Most addresses in Old West are informal in atmosphere but serious in cuisine. Reservations are wise at the most popular addresses, especially on weekends. A few addresses on this list do not take reservations: come early or wait at the bar.
Gertrude
Gertrude is a bistro-restaurant located on Bosboom Toussaint Street, the city's most beautiful street, that has been welcoming guests with a warm, classic atmosphere since March 2020. Led by chef Monika Blazevic, the restaurant serves simple dishes with French bistro influences and an emphasis on seasonal produce and responsible fish and meat. - Bosboom Toussaintstraat 28, Oud-West
UMAMI by Han
Michelin chef Han Ji opened UMAMI by Han on the Overtoom as an affordable counterpart to his fine dining restaurant HanTing Cuisine in The Hague. The cuisine is modern Asian, with dishes that move between Japanese, Korean and Chinese without dwelling too long on any one cuisine. Tuna tartare with cassava chips, dim sum, shared plates and a wine selection to match the flavors. High quality at a price that doesn't come out like this anywhere else in town for this kind of food. - Overtoom 470, Old West
Cafe Inside Fisherman
Inland fisherman is a former café converted into a seasonal-driven bistro: bright and spacious by day, candlelit by night. The menu is short and changes regularly, focusing on what's harvestable and catchable. One of the better addresses in Old West for those who want to eat well without feeling like they're in a fancy restaurant. Good to combine with a visit to the Foodhallen around the corner. - Bilderdijkstraat 36, Old West
Staring at Jacob
Staring at Jacob is an American-inspired brunch bar on Jacob van Lennepkade: chicken and waffles, eggs Benedict, thick sandwiches and Bloody Mary's that can save the afternoon. Also just for coffee and a croissant during the day. The waterfront patio is one of the most pleasant spots in the neighborhood on sunny mornings. Open from early to late, even during the week. - Jacob van Lennepkade 215, Old West
The Singing Swan
From the team behind Wijmpje Beukers and Eetcafé Schotsheuvel: The Singing Swan is an eatery with British pub influences and a terrace that fills up quickly in good weather. The menu features a steak with pepper sauce, fish and chips, oysters and gnocchi side by side, and it doesn't feel weird. No reservations, just walk in. Open from 3:30 on weekdays, from noon on weekends. - Eerste Helmerstraat 250, Old West
Overtone Bistro
In a narrow, dark restaurant that feels like a cross between nightclub, jazz bar and underground party, you now step inside at Overtone. The Hungarian chef incorporates his roots into the menu via lángos, a crispy fried disc of dough with sour cream or garlic oil, and a beef stew that has seen its day. Vinyl on the record player, cocktails at the bar, and an atmosphere found nowhere else on the Overtoom. - Overtoom 56, Old West
Chez Chloé
French fine dining restaurant Chez Chloé by chef Marcelo Hernandez recently opened its doors at the Overtone. Classic gastronomy with a contemporary angle, in a spacious and warmly decorated restaurant. One of the neighborhood's most recent openings and quickly noticed in the Amsterdam food press.- Overtoom 28, Old West
“Chez Chloé is the newest restaurant on the Overtoom and focuses entirely on French cuisine. Chef Marcelo Hernandez makes classic gastronomy accessible without losing its seriousness.”
Vita Spring
Jan-Pieter Heijestraat was recently surprised with the arrival of restaurant and bar Vita Spring, featuring the Southern European cuisine of chef Myron Linger, known in the neighborhood for his work on behalf of people of lesser means. The menu features spicy oysters, pan con tomate and almond cookies with citrus custard. The atmosphere is sunny and the menu changes with the seasons. Opened in fall 2025, now a fixture. - Jan Pieter Heijestraat, Oud-West
Barrica
A wine bar and restaurant on Second Constantijn Huygens Street inspired by Spanish and Italian cuisine. Shared plates, a menu of wine from Spain and Italy and cocktails for those who don't like wine. Barrica is good for a Friday night drink that slowly turns into dinner. One of the neighborhood's regular addresses for those who don't want to go home after work. - Second Constantine Huygensstraat 65, Old West
Bar Central
The big brother of wine bar GlouGlou, on the corner of Ten Katemarkt and Bellamy Street: a natural wine paradise with a wide selection of open glasses and a small menu of dishes to go with the wine. Good for an evening without reservations, at the bar or at one of the small tables. Open Tuesday through Sunday. - Ten Kate Street 16, Old West
Canary Club
A neighborhood cafe in Bellamy Square that is open from 8:30 in the morning: coffee, daytime workplace, lunch with kids, drinks and dinner in the evening. The menu is broad but not bloated. The Canary club is warm, homey and unpretentious, making it one of the neighborhood's most accessible addresses. - Bellamyplein 51, Old West
“Staring at Jacob is one of the best brunch spots in Amsterdam, with a terrace on the water that makes the wait for a table feel less painful.” - Roadbook (April 2026)
ThaiThaiPuppet
A small Thai restaurant on Van Speijk Street with a simple but well-executed menu. Khao Soi, a rich noodle soup from northern Thailand, is the classic. Khao Tod, crispy curry rice balls, are the must-try side dish. The interior surprises with quirky decor that feels larger than the space is. Small and popular, reservations are wise. - Van Speijkstraat 157, Old West
Fiko
Italian restaurant Fiko on Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat is famed in the neighborhood for its wood-fired oven pizza, handmade pasta and cuisine that runs on imported ingredients from southern Italy. A fixture in the neighborhood for years. The team opened Fikkissimo across the street in 2023 for those who want more than just pizza. - Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 60, Old West
Fikissimo
Fikissimo, sister restaurant of Fiko, offers a Mediterranean menu with an Asian touch. Italian pasta and antipasti arrive on the table here with Japanese tempura dishes, sashimi and nigiri. Fresh fish from Sicily and red tuna from Spain, olive oil and burrata straight from Southern Europe. The wine list flows with the cuisine. - First Constantine Huygensstraat 63, Old West
nNea
nNea is the only Dutch pizzeria in the global Top 100 Best Pizzerias is on Bilderdijkstraat. Neapolitan sourdough, San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala and toppings that change seasonally. Pizzas are cut at the table with scissors. Wait times for reservations run up to weeks, so book early. One of the few addresses in the area where hype keeps up with reality. - Bilderdijkstraat 92, Old West
The Japanese Old West
One of Amsterdam's best sushi restaurants for those who can't or won't go to Yamazato: the Japanese Serves accessible but serious Japanese cuisine in a warm and simple interior. Sushi, sashimi, teriyaki and a good sake menu. Multiple locations in the city, but the Old West location is the most neighborhood-oriented. - Overtoom 228, Old West
For an evening without a plan, Old West always works. Start at Bar Centraal or Canary Club for a glass, eat at nNea, Vita Lente or Chez Chloé and finish at Overtone if you want to go home late. And those coming during the day: Staring at Jacob opens early and De Zingende Zwaan is always ready from 3:30.