Amsterdam French Food Restaurants: 10Best Restaurant Reviews
— Our editors and readers independently select what you see on 10Best. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The French often say “Mangez bien, riez souvent, aimez beaucoup,” which translates to “Eat well, laugh often, love abundantly” in English. In Amsterdam, there are numerous French restaurants to do exactly that – eat, laugh and love. 10Best narrowed down the selection and summarized the crème de la crème – the best of the best – that the city has to offer.
These top-notch restaurants provide fresh, high-quality ingredients, the finest wines and superb, friendly service. Whether you are looking for classic French dishes or simply want to be surprised with something new and innovative, these restaurants will exceed your expectations. Many of the meals are even works of art.
Three of the restaurants in the list have Michelin stars, Ciel Bleu in the Okura Hotel, Vinkeles in the Dylan Hotel and Le Restaurant in De Pijp. Ciel Bleu provides a beautiful panoramic view over Amsterdam, while Vinkeles allows you to dine in a historic setting. At Utrechtsedwarstafel and Restaurant La Vallade, the menus change daily, so you are truly in for a delicious surprise. De Struisvogel is known for its relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices, and Le Petit Latin, run by a father and son, transports you to France. Whatever restaurant you decide to visit, you will truly enjoy a magnificent meal. Bon appetite!
Photo courtesy of De Struisvogel
De Struisvogel, a small restaurant located in a cozy, intimate basement, serves a three-course menu for only 26 EUR. You will find there are many choices available. To start, choose from the soup of the day or the beef Carpaccio with basil, lime oil, salad, roasted pumpkin seeds and Parmesan cheese. Maybe you would rather order the veal cheeks in red wine and garlic. As an entree, the baked cod filet or the wild Scottish venison steak are just two of your options. The restaurant only uses organic meats. A few of the dishes are served with roasted potatoes and mixed vegetables, as well. End the evening with a warm apple crumble, cheese platter or organic Raw chocolate vegan pie. De Struisvogel is a terrific find: delicious food, a delightful atmosphere and great prices.
Recommended for French because: De Struisvogel, which uses only organic meat, serves an appetizing three-course menu for only 26 EUR.
Jessica’s expert tip: Try pairing the passion fruit yoghurt parfait with a glass of dessert wine
Read more about De Struisvogel →
Photo courtesy of Chez Georges
Chez Georges is a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that serves classic French cuisine. The space is a bit on the small side, but the layout of the restaurant creates an intimate and almost private dining experience. The products are always fresh and of the highest quality, which results in delightful dishes worth enjoying with family or friends. Appetizers include smoked salmon; prawns in escargot butter; and grilled scallops with sweet potato cream and sauce Hollandaise. If you want to sample several dishes, order Menu “Comme chez George,” “Gastronome,” “Gourmand” or “Cuisine De Marche.” For instance, “Gourmand” consists of seven fish and meat courses. A reservation is highly recommended.
Recommended for French because: Chez Georges, an intimate restaurant serving classic French cuisine, offers a menu that enable guests to sample a wide variety of flavors and courses.
Jessica’s expert tip: Weekdays are the best for walking in without a reservation
Read more about Chez Georges →
Photo courtesy of Vinkeles
Dine in a beautiful, historic setting. Vinkeles, a one Michelin star restaurant, is housed in a building that was once a bakery. The name comes from Reinier Vinkeles, a Dutch artist famous for his etches and drawings. Today, the restaurant is part of the five-star boutique hotel, The Dylan. Chef Dennis Kuipers and his team create delicious traditional French dishes with contemporary and modern flares. He is loved for his “Pommes Tsarine,” Anjou pigeon and chocolate. If you would like to secure your reservation by email, be aware you need to send the request at least three days in advance.
Recommended for French because: Vinkeles, an elegant restaurant housed in The Dylan hotel, has one Michelin star. It offers a blend of both classic and contemporary French cuisine.
Jessica’s expert tip: Try one of the chef’s specialties: “Pommes Tsarine,” Anjou pigeon or chocolate
Read more about Vinkeles →
Photo courtesy of Brasserie van Baerle
Brasserie van Baerle, situated in an old townhouse near the Museumplein, is a restaurant that serves traditional and contemporary French brasserie cuisine. In 1980, Brasserie van Baerle made its start as a breakfast and lunch spot but has evolved over the years to become one of Amsterdam’s top French restaurants. Co-owner and manager Floor van Ede said, “An eatery needs to have a soul. Ours is quality, consistency and attention.” Enjoy a delicious Sunday brunch with family and friends or stop by for dinner before a Concertgebouw performance. The steak tartar and poached eggs with salmon are two favorites. Seasonal picks include tasty oysters, tender white asparagus and succulent lobster. In the summer, you can even lounge in the peaceful garden. Brasserie van Baerle provides an all-around, wonderful experience.
Recommended for French because: Brasserie van Baerle is located in an old townhouse near Museumplein and serves delicious French brasserie cuisine.
Jessica’s expert tip: Order the oysters, white asparagus or lobster if the ingredients are in season.
