Reservation Preferences

According to forum posts, while some restaurants in Amsterdam accept walk-ins if they have open tables, it is generally advisable to make reservations ahead of time, especially for popular spots. This ensures you have a guaranteed table without having to rely on the uncertainty of availability upon arrival.

Reservation Methods

Travelers have called out that reservations can be made directly through the restaurant's website, which often links to their preferred booking system. This direct booking helps restaurants avoid commission fees associated with third-party reservation services like TripAdvisor or OpenTable. However, these platforms are still used by many due to their convenience.

Impact on Restaurants

Some users emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses by booking directly with them. This allows restaurants to retain more revenue during challenging times, such as those experienced during the pandemic when capacities were limited. Direct bookings also foster a personal connection between guests and the establishment.

Family-Friendly Dining

According to forum posts, the rooftop of NEMO Science Museum is recommended for lunch and is child-friendly. Cafe Restaurant Amsterdam, though not a rooftop venue, is housed in a beautiful old industrial building and features a kids area and a simple Dutch menu that includes items like bread with chocolate sprinkles or peanut butter, making it suitable for families.

Unique Dining Experiences

Some travelers have mentioned unique dining spots that are also family-friendly. Pasta e Basta offers an engaging dining experience with opera-singing waitstaff, and Ctaste provides a unique sensory experience with dining in the dark, served by blind staff. The Pancake Boat and Indonesian rice table restaurants offer interactive dining that can be fun for families.

Dutch Cuisine for Families

For those interested in Dutch cuisine, forum users suggest visiting places like FEBO for a quick snack, or enjoying Dutch pancakes at establishments like Pancake Bakery and Pancakes Amsterdam. Dutch croquettes from Van Dobben and raw herring from street stalls are also highlighted as must-tries for visiting families.

Vegetarian Dining Options

Amsterdam offers a variety of vegetarian dining options across different cuisines. According to forum posts, almost every restaurant in the city includes vegetarian dishes, with many also offering vegan choices.

Indian and Indonesian Cuisine

For Indian cuisine, travelers have recommended Bombay Inn and Shah Jahan for their vegetarian options. In terms of Indonesian cuisine, Long Pura is praised for its vegetarian rijsttafel, providing a range of vegetarian dishes as part of this traditional Indonesian meal.

Italian Cuisine

Italian restaurants such as Casa di David are noted for their historical ambiance and vegetarian-friendly menu. Toscanini is another popular choice, recognized for its authentic Italian dishes and vegetarian options.

General Recommendations

Forum members have also suggested using the Happy Cow website to find specifically vegetarian or vegan restaurants. Additionally, platforms like TripAdvisor itself can be used to search for restaurants with vegetarian menus by filtering dining options.