Description: MUSEUM QUARTER / VONDELPARK. Dating from 1937 and designed by brothers HAJ Baanders and J Baanders, the 'Blue Tea House' is a glorious example of functionalist architecture. Resembling a flying saucer – which looks like it has carefully negotiated the trees to land in the middle of the Vondelpark – this café somehow feels like one of the city's best-kept secrets, even though people flock to the terraces here in droves when the sun is shining. Simple sandwiches and soup are served for lunch, while heartier fare such as lasagne and curry find their way onto the tiny dinner menu. Cakes, apple tart and other snacks are usually available most of the day; DJs spin every Sunday afternoon from 3pm.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Contemporary in style and boasting a wonderful location on the Amstel River, this large, popular café invites leisurely dining. Amid its spacious environs, patrons nurse cups of coffee, bask in the warmth of the waterside terrace, and sample lasagne, salads, soups, sandwiches, pastas, snack foods and desserts. A favorite of creative types, the café also attracts folks who want to relax with a glass of wine or browse the selection of available periodicals. There's also a restaurant with a huge salad bar – and terrace – upstairs. Great for day or evening. Kitchen closes at 11pm.

 

Description: EASTERN CANAL RING. De Kroon's gracious interior, ornamented with French furniture and refined details, fits accordingly with the cafe's name, which means "crown." The upscale place offers lunch and dinner options and boasts a wonderful enclosed terrace that affords views of the square. Desserts and coffees satisfy those who simply want to soak in the ambience with a light repast. The cafe is the latest incarnation of the original De Kroon, which first threw open its doors in 1898 but closed at the beginning of the 1950s after losing its largely Jewish clientele during World War Two. Kitchen closes at 11pm.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Gleaming with coppery tones and polished woods, this warm, inviting cafe is a welcome sight in the city. Its delightful, well-portioned cuisine runs the gamut, from croquettes to salmon, sandwiches to spring rolls. You'll also find salads, soups, steaks, seafood, and a host of snacks and sweets. Many folks come in for a quick bite and end up lazing for hours in the comfortable atmosphere, or checking out the well-stocked international reading table. Outdoor dining is particularly nice when the weather's warm. From central station: tram 1, 2, or 5 and stop at Spui.

 

Description: CENTRAL CANAL RING. Cozy and welcoming, this establishment is both a brown bar and restaurant. Its dimly lit interior is adorned with dark woodwork and simple wood furnishings, and the menu includes beef, seafood and pasta dishes. Daily specials expand the possibilities. Several different rooms accommodate patrons of all intents, whether they want, food, alcohol, camaraderie, or a combination of the three. Crowds of locals can often be found at this spirited hang-out, and when the weather's nice, guests sit out on the sunny street terrace.

 

Description: CENTRAL CANAL RING. In the evenings, this small place will set you up with a bowl of pasta and a hearty salad, but during the day, folks clamor for substantial sandwiches, lush soups, and the like which can be enjoyed, along with views of the charming street, from the window seat or tiny pavement terrace. All ingredients are inevitably top-notch and their fruity shakes are a must.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Once a city gate, this now-restaurant is an awesome mix of 15th-century architecture and 21st-century adaptation. The interior maintains a medieval charm, complete with enormous, candle-studded chandeliers; outside, terrace tables invite folks to while away sunny afternoons on the Nieuwmarkt square. Along with sandwiches and salads, the menu offers grilled spring chicken, pan-fried Norwegian salmon, grilled beef tournedos, a variety of pastas and risottos, and a children's menu. High Tea is also served between 2pm and 4:30pm (reserve at least two days ahead). Ideal for people-watching and experiencing city history.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Truly unique, this café, right by the Nieuwmarkt square, is located within a small split-level bric-a-brac store. A true retro-seekers paradise, it has some of the most kitsch objects you'll find in Amsterdam from jigsaw puzzles of the royal family and embroidered animal portraits to cheesy 7" singles – and at very affordable prices. Everything, apart from the staff, is for sale including the chairs you sit on and tables you sit at. The menu tends towards the healthy, offering freshly-made vegetable soups and hummus and aubergine or goat's cheese and tomato sandwiches, along with less salubrious – but delicious – apple pie and chocolate cake. Its early-opening hours during the week also make it a great breakfast spot. The café offers simple Indian meals (including vegetarian options) Thursday through Saturday; reservations for this are recommended.

 

Description: MUSEUM QUARTER / VONDELPARK. Connected to the Filmmuseum, this café-restaurant enjoys an enviable location in Vondelpark and makes for especially pleasant dining when the temperature is balmy and the outdoor terrace available. The menu changes regularly, and options range from sandwiches at lunch to full meals featuring a tender rib-eye, grilled tuna, roasted vegetables, pastas, duck confit, and so on. Inside, the cozy space features candlelight and photographs of famous movie actors. The place is named after Hitchcock's film of the same name. You can also buy picnics here to take off into the park.