Between city and tranquility - enjoying the surroundings of Amsterdam
Between city and tranquility: where taste and peace come together
For those who occasionally want to leave the city behind but don't want to give up the good life, we have good news. Surrounding Amsterdam is a network of places that combine tranquility, flavor, and character. You can cycle or drive there in no time—and suddenly you're somewhere where the grass is truly greener, the cheeses are riper, and the wine is surprisingly local. Here is a selection of our favorite restaurants, farms, and delicatessens—between the city and tranquility.
Restaurant De Kas – From the garden to your plate
Frankendael Park, Amsterdam-Oost
Okay, technically still in the city. But once inside the monumental greenhouse surrounded by greenery, you forget you're in Amsterdam. Chef Jos Timmer cooks exclusively with what has been harvested that day in his own gardens in Amsterdam and the Beemster. Vegetarian dishes are central, meat or fish are allowed, but not required.
Tip: Reserve for lunch on a weekday—that's when it's quietest and the sun shines most beautifully through the glass.
Lindenhoff Marché – The taste of Baambrugge
Baambrugge
What started as a farm supplying top-quality meat to Michelin-starred chefs has now grown into a true paradise for foodies. Here you can buy mature cheeses, sourdough bread, natural wines, and seasonal vegetables, straight from the source. Everything is organic or artisan-made—and you can taste it.
Be sure to try the homemade rillettes or the raw milk camembert.
Rorik Estate – Circular cuisine in the polder
Beverwijk
Just forty minutes from Amsterdam, you will find Landgoed Rorik, where agriculture, gastronomy, and nature come together seamlessly. You can eat at the greenhouse restaurant Zacht Staal—where food is harvested, cooked, and shared—and stay overnight in circular tiny houses surrounded by greenery. Café Picknick and the Ronja vineyard also make this a place where you can taste what the future has to offer. Take the train to Beverwijk and a short bike ride will get you there in no time.
For those who really want to unwind: on Fridays, there is a shuttle bus from Sloterdijk.
Kitchen Nieuwland – Japanese craftsmanship on Waterland soil
Broek in Waterland
In Broek in Waterland, just outside Amsterdam, Quan and Shan have transformed a former snack bar into an intimate restaurant with a sophisticated character. In a sober space with Location only twelve guests, the chef serves a carefully constructed omakase menu that revolves around Japanese flavors, textures, and precision. Each dish is a subtle interplay of seasonal ingredients, mostly sourced locally, with the refinement of Japanese cuisine as a guiding principle. Kitchen Nieuwland is not a place for those in a hurry: here you eat in silence, attentively and with confidence in the chef's hands.
An experience that feels like a secret temple of taste, just twenty minutes from the city.
Over-Amstel Farm – Polder hospitality by the water
Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
Hidden in the greenery of the Duivendrechtse polder, on the banks of the Amstel, lies Over-Amstel Boerderij – a place you can only reach on foot, by bike, or by boat. Every Friday through Sunday, a ferry departs from the Amstelzijde in Amstelveen, taking you directly to this charming farmstead dating from 1894. In the farm-to-fork restaurant, chef Herb serves dishes made with vegetables from the garden and cheese from the farm's own cheese factory. You can also stay overnight in one of the rustic Rooms a view of the water. Over-Amstel is the Dutch sister of the South African Babylonstoren, and you can feel it: the garden is just as precise, the food just as pure.
A place that feels both cosmopolitan and tranquil—and is surprisingly close by.
Landmarkt – Fresh market with a view of the harbor
Schellingwoude
Landmarkt is located on the edge of Noord, just inside the ring road. It's not your average supermarket, but a market hall where local farmers and producers sell their products. From free-range eggs to homemade pesto, you'll find everything you need for a feast or a picnic on the dike.
Summer favorite: grilled vegetables from the outdoor kitchen, Immediately home Immediately or eat on the terrace.
