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Forbes
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Where To Eat In The Dutch Capital Of Amsterdam Right Now
Jansz It's a big year for Amsterdam: The captial of the Netherlands is celebrating its 750th birthday this October, and while there is no shortage of reasons to visit (the sights, the art, the tulips!), the city's world-class cuisine is one of its top draws. From always-evolving tasting menus served in centuries-old dining rooms to Dutch brasseries with an eye for detail, Amsterdam's dining scene is at the top of its game. The White Room With soaring gold-accented ceilings and dramatic oversized flower displays, the Michelin-starred White Room is considered to be the oldest, unchanged restaurant in Amsterdam. It's a must-visit for old-fashioned fine dining; the kind of place to go to celebrate a special occasion. On the fringes of the always-busy Dam Square, this intimate restaurant is a visual delight, swathed in neoclassical detailing that brings to mind the city's bygone Golden Age. Spearheaded by Jacob Jan Boerma, the on-point tasting menu is served both for lunch, as well as dinner, alongside an a la carte offering. Plates can be described as modern Dutch with European haute cuisine technicality. The ingredients are intricate and seasonal, rooted in the country's terroir. Standout bites include the slightly cured, delicate kingfish, with notes of geranium flower and a citrusy hit of bergamot, and the rich pigeon main course, served perfectly pink. Also of note: the house-made sourdough bread, crafted with both whole wheat and spelt, and the expertly cooked, caramelly canelés for dessert. Service is unsurprisingly a ten out of ten. VanOost The relaxed, leafy neighborhood of East Amsterdam has found a new culinary hero in the exquisite VanOost. Nestled on the edge of the very pretty Oosterpark in a converted university building, VanOost has a refined, modern look with moody lighting; overhead wooden beams; and theatrical florals—with a massive open kitchen at its heart. While the restaurant is a new addition to Amsterdam, it has quickly become one of the city's most exciting fine-dining destinations. Top Chef Floris van Straalen crafts expressive dishes that fuse together European and Japanese techniques, featuring Dutch produce and ingredients. Highlights include the signature langoustine dish with dashi beurre blanc, and the dry-aged duck, prepared with precision and plated with a painterly finesse. (Almost every dish is a photogentic delight.) Save space for seasonal desserts (like a twist on summer strawberries and cream), as well as a formidable cheese trolley with plenty of Dutch cheeses. Pre- or post-dinner cocktails can be enjoyed in the restaurant's chic bar space, with large windows overlooking the treetops of Oosterpark. Lotti's Set in the heart of the trendy and quaint Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes), The Hoxton Herengracht (one of two Hoxton hotels in the city) is a stylish mash-up of 17th-century canal-house architecture and industrial-stylish design. The hip hotel's in-house restaurant Lotti's is a lively all-day affair and a perennial favorite for its easy-going brasserie menu. There are some classic dishes here, but they are done up in a modern way. Think: on-trend gildas gone Dutch with silvery pickled herring (a staple in this city) and bite-sized bitterballen, another classic snack, made up of meat and potatoes shaped into balls and fried to crispy perfection. While most tourists head to Winkel 43 for the Dutch apple pie, Lotti's version gives it a run for its money, with plump raisins; a thick, flaky crust; and well-spiced Dutch apples. Lotti's also has a fantastic cocktail list with seasonal additions and local influences, like drinks made with Dutch gin (jenever) and grain wine (korenwijn). Marie Considered to be the city's grandest hotel, Hotel De L'Europe feels like stepping into another time period while still maintaining a distinctly Amsterdam air. It's a monument to long-ago luxury, with Belle Époque flourishes and an enviable location on the Amstel canal. There's no shortage of places to eat here, including the Michelin-praised and newly redesigned Restaurant Flore, and Freddy's Bar, named after Alfred Heineken, the patriarch of the famous beer family, who still serve as custodians of the historic hotel. However, Brasserie Marie is a top pick among locals and visitors. Relaxed but still upscale, this eatery is housed in an airy, conservatory-style setting with delicate vintage touches and oil paintings lining the walls. The menu features refined French cuisine with an overarching Mediterranean vibe, as well as some of the best bread in town: a doughy fougasse, served hot from