4 Amazing Amsterdam Eats

Amsterdam has literally thousands of places to eat, from traditional broodje bars, to highly expensive Michelin starred gourmet restaurants. Below are four of my favourite mid-range eateries. And yes, they are all, unashamedly, within a five minute cycle ride from home. But then so is almost all of Amsterdam.

Moeders,

251 Rozengracht, 1016 SX TEL: 020-626-7957 WEB: www.moeders.nl

It is actually relatively difficult to find “typical” Dutch food in the buzzing cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam. Vlaames Frites are as Dutch as a Windmill, and can be found on many a street corner or plein, but an actual restaurant serving up Stampot and other Dutch specialities is rarer than black truffles. Moeders, or Mothers in English, is a restaurant dedicated to celebrating those people who provide us with our favourite food in life – Mothers, and it honours their tradition well. On opening night the owner asked all guests to bring a plate and cutlery from home and this eclectic mix of provided tableware continues in use today, complete with provision of random wine glasses and candle sticks. Adorning the walls are pictures of what must be every Mother who has ever visited. The combined effect of these celebrated Matriarchal portraits and a motley collection of utensils, is a cosy homely feel that takes you back to the kitchen table of your childhood, and shows the visiting Mothers how well loved their day-to-day meal provision really was.

As well as perfect decor, the food is something to rival even the skills of your Mother (obviously don’t tell her that). Dutch food is hearty and wholesome, but Moeders raises famously stodgy staples to a new level. The tasting plate, Rijstaffel, provides bites of all Dutch Mother’s kitchen staples such as the famous Stampot Stew and Sudervlees. And the flavours are delicious. A lot of food yes, but all great quality and you won’t leave over full. Specials often involve seafood and the quality of the fish is outstanding, particularly the Cod. Kitchen skills are evident in their presentation of perfectly cooked fish with tasty accompaniments. Desserts too are homely specials and every dish is served by friendly, welcoming, and Mother loving staff.

If you are visiting Holland and are a little wary of diving straight in to a raw Herring experience to sample local food, a visit to Moeders will warmly welcome you into the Dutch culinary world. You will need to book due to it being a well known treasure, but you will not be disappointed, and neither will your Mother.

Cafe Schilders

1E Van der Helstraat, 1073 AC TEL: 020-670-4388 WEB: www.cafeschilders.nl

Around the Albert Kuyp Market in trendy De Pijp are a collection of interlinked small streets lined by bruin cafes, bars and restaurants. Evenings feel like a bar/street based community gathering as people move from one eat house or bar to the next. In amongst all these venues is a relative newcomer, Schilders.

Schilders means “painter” in Dutch and a huge self-portrait of the namesake painter of this bar, Ferdinand Bol, covers one wall of this 1930’s American-esque hang out. Green seats surround dark tables and along the back wall are raised tables partnered with high benches and stools. With a typically long Dutch bar one wouldn’t be surprised to see one of the rat-pack propping up the end with a bourbon and a smoke.

The Menu in Schilders is simple, but executed brilliantly. Half a Chicken (kip), Entrecote Steak, or Veggie Option (usually amazing quiche), all served with Chips, Mayonnaise and Salad. A brilliant Chocolate Torte or Apple Pie for dessert and all washed down with great Dutch beer or good, but slightly pricey, wine.

Stoop en Stoop Eet Cafe ,

Long Leidsedwarsstraat 82, 1017 NM TEL: 020-620-0982 WEB: www.stoopenstoop.nl

Situated on one of Amsterdam’s least appealing streets (unless of course you are a fan of touristic rows of neon lights advertising a world of Argentinean steak houses), Stoop en Stoop is a little unpretentious gem without a door tout and with little advertisement. If you spot it, and take a second look, you will notice that unlike its empty gargantuan neighbours, it is packed full of discerning locals. If they cannot sit you at a table, the two relaxed friendly and likeable brothers in charge will welcome you to sit and eat at the bar. 

Stoop en Stoop is a small Eet Cafe with around 8 – 10 tables. Low level lighting and traditional dark wood furniture add to the secretive yet warm feeling, and the brothers always have music playing while energetically keeping every customer smiling. In the kitchen two cooks turn out the best Dutch Steak in town, amongst other meat based dishes, and the drinks flow fluidly from their extensive bar. The skill of this Amsterdam Eat lies in its simplicity. The two young brothers are brilliantly welcoming, and they focus on a friendly atmosphere and the provision of a simple but well delivered Menu. You could wind up spending your whole Amsterdam evening here, and if you did, you would leave with a huge smile on your face brought about by good food, a great atmosphere, and a little alcoholic assistance!

Bar Moustache,

141 Utrechtstraat, 1017 VM TEL: 020-428-1074 WEB: www.barmoustache.nl

Another relative newcomer to Amsterdam’s streets, Moustache has been open for almost a year at the bottom of one of Amsterdam’s coolest streets, Utrechstraat.  This part of Amsterdam is famous for being the location of many of old Amsterdam’s merchant store houses and in one of them, resembling a slightly English town house, you will find the cafe named after that most ridiculous of facial adornments, the moustache.

Stepping in through the swinging saloon style door you immediately take a step-back from the rush you were in. Dark tables, exposed brick, comfy benches and candle light almost order you, in a fatherly way, to sit, relax - stay a while. It has two floors, both as welcoming as each other, and the tea selection is impressive.

In Moustache, aside from the uber-trendy staff, the cool ambience, and the great tea, there is one star which outshines all the other plus points - Breakfast. Not typically Dutch I know, but Moustache’s Croque Madame is the best you will ever taste. Large enough to share between two, the three layers of spiced ham, cheese, and great bread topped with a fried egg are a sure bet for a brilliant breakfast experience for any visitor, or local, to Amsterdam. Open every day for breakfast, lunch and drinks/dinner and wi-fi - Bar Moustache is fast becoming a local favourite for any time of the day.