Five Best New Spots in Amsterdam Worth Discovering
Amsterdam’s food and drinks scene never stands still, and this summer is no exception. From a Portuguese-inspired restaurant with a fresh seasonal menu to an award-winning cocktail bar and a unique restaurant that completely transforms with the seasons, the city has welcomed a number of exciting new concepts. Whether you’re looking for your next dinner reservation, a standout cocktail or a relaxed terrace to spend the afternoon, these are five new spots in Amsterdam that deserve a place on your list.
ARCA
First on the list of new spots in Amsterdam is ARCA, where chef Henrique Sá Pessoa has unveiled a new summer menu built around seasonal ingredients, storytelling and dishes designed to share. Familiar Portuguese flavours are elevated with influences from Japan and other culinary destinations that have shaped the chef’s travels, resulting in combinations that feel both comforting and unexpected. Alongside new signature dishes, guests can choose from the new three-course Classico menu or the five-course Best of ARCA experience, while the accompanying cocktail programme continues its ‘Course of Life’ concept with drinks inspired by memorable moments in life. From the first bite to the final cocktail, ARCA offers an experience that goes well beyond dinner.
Super Lyan
Already a favourite among Amsterdam cocktail lovers, Super Lyan has now earned official recognition. It was awarded as the Best Bar in the Netherlands and secured a place in Europe’s 50 Best Bars 2026. Housed inside Kimpton De Witt, the colourful neighbourhood bar has spent the past seven years building a reputation for cocktails that tell stories inspired by Amsterdam itself. Its current Boroughs of Amsterdam menu transforms different parts of the city into inventive drinks, while signature creations and playful bar bites make every visit feel creative without becoming intimidating. It’s a fitting recognition for a bar that has become one of Amsterdam’s most distinctive places to enjoy a cocktail.
Ceintuur Theater
Set inside a beautifully restored former neighbourhood cinema in De Pijp, Ceintuur Theater introduces Amsterdam’s newest all-day rotisserie restaurant under chef Atti de Moll. After years in Michelin-level kitchens, De Moll has shifted his focus towards accessible dining without compromising on craftsmanship, using the rotisserie as the heart of the menu. Mediterranean flavours, carefully sourced ingredients and standout dishes like the slow-roasted Basque free-range chicken define the kitchen, while the historic building offers spaces for everything from breakfast and coffee to dinner, cocktails and community events. The result is a restaurant that feels rooted in its neighbourhood while bringing something genuinely new to Amsterdam’s dining scene, making it earn its spot among the best new spots in Amsterdam.
Le Petit Bouillon d‘Amsterdam
The second location of Le Petit Bouillon d’Amsterdam brings the classic French bouillon concept to Amsterdam-Zuid, offering an approachable bistro where good food, friendly prices and a lively atmosphere come together. Rather than reinventing French dining, the restaurant focuses on what has always made a neighbourhood bistro appealing: classic dishes, quick service and a space where you can just as easily stop by for a casual weekday meal as settle in for a long evening with friends. With its bustling terrace and relaxed approach, it captures the rhythm of city life while making quality French dining feel accessible to everyone.
Williams Botanical Garden
Williams Botanical Garden has taken the idea of a seasonal menu a step further by transforming its entire identity. Throughout the summer, the restaurant becomes Williams Botanical Garden, replacing its cosy winter atmosphere with bright interiors, botanical touches and a terrace inspired by a classic British garden party. The refreshed experience extends to the menu, where lighter seasonal dishes, long lunches, summer cocktails and a sunny take on the traditional Sunday Roast set the tone. Come October, everything changes again as Williams returns to its Farmhouse concept, making it one of the few restaurants in Amsterdam that completely reinvents itself twice a year.
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From bold flavours to cultural food trends, discover how football influences what’s on the table, and in the glass. Explore more in Flavours of Life.
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