Classical Indonesian Restaurant in the City Centre and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Sama Sebo

Located in a charming building on the corner of PC Hooftstraat & Hobbemastraat "Sama Sebo" is one of the older Indonesian restaurant offering the famous Indonesian "Rijsttaffel" (rice dish spread).

Like most restaurants in the city center it is rather small but very cozy - reservation is advised for dinner hour and weekends. Service is wonderful, unlike the other 'normal' restaurants in Amsterdam this one actually has an 'American-like' ratio of waiters to tables.

The food is very good; not 100% authentic Indonesian but spicy and savoury enough for me to come here when I missed food from Indonesia.

Favorite Dish: Go for the Rijsttafel - you will get about 8 small plates of entrees, 8 small plates of appetizers and salad and a plate of rice for each person. It will cost you around Euro 25 - 30 (depending on whether you opt for the extra jumbo prawn sate) but well worth the money.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020-662-8146
Address: PC Hooftstraat #27
Directions: at the corner of PC Hooftstraat & Hobbemastraat - take the trams that goes Central Station - Leidseplein (1, 2 or 5)
East of Vondelpark and North of Museumplein
Website: http://www.samasebo.nl/

Restaurant Name: New King

Why? well, there are two important reasons:

Firstly, New King is located in Chinatown area - which is also 'next' to red light district, so chances are you will be around the neighbourhood anyways;
Secondly the food at New King is so good and authentic it is very similar to the real Chinese food you find in Asia - so in itself is worthy of a vacation 'experience'.

As with most restaurants in Chinatown, the place is small and can be a bit claustrophobic. During dinner hours when it's very busy you might have to share your table with strangers.
Prices are one of the lowest in the whole city - and rice is given for free. An entree cost around Euro 10 so you will probably be down Euro 12 per person.

Favorite Dish: I always like their Sui Kiau (shrimp wonton) noodle soup and the combination of roasted crunchy pork & honey roasted sweet pork.
Alternatively go for the duck fried rice.

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020-625-2180
Address: Zeedijk 115
Directions: South of central station, about 3 minutes walk (North) of the Waag.
Website: www.newking.nl

Restaurant Name: Sie Joe

Sie Joe resembles an American diner - people at the counter while the food is being prepared in front of them, in a small building with a few small tables.
The food is fantastic though, as it is really authentic Indonesian. It's cheap too - only Euro 7 or Euro 8 per plate. It was one of my lunchtime favourite.

It's tucked in a little corner just East of the Beurs van Berlage (between Central Station and the Dam) but it does get busy during lunchtime.

Favorite Dish: Some of my favourites here include the "Nasi Goreng Kambing" (Mutton fried rice), "Bami Tek Tek" (Stir Fried Noodles with cabbages and tomatoes) and the "Lontong Speciaal" (Rice cake with curry and vegetables).

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Theme: Diner
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020-624-1830
Address: Gravenstraat 24-A
Directions: Walk South on Damrak from Central Station, past the Beurs van Berlage and turn right on Zoutsteeg
Website: www.siejoe.com

Restaurant Name: Hard Rock Cafe

Sometimes I just wanted a burger...and the Dutch don't know how to make a proper one.

Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam is located on Max Euweplein, which is adjacent to Leidseplein, the main area with the biggest concentration of bars in the city.
Of course it is full of tourists and American expats; which might not be something you are looking for when vacationing, but the food is good, the service is excellent and they have proven themselves to be consistent about the quality for years.

Favorite Dish: I come here for the big, cheesy hamburger; prepared in the proper American way :)

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Theme: American
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020-523-7625
Address: Max Euweplein 59
Directions: Take tram 1, 2 or 5 to Leidseplein
Website: http://www.hardrock.com/locations/cafes3/cafes.aspx?LocationID=51&MenuID=15&MIBEnumID=3

Restaurant Name: D'Antica

There are too many Italian restaurants in Amsterdam - so many that it feels as if going out for Italian cannot be reserved for a special occasion.

However, that is not the case with D'Antica. I had a lot of Italian food during my 6yr in Amsterdam and D'Antica is by far the best.
Here not only the food is superb the preparation and serving also deserve a comment. You waiter will come with a tray next to your table and performs a part of the food preparation for your amusement.

