Foodhallen anchors the area; Bilderdijkstraat and the Kinkerstraat strip run cafes, wine bars and the city's tightest run of new-Italian rooms.
Vicio on Bilderdijkstraat is the Amsterdam Sicilian pasta room, professional pasta makers from Sicily turning out busiate, ravioli and a daily-changing fresh-pasta board.
Signature: Hand-made fresh pasta, Sicilian busiate, Cannoli
Order: Whatever the fresh pasta of the day is, with a Sicilian wine pour to match.
Tip: Small room, books up fast on weekends. Lunch is the quieter window.
Kenneh on Nassaukade is the Amsterdam West African room, jollof rice, suya, fried plantain, the menu Adekunle Owolabi built around home cooking.
Signature: Jollof rice, Suya, Fried plantain
Order: Jollof rice with suya skewers; plantain on the side.
Tip: Bring a group; the menu rewards sharing. Reservation strongly advised on weekends.