the oven and sprinkled with crystals of sea salt. Signature dishes include steak tartare and seasonal seafood plates. Expect all dishes to be effortlessly polished, and this is a true gem for long, lazy lunches or romantic dinners. Book during sunset and ask for a table with views over the canal. Peacock Alley Occupying six 17th-century canal houses on the Herengracht ("Gentleman's Canal" in Dutch), the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is undeniably impressive and considered one of the city's top stays. It's also home to the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Spectrum, as well as one of the city's prettiest spots for tea. Based in the heart of the hotel just off the lobby, Peacock Alley is the hotel's plush, grand all-day dining lounge. With the air of a private salon and views over the flower-filled garden, this is the spot in the city to try afternoon tea. Crystal chandeliers, blue banquettes, and genteel classical music set an aristocratic tone, while finger sandwiches, fine-bubbled champagne and sweet treats fill the table. The tea is fantastic too, with several signature blends made just for the hotel in collaboration with the world-famous tea brand, TWG Tea. Try First Edition, a green tea made with verbena and cherry blossoms. Oriole Once a 15th-century convent, then city hall, and now a five-star Sofitel Legend property, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam sits between two canals just off Dam Square. The hotel's top restaurant, Oriole Garden Bistro has been praised by Michelin with a Bib Gourmand accolade, for its good-quality and good-value cooking. In a glasshouse-style space filled with sunlight and hanging greenery, the restaurant plates up international dishes like thick cuts of beef served with parsnip puree and shavings of truffle and catch-of-the-day with lemony risotto. The seafood is especially noteworthy here as the restaurant is part of the Netherlands' Fish&Season Foundation, which is committed to high-quality and sustainable fishing. A concise menu du chef of three or four courses presents a good value at €50 or €60, respectively (a bargain for expensive Amsterdam). Some of the produce and herbs are grown onsite on the hotel's rooftop garden, which also has its own beehives for honey harvesting. Jansz Named after an affluent 17th-century Dutchman once sketched by Rembrandt, Jansz is a great spot for a casual lunch, offering a calm, contemporary take on classic Dutch dining. Well-lit, bistro-like interiors are warm and inviting with creamy blush tones, brushed brass features and large windows overlooking the charming streets and canals. Though Jansz has been around for a few years now, it remains fresh and relevant, loved among locals for its unfussy and elevated dishes. The kitchen focuses on simple, seasonal plates like yellowtail ceviche; seabass served skin on; and a particularly indulgent steak sandwich in a fluffy brioche-style roll. The wine list is well considered, and there's even a white wine from the Netherlands on offer: an Apostelhoeve Cuvée XII from Limburg, Netherlands. On warmer days, opt for a table in the restaurant's Rosé Garden, decorated with striped pillows and potted lavender plants. Here, there's a well-curated menu of rosé wines and sparkling wines to choose from, as well as an a la carte food menu. Overall, the vibe is high end but relaxed with just the right amount of buzz—it's a perfect microcosm of modern Amsterdam. Restaurant Bougainville Perched above the hustle and bustle of Dam Square, Bougainville (part of TwentySeven Hotel, an SLH Hotel) is where theatrical interiors meet Michelin-starred precision. The space is a maximalist fantasy, with mustard-yellow velvet banquettes, city views over the Dam and gold details throughout. The food also leans into this luxurious drama, and every plate feels wrapped in decadence and extravagance. Dutch Chef Tim Golsteijn orchestrates an elaborate one-Michelin-starred tasting menu that is not afraid of being avant-garde. It's interesting and dazzling—both visually and gastronomically. And above all, every bite feels truly new and extravagant, from the amuse bouche of delicate tuna nori rolls with Perle Imperial caviar and duck liver mousse with Dutch liquorice, to the desserts of early season Lambada strawberries served with tarragon frost. One dish that has been on the menu since the beginning is the unmissable gado gado, an Indonesian-inspired green papaya salad, served here with a crown coconut mousse and a heart of lime ice cream. Winning Gault&Millau's Wine List of the Year Award in 2025, a wine pairing here is a must. Expertly curated by Maître-Sommelier Ronald Opten, each course is transformed into a miniature journey by his suggestions and stories.
