Can you tell me which Amsterdam restaurants are cool/hip/trendy right now?
I often get asked for a list of hip Amsterdam restaurants but the truth is, I’m writing this post somewhat reluctantly in the knowledge that I’m going to be hard pushed to keep it up to date.
Indeed when I search Google for ‘hip’ or ‘trendy’ restaurants in Amsterdam I see posts written years ago (or generated by AI) that are waaaaayy beyond their sell-by date.
The Amsterdam scene changes regularly and as with everywhere, when the crowd moves on, a place that is considered ‘cool’ one week can quickly become ice cold. It’s also incredibly subjective and what one person thinks is cool, buzzy or sceney, another will tell you is anything but.
That said, rather than go for super-faddy TikTok eateries I’m going to list a few places that have welcomed the in-crowd for a year or more which proves they have a bit of staying power.
what is and isn’t cool?
Hip in Amsterdam doesn’t mean bling, it doesn’t involve high heels or flash and it’s usually mostly about gezelligheid – cosy places that those in the know want to hang with their friends.
As a result, there are two notable eateries I haven’t included on this list because they scream Russian/Vegas maximalist over-the-top and in-your-face ostentation which is the antithesis of actual Amsterdam cool. Still, some visitors seem to be fans of the TOWIE-luxe vibe and so if that’s your thing then take a look at Secret Garden and it’s new sibling The Siren. Be warned, they are aimed at those who are impressed by 160 seater restaurants with swirling carpets, gold taps and caviar (The Siren) or people who get Instagram-excited about the idea of sipping a Wagyu Negroni – yes beef fat and gin – under a canopy of fake plants and the odd caged parrot (Secret Garden). Whilst they’d have you believe they are the ultimate Insta-eateries, most Amsterdammers wouldn’t be seen dead anywhere that looks a lot like a blinged-up Rainforest Cafe and charges €27 for a starter of Tuna Tataki.
hip areas of amsterdam
Right, we need to get back to low key cool and first let’s talk about areas.
Most tourists will spend their time around the canal belt, hopefully making it as far as the Jordaan, De Pijp, The Museum District and maybe Amsterdam West. But these are mainstream areas and whilst you will definitely find gems based here, the truly cool edgy scene setters are a little further out.
So if you want Shoreditch style cool then you’re talking Amsterdam Noord (north of the River Ij). For Dalston-style cool its probably De Baarsjes; Peckham-cool we’re talking Bos En Lommer or Hackney cool maybe Oost (the Eastern side of Amsterdam).
Whilst all these areas have happening spaces that really do attract the cool kids, I’m going to assume you’re looking for hotspots in the equivalent of Covent Garden, Soho or maybe Notting Hill and so in general, the places I’ve listed below are more central and aren’t for the uber-young and uber-hip. For that you’ll need to look elsewhere.
the hotlist
GERTRUDE
For the last couple of years Gertrude has topped the hotspot list for hip Amsterdammers, making it the number one name that comes up time and time again. This cosy neighbourhood restaurant with its cool vintage interior offers small plates for sharing and attracts a crowd of in-the-know 20 and 30-something locals and expats who fill it up night after night for good food, good drinks and good times.
GITANE
Further down the road in Amsterdam Old West you’ll find Gitane in the ever hip Jan Pieter Heijestraat. With a double-height ceiling and stripped back tables, it has a weathered-vintage meets modern look, a menu of small seasonal plates and a clientele of buzzy locals. In Summer the small terrace is the place to see and be seen.
TREES
After the success of Gertrude (above) the founders of this hotspot have just expanded with a new concept in the heart of town. Downstairs you’ll find a speakeasy cocktail and casual eats bar whilst upstairs in the cosy mismatched vintage restaurant you can eat a set menu of four to six courses. I suspect the cool crowd are mostly to be found downstairs where the stuffed brioche buns are said to be the star.
CUE
Listening Bars are HUGE in Amsterdam at the moment having exploded across the Pacific in the land of all things hip, Japan. And the newcomer on the cocktail, tunes and eats scene creating Amsterdam’s biggest tsunami is Cue. Head here for DJ’s spinning chill vinyl on custom built audio supported by crafted cocktails and insanely good Japanese bar bites or head upstairs for the fine dining Japanese tasting menu (reservations mandatory for the latter). A coalition of owners, chefs and sommeliers from standout Michelin-starred restos have ensured that this was not just another opening – our tip is to head straight down to the basement for a seriously cool sensory treat.
HELLING 7
If you can get yourself to Amsterdam Noord then Helling 7 is the place to be. A visually stunning location with excellent food – be sure to wear flat shoes to climb the industrial tower in this ship repair yard and ogle the extraordinary view. Full review right here.
IKKOKU
Japanese omakase or chef’s choice set meals are having a moment in Amsterdam and nowhere more so right now than at Ikkoku. Hidden away behind a curtain in the back of a matcha tea bar in De Pijp, Ikkoku is a sleek minimalist space with seating set around a central kitchen/prep area. Outrageously good value for now, a recent rave review in the Parool newspaper is likely to drive significant numbers and quite possibly an increase in price. For more info have a read of our post.
SJEFIETSHE
We absolutely love this tiny ceviche restaurant in De Pijp which started as a popup before they were persuaded to to commit to a full time operation. It’s another example of Amsterdam-style cool where good-looking locals rock up on bikes and hang around for a glass of wine and some punchy plates of goodness. Check out this post for the lowdown.
GEORGE WPA
Amsterdam has a big fraternity scene and though I wouldn’t necessarily call it cool, you’ll find lots of buzz and beautiful willowy blondes (male and female) on the terrace of George WPA for Sunday brunch. Whilst its more Made in Chelsea than Walthamstow-hip there’s no getting away from the fact that all the George restaurants (and George WPA in particular) are part of the scene. More info on the concept here.
NENI
Most of the restaurants on the list so far have been small and cosy (not surprising when central Amsterdam square footage comes at such a premium) but if you’re looking for something big and blowsy head to Neni for Middle Eastern fare and dose of sunshine even on the rainiest of days. Based in a former Citroen garage in the Stadionplein area, South of Amsterdam, Neni has been pulling in a buzzy crowd for the last few years. Full review on this post.
DE JAPANNER
As I said at the start of this post, by the time I finish writing this list the cool kids might have moved on, and this place (which used to be the hotspot) could very well have jumped the shark. De Japanner opened their original tiny branch in the Albert Cuyp market in De Pijp and were one of the forerunners that made the street come alive after dark. Open until (very) late with Japanese drinks and bites it used to be a significant scene. They expanded to a second slightly less hip branch in the West and have just opened a third spot in the business area Zuid which makes me fear they’ve gone a bit mainstream and lost their edge. Still, the food is good and the original branch has so far retained its sizzle. More in this post.
FORT NEGEN
It’s not a restaurant but if you want to join the in-crowd for weekend bakes then the queue outside Fort Negen is the place to be. Incredible weekend specials in an area with a serious foodie rep, we are major fan-girls (and boys) when it comes to Fort Negen. Read this post to discover why.
So that’s it. Well for now at least. By next week this list might be out of date, or no doubt someone genuinely hip will point out that these are not the places to be. It’s worth adding that not all of them make our Best Amsterdam Restaurants list for a variety of reasons. Click here to see which we would recommend if you only have a couple of days in the city – remember, you can always chase the scene setters another day.