The west-side warren of brown cafes, canal-side terraces and Italian rooms; Toscanini, Cafe Papeneiland and Winkel 43 still write the rules.
Sampurna has run an unpretentious rijsttafel for 35-plus years; the Lijnbaansgracht room in the Jordaan is open all day from noon and pours one.
OrderRijsttafel Sampurna with extra sambal badjak on the side.
TipWalk-in friendly at lunch, book for dinner. Open daily from noon.
Toscanini has been Amsterdam's reference Italian since 1985, a Jordaan room running its own bread, its own pasta, and a list weighted toward small producers.
OrderWhatever the pasta of the day is; the bread basket is also their own bake.
TipReserve two weeks out for weekends. The room is loud, in the best Italian-trattoria sense.
Moeders on Rozengracht is the room for Dutch stamppot, erwtensoep and the other home-mother dishes, the walls covered in photos of mothers customers.
OrderThe stamppot of the week with rookworst sausage and braised pork.
TipBring a photo of your mother for the wall. Reservation strongly advised.
Bistrot Neuf has run on Haarlemmerstraat since 2009 as Amsterdam's reference French bistro, a tight room turning out classics: steak frites from the bavette.
OrderSteak frites with the natural-wine-leaning house red.
TipWalk-in often works on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Friday is a full sitting.
La Perla in Amsterdam's Jordaan has run a wood-fired Roman-Neapolitan crossover since 2009, the bar across the alley taking overflow and people-watching.
OrderMargherita with the salty house-cured anchovies on the side.
TipWalk-up only at the bar opposite; the dining room takes phone bookings.
Moeders on Rozengracht is the Amsterdam stamppot room, walls lined with photos of mothers from customers, the menu a Dutch grandmother's repertoire.
OrderStamppot of the week with rookworst sausage.
TipBring a photo of your mother to add to the wall. Reservation advised.
Salmuera on Rozengracht in the Jordaan is the Amsterdam Argentinian-Mexican grill, a long charcoal asado at the back and an over-70-bottle mezcal list.
OrderBife de chorizo from the asador, provoleta and empanadas to start.
TipBook the bar to watch the grill. Mezcal flights are a notable detour from the wine pairing.
Cafe Sonneveld stands on the corner of Egelantiersgracht and Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat in the Jordaan with a sunny canal-side terrace looking toward the Westerkerk, serving genever, kopstoot beers and Dutch comfort food late into the evening.
TipTerrace fills the moment the sun hits it; the kitchen runs until close with kroketten and burgers. Cash card preferred.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Ten years. Twelve tastings. One neighbourhood that never gets old. Join us for a special anniversary edition of our beloved Jordaan Food Tour.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover Amsterdam’s food culture on our Secret Food Tour. Enjoy 6+ tastings including Dutch classics, explore historic streets, and visit family-run spots while uncov...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Eat your way around authentic Amsterdam neighborhoods on this guided foodie walking tour. Savor the taste of 10 food samplings in 5 local eateries across 3 cosy Amster...