For example, if you order pasta with marinara sauce, the waiter will push a wheel of cheese on a cart next to your table, melt the cheese and dumps your pasta in the middle of the wheel to mix your pasta with the cheese. Similarly fish are cut next to your table and if you order a sgroppino for dessert they will mix the limonchello, cream and ice in front of you and pour it into your glass.

The restaurant has two rooms; the main dining area is posh (with white linen on the table) and the side room is a lot more casual (wooden table). Each is nice depending on the occasion.

Favorite Dish: I like seafood a lot and their fresh pasta with fresh seafood special is really extraordinary.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020-6233862
Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 80-82, Amsterdam
Directions: Take the tram either to Muntplein and then walk South or to Rembrandtsplein and then walk West.
Website: http://www.dantica.nl/

Restaurant Name: FEBO

Carrying the most typical Dutch snacks such as Frikandel (Dutch sausage), Kaassouffle (deep fried cheese pastry) and Kroket (deep fried ragout) you have to give FEBO a try when you are in Amsterdam.

They have multiple outlets in the city, including on prime locations such as the Leidseplein and Dam. You will notice the vending machines with the snacks inside (the Dutch calls it 'eating from the wall') and the snacks cost 1.5 - 3 Euro.

Fries (try the garlic mayo!) is available at the counter but you might want to stay off the hamburgers...let's just say the Dutch hasn't mastered that particular snack yet :)


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Theme: Fast Food
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Multiple locations
Website: www.febo.nl

Restaurant Name: Lieve

Lieve is a popular Belgian restaurant located on one of the most handsome streets in Amsterdam, the Herengracht.

Being a Belgian restaurant they've got a great selection of beers and ale's and so you can be sure it's going to be a good night out.
The fresh fish is always good, the 'typical' sides of fries and apple sauce are always delightful.
Finish your dinner with either the cheese platter or the two types of chocolate mousse.
There are two things that the Belgians do very well: beer and chocolate.

The ambiance is cozy and charming - people do dress up a bit in nice 'going out clothes'. They are also big enough to accommodate large groups; we were once there with 15 other people.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020-6249635
Address: Herengracht 88
Directions: about 10 minutes West of the Dam on foot
Website: www.restaurantlieve.nl

Restaurant Name: Wagamama

A very popular noodle bar located at Max Euweplein near Leidseplein; Wagamama is a trendy restaurant that is always full during lunch & dinner hours. They are targeting their product towards the health-conscience young crowd.

You sit on a bench at a long table that resembles dining halls in schools. I personally think the food is just average and to be frank blend. There are many other places in Amsterdam that do noodles better than them; but like I said it is a trendy and cool place and do give it a try if you can.


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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +31 (0) 20 528 7778
Address: max euweplein 10
Directions: Max Euweplein is just off Leidseplein so take tram 1, 2 or 5
Website: www.wagamama.nl

Restaurant Name: Oriental City

My favourite dim sum place in Amsterdam; often went here with the Chinese students so let's say it is endorsed by the experts :)

Very wide range of selections from the benign items like spring rolls, wontons and porridge to more peculiar dishes such as chicken claws and pigs ears.

Dim sum is served until 2pm; I came here once for regular food and you are better off going to other places like New King or Nam Kee. They get really busy on Saturday and Sunday so expect to wait up to 30 mins for a table.


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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020 6268352
Address: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 177 HS
Directions: about 5 minutes walk East of the Dam square

Restaurant Name: Tokyo Cafe

By Amsterdam's standard this restaurant is huge!
It has three levels: first level is bar/lounge, second level is a 'normal' restaurant and the third level has four teppanyaki area.

Now I must admit that this restaurant doesn't really offer authentic Japanese, and there are better Japanese restaurants around. However, the teppanyaki is really fun to do with a group of friends, especially if some of then have never been to one. The cooks are really interactive and that always help for teppanyaki.

Expect to pay around Euro 35-40 per person.


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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +31 (0)20-4897918
Address: Spuiplein 15
Directions: Take tram 2 or 5 and get off at Spui
Website: www.tokyocafe.nl