Top 15 Waterside Restaurants In Amsterdam With Canal Views (2024)

These restaurants offer unmatched views of the Netherlands’ capital.

Amsterdam may have the quaint feeling of a small town but there’s actually so much to see, do, and eat. Delicious food and breathtaking city views, these restaurants won’t leave you wanting more. Check out 15 of the best restaurants in Amsterdam with incredible views.

On the 19^th floor of the A’DAM tower sits a revolving restaurant with panoramic views worthy of a world traveler. The dining room makes one full circle around per hour, so you’re guaranteed to see the full Amsterdam skyline during your meal. At Restaurant Moon, the food is just as good as the views. Come here for lunch or dinner and try the 2-3 course tasting menu or 5-course chef’s menu, featuring local ingredients and wine pairings to match. There’s also a new musical guest every 2 months to serenade diners and compliment the view.

If waterfront views are your thing, look no further than MOS: a fine dining restaurant right on the water by the IJdok marina. You can even watch for yachts out on the terrace overlooking the river while you dine. Plush velvet seats create a laidback yet chic atmosphere to pair with the coveted restaurant’s Michelin star. MOS’ contemporary interior is reflected in the menu, with 5 or 6-courses of French cuisine featuring international ingredients. Check out the extensive wine list and try the homemade vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Located on top of a 1920s railway bridge, Wolf Atelier boasts an incredible view of the IJ River along with industrial interior and inventive dishes. Atelier translates to “workshop,” the perfect name for a restaurant that serves dishes such as hazelnut-crusted foie gras. The menu is split into signature and experimental entrées to try if you’re feeling bold. Order the whopping 15-course menu, full of unique flavor combinations, or check out the vegetarian menu if you don’t eat meat or fish. Floor to ceiling windows surround you with beautiful views on all sides, so don’t miss Wolf Atelier next time you’re in Amsterdam.

One of the most popular hotel lounges in the city, you can find SkyLounge Amsterdam on the 11^th floor of the Hilton DoubleTree by Central Station. SkyLounge consists of an indoor bar and a balcony complete with views of Amsterdam in its entirety. Come during sunset for an unforgettable view and stay for the string lights, craft co*cktails, and live DJs that play once the sun goes down. There are also plenty of delicious bar snacks and full plates from sandwiches to sushi at the casual terrace restaurant.

Blue Amsterdam is located in a glass tower on the 3^rd floor of the Kalverpassage shopping center. The restaurant offers panoramic views of the eclectic city rooftops as well as the Royal Palace and the beloved bloemenmarkt. This hidden gem is open for (all day) breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an impressive amount of vegan and vegetarian options from scrambled tofu to jackfruit croquettes. The restaurant’s bright, airy interior is a charming way to get unmatched views of the city below.

Up on the 23^rd floor of the Hotel Okura lies Ciel Bleu, an elegant Michelin starred restaurant with an all-encompassing view of the De Pijp neighborhood. A seafood focused menu features French cuisine with international influences. Only the highest quality ingredients are used, and wines are chosen by expert sommeliers. Sit at the counter to watch your meal being prepared by world class chefs or next to one of the many large windows throughout for unparalleled views.

MR PORTER is a classy steakhouse on the top floor of the W Amsterdam hotel with a fantastic view of the canal and surrounding houses. 11 different types of high-end steaks are available, but meat isn’t all you’ll find on the menu; the vegetable dishes are some of the most popular. The impressive wooden island-style bar is staffed with expert mixologists to fulfill your wildest co*cktail dreams. Industrial décor with exposed pipes in the ceiling and an indoor fire pit among marble tables and black leather booths makes for a classy yet modern dining experience you won’t want to miss. Live DJs play on the weekends and the rooftop restaurant offers seating out on the terrace for an even better view of the city below.

Formerly known as Bord’Eau, Restaurant Flore is housed inside of the esteemed Hotel De L’Europe, with a wonderful view of the Amstel River outside. The restaurant has accrued 2 Michelin stars throughout the years, thanks to the ever-changing menu with an emphasis on natural ingredients and sustainability; so much so that dairy products have been banned from the kitchen. The dining room is an intimate space with a floor to ceiling wine bottle display (featuring over 850 bottles available) and large windows to watch the river flow by while you dine.

On the top floor of the trendy Volkshotel is Canvas, a hipster hotspot with a relaxed vibe and an extensive drink menu. Sit out on the roof terrace for unmatched views of the Amstel River and take advantage of the vegetarian friendly menu for lunch, dinner, or just a snack. Canvas turns into a club on the weekends, complete with a resident DJ known for house and techno tunes.

Incanto, translating to “enchanted,” is an authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Amsterdam. The restaurant spans the first 2 floors, and there’s a smoking lounge on the 3^rd, all with great views of the city. Everything from pasta to gelato is made on the premises, and many of the meats and cheeses are imported straight from Italy. Incanto’s Venetian chef builds a new menu for every season, always paired with the 150 wines available. If you’re looking for a truly top-notch meal in Amsterdam, don’t miss Incanto.

If you catch a ferry ride from Central Station to NDSM Island, you might just happen upon the popular offbeat scene right on the (manmade) beach: Pllek. This summery beach bar restaurant is housed in a building made out of shipping containers and full of large wooden picnic tables. There are a lot of vegetarian and vegan options, and most vegetables are locally sourced and organic. Check out the gallery on the 2^nd floor or the lounge chairs out on the sand for a relaxing day of co*cktails under the sun. Visit during summertime for even more fun, as Pllek is host to yoga classes and live music events during the summer months.

Located inside the Ambassade Hotel, Brasserie Ambassade offers modern French cuisine made with the freshest local ingredients right on the Herengracht canal. Here, you’ll find some really great classic dishes such as steak tartare and confit de canard on the 3-course tasting menu, along with countless fine wines. Colorful art lines the walls, lit up by the natural light coming through the large windows throughout for a truly magnifique meal in Amsterdam.

On the 20^th floor of the A’DAM tower lies Madam Amsterdam, a restaurant and sky bar featuring an international menu and just about any drink you could want. Walk around the observation deck to maximize the views and check out the swing on the top if you’re daring enough to sit. Madam Amsterdam becomes a club once the sun sets, making it one of the highest nightclubs in Amsterdam, so don’t miss out while you’re in the city.

BAK restaurant is located on the 3^rd floor of the former warehouse Het Veem, featuring vaulted ceilings, string lights, and an uncontested view of the IJ River. The menu changes daily based on what’s freshly available, but vegetarian dishes are always the star here. Choose from around 500 wines from France and Italy to pair with your meal. BAK maintains minimalist décor and color schemes, emphasizing simplicity that’s not lacking in flavor or class.

Inspired by the South of France, Marie Amsterdam is a brasserie style restaurant with a waterfront terrace right on the Amstel River. This casual yet elegant restaurant puts a Mediterranean twist on classic French dishes to enjoy while watching boats pass on the river: the perfect end to a day of Amsterdam exploration.