Unique Restaurants Worth Trying in Amsterdam
Dine in a Greenhouse in Amsterdam
When I go out to eat, I usually like to try new places, however, in Amsterdam, there are a couple of places that I could return to over and over again. Two of them happen to be in former greenhouses. Not only are the settings beautiful and unique, the food makes it that much more worth your attention. Make sure you get a seat the table at these restaurants worth trying in Amsterdam.


If ever there a restaurant worth traveling for, to me, this is it. De Kas is located in a greenhouse, so diners sit in this beautiful glass space, full of light and space.
Some of the food is grown in the functional greenhouse attached to the restaurant, so the food and menu are seasonal and fresh. Other items are sourced locally, which help make it one of the best restaurants in Amsterdam.
We started with this soup, crab and watermelon. It sounds odd, but that is one of the things I love about De Kas. Because it based on food that is in season, you can end up with unexpected tastes that actually work well together.
Our next course was a grilled eggplant and zucchini salad, simply arranged and prepared, but fresh and delicious. It was followed by a fish main course, which was also tasty. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive.


The view as we were leaving De Kas after dinner, vowing to return on our next trip.
2. De Plantage
De Plantage is another fun and delicious restaurant worth trying, and another restaurant located in a garden setting. It is on the edge of a park and zoo. The interior seems as if you’ve stepped into a 19th century botanical garden with steel beams and glass windows everywhere.

The food at De Plantage is also fresh and seasonal. Here is our salad of sausage, watermelon, lentils and greens. These are not ingredients that I would naturally put together, but it worked and was delicious.
Since the restaurant is on the edge of the park and zoo, if you have a seat near a window, you just might have the opportunity to view the aviary as part of your dining entertainment. There were a number of birds flying around the enclosed area, and we also saw flamingos walking around.


Notable Mentions
3. Blauw
Indonesian Cusine
I wasn’t entirely certain what Indonesian cuisine would entail. Would it be like Thai? Would it be like Chinese? The answer is probably somewhere in the middle, but with many, many options. The specialty is rijsttafel, literally translating to rice table, but should translate to ‘whole lot of food.’ You are served seemingly countless small dishes of varying tastes some vegetable and some meat or fish. You are encouraged to mix and match, find your own favorite combination. No two bites are the same. It is a unique dining experience, particularly in a such a bright, fun location.

4. De Jaren
Canal-side Cafe
De Jaren‘s canal-side location is in fact why this place makes my list. It is not necessarily the food, but the location. We actually went in the morning to make sure that we could get a spot outside. It was relaxing sitting right on the water, and we had croissants and eggs, which were perfect for a leisurely breakfast. On nice afternoons, the patio is bustling. Inside, though, has a lot of light, and plentiful windows so all can enjoy the view. If you’re looking for a cool place along the water, De Jaren is worth trying.
5. Bleu
Bleu Bistro is a centrally located French restaurant on the Canal Ring. We came upon it as we were actually headed somewhere else. We were drawn to it by its outdoor seating, cozy atmosphere, and friendly servers – even as we were still deciding and perusing the posted menu.

I didn’t get a chance to snap photos of our dinner choices, but we each coveted our dishes, and didn’t want to share, so I can attest that everything we had was delicious.
We opted to sit outside in the still-summer weather. It felt like a comfortable living room. We were right next to our dining neighbors. Both were Dutch couples and were so friendly and willing to talk about Amsterdam, the food, anything really. Additionally, I can’t say enough nice things about the staff. They were also friendly, welcoming, helpful with selections, and overall delightful. They were the kind of the people you want to be friends with at the end of the evening.
While, we didn’t get pictures of the main courses, dessert was definitely photo-worthy. The Chocolate Crumble was definitely not your run of the mill brownie topped with ice cream. First of all, it came in its own enormous copper bowl, and had a spatula as a utensil. All the better to scoop out the bowl of all its goodness. YUM!


Recap: Restaurants Worth Trying
- De Kas
- Plantage
- Blauw
- Bleu
I hope you also find these restaurants worth trying.
Bon Appetit!
Be sure to check out the travel resources page for tours and other tips during your stay in Amsterdam.