As of today, terraces are officially reopened in the Netherlands! Terraces (our version of outdoor dining) are a sacred part of Dutch culture in the spring & summer. Since the weather here is so terrible most of the year, the Dutch really celebrate when the sun comes out – and as an Amsterdam expat, I’ve embraced terrace culture. As of now the terraces are only open until 6pm, but that leaves plenty of time to get brunch or an afternoon coffee. Below are my 10 favorite terraces in Amsterdam for spring & summer 2021.
Mercedes
De Kas
De Kas is my favorite restaurant in Amsterdam, and luckily they have a good sized terrace! They are doing a special, more casual set up with a simple menu. Available to reserve but also open for walk-ins.
Cafe Lennep
Cafe Lennep is making it on to this list because of it’s great location right along the water. They have a few great beers and they also had pretty good food last time I was there, making it a great lunch spot.
Marie Amsterdam
I love Hotel de l’Europe – I stayed there last year for my birthday, and all of their restaurants are great. Marie is one of my favorites because of their stunning location right on the Amstel, and the crazy seafood tower they offer. It’s a pricier place but delicious.
Waterkant
Waterkant is an Amsterdam institution! It’s a huge location and is always packed in the summers, especially since you can boat right up to the entrance. A must visit to get a cold beer and enjoy watching the boats pass by.
De Tulp
I haven’t had the opportunity to go to De Tulp (“The Tulip”) yet, but it’s high on my list because of the fun tropical vibe. It reminds me of trips to the Carribean and Colombia that I took back when I lived in the states, and their menu looks like fun.
Westergasterras
Their menu is a little basic, but the location of Westergasterras in Westerpark and the beautiful, open terrace make up for it. It’s another good place for an afternoon drink!
Carré Terrace on the Amstel
Another perfect terrace along the Amstel, Carré Terrace is much more casual than Marie. They offer a limited menu, but they also do pop-ups with some of the best restaurants in Amsterdam that don’t have terraces so keep an eye out.
Lion Noir
Lion Noir is probably one of the most unique terraces in Amsterdam – more reminiscent of a garden courtyard in New Orleans. And what’s even better than their terrace is their menu – they have an incredible wine list, delicious cocktails, and some really interesting menu items. They are opening for lunch by reservation.
W Lounge
There aren’t many great rooftop terraces in Amsterdam, but the W Lounge at the W Hotel offers a great view of the spires of the city and is conveniently located near the city center. Their food options aren’t stellar, but it’s the perfect spot for a chic afternoon cocktail. Only by reservation, so be sure to call or email.
Little Collins
I have Little Collins in this list not because their terrace is anything super special, but because their food is AMAZING. Their terrace in the De Pijp location is actually only available for walk-ins only / reservations on the spot, which can be a hige benefit if you haven’t had the opportunity to make any reservations yet.
Hope you enjoyed this guide – share it if you liked it, and let me know if you try any of these places by tagging me on Instagram!
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