Seeking silence, with taste
Whether you cycle along the dike to Ilpendam or drive to Baambrugge on a Sunday afternoon, these places show that you can have the best of both worlds. The city is close by, but just out of sight. Between the city and tranquility lies a life that can be savored slowly.
Check out the rest of the tips on the map!
1023 BD Amsterdam
Glaze
Lazuur is a joint project Rogier and Elise, owners of Lastage* in Amsterdam. With Sherif Khalil at the helm, they have the ideal chef who seamlessly blends French cuisine with his Portuguese background. The menu offers dishes to share. Every first Sunday of the month, they serve a Sunday Roast, three classic courses for brunch or lunch. Another plus is the wine list, which includes a wide selection of matching Madeira and port wines.
1097 AH Amsterdam
The Gilded Unicorn
With the opening of De Vergulden Eenhoorn, a farm dating from 1702 that previously housed community centers and childcare facilities, the Ringdijk can now officially be called an idyllic attraction. The courtyard near the hay barn and the Garden surrounding property one large picnic area, with soft grass to lie down on, borders with flowers and herbs, large wooden tables between the trees, and romantic seating areas in the yard. Once inside, you could just as easily be sitting in an old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. For an escape from the city atmosphere, the Vergulden Eenhoorn is the perfect place, with good food and a wide range of drinks.
1097 DE Amsterdam
Restaurant de Kas (*)
Since 2001, De Kas has been growing around 300 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and fruit in its own gardens. Its motto is "harvested in the morning, on your plate in the afternoon." The gardens in Amsterdam and Beemster are the heart and soul of the restaurant and its menu. They dictate the seasons and surprise us time and time again. De Kas works with fixed menus. At lunch, you can choose between a 3- or 4-course menu, and for dinner, a 5- or 6-course menu. There is no à la carte, and the menu always features surprising, creative dishes prepared by chefs Wim de Beer and Jos Timmer. They now hold a 'normal' Michelin star and a green Michelin star.
1097 BS Amsterdam
Merkelbach Restaurant
Restaurant Merkelbach is located in one of the oldest mansions in the city, situated in Frankendael Park. The carefully cultivated vegetables come from the cold soil and many of the herbs come from the restaurant's own park. Owner Geert Burema is closely involved with Slow Food and the Slow Food Youth Network. He is co-initiator of the Slow Food chefs alliance in the Netherlands. The signature fish soup made from bycatch from De Goede Vissers (which you can visit every Saturday at the Noordermarkt) is not to be missed. Restaurant Merkelbach is named after the city architect Ben Merkelbach andis located in the coach house of the 18th-century Huize Frankendael.
1026 CB Amsterdam
Restaurant de Mark
Immerse yourself in the welcoming social atmosphere of De Mark restaurant by the lake. Whether by the fireplace in the dining room, in the wine room, or on the terrace by the water. De Mark is a modest but absolute culinary hotspot, created by Michelin-starred chefs. Chef Koen Marees works together with gourmet heroes Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot from the Michelin-starred restaurants 212 and De Juwelier in Amsterdam. Local, fresh, and seasonal ingredients form the basis of the menu. Familiar classics are bold and uncomplicated, and simple ingredients create dishes that just taste good. Combine this with a bottle from the wine cellar to complete your evening.
1191 AA Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
Over-Amstel Farm
On the banks of the Amstel River, in the middle of the Duivendrecht polder, lies a place where the past and future come together. Over-Amstel Farm is not a traditional farm, but a living landscape of craftsmanship, taste, and rhythm. Here, cows graze next to a garden full of herbs and flowers, cheese is matured in the old back house, and the seasons are central to every meal. Everything exudes attention and craftsmanship. Over-Amstel Farm is the Dutch sister of Babylonstoren.
