The best French restaurants in Amsterdam

At FavorFlav, we love French cuisine, as is probably clear. Unfortunately, visiting Paris every week isn’t really feasible, but luckily you can also eat delicious French food in the Netherlands. We have plenty of French bistros in our own capital. Yes, Amsterdam is full of good French restaurants where you can imagine yourself as a Parisienne.

In fact, you could say that Amsterdam is currently being overrun by French bistros. We don’t mind at all, because nothing is as delicious as a steak tartare or fish fried in beurre blanc. As far as we’re concerned, you can never go wrong eating at a French restaurant. That’s why we’ve listed our favorites for you—in no particular order. Including newcomer restaurant Veneur!

These are the best French restaurants in Amsterdam

1. Café Garçon
You really imagine yourself in Paris here, because of the interior but of course also when you look at the menu. You’ll find all the classics here, from salade Niçoise to French onion soup with Gruyère (my personal favorite), and snails are on the menu too. Fun fact: the dessert menu also features true classics such as a Dame Blanche, which you don’t often see anymore. That’s why, and also because of that wonderful wine list, it was love at first sight for us at Café Carçon.
Café Garçon, Johannes Verhulststraat 105

2. Brasserie Margaux
We’re staying in the same ‘family’ for a little while longer, because this hotspot comes from the same stable as number one. There are many similarities with Café Garçon when it comes to the menu, and the atmosphere also clearly shows that the same owners are behind it—and that’s absolutely fine, because you essentially have two options when you’re craving authentic French classics in a place where all of Amsterdam Zuid likes to gather. The opening hours are the same too: every day from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.
Brasserie Margaux, Beethovenstraat 27

3. Bistrot Neuf
Fun fact: you can eat à la carte here, but they also offer a three-, four- or five-course menu called Menu Du Chef. It’s highly recommended if you like more modern French cuisine. Be sure to make a reservation, because it’s not a large restaurant and it’s very popular. Yes, even at lunchtime; they’re known for their ‘hot lunch’, which is hugely popular in the neighborhood—and rightly so. 
Bistrot Neuf, Haarlemmerstraat 9

4. La Parole
I’ve noticed that many of the (good) French restaurants are open all day, seven days a week. La Parole is one of them, and I really love that, because I genuinely enjoy an extended lunch in a bistro atmosphere. You can do that perfectly well here, especially in summer: La Parole is situated on a corner and has a lovely terrace around it, so you get sunshine all day long. Their menu is extensive and full of classics, from oeufs mayonnaise to steak tartare.
La Parole, Kwakersstraat 24

5. Café-Restaurant Amsterdam
You won’t get much closer to a French bouillon in Amsterdam; when I was sitting at Chartier in Paris, it felt just as if I were eating at Cradam. And even better: the prices are more than reasonable too, because although eating out has become considerably more expensive, you can still eat affordably here. That doesn’t detract from the quality; their steak is simply excellent, as are their fruits de mer—and don’t forget their sticky toffee for dessert!
Café-Restaurant Amsterdam, Watertorenplein 6

6. Café Beurre
Since opening, this has been a favorite among many food lovers; Mara Grimm visited when the paint had barely dried and awarded the restaurant an 8.5. I fell in love instantly too: this is a truly wonderful French addition to our capital. Notably, the entire menu is completely vegetarian, but even the biggest meat lover won’t lament that. Everything here is of such high quality, and the dishes are particularly well put together. Owner Kim Jongbloed has just handed the restaurant over to a new owner; hopefully they’ll continue it with the same enthusiasm. 
Café Beurre, Van Limburg Stirumstraat 115

7. Café Manger Ami
In Amsterdam’s De Pijp neighborhood, I immediately fell in love with the interior here. It’s so cozy and inviting; the service is excellent too, and it’s also a great place to go if you only want a drink. You’ll find the classics on the menu here, as well as more modern dishes such as a smash burger—and plenty of options for vegetarians! Do make a reservation, though, otherwise you may miss out.
Café Manger Ami, Eerste van der Helststraat 51

8. Café Caron
Culinary phenomenon and professional Frenchman Alain Caron is a regular on the widely watched TV program BinnensteBuiten. Meanwhile, together with his sons David and Tom, he continues to steadily build a modest empire of family restaurants. In addition to editorial favorites Café Caron and Petit Caron in Amsterdam’s De Pijp, De Gouden Reael (on Reaeleneiland) and Cantine de Caron (at the Westergas site) have joined the group. Everything follows the tried-and-tested recipe of classic French bistro cuisine; high quality and good service: you come here to be thoroughly pampered. Personally, the first member, Café Caron, remains my ultimate favorite, but I also find the industrial feel of Cantine de Caron (near Westerpark) very atmospheric and ideal for an extensive Sunday lunch. 
Multiple locations in Amsterdam