Forbes
03-04-2025
- Forbes
The Most Stylish New Hotels Coming To Italy This Summer
Collegio alla Querce The heavily hyped Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection just opened in Florence and is slated to be a big hit this summer. Auberge has transformed the 16th-century property and former elite boys school into an 83-bedroom retreat above the hills of Florence, filled with fascinating design highlights like a bar in the former headmaster's office and tiered Baroque-styled gardens, fringing one of the largest pools in Florence. Zimara Set in the historic center of the Puglian Baroque town of Lecce, Palazzo Zimara is a 16th-century palazzo turned into an intimate 18-room hideaway. The design of this family-run property comes care of Italian architect Raffaele Centonze, whose work can be seen at the nearby hotel Masseria Trapanà. If the frescoed walls and wrought-iron details weren't enough of a draw, NEOS Airlines is launching a nonstop flight from New York City to the Puglian capital of Bari starting in June. Orient ExpressLa Minerva The first hotel from Accor's Orient Express brand, La Minerva is coming to the Enternal City this spring. Guests can expect a rooftop restaurant and bar, as well as a spa inspired by Roman baths. There will be 93 guest rooms, including four signature suites with design highlights like ceiling frescos and Rosso Verona marble bathrooms. Pensione America Boutique hotel group Collezione Em will open the transformed historic villa, Pensione America, this April in the Tuscan seaside town of Forte dei Marmi. With just 18 suites (each with private outdoor space), the hotel is set just steps from the Liguarian Sea and will have a private beach club, as well as a pool. Falkensteiner Hotel Bozen Falkensteiner Hotel Bozen is slated to arrive in the Dolomites mountain town of Bolzano in Italy's South Tyrol region this June. While there's a bit of a commercial feel (it's part of the WaltherPark Bolzano development, which includes shops and restaurants), the 113-key hotel has a very stylish rooftop bar with views of the surrounding mountain peaks. Casa Cook Madonna Another June addition to the Dolomites, Casa Cook Madonna is opening in the stylish ski spot of Madonna di Campiglio. Open all seasons, the 50-key hideout will have a spa and fine dining restaurant by acclaimed chef Jacob Jan Boerma, who oversees Michelin-starred restaurants all around the world. Nobu Roma Stationed on Rome's famous Via Veneto just steps from top tourist sights like Villa Borghese, Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna, Nobu Hotel Roma will be comprised of two 19th-century buildings and house 122 rooms. As with all Nobu Hotels the look here is Japanese minimalism; however, there will be a distinct dolce vita design twist on the rooftop terrace. The original J.K. Place Roma Located on a parallel street to the widely beloved J.K. Place Hotel Roma (pictured above), the upcoming Casa J.K. Place Roma is billed as a discreet palazzo dressed by longtime J.K. collaborator Michele Bonan. The new property will have 15 one- and two-bedroom 'apartments,' with three apartments per floor, which can be interconnected. Vista Ostuni The upcoming Vista Ostuni will be taking over a former 14th-century palazzo originally constructed as a convent in the 'White City' of Ostuni in Puglia. The new arrival will have just 28 rooms and will be surrounded by two hectares of private gardens, styled by Belgian landscape designer Erik Dhont, as well as an olive grove. The Carlton Milan The Carlton Milan, Rocco Forte's second property in Milan, is slated to welcome guest by late sumnmer 2025. The group's Director of Design, Olga Polizzi will be at the helm, working with interior designers Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen to dress the 70 rooms, as well as public spaces like a restaurant and lounge, wellness center and rooftop bar.
