The Rijksmuseum restaurant is a bit fancy for some tastes; The Van Gogh Museum’s in-house café is best suited for informal meals. For a more memorable meal after visiting museums, choose one of these restaurants near the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. In addition to these tips, the streets south of the Vondelpark are lined with worthwhile restaurants, so don’t be afraid to see where your luck takes you.
01
of 05
Restaurant Bouf or Café Martinot
Direction
Van Baerlestraat 51, 1071 AP Amsterdam, The NetherlandsGet directions
Telephone
+31 20 673 6222
Web
Visit the website
Distance from Museumplein: 0.3 miles; about 7 minutes walking
The owners of these two restaurants probably wouldn’t appreciate me grouping them together. But the menus (both called “International”) are similar enough to recommend them for a delicious meal in a cozy atmosphere. They also happen to be next to each other. They both keep it simple for lunch, serving sandwiches, soups, and salads. Dinner selections include inventive and classic meats, fish, and pasta. Outdoor seating in any of the neighborhoods great for people watching.
02
of 05
Café Loetje
Direction
Johannes Vermeerstraat 52 , 1071 DT Amsterdam , Paises BajosGet directions
Telephone
+31 20 662 8173
Web
Visit the website
Distance from Museumplein: 0.5 miles; about 10 minutes walking
As crowds of tourists converge on the fast food stalls on the Museumplein, head south through the residential area of the Museum Quarter to find this local’s favorite eetcafé. Waiting for a table is inevitable (they don’t take reservations), but once you try their signature dish, my pick for the best steak in town, you’ll agree that the wait was worth it.
03
of 05
Sama Sebo
Direction
Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat 27 , 1071 BL Amsterdam , Paises BajosGet directions
Telephone
+31 20 662 8146
Web
Visit the website
Distance from Museumplein: 0.3 miles; about 7 minutes walking
This is one of the oldest and most popular Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam, so book early to get a table. If you choose a traditional rijsttafel (literally “rice table”, a selection of 15-20 small plates served with rice), you might need a nap afterwards! Open for lunch and dinner.
04
of 05
Cafe Wildschut
Direction
Roelof Hartplein 1-3, 1071 TR Amsterdam, The NetherlandsGet directions
Telephone
+31 20 676 8220
Web
Visit the website
Distance from Museumplein: 0.5 miles; about 10 minutes walking
The terrace of this neighborhood café is full on sunny days, thanks to its south orientation. Lovers of the Art Deco style will marvel at the interior, although some may find it run down. Whatever your opinion, the menu is packed with variety and reasonable prices, from a pita burger (served with lots of fries , of course) to huge salads with spicy Thai chicken or smoked salmon.
05
of 05
Hap-Hmm
Direction
Eerste Helmersstraat 33, 1054 CZ Amsterdam, The NetherlandsGet directions
Telephone
+31 20 618 1884
Web
Visit the website
Distance from Museumplein: 0.5 miles; about 10 minutes walking
This former Dutch restaurant is a true Old South institution, where diners enjoy daily specials in a cozy wood-paneled interior. The menu combines the freshest seasonal fare with all-weather Dutch classics, and the prices are famous for their low price; After all, this has been the local address for hearty Dutch food since 1935, and it’s a perfect place to get to know typical Dutch cuisine for the first time. Please note that it is open only on weekdays and limited to dinner; the kitchen closes at 8:30 pm, but you can sit down to dinner at 4:30 pm
Updated by Kristen from Joseph.
