Spring has officially arrived, and with it, a renewed appetite for light, refreshing meals, comforting flavours, and seasonal dishes best enjoyed with a sun ray or two on your face. The city feels softer, lighter, and we’re leaning into it. So we did what we do best: gathered the team, compared notes, and curated our ultimate Aa Spring Eats Guide.
Broken down by price point, it’s filled with our go-to spots for every kind of craving. Think: unfussy plates, new favourites, old reliables, and places that somehow make even a weeknight dinner feel like an occasion. Whether you’re catching up with a friend, on a date, or just out for a solo meal, this one is for you
Scroll to browse, and yes, save our Google Maps list. It will come in clutch.
Pho King – €
THE BEST!!! Just go, order an aquarium-sized bowl of rich, flavorful broth with perfectly chewy noodles, and thank us later.
Klaproos – €
Tucked away in Amsterdam Noord, it’s a go-to for wood-fired pizzas, fresh seasonal dishes, and an atmosphere that always feels like a pre-party waiting to happen. Perfect for group dinners that turn into something more, especially when the backyard’s in full swing.
Kilimanjaro – €
We <33 Ethiopian food! The injera is perfectly tangy, the stews are rich and comforting, and the mango beer? Surprisingly elite. It’s the perfect spot for a group dinner, because let’s be honest, nothing brings people together like eating from the same plate.
Sushi Fanatics – €
Going to Sushi Fanatics every ten business days is what got us through uni. Tucked away in East, it’s home to some of the freshest sushi in town, served by the sweetest staff in the coziest setting. Think sashimi for days, dining cross-legged on a tatami mat, and finishing off with one of their dreamy matcha.
Salvatorica – €
Fresh homemade pasta, no fuss, always a good time. Pro tip: if you’re planning a cooking date and trying to scam your way into someone’s heart, swing by for some of their fresh pasta, throw together a simple sauce, and let your personality take it from there (hopefully). Maybe grab their tiramisu too, just in case you run out of conversation topics.
Thai Street Bar – €
Sometimes all you need is a hug, or Pad Thai. And more often than not, if faced with the choice, we’d go with the Pad Thai. It’s the kind of mind-body-soul nourishment that never misses, comforting, satisfying, and deeply grounding. Located in the city center, Thai Street Bar is our go-to for a low-stakes Sunday dinner or a much-needed hangover cure. And don’t even get us started on the green curry. Please. We’d be here for days.
Kikkie van de Prinsensluis – €€
Kikkie. A name we all know, a corner we all adore. In the heart of Amsterdam, it’s our go-to for prime people-watching and clinking glasses. Lately, we’ve found a new reason to stay longer. The dinner menu is ideal for lining your stomach after one or three glasses of orange wine. The smashburger is an obvious win, the cheese selection never disappoints, and last time we went, the fried mushroom dish was an unexpected favourite.
KID – €€
KID is the go-to for comfort food with an elevated twist. Don’t miss the tsukune skewers, the langoustine bisque noodles, and—of course—their infamous chicken sandwiches. The cocktail menu is a hidden gem, with the Pure Pandan being one of our favorites in the city. Best enjoyed in spring, thanks to the spacious and sunny terrace.
Café Beurre – €€
Café Beurre truly has our heart. The ambiance in the restaurant is what first captured our attention, with the dim lights and candlelit interior, it is just the perfect place for conversations with a side of dinner. The staff is always warm and welcoming. Many, if not most, of their dishes are vegetarian, making it a great and accessible option for everyone. Definitely try their leek terrine with a side of bread and beurre (duh).
Esra – €€
This is easily one of my favourite finds of the year. Tucked away in Amsterdam East, dining here felt like stepping into a warm embrace. The staff couldn’t be kinder, and the space radiates that rare kind of effortless hospitality. The menu, with its ever-evolving lineup and Turkish influences, is packed with deeply flavourful dishes, each one cooked to absolute perfection. Start with a vermouth tonic, then do yourself a favour and order pretty much everything.
Rijsel – €€
Rijsel is one of those places that quietly does everything right. French-Belgian comfort food with zero fuss. The atmosphere is always lively but never loud, the kind of spot that feels like a well-kept secret even though it’s always packed. Pro tip: make a reservation well in advance.
Bodega Restobar – €€
Bodega Restobar is the latest venture from the Sebonsa boys, and yes, the wine is amazing—no surprises there. But the food? Wow. They’ve teamed up with chef Ciaran Patrick once again, and the result is a menu that’s unexpected, fresh, and deeply comforting all at once.
Hotel de Goudfazant – €€
Hotel de Goudfazant sits in that Bermuda Triangle of Amsterdam Noord—the corner where you’re guaranteed to run into at least two friends and one ex at any given time. Set in a former garage with high ceilings and even higher energy, it’s the perfect spot for a group dinner that turns into a night. The menu is sharp, the wine list even sharper, and the atmosphere? Effortless without trying too hard. Come hungry, stay late.
Café Restaurant Amsterdam – €€
A classic Amsterdam establishment that belongs in any guide. You don’t really come here for the food (though it’s pretty good—not the best you’ll ever have, but solid), but for the lively, feel-good energy that instantly lifts your mood. The extensive menu features European classics, from bitterballen to fresh seafood. Bonus points in spring when you can snag a spot on the terrace and wash it all down with a glass of crémant.
Coba – €€€
Tucked away in Amsterdam Noord, it’s the place for elevated Mexican food that surprises in all the right ways. The tortillas are handmade, the mezcal list is long, and the space feels like a well-kept secret. Until you realise everyone else you know is also there. Perfect for a date night, birthday dinner, or just because.
Choux – €€€
Choux’s vegetable-forward tasting menu makes for a satisfying and thoughtful spring dinner. Each dish is almost too pretty to eat—yet once you dig in, you’re rewarded with surprising layers of taste and texture that feel truly unique. The experience is made complete by a fantastic team delivering top-tier service.
Scheepskameel – €€€
Another Amsterdam classic, Scheepskameel is one of those rare restaurants that manages to please everyone. If your parents are in town and weary of Amsterdam’s hype small-plates restaurants, this is the place to take them. The menu features timeless European preparations made with top-quality ingredients, resulting in dishes that are light, balanced, and perfect for spring. Bonus points for their excellent non-alcoholic wine selection.
De Kas – €€€
De Kas is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re in on something special. Set inside a greenhouse in Park Frankendael, the entire experience revolves around seasonality and simplicity. Vegetables harvested the same morning, plated with quiet confidence. The space is serene, the menu ever-changing, and every bite feels like a soft reminder that good things take time.
