New in Town (March 2025)

Juno

Few new restaurants have made as much of a splash as Juno, even if they’re keen to not fall into the trappings of the hottest place in town (speaking to Parool they were quoted saying “we don’t want to end up in the hype culture”). But the hype is real – anyone who’s kept pace on social and word of mouth has heard of Juno. Why? Well because it’s good. And try as they might, good things don’t just stay quiet. Perched along one of De Pijp’s prettiest streets (Frans Halsstraat), Juno’s trademark offering is their open-fire grill, meaning everything on the menu has some gorgeous texture and crispiness to it, from grilled tiger prawns and turbot to a bavette that has guests raving. The wine list is extensive (over 250 wines) and the ambience is intimate too – all brown leather, dark woods, stacked bookshelves and warm yellow lighting – with DJs and vinyls playing on Thursday till Sunday to help curate the mood. Not that you’ll be able to find much evidence of this online – Juno is taking a strict low-stakes stance on marketing, meaning the only way to really get a sense of things is to go. That might sound adventurous, but it’s worth it. 

Juno | open Wed-Sun, 17:00 onwards till late | price range €€-€€€ | Frans Halsstraat 42, De Pijp

Alpha

The dearth of good Greek food in Amsterdam has long been a gripe for many Greeks and Hellenists in the capital. But a surge in restaurants – many along the Amstel – serving up sun-kissed Greek fare has meant that’s reason to believe things are changing, something Alpha looks to promise too. Located right on the corner of the Amstel (where else?) wedged in between H’ART and the National Opera & Ballet, Alpha's sunbaked interior and menu is a welcome dose of vitamin D. A coffee house and all-day deli, crispy spinakopita (spinach pastry pie) is sliced up and served alongside delectable speciality coffee, all with a view of a (hopefully) river shimmering in the sun. It’s compact but cosy, and arguably the spot for a lunchtime sandwich and admiring one of Amsterdam’s most gorgeous vistas. 

Alpha | open weekdays 9:00-18:00, weekends 9:30 - 18:00 | price range €-€ | Amstel 47, City Centre

Copain

It’s hard to know exactly what a “creative culinary experience” is until you try it. So Copain in Noord, which bills itself as precisely this, is your gateway into something a little different. A modern eatery focused on European fusion food that also serves as a rentable space for companies to host bespoke dinners, the premise here is for you to try something unexpected. Finding its home just behind buzzy NDSM-Plein, there’s a changing menu, but surprise takes edible form with dishes like fennel redfish with apple and elderflower, Tartelette with a pumpkin millefeuille and strained yoghurt & bergamot, or brioche with North-sea crab & daikon. And the element of surprise doesn’t end there – the restaurant is equipped with a bright-red moveable bar, making it adaptable for any event or occasion, most of which always require well-poured drinks (and wine, mostly natural). If you’re after a night of finer dining in sleek surroundings, this could be your spot.

Copain | open Thursday-Sunday 18:00-22:00 | price range €€-€€€ | Tt. Vasumweg 42, Noord

KnockKnock Bakery

Amsterdam is teeming with great bakeries – and we’ve tried most of them – and KnockKnock is the newest addition to the city’s repertoire of pastry havens. Nestled on the fringes of Westerpark and Fredrick Hendriksbuurt, KnockKnock’s been garnering attention for its extremely pretty (and delicious) pasties. Homemade Pain Suisse – a layered, buttery and often custard-filled pastry – that comes in vanilla, chocolate and pistachio form, alongside delectable glazed pain au chocolat is the stars, but some sugar-glazed and strawberry-topped pastry swirls and French almond cakes stand out too. The coffee here is by white label coffee – a popular café that has outposts in West and Noord – best enjoyed as you munch on a pastry or two of your choice. Truth is here, there’s no bad option.

Knock Knock Bakery | open Wed-Sun 8:00-16:00 | price range €-€€ | Van Hallstraat 252, Westerpark

In case you missed it….

Keetje K.

From the team behind Jordaan café R. de Rosa, comes a special French-themed winter-time restaurant that’s only open for 30 days. Home to a seasonal menu that comes as a three-course set (€32.50) or a la carte grab wintry veggie favourites like mushroom ragu and roasted carrot, cheese plates, cantuccini and excellent French wine at this pop-up behind Tolhuistuin. Oh, and the Eiffel Tower-inspired waiting trolley is worth the visit alone.

Keetje K | open select days in March | price range €€-€€€ | Tolhuisweg 3, Noord

louf Westerpark + De Pijp

Sourdough bakery and West favourite louf has opened two new locations in recent months – one in Westerpark and one in De Pijp – following the movement of neighbourhoods that are increasingly trendy and ones that have long been. Here you’ll find everything you could want from a bakery but special mention goes to the miso, sea salt and chocolate chip cookie and a croissant-inspired cinnamon swirl. 

louf | open Mon-Sun, 08:00-15:00 | price range €-€€ | De Wittenkade 96, Westerpark + Nicolaas Berchemstraat 4, De Pijp