Lifestyle

The nicest restaurants in Amsterdam for during the holidays

By Wieke Veenboer | #!31Sat, 16 Dec 2023 09:30:21 +0100+01:002131#31Sat, 16 Dec 2023 09:30:21 +0100+01:00-9Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331 16am31am-31Sat, 16 Dec 2023 09:30:21 +0100+01:009Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2023312023Sat, 16 Dec 2023 09:30:21 +01003093012amSaturday=9#!31Sat, 16 Dec 2023 09:30:21 +0100+01:00Europe/Amsterdam12#12-16-2023#!31Sat, 16 Dec 2023 09:30:21 +0100+01:002131#/31Sat, 16 Dec 2023 09:30:21 +0100+01:00-9Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331#!31Sat, 16 Dec 2023 09:30:21 +0100+01:00Europe/Amsterdam12#

I have no idea if it's the same for you, but it seems like my Christmas gets longer every year. For years I've been doing a third Christmas day dinner, but now there's also a dinner the evening before Christmas Eve and also the evening before that. And on that fourth Christmas day, I also have a lovely dinner planned. Really very heavy, yes: seven days in a row eating out. What pity I have for myself.

No, that is of course incredibly enjoyable, but there is seriously one downside: where? Amsterdam is bursting with beautiful and nice restaurants, but around Christmas, firstly not everything is open and secondly, I'm not wildly enthusiastic about the Christmas menus and the overall Christmas atmosphere. Are you still looking for a location for a Christmas dinner in the coming weeks? Then I have put together the perfect top three for you. At these places, you can be sure that your evening will be a great success.

1. Nela
Since the opening, this has been one of my new favorites; what a nice place this is. The food is *chef’s kiss*, I think the ambiance is great and quite un-Amsterdamish, and I definitely mean that positively. The wine list makes me very happy and the service is the same. In other words: one of the best places currently in Amsterdam, even around the holidays. The whole month of December they have a special Holiday Set Menu of four courses, and during the Christmas days a five-course menu. Also nice: they are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, for dinner and a party.

2. Jansz.
In terms of location and atmosphere, I always find this a real hit. The restaurant is beautiful, but the inner garden is at least just as nice; in the summer, but certainly in the winter as well. And this year they also have a very nice collaboration in their Winter Garden, namely with Smelt. Oh yes: this year you can fondue cheese in their winter garden. The cheeses are selected by De Kaaskamer and you can choose from Dutch, Swiss, or with truffle. De-li-cious.

3. LuminAir
Just a different-than-usual tip, because this is actually for brunch on Sunday, but I think it's a nice change between all the Christmas obligations in the evenings. Such a brunch should of course be done with cocktails, champagne, or prosecco. And lots of courses: from oysters to sushi and avocado toast. The menu here is really very extensive (and very tasty) and for the price really very reasonable: €39 for everything including the champagne cocktails, and from €16 you also have bottomless drinks. FUN.