approach with a focus on cognitive behavioural interventions, interventions from mindfulness-based approaches, schema-therapy, and psychodynamic methods.

Are you ahead of the game and already shopped, ate and drank it all? Want something fresh to do?

Why not plan a day trip to another beautiful Dutch city? Leiden’s central location makes day trips to a myriad of different cities and locations more than feasible. Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Amsterdam and Haarlem are all less than an hour journey away.

Or perhaps you could educate yourself by visiting one of the many interesting museums Leiden has to offer – there are over 13! Or maybe a friend is visiting and you both fancy a deep chats while meandering around the city? Check out the Singelpark which is Leiden’s equivalent to the New York “High Line.”

This walk will allow you to get lost among the pretty sights of Leiden – there are so many quaint and beautiful buildings that will leave you mesmerised! An added bonus is you won’t have to compete with endless tourists and selfie sticks to snag a great photo!

So there you are — the ultimate guide to beautiful Leiden. Where to eat, drink, and shop — you have it all!  Have you ever been to Leiden? Are there any shops, bars or restaurants you think are worth a mention? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: DutchReview/Supplied.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in August 2019 but was updated for your reading pleasure in August 2020.