Opened by Massimo Bertonasco in 2017 it did not take long for Massimo Gelato to be considered The Netherlands’ best, a heritage begun in Liguria carried forward to flavors made on-site daily using Ingredients including Pistachios from Bronte and Hazelnuts from Piemonte.
“Gelato makes us Happy” on the window, record-setting heat in Amsterdam creating a queue, three flavors for €6,20 proves par for the course and Milk from local farmers forms a creamy yet relatively light base more than capable of standing up to the best of Milan or Rome.
Raspberry Sorbet, Hazelnut Cake, Tarragon Panna Cotta, Meringue
Dark Chocolate Ice Cream, Rau Răm
Built as the Greenhouse of Amsterdam in the 1920s De Kas has no listed menu, instead the eatery functions day to day with Chefs creating a 4-5 course tasting based on that morning’s harvest.
A restaurant since 2001, with nearly 300 varieties of Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit grown on site the rest comes from their field just north such that a motto of “Harvested in the morning, on your plate in the afternoon” carries weight.
Toqued by Wim de Beer and Jos Timmer, the kitchen in full view, lunch begins with a refreshing Amuse followed by small bites, the Strawberry Lettuce Wrap vibrant and delicious while Bread and Tapioca Crisps each garner their own unique Condiment.
Working with limited Proteins, Brandade made from line-caught Fish forming a bed beneath a generously breaded Squash Blossom, an entree of Mushrooms and Asparagus proved dynamic without seeming forced thanks to Chicken Soup that accentuated nature with finesse.
Awarded one star by Michelin, plus a Green Star for obvious reasons, Dessert comprises one or two servings depending on hunger and can range from Goat Cheese Mousse with Melon to this day’s Tarragon Panna Cotta with Hazelnut Cake and Raspberry Sorbet.
Cheese Sandwich – House Sourdough, Gouda, Onion Jam, Butter
A one-time Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee 4850 is a neighborhood Wine Bar that offers Ingredient-focused fare for lunch and dinner, plus a high-quality Coffee program alongside Sandwiches as well as Buns beginning at 9am daily.
Part of Amsterdam Oost, a minimalist décor and outdoor seating well suited to warm weather, the menu is concise with the Cardamom Bun as good as the famous ones in Copenhagen while a simple Cheese Sandwich became more thanks to good Butter and a thin layer of sweet Onions.
Dutch Pancake – Syrup, Homemade Apple Crumble, Raisins, Cinnamon
Established in 2007 Pancakes Amsterdam is a polarizing entity, the second location in front of Damrak favored by tourists but the original in the Nine Streets generally well-liked by locals even though prices trend a bit higher than more traditional places.
Open from 08h00 to 20h00, early arrival or reservations advisable lest one wishes to wait, Pancakes’ menu comprises Dutch or American style with a variety of toppings including favorites designated by a heart.
Surrounded by iconic scenery, outdoor seats in the shade a hot commodity, Coffee is basic but good with a packaged Stroopwafel while Pancakes are light and fluffy, perfectly wrapping around plentiful toppings, and available both Vegan or Gluten Free for those with allergies.
Amsterdam beef sausage – Terrine of duck liver and beef sausage with pomelo and beetroot from Oos
The ‘Ribs’ – Ron’s boneless spareribs with our own BBQ Lacquer
Maitake, king oyster mushroom, yuzu – Grilled king oyster mushroom, maitake, yuzu-kosho sauce, kaffir lime
Sundae – Ice cream with praliné, puffed corn and salted caramel
Well regarded by locals and traveling epicures Chef Ron Blaauw is quietly building an empire, his decision to shutter a popular Michelin 2* concept in 2013 yielding a handful of new concepts including his 1* Ron Gastrobar in Willemspark.
French-y enough that guests will see his pedigree, but highly original yet familiar, lunch or dinner at Ron Gastrobar begins with small “Snacks” including a chef’d-up “Bloomin’ Onion” and signature Beef Rendang Croquettes plus piping hot rolls with Butter bulked up by Pig Skin.
Trendy enough for the #gram thanks to floral orbs and organic flourishes, the kitchen wholly visible through glass, small plates shine whether one selects mixed Mushrooms with Japanese Citrus or “Beef Sausage” hidden as Tartare between layers of Foie Gras Terrine.
Not quite hungry enough for a whole Beef Wellington, particularly with so many other tempting choices, no table should miss Blaauw’s signature Ribs served with a smoke show and sticky Sauce or the seasonal Sundae currently featuring farm-fresh Ice Cream and housemade Caramel in three styles.