9. Rijsel
When I think of Rijsel, I immediately get hungry; I find it so delicious here. Their potatoes, their chicken, their meat… For years, this has been a regular go-to for many people, myself included: at Rijsel, you simply know you’re in good hands. It feels as though you’re dining in a cozy living room, but with the most wonderful service and equally wonderful food. I’m going to make a reservation now, because I’ve been missing Rijsel for far too long.
Rijsel, Marcusstraat 52

10. Arles
A slightly different bistro from the others on this list; Arles is a neo-bistro. So there are no classics à la carte here; instead, you can choose four or five courses (although à la carte is possible) and let the chef surprise you. He has added his own twist to French cuisine—with great success. We are hugely enthusiastic about Arles. In the kitchen, they take a fresh look at French classics. Chef Numa Muller, who was born in Arles, ran the kitchen here for the first four years, and now that he has his own restaurant in Paris, he comes over every six weeks to create a new menu. 
Arles, Govert Flinckstraat 251

11. Bistrot Les Zazous
You’ll find Bistrot Les Zazous on KNSM Island. And as the name suggests, you’ll eat real bistro classics here, such as Salade de gésiers, Terrine de canard, Bavette grillée, Feuille de brick and Steak tartare. There are also five daily specials on the menu that change weekly, which is great for a neighborhood restaurant with returning guests. We visited Bistrot Les Zazous before you and we’re fans!
Bistrot Les Zazous, Piraeusplein 59

12. De Juwelier
Of course, fine-dining restaurant De Juwelier must not be missing from this list. Chefs Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot used to cook with two stars at the chic Bord’Eau in Amsterdam, before opening the acclaimed Restaurant 212 together, which has since also earned two stars, in the city center. De Juwelier is around the corner from 212, on Utrechtsestraat. It’s a small restaurant with 45 seats, and they only cook à la carte. But at a fine-dining level; this restaurant has also since earned a star. You can eat sublime veal sweetbreads and veal kidneys there, as well as roasted langoustine with lavender beurre blanc and, of course, pâté en croûte.
De Juwelier, Utrechtsestraat 51

13. Troef
Wonderful place, Troef; we visit regularly. You can eat wonderfully (French) there, the atmosphere is lovely and the price-to-quality ratio is excellent. Well, I think that has already won over a lot of fans. Troef is buzzing every evening. You can sit at a table inside, or at the bar. From both spots, you can see the open kitchen. Oh, I almost forgot another good reason to come: the enormous wine room, which holds around 2,000 bottles.
Troef, Schollenbrugstraat 8

14. Marie
In the mood for a divine côte de boeuf with classic béarnaise sauce, sea bass in a touchingly delicious beurre rouge sauce and an incomparable Madeleine for dessert? Then Brasserie Marie is the answer. Here you’ll eat the French classics of your dreams, right on the Amstel, in a wonderful setting with lovely service and delicious French wines. Truly a top address to add to your list. For a romantic dinner à deux, with friends or family: go French, go Marie!
Marie, Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14 (in Hotel De L’Europe)

15. Tannay
Restaurant De Gouden Reael on Reaeleneiland reopened at the beginning of 2024 under the name Tannay. It’s still part of the Caron empire, but now with chef Thomas Demuth at the helm. Tannay is named after the Coteaux Tannay appellation, where Thomas grew up in Burgundy and where his father still makes wine. Thomas’s cooking style is like a book full of memories, taking him from his mother’s kitchen in Burgundy, through his periods at several three-star restaurants in Paris, to his career with the Caron family in Amsterdam. He presents his dishes in a five-course chef’s menu or à la carte, accompanied by a wine list full of gems from Burgundy, the Loire and Champagne. We already tipped you off about Tannay as a beautiful place!
Tannay, Zandhoek 14

16. Bisous
I tipped this newcomer in Amsterdam’s De Pijp as Le Garage 2.0. Bisous is a glamorous place that is both classic and sexy. And the food: that’s an ‘ooh la la!’ situation too. You can eat wonderful French classics such as steak au poivre and ris de veau, with incredible sauces. And that mouthwatering interior! This is a true night out.
Bisous, Albert Cuypstraat 31

17. Veneur
Restaurant Veneur opened at Weteringschans 171 in Amsterdam on May 15, 2025. Chefs Yoran and Moriaan and maître Bas were the familiar faces at De Juwelier* for years and are now eager to introduce everyone to their new restaurant. What can you expect? A generous portion of fire, refinement and a wink to classic flavors. From an egg with North Sea crab and eel to veal sweetbreads with crispy shrimp. We were there like a shot to visit Veneur, and we can keep it brief: Veneur is truly a fantastic place!
Veneur, Weteringschans 171

And good news: French restaurant Auberge Jean & Marie, which filed for bankruptcy at the end of 2023, has reopened too! And in the hands of the men behind De Juwelier (see above in the list)—Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot—this can only be a success!

Also read:

• Emma’s food pet peeves: can we stop glorifying French cuisine?
• Why does Dutch cheese have a plastic rind (and French cheese doesn’t)?
• You need to make the French regional dish truffade NOW

Image: Café Garçon