Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and from its stunning canals to its monuments and cathedrals, millions of tourists flock here every year to experience the best of Dutch culture. Not only is it the capital of the nation, but it’s also the largest city in Holland too, with a population of just over two million people. During the Dutch Golden Age, Amsterdam’s ports were known throughout the world, and because of the Dutch influence in the trading industries during the 19th and 20th centuries, the city became an economic hub for diamonds and finance.
- Discover AmsterdamClaudio.Ar / Season greetings to everyone! / People Photos / CC BY-NC-SA
In July 2010, many of the canals in Amsterdam were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and a number of the world’s leading manufacturers continue to house their headquarters in the city, including ING and Phillips. When it comes to culture, the Dutch capital is infamous for promoting upcoming DJs, dance music and the latest electronic sounds, and with bars and clubs lining the Red Light District, parties frequently spill out onto the streets.
Food is another big aspect of Amsterdam culture, and there are hundreds of restaurants offering the finest homemade delicacies and tastiest recipes. Let’s take a look at some of Amsterdam’s most renowned restaurants, and see whether you can be tempted to take a trip to this amazing city.
La Oliva
La Oliva has a very obvious dining concept – Basque style tapas combined with the finest wines from all over the world. Offering a selection of Pintxos (a bread-based delicacy) for guests as soon as they sit down, there are many more food choices on show for an efficient but deluxe dining experience. Freshly prepared tapas are placed all around the restaurant, and guest can literally try before they buy.
Not only has this proved extremely popular with the locals, but La Oliva also offers an extended menu for those looking for something other than tapas. The skewer of grilled tuna is one of the bestselling dishes, and we recommend booking a table if you’re a group of four or more.
Beddington’s
Named after its British Head Chef and Owner Jean Beddington, Beddingston’s is one of Amsterdam’s finest places to dine. After opening her first restaurant in Amsterdam in 1983, Jean’s Derbyshire roots inspired her to bring a twist of British taste combined with Asian influence to Amsterdam. Having also lived in Japan, Jean’s restaurant is an experimental fusion of multicultural dining, attracting visitors from all over the country. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the open plan kitchen overlooking the diners offers a working class atmosphere while providing luxury food.
De Kas
De Kas, or ‘Glasshouse’ in English, is one of the most dynamic and stunning restaurants in Amsterdam. One half of the restaurant is used for dining, and the other half is used to grow the vegetables that are put on your plate, as well as the fruit used for desert. Even if the food you eat at De Kas wasn’t grown onsite, it will have certainly come from the surrounding farms and gardens. Although De Kas has a commercial vibe to its dining experience, you can’t deny that the food is a cut above the rest.
