Filed under: culinary travel, featuredarticle3, red light district, top-feature
Eating Your Way through Amsterdam’s Red Light District
To Amsterdam locals, the red light district is a pretty tame place, and in fact many all but avoid it – mostly because you can’t cycle through it. However, it is home to some of my favourite restaurants, nestled between sex parlors and tattoo shops. Here are my recommendations for some of the tastiest restaurants in Amsterdam – be sure to note the address, as walking in the wrong door could cause confusion and trouble.
Breakfast at the Bakkerswinkel
Bakkerswinkel means ‘baker’s shop’ in Dutch, and that’s exactly what you’ll get here: a shop that even a baker would be proud to patronage. Behind the crowded glass windows on the red light’s Waremoesstraat, a street full of all sorts of salubrious establishments, is one of the best restaurants in Amsterdam. As you walk in, to your right you’ll be blanked with massive ovens full of bread, stones, pies and pastries. Ahead is the dining area, sort of a mix between a cozy grandmother-like tea room and a quirky, funky, only-in-Amsterdam style. I’ve always told people that Bakkerswinkel has the best scones in Europe outside of the UK, complete with freshly made clotted cream and their own branded jams and jellies. There’s also a remarkable tea list, making this a must-hit in the morning. (Hint: you can get pastries takeaway for picnics and bike rides).
More Info: Debakkerswinkel website (in Dutch only), Warmoesstraat 69 (map)
Lunch at Getto
After you’ve did some shopping and browsing the wares of the red light district, and maybe even had a peek in Amsterdam’s secret church (one of the best attractions, in my opinion), you might find yourself a bit peckish. Well, grab some drinks and food at one of my favorite pub/cafes in Amsterdam, Getto. They do some very very good cocktails, which attracts all kinds – hence the tagline of this establishment, “a place for like minded people.” The menu is a classic Amsterdam bar menu, so don’t expect anything extraordinary there, just expect fresh tasty food washed down with top notch drink. The ambiance is also relaxed and chilled-out, great for people-watching. What’s not to like?
More Info: Getto Website, Warmoesstraat 51 (map)
Snacks at The Bird
Don’t laugh at the name – it doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll be eating, nor will you get any untoward finger gestures by visiting here. The Bird is a tasty Thai restaurant with the most beautiful menus, and a beautiful cookbook for sale – in Dutch only – located on the Zeedijk, a street that wraps around the outer edge of the red light district. You have two options for The Bird – on one side of the street there’s a proper restaurant, and across the street is the Bird “snackbar” where you can get quick, easy simple snacks that are basically a remix of the main menu. I like both, but actually I like the snackbar the best because it’s just unpretentious, no fluff, no hassle tasty Thai. It goes great with those of you hoping to move on for drinks – or for those of you who already have had a few too many drinks!
More Info: Bird Websitel, Zeedijk 72 (map)
Dinner at Blauw aan de Wal
“Blue on the Quay” isn’t really an Amsterdam secret – it is featured in many travel guides – but the funny reality is that as it is inside an old monastery building from the 1600s, it is next to impossible to find (you have to walk down an alleyway and then into a fairly dark courtyard). Finding it is well worthwhile, because this moderately expensive restaurant has a very fresh, modern interpretation of Mediterranean food, a cuisine not often found here. One of the many highlights of your experience, beyond the atmosphere, is the wine list – even if you go for the cheapest thing on the list, be prepared to be blown away. Service is also another striking highlight. Go find this place during the day, and then book reservations for dinner (reservations highly recommended). You’ll love it.
More Info: Oude Zijde Achterburgwal 99 (map)
On the Go
Should you find yourself on the move, and just desperate for a snack, I can’t help but point out FEBO to you. You won’t miss it, as it’s one of the tackiest, obtuse chains in the Netherlands, found throughout Amsterdam and train stations across the country. FEBO is home to the famous “food wall”, where you drop some change in and open a small door, revealing the tasty deep-fried delight of your choice. It’s unhealthy and sometimes un-identifiable, but it is yummy. As they say, when in Rome…
Lastly, but not least, I feel slightly ashamed to admit knowledge of a very good place for chicken in the red light district. It is Favorite Chicken and Ribs (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 64, map), an awfully tacky and dreadful looking place. But the fried chicken is good. Like most places in Amsterdam’s red light district, looks can be deceiving, so choose wisely.
Eet smakelijk!
Photo Credit: Bert K
2 Comments
When I first read Lunch “Snacks at the Bird, I thought it was snacks on the bird (english)…Very interesting for a red light eatery…. But I do agree there are plenty of great spots to eat in Amsterdam and the Red Light is no exception.
stay adventurous, Craig
HA – birds are easily confused.