Restaurant recommendations:
There are hundreds of restaurants in Amsterdam, from cafes to star restaurants. I limit myself to a few with a Dutch kitchen. Not all within the canal belt, in other words nice to sit among the Amsterdammers....
Het Zwaantje
Cozy and traditional, with pots hanging from the ceiling, De Grote Vier serves andijvie (endive stew), hutspot (carrot and onion mash), sauerkraut, and boerenkool (kale mash) for €17.50. Add bacon, sausage, or a meatball.
Berenstraat 12 (Centrum)
http://zwaantje-restaurant.nl/
Café Compleet (Old-fashioned Cozy)
The new café, located where Veganees and Zouk once were, is a place for old-school coziness. Enjoy a daily special of meat, potatoes, and vegetables. On “stew Tuesday,” it’s time for a Dutch classic for €12.50. A vegetarian smoked sausage is also available.
Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 45 (West)
Herman en Herman
With Ajax matches on TV, La Chouffe beer on tap, and a weekly changing menu of stews, visiting Herman & Herman feels like a warm bath after a long, gray day. The meat comes from Pouw butcher on Haarlemmerdijk, and the vegetables from the local market. A stew here costs just €12.50, making it a budget-friendly choice.
Beukenplein 3 (Oost)
https://www.hermanenherman.nl/
Hap Hmm
The secret to a sublime stew? The perfect gravy. The one from Hap Hmm is legendary. It’s made with slow-cooked beef, simmered for hours. Each week, they use 30 kilos of beef for their rotating menu of stews (€17.95), served with a choice of a meatball or sausage. For a refreshing touch, there’s pickled cucumber, or stewed pears for a sweet note.
Eerste Helmersstraat 33 (West)
Moeders (Home-cooked, Mom)
At Moeders (Mothers), the cozy, homely atmosphere includes tables set with mismatched tableware and walls covered in family photos. Their menu features four stews: sauerkraut, hutspot, and spinach (€18), served with a smoked sausage from Louman butcher, a meatball, and bacon. There’s also a vegetarian option with grilled vegetables and gratinéed feta (€19).
Rozengracht 251 (Centrum)
De Blauwe Hollander
The “Blue” in De Blauwe Hollander refers to the uniforms of Dutch marines who served in Indonesia and Suriname. Dutch comfort food helped them cope with homesickness. All stews cost €17.50 and are so generously topped with meat that the mountain of stew underneath nearly disappears. Vegetarians can opt for cheese croquettes. Afterward, stroll to Paradiso with a solid base in your stomach.
Leidsekruisstraat 28 (Centrum)