Best Spanish and Portuguese restaurants in Amsterdam

Contrast

On an old Dortmunder ship along the NDSM wharf, with gorgeous views of the IJ river, is a Basque restaurant that has been getting rave reviews - and deservedly so. Here, chef Iñaki Bolumburu, who hails from a small town on the outskirts of Bilbao, offers his take on modern Basque cuisine. Almost everything’s organic, local and seasonal, and therefore, the menu’s constantly changing (from €75 for 5 courses). Inspired by the Basque belief that egg yolk was the first sauce ever invented, the star dish of a recent tasting menu was chanterelle gris grilled on the open fire, with a 65-degree egg, finely grated porcini mushrooms and a dash of chickpea and Iberico jamon.

Tip: The dry martini is served with a skewered Gilda—a Basque pintxo of anchovies, olives, and peppers—that infuses the liquor as it drips, making the drink deliciously dirty.

Contrast | Ms. Van Riemsdijkweg 306, Noord 

Portugalia Tasca

A tasca is a typical Portuguese eatery that serves a classic repertoire of dishes, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at this casual spot in a characteristic little white house just off Rembrandt Square. Expect warm and friendly service, plenty of Portuguese patrons and plates groaning with piri piri chicken, grilled sardines, calamari and creamy seafood-studded rice dishes. Highlights from a recent visit included salada de polvo (octopus salad), garlicky clams in white wine broth with homemade bread, grilled salted codfish with bell peppers and potatoes and Beirào sour cocktails, made with the famous spiced Portuguese liqueur, vodka, lemon juice and foamy egg white.

Tip: check out the regular live fado nights.

Portugalia Tasca | Bakkersstraat 12, Centrum

Sagardi

Sitting pretty on the scenic Singel, this Basque pintxos bar and eatery serves deeply satisfying regional specialities. Imagine pintxos with delicate white tuna belly and Getaria anchovies, seasonal sautéed ceps with free-range egg yolk, and rich ruby slices of slow-aged, well-marbled Txuleton Rubia Gallega steak served with sweet-smoky piquillo peppers. There’s also a creamy cheesecake made with rich Latxa sheep milk. The atmosphere is canal house cosy, and the servers know their stuff. While there are also excellent vegetarian and seafood options (the flame-grilled turbot is especially good), Sagardi is simply a must for meat lovers.

Sagardi | Spuistraat 304, Centrum

DONA

Inspired by the cooking skills and love of hospitality passed down from the owners’ grandmothers, this charming vine-covered Portuguese restaurant—named after the Portuguese honorific for all ‘respected women’—feels like a cosy living room with just ten tables. Tucked away in a quiet, residential part of West, its décor is dotted with heirlooms from co-owner Sjors Nouwens’ oma’s Bep and Nel, creating an intimate, nostalgic setting. In the kitchen, chef Diogo Campaniço recreates cherished recipes inherited from his doñas Tana and Tonica. The seasonal 4-course chef’s menu (from €48) changes regularly. It may feature dishes like escabeche de cavala (salted roast mackerel with pearl onions, carrots and parsley oil) and arroz de pato (duck rice with chorizo, orange zest and tawny Port caramel), served homestyle in a vintage pot. The wine list highlights a selection of interesting Portuguese wines from wine-producing regions across the country.

Tip: there’s a small street terrace, should the weather allow it.

Dona | Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47H, Oud-West

Tasca Bellota

This completely unpretentious and absolutely authentic family-run Spanish restaurant on Bickerseiland may look unremarkable from the street but it is one of the city’s best. When a table frees up in the rustic dining room, order some Spanish wine and sample as many plates as you can. Highlights from a recent menu included pan con tomate (bread with tomatoes), boquerones (anchovy fillets), calamari, slow-cooked Iberico pork belly with pickled fennel and arepa flatbreads and Doña Carmina’s silky flan. The mixed paella is pure perfection. The pan brimming with chicken, shellfish, rabbit, and well-crusted rice infused with aromatic stock is well worth the 45-minute wait. 

Tip: there’s also a small waterside terrace, so keep this one in mind for fair-weather feasting.