Named after Chef Thomas Demuth’s homeland Tannay resides on a quiet corner of Realeneiland, an unlikely string of warm and sunny days seeing the outside patio filled with guests for Sunday lunch overlooking the canals just a few feet away.
Michelin recommended but without a star, the four course lunch for €64 offering a choice of mains, guests begin with an Amuse of Cucumbers in forms followed by piping hot Bread alongside salted local Butter.
A protegee of Alain Caron, French cuisine with a focus on local ingredients on this day highlighting summer, warmed Lettuce takes on the idea of Caesar Salad through smoked Fish with Parmesan Cream with brightness added by Citrus.
Next offering Spinach Pasta after a lengthy wait, the Cheese beneath gooey but not fully melted, Hake replaced sold-out Monkfish and performed admirably amidst Mushrooms and tiny Artichokes in Saffron Cream.
Certainly picturesque, Tannay’s interior empty thanks to favorable weather, another lengthy wait occurred prior to Dessert of Strawberries and Rhubarb as a makeshift Mille-feuille and a complimentary Lemon Tart with the bill.
Yuzu White Chocolate Tart, Tarte Tatin, Banoffee Tart
Centrally located with an extensive assortment of 1-to-2 bite Tarts Petit Gâteau takes a decidedly French look at Pastry in Amsterdam, though fans looking for more unique options likely will not be disappointed aside from prices that trend high.
Served on the first floor with an upstairs loft for seating, the Chef occupying one table and a few additional patrons sipping Coffee, Tarts trend €3,50-4,50 and are highlighted by traditional Tarte Tatin with bold Caramel notes.
Open from 10h00 to 18h00 daily, the Coffee fairly basic but suited to its task, Petit Gâteau’s Almond Croissant is a double-baked version liberally sugared but otherwise crispy on the outside with a soft and buttery crumb.
Known as the oldest Bakery in Amsterdam Bakkerij Egstorf is found at Spuistraat 274, hours from 08h00 until 22h00 finding staff making fresh Stroopwafels though the key is actually arriving early when Viennoiserie are still hot on the rack just moments out the oven.
Established in 1898, a reliance on historic recipes eschewing a need to do things for the #gram, guests at Hans Egstorf are welcomed warmly by fourth generation ownership that clearly cares about doing things right from the kitchen to packaging.
Baking throughout the day, fresh Sourdough amongst the best in town per locals, Croissants sell for just €3 each and whether one selects natural local Butter or freshly-made Almond Paste the rise is generous around soft insides that can also be filled with a single or double baton of Dark Chocolate.
TIGA SATE MACEM Combination of skewers chicken, beef, goat / ACAR KETIMUN Cucumber salad
AYAM PANIKI Medium spicy chicken in a chili coconut sauce / DAGING SMOOR Tenderly stewed beef in a sweet soya sauce / JAGUNG KACANG PANJANG Stir fried baby corn with long beans / SAMBAL GORENG TELOR Boiled egg in a spicy sauce
SALAT MANGA Mango salad in a lemon grass and peanut dressing
SERUNDENG Spiced grated coconut with peanuts
EMPING Nut crackers
Thanks to nearly 350 years of colonization the Netherlands is home to a sizable Indonesian population, and when it comes to Rijsttafel few places are so well regarded as Sampurna right in the heart of Amsterdam along one of the many canals.
A low-lit space with religious carvings and tightly packed tables, the upstairs and downstairs separated by a bar, guests with reservations are greeted on time by pleasant staff happy to explain a menu built upon various shared “Rice Tables” plus a collection of a la carte dishes.
Fairly priced with 35+ years of history, the “Sate Solo” just €31.50 for six skewers and ten side dishes plus complimentary Rice Crackers, plates designated as “spicy” are quite tame compared to Thai or Szechuan Cuisine, and fans of Sambal will likely love the boiled Egg atop a side of Rice.
Busy without a lot of circulating air, the lower level quite warm even without the candles and heated serviceware, Cucumber Salad as well as one of Mangoes prove quite refreshing between tender bites of Meat highlighted by Sauces ranging from Soy to Peanut.
Adding dried Coconut for Texture, this plus the Sauce from Goat Skewers perking up fairly basic Noodles, Desserts look interesting but ended up being skipped as a few large parties overwhelmed a single downstairs server leading to a lengthy wait for both the check and more water.
Located in Centrum with a ton of foot traffic Van Wonderen is considered by some to serve Amsterdam’s best Stroopwafel, but with a tiny Cookie €11,50 and one the size of most others €13 the value is somewhat lost even before one enters the queue.