1181 LE Amstelveen
Amber Garden
Amber Garden in Amstelveen serves refined dishes from various Chinese regions in a modern fine-dining setting. The cuisine, awarded 14/20 by Gault Millau, offers dim sum, homemade noodles, and luxurious ingredients such as lobster, crab, and abalone. The roasted Peking duck with paper-thin pancakes is a signature dish that must be pre-ordered. Vegetable dishes, such as cauliflower with crispy bacon, demonstrate the same precision. Macao-style custard tarts provide a warm and delicate finish. Amber Garden was named Asian Restaurant of the Year 2025.
1184 TZ Amstelveen
SAAM restaurant
Chef Margot Janse previously worked as head chef at Le Quartier Francais restaurant in Franschoek, South Africa. At the time, this restaurant was ranked Number in the World's 50 Best Restaurants! She now works as executive chef alongside sommelier and wine importer Koen van der Plas. Koen was formerly head sommelier at Interscaldes. Chef Jasper Hermans previously worked at Aan de Poel in Amstelveen. This star team created a 'spys' menu inspired by indigenous South African and local Dutch ingredients.
1184 TZ Amstelveen
Ron Gastrobar Indonesia
On the Amstel, Ron Blaauw and Agus Hermawan combine their strengths in Ron Gastrobar Indonesia. Ron brings his experience as a top chef, Agus his roots and love for Indonesian cuisine. Together they elevate traditional flavors to a higher level, without losing the essence. Agus, who once started without training, is now an ambassador of Indonesian cuisine in the Netherlands. Their collaboration results in a unique mix of craftsmanship, friendship and surprise.
1151 BA Broek in Waterland
Kitchen Nieuwland
In Broek in Waterland, just outside Amsterdam, Quan and Shan have transformed a former snack bar into an intimate restaurant with a high-end character. In a space that can accommodate only twelve guests, the chef serves a carefully constructed omakase menu that revolves around Japanese flavors and textures.
1182 JH Amstelveen
Bistro Toost
Bistro Toost is the new, accessible establishment from the men behind Aan de Poel, aimed at the local Amstelveen resident. The atmosphere is warm and the menu offers bistro classics such as lobster soup and steak tartare, in addition to comfort food with a twist, such as grilled pata negra with pangang sauce or a grilled cheese sandwich with foie gras.
1185 TS Amstelveen
Aan de Poel (**)
Restaurant Aan de Poel, awarded two Michelin stars, offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Poel lake in the Amsterdamse Bos. Pure flavors and respect for seasonal products characterize the cuisine of patron-cuisinier Stefan van Sprang. Maître-sommelier Robbert Veuger serves the finest wines to accompany the dishes.
1452 PD Ilpendam
The Coat of Arms of Ilpendam
In the heart of Ilpendam lies Het Wapen, the village café where everything comes together. Join Janny and Hans for a cup of coffee, a good conversation, or a plate of steaming stew. The atmosphere is warm, the staff know your name, and time seems to pass a little slower. From Friday afternoon drinks to Sunday dinner, this is the village's living room. A place where you linger — even if you just wanted to say hello.
1381 CC Weesp
SOMM Bistro a Vin
After several years in Amsterdam, SOMM Bistro à Vin has relocated to the center of Weesp. In this unpretentious space, sommelier Sascha Holzkämper serves honest, flavorful dishes and a carefully curated wine list with around 250 selections. The focus is on good food, without fuss, that pairs perfectly with a good glass of wine. A great place for lovers of wine and simplicity in taste.
1391 GS Abcoude
De Witte Dame
Boutique hotel De Witte Dame is located in the renovated train station of Abcoude, with the Het Gein polder as Rear garden. In addition to Rooms fantastic Rooms , you can also enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner here—even if you're not staying overnight, it's definitely worth the detour! The chef cooks with seasonal ingredients, and the dishes are unpretentious and delicious.
