Description: DE PIJP. Spacious, airy and high-ceilinged, Bazar occupies a former church building whose interior has been given a stunning 'mosque makeover.' Comfortable seating is spread over two floors; try and snag a table on the upper balcony level which looks down onto the bar in the center. The menu has a fantastic choice of North African, Iranian and Turkish food whether you pop in for an Algerian pancake with honey for breakfast, grilled chicken wings with a spicy harissa suace, fried potatoes and salad for lunch, or 'Dolmé' for dinner (roasted sweet pepper, aubergine and oxheart cabbage stuffed with minced lamb, rice with tomato salad, 'haydari' and fried potatoes). The food here is simply fantastic and the daily chef specials well worth partaking. Vegetarians will delight in its menu. It's enormously popular so definitely reserve ahead for dinner. During the day, its location halfway up the Albert Cuyp Market also makes it an ideal pitstop for rejuvenating yourself with some mint tea and baklava.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. If you get a little peckish after wandering through the Red Light District and are in search of some spicy food in the city's Chinatown district, this authentic Thai restaurant offers some of the best in town – and is renowned for huge portions at very affordable prices. As a result, there may be a queue here but grab a Singha beer at the bar and wait, because it won't be long before you find yourself seated at a wooden bench specially imported from Thailand. The Thai staff are friendly and attentive to a fault. And if you're in a hurry, pop over to their typically Thai snackbar opposite, at No 77.

 

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: FURTHER AFIELD. 'Haute cusine' doesn't come much higher than this, and not just because of its location on the 23rd floor of Hotel Okura, but also for its two Michelin stars (the only restaurant in Amsterdam to have such an accolade). Delights on the menu – which changes four times a year – include such mouthwatering delights as marbré of foie gras and stewed veal cheek with chutney of Cévennes onions, and vanilla and sweetbreads lacquered with Pedro Ximénez sherry. And that's just for starters. With choice wines complementing the dishes perfectly, exceptional service, a stylish locale and panoramic views across the city, there's no more better place to be when the sun goes down. Hungry for more? Then book the chef's table adjoining the kitchen (for six to ten people) and watch the masters at work.

 

Description: WESTERN CANAL RING / JORDAAN. Vegetarians and vegans will revel in this restaurant's creative food, and novices to meatless dining will be surprised at the range and quality of the various dishes. The charm of the place is evident in its cozy interior, slightly bohemian ambiance, and outdoor, canalside terrace. Soups, salads, sandwiches and quiche are standard fare, and special menus are also available. And should you doubt, rest assured that De Bolhoed offers desserts, alcoholic beverages, and even alternative versions of coffee and tea. Kitchen closes at 10pm. FYI: The name of this one-time hat shop means 'bowler' (as in hat).

 

Description: FURTHER AFIELD. Fashioned from a circa-1926 greenhouse, this delightful establishment promises airy, romantic dining. Surrounded by its own gardens, De Kas grows many of its ingredients just beyond its doorstep. Supplemented by local meats and seafood, the organic menu is a daily, prix-fixe event consisting of several appetizers, an entrée, and a sweet. Lunch is two courses, and chef's table dinners can be arranged for folks who want a first-hand look at the kitchen's workings. Patio dining is sublime during warm-weather months.

 

Description: FURTHER AFIELD. Although it's a little out of the center of town (to the west of Centraal Station), this unique restaurant is well worth the extra effort for both the food and its unique location in an old ferry dating from 1927 which ran back and forth across the harbor. Beautifully renovated, with wooden floors and an industrial ambience, diners can enjoy sublime French cuisine and fine wines within this spacious boat – or on its outdoor terrace in summer – with views across the harbor.

 

Description: EASTERN CANAL RING. Upmarket yet unpretentious, this 'tasting' restaurant is one of Amsterdam's best kept secrets – and not just for its delightful shaded terrace or location within an historic 17th-century wooden church, the Amstelkerk. The creative chef works wonders creating modern French dishes with a delightful twist, that arrive on your plates resembling works of art. A great spot for lunch or dinner when you can continue drinking in the lounge area until late at night. Note that on Sunday there's a fixed menu only and no à  la carte possibilities.

 

Description: Fashionistas, creatives and ad agency professionals are regular patrons at this gorgeous sprawling location on a quiet alley near Dam Square. Various areas – an Arabian-style lounge, retro 1970s living-room, cocktail bar, basement club, and a stylish restaurant – converge to provide a wealth of nighttime experiences. Whilst fish-phobic vegetarians may struggle slightly, carnivores will devour succulent dishes such as rack of piglet with a jacket potato, caponata and a red wine sauce from the Mediterranean-infused French menu.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. This unusual restaurant, which also functions as a nightclub, is something of a novelty. Its menu changes weekly, depending on the chef's interests, and the interior also shifts to match the cuisine. Five-course menus are set, and a la carte options aren't available. Guests – many of whom work in art, fashion, music and the like – lounge about on beds (as is their wont) while they partake of the innovative cuisine. The experience also features live entertainment and DJs (Along with sister clubs in Rome and San Francisco, they are behind the successful Supperclub Lounge CDs.) Perfect for those who crave something a bit out of the ordinary.