The list Best Waterfront Restaurant in Amsterdam ranges from chic to relaxed, from Michelin-starred on the IJdok to a pancake in the woods by the lake. A few addresses are at their best in summer. Enjoy our recommendations and these wonderful gems that add color to Amsterdam.
MOS - IJdok, Center
One Michelin star, right on the IJ dock within walking distance of Central Station, that's MOS. Chef-owner Egon van Hoof runs an open kitchen with French-international cuisine that revolves around seasonal produce, fish and local ingredients. The view across the IJ is constantly changing: cargo ships, ferries, pleasure boats. One of Amsterdam's few starred establishments where the water is truly part of the experience. Open Tuesday through Saturday. - IJdok 185, Center
Lars Amsterdam - Houthavens
On the second floor of the Moxy Hotel in the Houthavens: a Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Lars Scharp overlooking the IJ River. The cuisine combines classic French techniques with elegant Asian influences. Each dish is meticulously composed and visually strong. The wine list ranges from accessible to exclusive. One of the hardest-to-reserve tables in the Houthavens. - Danzigerkade 179, Houthavens
BAK - Houthavens
Bin, on the third floor of warehouse Het Veem in the Houthavens, overlooking the IJ from a rough but inviting room. Chef Benny Blisto cooks a daily changing menu of local and seasonal produce: a carrot or a wing of the ray get equal attention here. Michelin Guide. Up in the elevator, ring the bell on the third floor. - Van Diemenstraat 408, Houthavens
REM Island - Houthavens
Twenty-two feet above the water, on a former pirate radio station which was built in 1964 on the North Sea and now stands in the Houthavens. The restaurant serves five- and seven-course menus of refined European cuisine with local ingredients. The view over Amsterdam-West and the IJ is of a different order than at any other restaurant in town. One of Amsterdam's most extraordinary dining addresses. - Haparandadam 45, Houthavens
George Marina - Amstel Quarter
George Marina can be found in a spectacular three-story building on the Amstel River in the Amstel Quarter, with large windows on the marina, an open kitchen, a sushi bar, a 360-degree marble bar and a terrace with Côte d'Azur atmosphere. The kitchen is Asian-inspired and focused on shared dishes: oysters, sushi, tuna tartare and the classic George fries. On Friday nights, one of the busiest terraces on the Amstel. - Amstelzijde 6, Amstelkwartier
SAAM - Amstelzijde
Saam is the first restaurant on the Amstelzijde strip in the Amstel Quarter, in a glass building right on the river. Chef Bjorn van Aalst, named Host of the Year 2026 by Gault&Millau, serves a menu revolving around seasonal produce and European classics. 15.5 points at Gault&Millau. The terrace on the Amstel River is one of the city's finest in summer. - Amstelzijde 1, Amstelkwartier
ODE on the Amstel - Amstel, East
ODE, the restaurant and café on the picturesque banks of the Amstel River, with a terrace overlooking the water and cuisine that combines from steak tartare with oyster cream to Tom Kha Kai soup with mussels and Corvina filet with red curry. Elegant in atmosphere, warm in tone, and one of the quieter addresses along the Amstel River. - Amsteldijk, East
Tannay - Sand Corner, Center
Tannay sits on the Zandhoek, on the water of the Westerdok, in the former De Gouden Reael: chef Thomas Demuth cooks classic French cuisine with matching wines in one of the quietest spots in the center. Michelin Guide. On the quay outside is one of Amsterdam's prettiest smaller terraces. Wednesday through Sunday. - Sand Corner 14, Center
Trump - Schollenbrugslaan, East
Bistro with French influences on the waterfront in East, on the corner from Café Hesp. Open kitchen, wine room, waterfront terrace and a menu that runs on seasonal ingredients: eel from Giethoorn is the classic. Included in the Michelin Guide. The waterfront terrace is one of the best in Oost in summer. - Schollenbrugslaan 8, East
Rust - Czar Peter neighborhood, East
In a converted shipping shed on the VOC quay on Oostenburg: rough interior, design-minded and cool in atmosphere. High-end comfort food with an intelligent wine list. Pork cheeks with crème fraîche and pointed cabbage pickles, ravioli with porcini mushrooms and riesling gravy. Gault&Millau mention. The outdoor waterfront area also has a beach café-like atmosphere in summer. - Jacob Bontius Place 1, East
Hotel the Gold Pheasant - Hammer Quarter, North