Tasca Ballota | Bickerswerf 2, Westelijke Eilanden

Franggo

For authentic frango (Portuguese for chicken) with that real-deal flame-grilled flavour, you can’t go wrong at this family-owned mini-chain. Situated in a split-level space near the Albert Cuyp market, there’s a casual vibe well-suited to groups of friends or families with bigger kids. It’s good value too, with prices from €16.50 for a half chicken with a side (tomato salad, piri-salted fries, rice or a jacket potato) and a sauce (piri-piri or garlic butter with lemon).

Tip: Leave some space for pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tarts), which are particularly good here.

Good to know: There are also locations in West (De Clercqstraat 106H) and, from mid-November 2024, Oost (Javaplein 35H).

Franggo | Eerste Sweelinckstraat 9H, De Pijp

ARCA

Conveniently located opposite Central Station, Amsterdam’s OG Portuguese fusion restaurant boasts a sleek fireplace, provocative sculptures by local artist Atelier van Lieshout and a large bar with creative cocktails. Guided by the well-known Portuguese Michelin-starred concept chef Henrique Sa Pessoa and his team, the menu here typically follows the Eastern trade routes of early Portuguese explorers. A six-course tasting menu (from €79) features the best of East and West, while à la carte offerings include both modern sharing plates and comforting classics such as bacalhau à brás with salted cod and fried string potatoes as well as Gault & Millau’s Dessert of the Year 2024: cauliflower tart with peanut butter and green curry sorbet. Bom proveito!

ARCA | Martelaarsgracht 5, Centrum

Mamas & Tapas

Westside locals and families flock to this convivial spot for Spain’s beloved tradition of relaxing with shareable tapas plates and pitchers of fruity white or red sangria. The décor and atmosphere capture the boisterous spirit of a taberna. But the chef isn’t afraid to shy away from tradition with twists on the classics and other small, shareable dishes you wouldn’t typically find in Spain, like broccoli and cauliflower gratin. Typical tapas on the menu include patatas bravas, marinated anchovies, mushrooms sauteéd in sherry and cured Spanish meat or cheese platters. There are also eight types of gin tonic, various cocktails and a selection of Spanish wines and beers. Pick from Basque burnt cheesecake or crema Catalana for dessert.

Mamas & Tapas | Hugo de Grootplein 6, West

Hasta La Vista, Baby!

For Iberian fusion shared dining, craft cocktails, fantastic service, and DJ beats every Thursday and Friday, head to this 19th-floor rooftop resto-bar situated next to Station Zuid. While some of the dishes on the chef’s menu (from €59) are a little fussy, the playful 90s interior in shades of terracotta and teal is eminently Instagrammable, and the cosmopolitan vibe feels a world away from the twee Canal Belt. There always seems to be some business or networking event (no surprise, considering its prime location in Amsterdam’s business district), making it an excellent spot to mingle. Tip: do order the refreshingly spicy Pablo cocktail. With Patrón Silver tequila, Porto, mango and chilli, it “celebrates the artistic spirit that transformed the world of modern art” with a “bold exploration of flavours”.

Hasta La Vista, Baby | Eduard van Beinumstraat 40, Zuidas

Delis

• Craving real-deal handmade pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tarts)? With a crunchy puff pastry crust and a rich and creamy cinnamon-dusted custard filling, Mister Nata (Van Woustraat 48 or Haarlemmerdijk 37) offers some of the best in town (from €5.90 for two). In addition to the original, there are riffs with Port wine, chocolate, coffee and various fruits.
• Head to the De Pijp institution, Pacomer Traiteur (Gerard Doustraat 68-H) to stock up on typical Spanish products while sipping a café con leche. You’ll find chorizo picante, hand-cut jamón Ibérico, whole cayenne peppers and Cabrales cheese but also colourful seafood preserves – all sourced from small-scale (organic) producers. From lunchtime on Wednesday- Saturday, there’s take-out paella too.
• Ibericus Amsterdam is an excellent place to grab a quick Iberian ham sandwich (from €5.00) or tapas plates to-go (Haarlemmerstraat 93).
• Meanwhile, Zuid newcomer Julitos Mercado Gourmet (Cornelis Schuytstraat 37H) offers artisan Spanish olive oils, ready-to-eat delicacies, rice, dried flatbreads, wines, cheeses, cured meats, and more.