Brasseries and Bistros

lunch or dining establishments that are more casual than restaurants

Bistro, Brasserie, Restaurant? What's the difference?

A Brasserie is usually a large, bustling place with a traditional menu, where the food is good, but not necessarily served in the way of Michelin starred restaurants. In general, brasseries are open all day long, all days of the week.

A Bistro is a smaller and more personal restaurant with the intentions of creating original imaginative dishes. They aren't necessarily open all day or all days of the week.

Restaurant is a generic term for places that serve food, including Brasseries and Bistros.

Best establishments

zoldering

Zoldering    €€€

Light and open wine bar-style restaurant with good service and superb small and large dishes

Centrum / Canal Belt

nel

Brasserie NeL   €€

Located in the wooden Amstelkerk on a lovely square

Centrum / Canal Belt

lottis

Bistro Berlage   €€

Recently opened modern bar and lunch/dinner restaurant on historic site

Centrum / Dam Square

lottis

Lotti's   €€

Café, Bar & Grill at The Hoxton, open from early morning until late at night

Centrum / Canal Belt

auberge

Auberge    €€€

Typical French bistro serving classics, à la carte or fixed price menu.

Zuid / De Pijp

luxembourg

Cafe Luxembourg   €€

Popular grand café with a relaxed ambiance. Lunch specialities are the Croque Monsieur, Croque Madam and Caesar Salad

Centrum / Spui

floreyn

Floreyn   €€€€

Traditional Dutch cuisine restyled for today's gourmet

Zuid / De Pijp

kaagmanenkortekaas

Kaagman & Kortekaas 

Excellent French bistro hidden in a narrow alley near Dam Square

Centrum / Dam Square

cafemodern

Café Modern 

stylish restaurant bistronomique with charming, small hotel  on 2nd floor

Noord / Volewijck

pastis

Pastis   €€

Paris style bistro with classic French food and relaxed atmosphere.

place West / Oud-West

lentrecote

L'Entrecôte et les Dames    €€

Atmospheric Parisian brasserie setting. The place to go if you like the thin French version of sirloin steak.

Zuid / Oud-Zuid

matahari

Mata Hari   €€

Lively bar & restaurant with a canal-side terrace

Centrum / Old Centre

marispiper

Maris Piper  

luxury brasserie serving lobster, truffle, Beef Wellington

Zuid / De Pijp

All restaurants listed here are reviewed by the editors of this website, who visit anonymously and pay for their own meals and drinks.

Price categories
€        Inexpensive < €35
€€      Moderate spend €35-55
€€€    Special occasion €55-90
€€€€  Expensive > €90

Avg. price for 2-course meal (starter + main course) for 1 person, excluding drinks