I thought it was about time I share a list of the best restaurants and bars in Jordaan with all of you. I’ve been living in Amsterdam for the last 8 years. Jordaan has been and always will be, my favorite part of Amsterdam. But first off, Jordaan is pronounced Your-don, not Jordan. So please, try your best, and enjoy the great eats and cool hangouts.
Looking for the best cafes for coffee, tea or a treat in Jordaan? Start here instead.
Just click the link to jump to that section or check out the GoogleMaps to get a sense of where things are. This map also includes the best cafes in Jordaan.
Of all the restaurants and bars in Jordaan I’m sure La Perla is the restaurant I’ve visited most. It’s the restaurant that makes me feel at home. I used to live just a few blocks away, and my closest friend just a few doors down. We started going here 8 years ago and haven’t stopped.
I wrote about La Perla way back when, and while the restaurant has definitely become more popular and they’ve rotated a few of their pizzas out, it’s still the same. If you can’t get a table you can always get a pizza to take away. Note they do have time limits for their tables, therefore I like to book the last seating so I don’t feel rushed. Feeling indulgent? Their tiramisu is worth the calories.
I love trying new places, but HIKAGE is one I keep going back to. It’s a Japanese restaurant, with a sharing style menu. I’ve tried every dish. Yes, every dish. And love them all. My favorite is the eggplant. In fact, this is probably my favorite eggplant dish of all time. Definitely top in Amsterdam. Just go and try it. Other favorites, the Takoyaki and the duck. The sushi is my least favorite of the menu choices.
And make sure to enjoy some sake. They serve a flight. This is a good way to start off the evening. Or get a bottle, why not?
Kinnaree is my favorite dine-in Thai spot in Jordaan. Unlike a lot of Thai restaurants in the city that cater towards takeaway, Kinnaree has class. It’s a place I often take my mom when she’s visiting. The food is always fresh and consistent. I love the Pad Thai, red curries and green curries. They also have a delicious salmon with red curry.
I’ve only been to Rosario twice, but felt it needed to make the list of best restaurants and bars in Jordaan. Why? Confession, Mexican food in Amsterdam is not impressive. There used to be a few good spots but most are overpriced for the value. This is where Rosario Cocina Mexicana stands out. Yes, Rosario’s is slightly expensive but the atmosphere and flavors are worth it. We splurged on the 7-course menu and I can’t recommend it enough. Definitely the way to go!
Salvatorica is a lesser known Italian pasta spot. They have a few tables to eat-in but it’s most popular to pick up fresh made pasta to take away. Ravioli, tortellini and other shapes. Grab a bag to go, ask for a recommendation on how to prepare it and enjoy at home. Oh and that lasagna…
When I’m not making my own bagels, Breadwinner are my favorite in Amsterdam. Far better than Flo’s Deli, in my opinion. Each day the bagel selection is slightly different. You can order sandwiches or bagels on their own. Breadwinner is also on one of the cutest streets. If the one table outside is available, grab it and enjoy!
I bike by Effendy almost every day and it’s so tough not to stop in. Lahmacun is Turkish pizza. And Effendy serves the best one in Jordaan. Everyday no matter the time, there’s a line here. Locals and tourists love it and it’s easy to see why. They make it right. My favorite is the Classic with Cheese. They also have vegan and vegetarian options. Perfect for lunch or dinner on-the-go.
Go to Monte Pelmo for you guessed it, ice cream. Monte Pelmo IJs is family-owned and definitely the best ice cream in the Jordaan. My friend used to live upstairs so let’s just say I’ve been here one too many times. The line on sunny days can get long but don’t let that deter you, it moves quickly. Open seasonally. Note, they keep their ice cream covered so you can’t see what the flavors look like. Don’t let that stop you from taste testing a few.
Keep in mind that most bars in Jordaan double as cafes, i.e. they serve food and coffee. So feel free to enjoy a coffee, mint tea or even a slice of Dutch Apple pie at any of these cafes. Looking for a real cafe in Jordaan, here’s a whole list of the best cafes in Jordaan according to, well, me.
Cafe de Tuin is located on arguably everyone’s favorite street in the Jordaan, Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat. Ya, imagine that’s your address, good luck pronouncing that one.
Anyways, it’s a typical Dutch cafe or brown bar as the locals call them. They have small snacks and popcorn on the counter, but other than that it’s a true bar. Nothing fancy and typically packed with locals who pour out onto the narrow cobbled street more and more as darkness falls. This used to be one of my favorite spots, but it tends to be too crowded after dinner nowadays to find a table.
If you’re looking for a place with character and class, Cafe T’Smalle has both. Recently they renovated the bar to be a bit more modern and sleek, but it’s still got the quintessential Amsterdam charm. Whether it’s warm or cold outside, T’Smalle has the gezellig (most closely translatable to cozy) atmosphere the Dutch are known for.
There is a small terrace on the canal where there used to be a table or two but recently they’ve been forced to stop serving there due to noise complaints. There are still a few outdoor seats though. They’ve got tons of board games tucked away upstairs, in case it’s a real Dutch day outside.
These days, P96 is one of the only bars open after midnight in Jordaan. P96 is most famous for their seating on the boat terrace. The bar and cafe is located at Prinsengracht 96, hence the name, and is a favorite amongst people of all ages. Get a beer and enjoy Jordaan’s only bar on a boat. It’s special.
Cafe Thijssen is the most popular spot to be in Jordaan after the Noordermarkt every Saturday afternoon. People of all ages flock here to hopefully enjoy some sunshine and catch up with friends over a bottle of rose, a spritz or a biertje. It’s classic and nothing special, but you’ll have a good time, I promise.
On non-market days the terrace extends onto the street. And when there’s football (aka soccer) on, the game is always playing at Cafe Thijssen.
When I first moved to Amsterdam, Cafe Tabac was always our favorite spot. These days I go here less often. Still, Cafe Tabac is a timeless establishment. They have all the typical brown cafe drinks and snacks but one special twist. They serve excellent mojitos with crushed ice, crushed by hand.
Tabac is on one of Jordaan’s most famous corners. It’s a picturesque setting for a drink any time of day. There’s a few outdoor seats that get good sun towards the late afternoon, but you need to grab them quick, they go fast.
Now that you know the best restaurants and bars in Jordaan, you’ll need a place to stay. Here are two of my favorite hotels in the Jordaan. In fact, in the whole city. Both are on the higher end when it comes to price and luxury.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, try the nearby Conscious Hotel in Westerpark. You can easily bike and walk everywhere from here too.
Looking for more tips for Amsterdam? Start here.
And if this list is not quite complete, here are the best cafes for a coffee, tea or quick bite for breakfast in Jordaan too.
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