Read more about Brasserie van Baerle →
Photo courtesy of Utrechtsedwarstafel
Chef Igor Sens and Sommelier Hans Verbeek are ready to welcome you at Utrechtsedwarstafel. Prepare your taste buds for an incredible meal. The restaurant’s performance is self-described as a “ballet of wine and food.” The products are always fresh and often regional, which results in delightful, creative dishes. The menu can change daily, so you are always in for a delicious surprise. All you need to do is let your server know how many courses you would like, and Chef Igor will take care of the rest. Sommelier Hans will then match your meal with the appropriate wine. You will be amazed at all the wonderful, beautifully complemented flavors. The restaurant is situated close to Theatre Carré, making it a perfect location for dinner before a show. Communicate any dietary restrictions in advance. Please note the restaurant only serves completely vegetarian menu for groups or private dining.
Recommended for French because: At Utrechtsedwarstafel, the menu is determined by the chef, so you are always in for a delicious surprise.
Jessica’s expert tip: Communicate any dietary restrictions when you make your reservation.
Read more about Utrechtsedwarstafel →
Photo courtesy of La Vallade
Venture to the Watergraafsmeer and try Restaurant La Vallade. La Vallade, a cute, cozy French restaurant with wooden tables and bright, colorful walls, is perfect for an intimate evening out. Gather your friends for some fun or spend a romantic one-on-one meal with the person you love; whatever you decide, the warm atmosphere and delicious food will delight you. The menu changes daily, so the ingredients are always fresh and dishes are prepared with love. You’ll find the final result is a tasty, original five-course meal for only 35.50 EUR. For the vegetarians out there, the chef creates a full vegetarian menu every Monday. As the restaurant is small, reservations are recommended.
Recommended for French because: At Restaurant La Vallade, the menu changes daily and is served in an intimate, cozy, colourful atmosphere.
Jessica’s expert tip: The chef prepares a full vegetarian menu every Monday.
Read more about Restaurant La Vallade →
Photo courtesy of Le Petit Latin
Run by the dynamic father and son duo, Jacques and Julien Rouet, Le Petit Latin is a charming French restaurant that transports you from Amsterdam to France. The second you walk down the stairs and step inside, you are immersed in a beautiful Mediterranean-like atmosphere, surrounded by vibrant colors and paraphernalia such as posters and paintings. The romantic restaurant, which is situated steps away from the Spui, serves classic French cuisine. Many of the recipes are ones that have been passed down from generation to generation. The service is also very personal, as Jacques explains the menu — nothing is printed on paper — and loves to chat with the guests. The restaurant has been around for 20 years and has become a local Amsterdam favorite.
Recommended for French because: The restaurant, existing now for 20 years, serves classic French cuisine in a colorful, romantic Mediterranean atmosphere.
Jessica’s expert tip: A reservation is recommended as the restaurant is only open four days a week.
Read more about Le Petit Latin →
Photo courtesy of Bordewijk
Enjoy delicious French cuisine in a contemporary environment. Located near the Noordermarkt, Bordewijk uses regional products, fresh fish and seasonal game. Therefore, the restaurant always produces savory, tasteful dishes. Start with an appetizer. When the time comes to order an entrée, all the options will make your mouth water. You can also choose the chef’s daily three, four or five course menu. Be sure to end with something sweet, for instance the sorbet of the season, or ask about their selection of cheeses. Make sure to pair your meal with a glass of wine. Add in the restaurant’s warm and welcoming atmosphere, and you’ll find all aspects combine to create a perfect evening out.
Recommended for French because: Bordewijk, located near the Noordermarkt, uses regional products, fresh fish and seasonal game.
Jessica’s expert tip: Try the sorbet of the season for dessert
Read more about Bordewijk →
Photo courtesy of Ro Achterberg
Brace yourself for exquisite, elegant evening at Le Restaurant in De Pijp. This cozy, relaxed restaurant serves excellent French cuisine. You can watch the chefs work their magic, as the restaurant has an open kitchen. The tasty dishes are classically prepared but are made complete with a bit of the chef’s personal touch. Make sure to ask for a wine recommendation. The restaurant has earned one Michelin star, as well as 16 points from the Gault-Millau guide. The restaurant only accommodates 20 persons, so reservations are recommended. For those that are vegetarian, please note the restaurant does not offer 100 percent vegetarian-friendly menus.
Recommended for French because: One Michelin star Le Restaurant serves superb French cuisine in an intimate, romantic atmosphere.
Jessica’s expert tip: Reservations are highly recommended, as the restaurant is small
Read more about Le Restaurant →
Enjoy a truly elegant evening at Ciel Bleu. The restaurant, located on the 23rd floor of the gorgeous five-star Okura Hotel, promises a top-notch dinner. Ciel Bleu boasts two Michelin stars, definitely well deserved. The restaurant serves classic French cuisine with a creative twist. The chefs always select the best of the best ingredients and often use local products. The menu, which rotates four times a year, always features the finest flavors of the season. In addition, numerous wines are just waiting to complement your meal. The entire experience is made complete with a beautiful panoramic view of Amsterdam. Make a reservation at Ciel Bleu for an evening of culinary art.
Recommended for French because: Ciel Bleu, a two Michelin star restaurant, serves terrific culinary delights and boasts a beautiful view of Amsterdam.
Jessica’s expert tip: Try to reserve a table by the window, so you can overlook the city of Amsterdam
Read more about Ciel Bleu →