Day-by-day eating plans for Amsterdam. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

Amsterdam weekend: rijsttafel, brown cafes and a 17th-century apple pie ★ 4.6

First-time visitor, two days2 days

A weekend built around Amsterdam's defining meals: a rijsttafel, a haringhandel stop, Winkel 43's apple pie, a brown cafe pour, and one new-classic dinner.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: market morning, brown cafe afternoon, rijsttafel dinner

    Morning
    Lindengracht Markt at 09:00 for cheese, sourdough and oysters. Winkel 43 on Noordermarkt opens for apple pie by 10:00. Coffee at Lot Sixty One in Oud-West to follow.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Spang Makandra in De Pijp: roti kip, saoto soep, under 15 euros a plate. Walk Albert Cuypmarkt afterwards for stroopwafels at Rudi's. Jenever at Wynand Fockink at 17:00.
    Evening
    Rijsttafel dinner at Restaurant Blauw in Oud-Zuid. Twenty-plus small plates, book a fortnight ahead. Nightcap at Cafe 't Smalle in the Jordaan.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: pastry, museum lunch, late dinner across the IJ

    Morning
    Vlaamsch Broodhuys on Haarlemmerstraat for sourdough by 09:30. Flat white at Scandinavian Embassy on Sarphatipark for the third-wave coffee orthodoxy.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at RIJKS inside the Rijksmuseum: one-Michelin-starred plates priced for the museum visit. Frens Haringhandel at Koningsplein for an afternoon Hollandse Nieuwe.
    Evening
    Ferry across the IJ for dinner at Hotel De Goudfazant in Amsterdam-Noord: a four-course menu in a converted 1200 sqm warehouse. Walhalla or Brouwerij 't IJ for a closing pilsner.

Amsterdam three days: the local-favourite plan ★ 4.7

Returning visitor or three-day stay3 days

Three days for the traveller who has done the canals: De Pijp eating, modern Indonesian, a Michelin-starred game room, and the natural-wine map.

  1. Day 1: Day 1: De Pijp eating

    Morning
    Coffee at Little Collins in De Pijp. Brunch eggs to follow at Kafe Kontrast on Ceintuurbaan.
    Afternoon
    Albert Cuypmarkt walk-through, herring stop at Volendammer Vishandel, stroopwafel from the market stall. Coffee at White Label Coffee in West for the afternoon pull.
    Evening
    Dinner at nNea in the Jordaan: Neapolitan pizza, the seventh-ranked in Europe. Natural wine at GlouGlou on Tweede van der Helststraat to close.

  2. Day 2: Day 2: modern Indonesian and game

    Morning
    Sourdough breakfast at Vlaamsch Broodhuys on Haarlemmerstraat. Coffee at Monks Coffee Roasters in Oud-West.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Mama Makan: contemporary Indonesian rijsttafel in Plantage. Walk through to Wynand Fockink for a jenever flight.
    Evening
    Dinner at Wilde Zwijnen in Indische Buurt: game menu, wild boar, venison. Cocktails at Tales and Spirits on Lijnbaansteeg.

  3. Day 3: Day 3: vegetable fine dining and the ferry crossing

    Morning
    Brunch at Rum Baba in Oost. Cardamom buns at Ree7 in the Nine Streets to follow.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at De Kas inside the greenhouse in Frankendael: vegetable-forward tasting menu, the kitchen growing its own.
    Evening
    Dinner at Flore at De L'Europe: two Michelin stars, entirely dairy-free, vegetable-forward seven courses. Cocktails at Twenty Third Bar on top of Hotel Okura for the view.

Itineraries in Amsterdam, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Amsterdam?

Peak food season in Amsterdam is year-round.

What time do people eat in Amsterdam?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Amsterdam?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Amsterdam?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Amsterdam rewards trust.

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