Teeming with international cuisine, Amsterdam is a dynamic hub, hosting travelers and residents of every creed and culture. From small cafes to modern coffee shops, the city has endless options for food and refreshment. Check out these French inspired restaurants, complete with fine wine selections and authentic French fare.
Serving French-Mediterranean style cuisine in a cozy, intimate setting, Bordewijk is a pleasant pick for a French inspired dining experience in Amsterdam. The establishment sits alongside the Noordermarkt Square in the Jordaan neighborhood and the modern menu and canal views make Bordewijk an attractive location for dinner and a glass of wine. Scan the menu for seasonal meats and fresh, locally sourced fish. Try the traditional five course menu, reliable and delicious, or choose the masterfully prepared chef’s pick of the evening.
This vibrantly designed French-African haunt features dual smoking lounges and a main dining area. One wall is flush with exposed brick; the other is succinctly lit and lined with contemporary furniture. The vibe is unsurpassable in terms of comfort and relaxation, and if you’d like to grab a drink, there’s a full service bar that stretches 80-feet. Bo Cinq makes quite a popular spot for young professionals. As for the cuisine, the French base is influenced by tastes of North Africa and the Middle East.
A vast array of meats, fish, and cheeses help to supply Le Restaurant with the appropriate groundwork for working combinations and mouthwatering dishes. Guests are able to peer into the open kitchen comfortably from their table, previewing the French-international cuisine before it hits the table. As in many Amsterdam restaurants and cafés, space is limited here (to some 20 persons), so ensure you make a reservation. Keep an eye out for classic French dishes that are cooked with plenty of time and care.
Minimalist decor and a compact bar accompany this French-Asian inspired restaurant, which rests next to the Amstel River. The edifice is modeled after a wooden ski chalet, sure to make visitors feel as if they’re in the middle of the French Alps. The rigorous wine selection is sourced from the Savoie region of those very French Alps, as are the menu specialties. Experience the Tartiflette (Savoyard potato gratin with reblochon cheese, bacon, and onions), which is served with a green salad and a succulent slice of thick-cut, smoked ham.
This bistro is decidedly wine oriented: its interior is essentially a cross between a fine restaurant and a relaxed pub. French cuisine, charcuterie, and wine are presented in large entrees and elaborate dessert dishes. French regional favorites include croque monsieurs, brioche buns, oyster platters, steak tartare, and cote de boeuf ; all sure to satisfy even the choosiest of palates. Give the mushroom-stuffed ravioli a try; just ensure you wash it down with a carefully selected pick of red or white wine from Bistrot Neuf’s 60-bottle arsenal.
Upscale and elegant in both cuisine and design, Restaurant RED is an eye catcher that proves itself on both accounts. Fitted with sleek mirrors and draped in zebra print rugs, RED’s interior rivals the picturesque canal overlook on Keizersgracht. Food lovers will appreciate dishes of lobster and filet while wine and champagne aficionados rejoice in the lengthy list of options. The dessert dishes, cheesecakes and chocolate tart among them, are essential follow-ups to one of Amsterdam’s most elite French dining experiences.
