Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. In years past, this elegant venue was the waiting room for first-class train passengers. Nowadays, the Art Nouveau-styled space invites travelers and other folks into a haven of beauty, where they can indulge in a variety of terrific fare throughout the day. Whether your appetite is large or small, you can get a full, three-course meal or simply have a sandwich and a drink. Regular, gourmet specials provide an upscale note and ensure that no one goes away hungry. Ideal for on-the-run professionals. Rather unusually, the restaurant keeps a pet cockatoo which hops the length of the bar much to diners' amusement.

 

Description: EASTERN CANAL RING. Owned and operated by British chef Jean Beddington – a favourite amongst local foodies – this small yet stylish establishment draws scores of discerning diners to watch her at work from the open kitchen. The regularly changing menus are creative and predominantly European imbued with Asian, with the occasional hint of her British heritage shining through. And her desserts are simply Jean-ius. The service here is also particularly pleasant, warm and efficient and, rather amazingly, the top-notch cusine won't burn a hole in your pocket.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Down an alley in the Red Light District lies this Mediterranean restaurant, a two-level place with both bar and dining room. The clean-lined interior ensures that food, more than decor, receives the attention it's due. Attentive service, an accomplished kitchen, and an outdoor terrace appeal to those who stop in for the first time and are ready proof for regulars that Blauw aan de Wal is always ideal for a meal that's large on quiet, quality and charm. Reserve in advance.

 

Description: WESTERN CANAL RING / JORDAAN. A contemporary setting serves as the backdrop for Bordewijk's cuisine – highly inventive French-inspired fare imbued with Asian and Italian influences. Poultry, seafood, pork, beef and pasta all benefit from the kitchen's capable hand, and the terrific wine list ensures an ideal complement. The menu changes frequently, and fixed-price options are available. An outdoor terrace accommodates when evenings are warm.

 

Description: MUSEUM QUARTER / VONDELPARK. This engaging, established restaurant attracts a diverse mix of people, and depending on when you visit, you'll encounter folks from the world over, including local concert-goers, business professionals, and well-to-do city denizens. The menu is fish and meat-oriented – with a twist – and includes such delights as roasted sea scallops with truffled parsley-root mousse, creamy quail soup with wild mushrooms and a quail wonton and roast monkfish with oven-braised fennel and risotto, among other standouts on the menu. A charming outdoor garden, fantastic wine menu and Sunday brunch are other reasons to drop by.

 

Description: EASTERN CANAL RING. Bathed in light and good favor, Breitner is a serious restaurant that prefers its clientèle to enjoy themselves rather than defer to its quality. In fact, you'll often find groups of friends frequenting the place, enjoying leisurely meals, and delighting in a menu that's sometimes a bit experimental but always good. Breitner also appeals to business professionals who appreciate the fact that they can meet amid hip surroundings and dine without a contingent of overly attentive servers. Great food and ambiance, no matter your purpose.

 

Description: CENTRAL CANAL RING. Renowned for its Art Deco architecture and furnishings, this café has been a magnet for Amsterdam's art and literary circles for decades. Its fabulous interior invites folks to marvel while they lounge over strong coffee and a newspaper or indulge in lush meat and seafood dishes on linen-draped tables. Entrées, many accented with delectable sauces, feature beef, lamb, duck, and an array of fresh fish and shellfish. Sunday brunch is a fantastic affair, boasting jazz musicians and a tempting spread of delicacies.

 

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: WESTERN CANAL RING / JORDAAN. If you're lucky enough to be in Amsterdam when the weather's mild, De Prins' outdoor terrace makes for wonderful dining along the canal. If not, the comfortable canal house will more than satisfy with its relaxed 'brown café' ambience. A variety of folks frequent this popular place, which offers everything from light fare to full dinners. Representative dishes feature pork, steak, fondue, pastas and duck, and you'll also want to keep an eye out for daily specials. Wonderful, leisurely dining.