If it wasn’t for the modern environment you would expect “la mama” in this restaurant annex Wine bar, with great dishes, and nice open bottles of great Italian Wines for reasonable prices.

No Pizza, but antipasti, primi and secondi, I love it! To start with a dish Assagi…ami, a lovers dish, with small bites like, grilled zucchini, vitello tomato, bresaola with parmegiano, mozzarella di buffalo. Served with delicious home made tomato bread.

Afterwards classic pasta, “pappardelle primavera, “Tomato Sauce”, like it should be. I have been practising at home for years, and I’ll never manage to get it like this. To finish off steamed Sea bass with herbs: absolutely Yummy.

The Staff speaks Italian by heart, and they make a great effort to speak English, but Dutch is apparently too much to ask.

It’s part of the Show, and it is a great Show. This is quit an insider tip, but I need to share it, because it’s a worth the visit. Bueno Appetito!

Details about this spot
Assaggi | Restaurants (modern italian) | Main course € 20.00
Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat 6 | Jordaan (area map) | +31204205589
17:30 - 23:00 daily & lunch on saturday

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This former blacksmiths workshop is now Balthazar’s Keuken, a contemporary place, with open kitchen.

I experience the absence of a menu card as the best choice ever made. De 3-course dinner menu exists of a platter with small tasty bites, tapas and mezzos (very international).

Karin and Alain are the passionate chefs of this very Amsterdam place. The place for foodies and lovers. In the summer with nice weather there is a small terrace on the pavement in front of the Balthazar Kitchen.

Details about this spot
Balthazar’s Keuken | Restaurants (Mediterranean) | Three courses € 25.00
Elandsgracht 108 | Jordaan (area map) | +31204202114
Wed - Fri 18:00 - 01:00 (Other days by request for 25-35 persons)

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Bordewijk has for many, many years, been one of the best restaurants in Amsterdam. Although never honored with a Michelin star, they do cook on star level.

The restaurant is fashionable and at the same time totally unfashionable. The design of the restaurant is absolutely 70’s. Sometimes when you enter the restaurant, it can catch you by surprise as a little “chilly”. But the warm staff of Chef Wil Demandt and his excellent food, made with passion, and served in a professional way, makes up for everything else.

Bordewijk serves traditional French cuisine. It’s rich, with great flavour, and lots of young and fresh herbs and vegetables. If you are a cheese lover, you will definitely love this place. They have the greatest cheese trolley in Amsterdam.

The restaurant is located on one of the most beautiful spots in the city, just in the back light of the Noorder church on the Noordermarkt.

Bordewijk is a nice evening out in charming Amsterdam. I advise you to make a reservation before you want to go!

Details about this spot
Bordewijk | Restaurants (French traditional) | 3 courses € 38.50
Noordermarkt 6-8 | Jordaan (area map) | +31206243899
Tue - Sat 18:30 - 22:30

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Struik is a typical relaxed, ‘easy going’ café. The audience is a mix of locals, old & young, varying from hip to old fashioned.

At Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays dj’s are playing their music: hiphop/soul/classics. Popular but original at the same time. Once in a while special events take place.

The graffiti on the brick wall changes every now and then, made by several artists. Struik has a small lunch and snack menu; keeping its bar-image.

Great to start off your night, or to hang around all night. Guaranteed you meet some nice locals!

Details about this spot
Café Struik | Bars | Beer € 2.00
Rozengracht 160 | Jordaan (area map)
Tue - Thu 10:00 - 01:00, Fri - Sat 11:00 - 03:00, Sun - Mon 14:00 - 01:00

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The reason that this bar is suitable for daily use is because you can go here for breakfast, coffee, lunch, diner, cocktails or a night out. An all-round bar so to say!

The mix of tourists, hip students, and locals creates a relaxed, but outgoing atmosphere.

The Noordermarkt area has always been very popular, therefore Finch is packed almost all the time..

The food is simple, but tasteful and not too expensive. Maybe it’s not the best place to go for dinner, as the staff sometimes has a problem with serving the bar, making coffees, playing the right music, ánd have a chat with some of locals…

But, if you’re not too hungry and not in a hurry: why not.

Details about this spot
Finch Café | Bars, Restaurants (International) | Wine € 2.80
Noordermarkt 5 | Jordaan (area map) | +31206262461
Mon 07:00 - 01:00, Tue - Thu 11:00 - 01:00, Fri & Sun 11:00 - 03:00, Sat 09:00- 03:00

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In a colorful little street that connects Westerstraat and Egelantiersgracht you will find a little sandwich shop called “Kaasboer”.

There is usually a big line, but you will be served quickly and with attention. The people behind the counter always seem to be in a good mood and while you’re waiting they stuff you with for example an asparagus ham that arrived this morning.

I myself am originally from the south of The Netherlands, and when I am in places like this one, I am reminded of the love and attention that you will find in Catholic Belgium or France, for all the pleasures in life, but most importantly for food. The sandwiches that you get are rich and delicious, and the people that are running the shop seem to have a lot of care for the products that they are selling.

Inside the shop there is no opportunity to sit down, but when it’s sunny, you can sit back in front of the shop. Nobody is rushing in the heart of the Jordaan, but there is plenty to see in the cozy streets of this beautiful neighborhood.

Details about this spot
Kaasboer | Snacks | Big sandwich € 4.25
Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 3/W | Jordaan (area map) | +31206248802
daily

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