✍️ Intro
Sometimes, the best food isn’t in a guidebook — it’s in the calm, quiet corners where people simply live. In this fourth part of our Culinary Curiosities series, we continue exploring Amsterdam neighbourhoods where food and feeling go hand in hand.
These aren’t the places everyone talks about. But they’re where you might find a bakery you return to without meaning to, or a family-run restaurant that feels like a small discovery.
This time, we’ll visit:
– Spaarndammerbuurt
– Westerpark
– Oostelijk Havengebied
– Zeeburgereiland
– Buitenveldert
Neighbourhoods with room to breathe, stories to uncover — and plenty to taste.
🥖 Spaarndammerbuurt – Where Streets Tell Stories
Tucked between the train tracks and the harbour, the Spaarndammerbuurt feels like a small village wrapped in bricks. It’s known for its striking Amsterdam School architecture — but stay a little longer, and you’ll find warmth behind the facades.
The streets are narrow, the rhythm is slow, and the cafés feel personal. You’ll come across bakeries with tiled storefronts, old cafés that haven’t changed in years, and small restaurants where the menu reflects what’s in season — or simply what’s good that day.
It’s a neighbourhood where the beauty is in the details — and the food is part of the story.
🍽️ TravelGlaze Food Picks in Spaarndammerbuurt
Mossel & Gin (Gosschalklaan 12) – A stylish yet laid-back seafood bar known for — you guessed it — mussels and gin. With a sunny terrace near the park and a menu full of comfort classics from the sea, this is a go-to for relaxed dining with a twist.
Dong Son – Houthavens (Spaarndammerstraat 145A) – A no-frills Thai takeaway with consistently high ratings. Fresh, fast, and flavourful — ideal for a casual dinner to enjoy by the water.
Ristorante La Tarantella (Bentinckstraat 32) – An intimate Italian restaurant tucked into a side street. Think handmade pasta, candlelight, and dishes that taste like they were cooked with love — because they were.
🌟 TravelGlaze Tip
Time your visit with the monthly Sunday Market at Westergas — a relaxed mix of design, food, and music. It’s a lovely way to experience the neighbourhood’s creative energy, especially on a sunny afternoon.
📍 Did You Know?
The Spaarndammerbuurt was once a working-class district built for dockworkers. It’s now famous for Het Schip, a striking example of Amsterdam School architecture — full of curves, ornaments, and expression. The building even houses a museum dedicated to the style.
🌿 Other Spaarndammerbuurt Highlights
– Museum Het Schip – A must-see for architecture lovers, housed in one of the neighbourhood’s most iconic buildings
– Spaarndammerstraat – A lively but local street with shops, cafés, and a lived-in feel
– Westerpark (nearby) – A green escape just a few minutes away, ideal for a post-meal stroll
🌳 Westerpark – Where Green Meets Creative
Westerpark is more than a park — it’s a neighbourhood that balances open space with quiet culture. It feels airy, a little artsy, and just far enough from the centre to breathe. The area stretches from tree-lined streets and early 20th-century homes to the creative grounds of the Westergas complex.
It’s a place where food, art, and community live side by side. Think cafés in old industrial buildings, food trucks on summer evenings, and restaurants with honest menus and space to sit — inside or out.
There’s a calm here, even when it’s lively. And that mix of nature and creativity makes it quietly irresistible.
🍽️ TravelGlaze Food Picks in Westerpark
Mamas & Tapas (Hugo de Grootplein 6) – A cosy and colourful spot with a wide selection of Spanish tapas. Ideal for sharing plates and catching up, especially when the terrace is open.
Bella Storia (Bentinckstraat 26) – Italian comfort food in a relaxed setting, with everything from thin-crust pizza to classic pasta dishes. Local, friendly, and good for groups.
Pendergast (Groen van Prinstererstraat 14) – An American-style smokehouse with slow-cooked meats, craft beers, and a warm, intimate atmosphere. A hidden gem for comfort food lovers.
