Best Indonesian Restaurants in Amsterdam

Best for Finer Indonesian Dining

Johannes van Dam, a restaurant critic of near-Godlike status in Amsterdam and the Netherlands has called this contemporary take on Indonesian cuisine "Fantastisch" and "9+" -- and if you know anything about Johannes van Dam, you know those kinds of accolades don't come unearned. Pick from one of three tasting menus every evening: a classic rijsttafel (what's a rijsttafel?), plus a "modern" or "contemporary" option, all with exotic names like "The Sultan and I," "Wild Orchid," and "Blue Marilyn."

Tie for Best Indonesian Food on the Utrechtsestraat

The posh Utrechtsestraat in the Eastern Canal Belt of Amsterdam is a restaurant-lover's paradise, and that utopia includes two of the city's favorite Indonesian eateries. Tempo Doeloe -- the name means "Old Times" in Indonesian -- is a tucked away traditional restaurant whose patrons appreciate its privacy, well-executed classic dishes and attention to detail. This isn't the place to find modern innovation on the cuisine, but you won't be bothered by the ever-present wandering vendors peddling Polaroids and flowers.

Tie for Best Indonesian Food on the Utrechtsestraat

If Tempo Doeloe is the tucked-away Indonesian option on the otherwise bustling Utrechtsestraat, Tujuh Maret is the front-and-center one. Unlike Tempo Doeloe, Tujuh Maret offers take-away and lunch (just look for the glowing yellow sign advertising the latter).

Best Indonesian Food near Amsterdam's Big Museums

With claims to fame as one of the Netherlands' oldest and most well-known Indonesian restaurants, it's no wonder the tables at this popular Museum Quarter restaurant are booked well in advance. Their rijsttafel is the star here.

Indonesian Food in Amsterdam Chinatown

Great Indonesian in the medieval center is hard to find - most of the best choices are farther removed from the city core. Still, visitors who've worked up an appetite roving around the center could do worse than Bunga Mawar, one of the only Indonesian eateries on the Zeedijk. While the quality was respectable, it's only the "best" sit-down Indonesian in Chinatown by virtue of its being the only one; the only other option I know is Toko Joyce (Nieuwmarkt 38), a cheerful take-out outfitted with a couple of tables. When I'm in Chinatown and hankering for Indonesian food, I usually opt for the similar flavor profile of Malaysian food, as there are two stand-out Malaysian spots in the area: the homey, casual Nyonya Malaysian Express, and the exquisite Wau Malaysian Restaurant. Just don't expect to find rijsttafel on the menu!

The Hague is hailed as the Dutch capital of Indonesian food, and its proponents argue that the quality of its Indonesian restaurants outstrips that of Amsterdam's. While I'm not sure I could take a side, I will say that I've had some truly impressive Indonesian food in The Hague; restaurants like Garoeda (Kneuterdijk 18a) and Poentjak (Kneuterdijk 16), which sit side by side with lovely views onto the square, are local classics, while the Raffles (Javastraat 63) offers a more upscale experience (complete with upscale prices). 

Indonesian food and culture enthusiasts who are in town in late May or early June shouldn't leave without checking out the Tong Tong Fair, an Indonesian cultural festival where food is a major focus.

Edited by Kristen de Joseph.