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Image from Maarten van der Wal

Most romantic restaurants in Amsterdam

Impress and treat your loved ones at one of these romantic restaurants in Amsterdam.

De Belhamel 

The dining room of De Belhamel restaurant in the Jordaan
Image from De Belhamel

Take a seat on the terrace and indulge in a meal of French and Italian-inspired flavours at this restaurant located just on the edge of the Jordaan district. With dim lighting, cosy seating and art nouveau décor, De Belhamel brings an intimacy to dining not often found in a bustling city.

De Belhamel | Brouwersgracht 60

De Kas

Glass house
Image from Ronald Hoeben

Enter an oasis in Amsterdam Oost at Restaurant De Kas, a restaurant that creates its daily-changing menu from fresh produce grown in its own greenhouse and garden. Guests can take a seat inside the beautifully lit glass conservatory or, when it’s sunny, on the patio surrounded by fragrant herbs. De Kas offers an all-in Valentine's menu on 14 February - perfect for those fine-dining and Michelin star-seeking eaters (we've put together a complete list of Michelin-star restaurants in Amsterdam here).

Restaurant De Kas | Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3

Café Toussaint

With wooden floors, an ivy-covered entrance and plenty of outdoor seating, this charming café has all the ingredients for an intimate evening. Nosh on small snacks with a glass of wine, or sit down to enjoy a meal prepared right before your eyes in the open kitchen. It's situated on Bosboom Toussaintstraat in Oud-West, undoubtedly one of the most picturesque streets in the city.

Café Restaurant De Plantage

Café-Restaurant de Plantage in the evening with sparkly lights.
Image from Maarten van der Wal

Dine beneath twinkling sycamore trees at this conservatory-turned-restaurant next to the Artis Royal Zoo. Café Restaurant De Plantage's breathtaking atmosphere isn’t the only thing it offers: a celebrated menu of fanciful dishes such as wild boar ravioli or a roasted leg of lamb — shared between two guests — is its winning feature.

La Oliva

La Olive restaurant in the Jordaan
Image from La Olive

Indulge in Spanish romance at La Oliva, a restaurant on Egelantiersstraat specialising in the taste of Spain. Though there are plenty of main courses such as fish stew and venison, if you're with your loved ones, it's worth opting for pintxos, small toasts served with delicious toppings from the Basque region — perfect for sharing.

Vuurtoreneiland

Travel to the rugged, historic Vuurtoreneiland (Lighthouse Island) for more than just a meal. Each ticket includes a romantic boat ride to the island, during which guests enjoy snacks, an aperitif, and a five-course dinner with wine. In the warmer months, dinner is served in the greenhouse-style summer restaurant, while in the winter, the action heads indoors to an atmospheric winter restaurant tucked away in a historic military fort.

Merkelbach

Huize Frankendael, Merkelbach interior
Image from Merkelbach

Savour the history of Amsterdam in the City’s last 18th-century estate at Huize Frankendael. In the estate’s elegant coach house is the Merkelbach restaurant serving up food 'Slow Food' style — every ingredient can be traced back to its source, and the menu features produce grown right in the garden.

BAK

With a menu that changes daily and a focus on ethical cuisine, BAK, located in the trendy Houthavens neighbourhood, is a haven for eco-conscious couples. A streamlined, sustainable set menu offers a meal that will surprise you — especially as its menu now features only wild game and fish. 

Van Speyk

Van Speyk restaurant interior
Image from Van Speyk

Brick walls, wooden beams and glittering chandeliers give off a rustic, romantic vibe at Van Speyk in the city centre. Located in a 17th-century warehouse, the restaurant serves up seafood such as oysters and escargot as an homage to its namesake, as well as classic Dutch dishes.

Taiko

Sushi at Taiko restaurant in Conservatorium hotel
Image from Conservatorium Hotel

Explore the flavours of the far east applied to local, seasonal produce at the Conservatorium's sultry Asian restaurant, Taiko. The dark decor and intriguing decor are enough to put anyone in the mood for love, and what's more, the restaurant offers a unique Valentine's menu on 14 February, created especially for couples by chef Schilo van Coevorden.

Helling7

Perched on an old shipyard slipway at the NDSM wharf and constructed entirely of scrap metal and glass, Helling7 is a new all-day restaurant where the circular theme extends to the menu. Everything is made using local, sustainable ingredients - all cooked over coals in an open kitchen. You'll find dishes like the Catch of the Day: succulent monkfish with an unagi (Japanese eel) glaze, Beluga lentils and savoy cabbage. But the standout really is the sweeping dockside views and a rooftop terrace that’s apparently one of Amsterdam’s largest and definitely one of its most enticing.

Next

From the genius minds behind Pllek, comes Next, a new restaurant to grace the industrial shipyard buildings of the NDSM Wharf. The restaurant is open daily from 09.30 till late, so you can reserve a spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply cocktails from their stand-out bar team. Indulge in creative dishes such as cauliflower with maple syrup and pico de gallo, artichoke with romesco sauce and halibut with sage and a beurre blanc. The restaurant also boasts astonishing views of the harbour and ferries sailing to and from Central Station.

Sins of Sal

Sins of Sal in the Jordaan is a candle-lit cave of decadence and debauchery with a concept that falls somewhere between Latin America and the occult. If you're in need of an aphrodisiac, try the oysters (we've got a full list of the best oyster spots in case) which come topped with tiradito (a floral salsa made with ají amarillo peppers and leche de tigre (a spicy citrus marinade). For extra gluttony, you can knock them back with a pisco or smokey mezcal rinse. To wash this all down, you'll find some stunning natural wines on the menu while some of Amsterdam's best cocktails like the house Paloma or Margarita are available on tap. 

Compartir

People sitting at the bar at Compartir wine bar and restaurant on Spaarndammerstraat
Image from Manouk Quint

Another great place for oysters, Compartir does what its name suggests best: sharing plates. This cosy wine bar set across two levels in Westerpark's leafy Spaarndammerbuurt district is for those chilly autumnal nights when all you want is to grab a bottle of wine and retreat from the world (and still go out to eat). It's all about fresh Franco-inspired small plates and nibbles here, including charcuterie, cheese boards and oysters topped with a fragrant blood orange foam. The wine list is equally dynamic, with an extensive selection of frizzantés, sparkling rosés and emerging European gems to complement every dish.