🌟 TravelGlaze Tip
Pair your meal with a visit to Fabrique des Lumières — an immersive digital art space in a former gas hall.
📍 Did You Know?
The park was once home to Amsterdam’s gas factory, which closed in the 1960s. The restored buildings now house everything from art galleries and small theatres to festivals and food spots. It’s one of the city’s best examples of urban reuse.
🌿 Other Westerpark Highlights
– Westergas – A former gasworks turned cultural and culinary hub
– The old water tower – A striking landmark with panoramic views during special events
– Kinderboerderij Westerpark – A small petting zoo near the park entrance, perfect for a quiet moment with goats, chickens, and city kids at play
🌊 Oostelijk Havengebied – Where the City Meets the Water
Once a series of industrial docks, the Oostelijk Havengebied has transformed into one of Amsterdam’s most spacious and striking modern districts. Here, bold architecture meets wide-open water views — and in between, you’ll find calm cafés, international kitchens, and quiet quays perfect for wandering.
It’s not a neighbourhood of crowds or noise. Instead, there’s light, air, and the gentle rhythm of daily life along the IJ. Food here is often fresh and modern, with a hint of global comfort — and plenty of places to enjoy it with a view.
🍽️ TravelGlaze Food Picks in Oostelijk Havengebied
Sham Oost (Borneosteiger 1) – A welcoming Syrian restaurant right by the water, serving rich, home-style dishes with heart. Perfect for sunset dinners with mezze and mint tea.
Eetcafé KANIS (Levantkade 127) – A cosy and casual café offering classic comfort food in a local setting. Come for the simplicity, stay for the warm atmosphere.
Bistrot Les Zazous (Piraeusplein 59) – A charming French bistro with refined plates and an inviting feel. Think duck confit, seasonal vegetables, and quietly elegant service.
🌟 TravelGlaze Tip
Take tram 26 to Rietlandpark or Kattenburgerstraat and explore the islands on foot from there. The walk along Levantkade and Java-eiland offers peaceful views, quiet bridges, and plenty of benches to pause and watch the water.
📍 Did You Know?
The area was once part of Amsterdam’s main shipping harbour, but after years of decline, it was reimagined in the 1990s as a model for modern urban living. Today, it’s known for its bold residential design, strong community feel, and connection to the water.
🌿 Other Oostelijk Havengebied Highlights
– Lloyd Hotel – A historic hotel and cultural spot with a quirky past and changing exhibitions
– Bruggenroute – A walking route across the many architecturally varied bridges that link the islands
– Java-eiland promenade – A peaceful stretch along the IJ with benches, sculptures, and sweeping views
🍴 Curious to explore further?
You can find many of these spots — and more local gems — on TheFork, a handy site for checking menus, reviews, or even booking a table in advance (especially useful on busy nights).
But don’t worry if a place isn’t listed. Sometimes the best meals happen where no one’s taken a photo yet.
🚲 Zeeburgereiland – Where Urban Feels Open
Still developing, still surprising — Zeeburgereiland feels like a city experiment in progress. With wide skies, bike bridges, and modern apartment blocks rising from former industrial land, it’s one of the few places in Amsterdam where space still feels new.
It’s not about landmarks here. It’s about movement. People come to skate, cycle, grab coffee, or just enjoy the sense of openness that’s harder to find elsewhere in the city. And while the food scene is still growing, it already hints at global flavours, strong coffee, and local favourites tucked between water and road.
🍽️ TravelGlaze Food Picks in Zeeburgereiland
Bluey’s Coffee & Kitchen (Eef Kamerbeekstraat 180‑182) – A bright, relaxed café open daily for coffee, sandwiches, and homemade sourdough bread. Ideal for a peaceful breakfast or light lunch with space to think.
Brasserie Vrijburcht (Jan Olphert Vaillantlaan 159) – A waterside brasserie with a casual feel and a sunlit terrace. Come for lunch, a drink, or a quiet moment by the marina.