1391 BR Abcoude
De Eendracht
For 290 years, De Eendracht has been a meeting place for Abcoude. From a local inn with horse stables in 1734 to the Café-Restaurant that it is today. A place where people come together to enjoy good food and where everyone immediately feels at home. Homemade apple pie with hand-whipped cream (where can you still find that?) on a beautiful terrace.
1391 JE Abcoude
Anna Haen
A delightful outdoor space where you can enjoy dishes inspired by the season, celebrate life, and hold meetings. The local shop offers gifts or treats for home. The green surroundings, Anna Haen's vegetable garden, and fresh products continually inspire the kitchen team to create pure and surprising dishes.
1141 LA Monnickendam
Beach party
On the outskirts of Monnickendam, where Hemmeland stretches along the Markermeer, lies Strandvier. Not a beach bar in the traditional sense, but a place that exudes tranquility.
Strandvier feels like a well-kept secret. You can drink wine with your feet in the sand, watch children catching crabs in the shallow water, and end the day with fresh fish and a sunset. For those who want to get away from Amsterdam but don't want to travel far.
1456 AA Wijdewormer
Mario Restaurant
Family restaurant Mario has been known for its innovative creations since the 1980s. Its signature dish—quail in a nest of tagliolini—has become a classic. Mario learned the trade from his grandfather, father, and uncle, who were all local chefs. In the mid-1960s, he moved to the Netherlands, where he and his wife Tine opened Ristorante Mario Uva in 1967. The restaurant quickly made a name for itself thanks to its high standards and revolutionary approach — something that is now widely acclaimed. That dedication and vision attracted a loyal following of culinary admirers, which the restaurant has managed to retain to this day.
3645 BZ Vinkeveen
Wander Island
Wander Island is a charming restaurant on a small island in the Vinkeveense Plassen, where you can enjoy pure dishes and a beautiful view of the water all year round. The kitchen combines Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors and offers a shared dining concept, where dishes can be shared.
1023 NK Amsterdam
Schellingwoude Farmers' Market
Landmarkt Schellingwoude is a large indoor supermarket selling products mainly from local entrepreneurs and small growers. The Landmarkt is known for its artisanal suppliers from the neighborhood and therefore has a very wide range of high-quality products. You can also pick up freshly prepared meals here or eat in the restaurant next to the supermarket. There, you can eat whatever the chef has prepared, so it's different every day. You can also have a cup of coffee and look out over the beautiful Schellingwouderdijk.
1452 PD Ilpendam
Anne & Co.
In the heart of Ilpendam, next to the bridge and the water, you will find anne&co. A small village shop, but with a big heart. Not just a place to do your shopping, but a meeting place — run by villagers, for villagers. The assortment is as unique as Ilpendam itself: fresh eggs from a farm nearby, flowers from the field, bread from the local baker. But the real secret? The people. Behind the counter are volunteers who know you by name and always make time for a chat.
1391 GK Abcoude
Konijn Butcher Shop
What most people don't know is that many butchers receive their meat and meat products ready-made. Not so at Slagerij Konijn, where they do everything themselves, from slaughtering to processing. So no mass animal transport, no abuse during processing, but small-scale production with respect for the animal. This means not only very good quality meat, but also products that you won't find anywhere else.
1391 BR Abcoude
Phil & Déjean
Gérard Déjean and Philbère Nijenhof travel twice a week to the largest fresh market in Europe: Rungis, just south of Paris. Here they buy the finest fresh products, which can be delivered directly to your kitchen shortly afterwards. In addition, since 2020 they have been running a Traiteur-Kaas & Delicatessen store in Abcoude with a real wine attic above it.
1396 JC Baambrugge
Lindenhoff
A 20-minute drive from Amsterdam is the Lindenhoff, a farm in the picturesque village of Baambrugge. The company was founded 30 years ago by Ben, and the farm is now run by his three sons, all with a passion for honest products and a love for the agricultural profession. Especially on weekends, it is a hive of activity with people coming to feel, smell, and taste seasonal products at the Marché!