The Gold Pheasant has been in the same rough shed on the canal in the Hamer Quarter for nearly two decades, only part of which is in use. The menu is changing and serious. On sunny days, the waterfront garden is one of the best terraces in North. No name on the facade, no sign on the street. - Anvil Street 10, North
Helling7 - NDSM, North
On an old slipway on the west side of the NDSM, right above the IJ River. Everything is prepared on open fire, with local ingredients, in a restaurant made of demolished materials and steel. Winner Entree Award 2022, 13|20 Gault&Millau. Next to the restaurant sits Lagerwal, an outdoor area with live music and views over the IJ. - TT Melissa Road 57, North
“Helling7 cooks everything on an open fire and serves it up with a wine list as carefully curated as the dishes themselves.” - Gault&Millau Netherlands (2025)
Hangar - Hammer Quarter, North
Hangar is right on the IJ, with a large waterfront terrace and a safari tent for the weekly Thursday BBQ. The kitchen runs on international grilled food. In summer, one of the busiest and hottest terraces in North. - Anvil Street 36, North
Belhamel - Brouwersgracht, Center
French-European restaurant on the corner of Brouwersgracht and Herengracht, one of Amsterdam's most beautiful canal corners. The art nouveau interior, candles on the table and views of the water make this one of the city's most romantic dining addresses. Good wine list, serious cuisine, reservations required. - Brouwersgracht 60, Center
Little Bonfire - Keizersgracht, Center
Little Bonfire sits in the former Walem on Keizersgracht: comfort food with a contemporary twist, in an art collector's interior. Patatas bravas with pulpo and chorizo, vongole in bisque, sea bass. The terrace on Keizersgracht has sun almost all day. From owners Roland Middelburg and Daan Kik. - Keizersgracht 449, Center
The Harbour Club Amsterdam South
At the Apollo Hotel, where Amsterdam's five canals converge on the Apollolaan waterfront: a large, grand restaurant overlooking the water and a menu that runs from sushi and sashimi to meat from the grill. Suitable for business dinners and large groups, with multiple private dining rooms. - Apollolaan 2, Old South 
Ron Gastrobar Indonesian - Sophia Square, Oud-Zuid
Michelin chef Ron Blaauw's Indonesian gastrobar on Sophiaplein, by the pond of the Vondelpark. Smoked satay from the grill, spring roll with fish, lobster with Indonesian bisque and tuna tartare with emping. The terrace by the water of Vondelpark is one of the most beautiful in Oud-Zuid on sunny afternoons. - Sophia Square 8, Old South
The Mark - Durgerdam
In a dike village northeast of Amsterdam, on the IJmeer: a French restaurant in a characteristic building on the dike, with a terrace overlooking the water. Each dish runs on three main ingredients prepared over wood fire. Michelin Guide. Park outside the village and walk up the dike to the restaurant: arrival is part of the visit. There are also rooms. - Durgerdammerdijk 73, Durgerdam
The Bosch - Amsterdam Forest
In a former forester's house five meters from the Nieuwe Meer, on the edge of Amsterdam's Forest: a French-European restaurant with a terrace overflowing with local residents who have fled the city. Reachable by bicycle from Oud-Zuid in twenty minutes. - Koenenkade 8, Amsterdamse Bos
Marie - Hotel De L'Europe, Amstel
Marie, the restaurant of Hotel De L'Europe, with a terrace on the Amstel River on one of the most beautiful corners of the canal belt. French-inspired cuisine, strong wine list. Good for a sumptuous lunch or an evening by the water. - Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-8, Center
Ship's camel - Dijksgracht, Center
Ship's Camel sits In a former office building on the Dijksgracht, next to Hannekes Boom and right across the street from NEMO: from the people behind Lille, featuring Marius' former chef. A peasant kitchen without paintings or mousses: raw meat, raw fish, raw vegetables, homemade sausage and a wine list with a strong focus on Germany. One of Amsterdam's quirkiest waterfront restaurants. - Dijksgracht 2, Center
North has the closest concentration: Helling7, Hangar and Hotel de Goudfazant are within walking distance of each other on the IJ, and the ferry leaves for free every 15 minutes from Central Station. Those who prefer to sit on the Amstel choose between SAAM, George Marina, Trump and ODE. And those who want an evening long remembered: De Mark in Durgerdam, Lars in the Houthavens or MOS on the IJdok.