Camping Zeeburg – Café Restaurant (Campingweg 1) – Not just for guests — this café is open to all and serves homey, vegetarian-friendly meals in a green and friendly setting. Slightly quirky, very relaxing.
🌟 TravelGlaze Tip
Bring your bike and ride the long path over the Nesciobrug — one of Amsterdam’s most scenic cycling routes. Once on the island, follow the waterfront to find casual food spots with views across the IJ.
📍 Did You Know?
Zeeburgereiland was once a sludge-processing site, now transformed into a sustainable urban district. It’s known for its street art, skate park, and the impressive Nesciobrug — the city’s longest cycle bridge, curving elegantly into the horizon.
🌿 Other Zeeburgereiland Highlights
– Skatepark Zeeburgereiland – One of the largest in the Netherlands, and a popular gathering spot for locals
– Nesciobrug – A cycling and walking bridge with panoramic views over the water
– Urban Sport Zone – An open, active area for skating, basketball, and just watching the neighbourhood come to life
🌿 Buitenveldert – Where the City Slows Down
Tucked between the bustling Zuidas and the calm of the Amsterdamse Bos, Buitenveldert is a neighbourhood that values space, routine, and quiet charm. It’s home to parks, gardens, and tree-lined streets that feel more suburban than urban — but still very much connected to the city.
Here, comfort comes in small, steady forms: familiar cafés, calm shopping streets, and food that reflects the area’s mix of long-time locals and international families. You’ll find kosher bakeries, Japanese lunch spots, and relaxed terraces — no rush, no noise, just good food in good rhythm.
🍽️ TravelGlaze Food Picks in Buitenveldert
Wurst & Schnitzelhaus (WuSH) (George Gershwinplein 6) – A modern take on German comfort food in the heart of Zuidas. Schnitzels, sausages, and big flavours — all served with a wink and a local beer.
Saigon Caphé Gelderlandplein (Willem van Weldammelaan 43) – A Vietnamese kitchen that balances freshness and depth. Try the pho, bun bowls or summer rolls — ideal for a quiet lunch after exploring the neighbourhood.
Loetje Zuidas (Parnassusweg 1021) – A trusted name for steak lovers, served here in a bright, modern setting. Familiar, fast, and perfect if you’re craving a solid Dutch classic.
🌟 TravelGlaze Tip
Take tram 5 or metro 51 to reach Gelderlandplein, a small shopping centre with surprisingly good food options — including delis, sushi counters, and sweet cafés. It’s a quiet place to eat, browse, and take your time.
📍 Did You Know?
Buitenveldert was designed in the 1950s as a modern, green district — part of the General Expansion Plan of Amsterdam. It’s also home to the city’s main Jewish community, which adds a unique cultural flavour to the area’s bakeries and eateries.
🌿 Other Buitenveldert Highlights
– Amstelpark – A beautifully maintained park with gardens, sculptures, and walking paths
– Gelderlandplein – A low-key mall with food counters, boutiques, and a local feel
– Botanical Gardens Zuidas – A peaceful green spot near the business district, free to visit
🧭 Still Hungry?
Amsterdam isn’t just a collection of museums and canals — it’s a city of neighbourhoods, each with its own rhythm, flavour, and quiet beauty. Some parts offer familiar comfort, others something unexpected — and all of them remind us that food and place are deeply connected.
This fourth part of the Culinary Curiosities series took us a little further out, to where the city opens up: into space, water, and still-growing corners. But even here, the same thread runs through — a meal shared, a moment paused, a street worth walking.
Wherever you are in Amsterdam: follow the flavour, follow the feeling, and let curiosity lead the way.
📬 TravelGlaze Tip
Curious about more local corners, food stories, or neighbourhood discoveries? Sign up for the TravelGlaze newsletter — or revisit Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this series to keep exploring Amsterdam, one bite at a time.
