
Top restaurants for a great meal before your cruise from Amsterdam
4 Minute Read
Known for its incredible museums, vibrant art scene and iconic canals, Amsterdam is one of the most picturesque starting points for a cruise. If you plan to arrive a day or two before your cruise from Amsterdam, you’ll have the chance to try some of the diverse restaurants in this cosmopolitan hub.
With its port close to the city centre, there are plenty of restaurant options for cruisers. To streamline your planning, we’ve compiled some of the best dining options in the area for consideration. Whether you’re short on time and want a quick bite nearby, you’re dining on a budget, or you want an authentic Dutch meal, this list has you covered as you prepare for your cruise from Amsterdam.
Close to the port/Best for breakfast: Omelegg City Centre
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Where: Nieuwebrugsteeg 24, 1012 AH, Amsterdam
Price: $
Distance from port: Eight-minute walk
You may need to queue up for a table at this cozy cafe, but we promise breakfast will be worth the wait! Specializing in omelettes, the restaurant offers hungry diners almost 20 different options. Choose from cleverly titled dishes such as the Viking Fisherman (smoked salmon, chives, dill, crème fraiche and citrus zest) or The Dutchie (Dutch-style pork belly, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper and farmer cheese).
Try a two-hour breakfast, lunch or brunch cruise (10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.) on the beautiful canals of Amsterdam! Each tour includes freshly prepared egg dishes that the Omelegg team makes on deck.
Best for pasta: Il Pacioccone
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Where: Koggestraat 1A, 1012 TA, Amsterdam
Price: $$
Distance from port: 14-minute walk
Pasta lovers rejoice, Il Pacioccone offers an authentic taste of Italy in the heart of Amsterdam!
Specializing in dishes from central Italy, the restaurant imports many authentic ingredients. While the menu changes daily, you should bring your appetite and plan to indulge in classics such as eggplant parmesan, lasagna bolognese or braised veal ossobuco.
Note the menu does not include pizza, but pie lovers can head next door to Il Pacioccone’s sister restaurant, La Zoccola del Pacioccone.
Best for budget dining: Toastable Nieuwendijk
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Where: Nieuwendijk 6, 1012 MK, Amsterdam
Price: $
Distance from port: 13-minute walk
Toasted sandwiches have never looked so good! If you’re looking for a simple, satisfying meal without breaking the bank, look no further than Toastable Nieuwendijk.
With bragging rights to the best toasted sandwiches in town, the restaurant serves triple-layer classics made with fresh ingredients, loads of cheese and inventive dipping sauces. Choose from breakfast options like guacamole toast, or decadent lunch options such as “The Legend,” a grilled chicken and bacon sandwich with bell pepper, red onion, cheese and curry mayonnaise. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
Best canal view: Restaurant de Compagnon
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Where: Guldehandsteeg 17, 1012 RA, Amsterdam
Price: $$$$
Distance from port: 9-minute walk
Just a skip and a jump from the canal port is the Restaurant de Compagnon, a gem for romantic French cuisine. Nestled in a seventeenth-century building that overlooks the Damrak – a main street for pedestrians with a small canal – the restaurant’s patio seating is coveted on pleasant days.
Chef Bert reinvents classic, Burgundy-style dishes with his unique flair. Diners can choose à la carte options or opt for a five- or six-course tasting menu, indulging in dishes such as côte de boeuf, lobster ravioli, or lamb loin with thyme and crème fraiche. This popular restaurant is small, so reservations are a must.
Best for Dutch food: Brasserie Van Speyk
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Where: Spuistraat 3a, 1012 SP, Amsterdam
Price: $$$
Distance from port: 13-minute walk
If you’re looking for a unique setting steeped in history, look no further than Brasserie Van Speyk. Situated in a canal house that dates to 1659, you’ll dine in a stunning room featuring vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers and antique panelling.
Brasserie Van Speyk serves classic and traditional Dutch fare, including Haring (or herring) with chopped onions and pickles, Bitterballen (beef croquettes) with mustard sauce, Stamppot (mashed potatoes, vegetables and sausage) with oak-smoked sausage, and Aspergesoep – a white asparagus soup. Open for dinner only, Monday through Saturday. Reservations recommended.
Best for sharing plates: ARCA Amsterdam
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Where: Martelaarsgracht 5, 1012 TM, Amsterdam
Price: $$
Distance from port: 10-minute walk
Two Michelin-starred Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa opened ARCA in 2021, his first European restaurant outside Lisbon.
Offering casual Portuguese sharing plates, the restaurant features traditional, home-style dishes, such as gambas ao alhinho, or Spanish garlic shrimp, with an Asian twist. Taste tuna tataki with vegetable escabeche, chilli and basil, or try the Iberian roasted pork loin with bacon, migas and roasted spring onions.
Interested in booking a European cruise from Amsterdam? Book an appointment with a CAA Travel Consultant to start planning.