City trips can be tiring. You want to explore all the sites and end up walking around town more than planned. And you will frequently find yourself surrounded by many other tourists who are after the same attractions.
A great option to get some rest is to have lunch at one of the more upscale restaurants in the center of Amsterdam. Lunch at these places is much less formal and expensive than dinner, but still let’s you take in the atmosphere and sample the food.
Two great options for an Amsterdam lunch in style are the Dylan Hotel, home of one Michelin star Vinkeles, and De Belhamel, which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
De Belhamel is situated stunningly on Brouwersgracht right where Herengracht ends. From the dining room or the terrace you have an unobstructed view of the length of Herengracht. The lunch menu features fancy sandwiches, a ciabatta with vitello tonato for example, various salads and pasta. We quite enjoyed the spaghetti with pancetta and rucola. While the food and service are ambitious, the vibe is quite informal as the space is small and the personnel friendly.
The Dylan Hotel is another oasis of tranquility where you can enjoy lunch in a classy environment. Right next to the Michelin star kitchen of restaurant Vinkeles, you sit down in style in the lounge. The tables are set beautifully and the service is very attentive. The menu is a nice mix of simpler and haute cuisine dishes. There are a club sandwich with fries and a hamburger with cheddar cheese, but also dried fruit bread with melted tallegio or Gillardeau oysters. Our favorite was a sourdough bread with cream cheese and iberico ham.
Hopefully having lunch in style will help you recharge and enjoy the buzz of the city the rest of the day!
www.belhamel.nl
Brouwersgracht 60
1013 GX Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 (0)20 6221095
Public Transport: Tram 1, 2, 5, 13 or 17 to Martelaarsgracht
Cuisine: French
Neighbourhood: Canals
Vibe: Elegant
Price: €15 to €25 per person (lunch)
www.dylanamsterdam.com
Keizersgracht 384
1016 GB Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 (0)20 5302010
Public Transport: Tram 1, 2, or 5 to Spui
Cuisine: French
Neighbourhood: Canals
Vibe: Elegant
Price: €15 to €25 per person (lunch)
Have been to both for lunch and would definitely go back to Vinkeles first. Very high quality food and 5 star service for very reasonable cost eg. Smoked Rib Eye on Sourdough for €12.50. A fraction of the cost to enjoy dinner at The Dylan. Belhamel was also quite good although one of the dishes was disappointing. Belhamel has a very nice setting and worth a visit though. Comparing prices of lunch versus dinner in Amsterdam, it makes sense to have a very nice late lunch and a modest dinner. Cost of having a meal out in a top end restaurant can start at €50 per person without wine!