A small space with no real traffic pattern, just a lot of guests waiting for their number to be called, staff proves pleasant while customers decide amongst seven topping ranging from Oreos and Brownies to Lotus Cookies half-dipped and unfortunately served with only basic napkins.
An Instagram favorite, Pop Mart adjacent riding a similar wave, Van Wonderen’s Stroopwafels are a bit thinner and more prone to breakage than competitors while the Syrup binder seems perhaps a bit sweeter in the areas not covered by Chocolate.
Located in Centrum with a ton of foot traffic Firma Stroop resides within a block of Van Wonderen, their similar formats decidedly creating direct competition though a back-to-back taste finds the space labeled FA. Stroop the easy winner.
Part of the city since 1921, a corner on the Muntplein clearly organized such that guests enter left and order to the right where Cookies are finished, Firma’s topped Stroopwafel rings in at €9 and utilizes jammy Syrup that doesn’t get runny despite warm layers surrounding.
Smartly offering wet-naps, most of the Toppings similar to Van Wonderen aside from liberal amounts of Caramel replacing Biscoff, fans of the current “Dubai Chocolate” trend will also be very happy to see Pistachios amongst the offerings.
Fry me a river – 2x 80g signature smash patties with onions smashed into patty, american cheese, smoked cheddar, pickles, comeback sauce on a toasted bun
Crucial cauliflower – Crispy beer battered cauliflower tossed in our house made sticky Korean sauce with toasted sesame, miso mayo and kimchi on the side
A resident kitchen at Oedipus Brewery Taphouse The Beef Chief gets a lot of press for their smash burgers on a housemade bun, Simon Parrott’s plan to build the Netherlands best Burger seemingly successful to the tune of two locations that remain busy from open to close.
Quite literally just a window inside the sizable complex, outdoor seating quite popular during long summer days while the inside is filled by youthful residents sipping Beer or Wine, arrival just an hour after opening finds everyone in jovial spirits and staff quite pleasant.
Originally gaining notoriety for the Kimchief, Parrott’s fondness for fermented Cabbage immediately evident on the menu, “Fry Me a River” takes on the popular “Smashburger” without over-flattening things and the result is a juicy mix of MRIJ Beef and Bone Marrow whose intrinsic flavor holds up well to condiments including Cheese, Pickles and Sauce.
Sporting a fluffy but generous Bun, the attention to detail evident across Beef Chief’s menu, Fries or Wings prove popular and look well-made but should not take the place of “Crucial cauliflower” that sees the Crucifer lightly fried but perfectly tender in a sticky Korean lacquer with Sesame Seeds, a side of Kimchi and cheffed-up Mayo.
Family owned and operated from the start, Dominic Sang bringing family recipes from a Texas Doughnuttery to Sin City in October 2015, guests entering Glaze Doughnuts will notice little has since changed about the shop in nearly a decade while their soft base and creative toppings earn “Best of Las Vegas” accolades annually.
Located on Fort Apache Road, fair prices and friendly service undoubtedly part of Glaze’s appeal, what the shop lacks in selection is more than made up for in quality compared to the likes of Dunkin, Krispy Kream or other spots nearby.
Largely built on Yeast Rings, though undersized Fritters perform admirably, fans of simplicity will find Maple Frosting far more subtle than most while Chocolate and Vanilla Glaze are also of excellent quality with or without additions such as Cereal or Candy.
Not over-the-top, but balanced and complex, Caramel and Pecan dazzle atop a fluffy leavened base while Peanut Butter and Oreo do the same, though if one is seeking Glaze’s top choice the decision comes down to Blueberry Cinnamon Toast, Churros and Horchata or Matcha Green Tea Pistachio that delivers sweetness beneath toasty notes.
Vegan Biscuit – Maple Butter, Homemade Strawberry Balsamic Jam
Opened in July 2019 with a promise of single origin Beans and extraordinary service The Coffee Class has now debuted its third location, viral success thanks to #influencers and an incessant “investment” campaign seeing the space at Village Square in Summerlin join two Henderson spots plus Kyle Cunningham’s Almond & Oat.
Begun as a passion project for the real estate professional, his decision to hire Chef Beth Ryan-Small for a menu that has evolved to include everything from Quiche and Panini to Desserts undoubtedly part of Coffee Class’ success, the Summerlin address on West Sahara Avenue doubles down in terms of size as well as new items served 6:30am until 5:00pm daily.
Not afraid to tout a trend, Dubai Chocolate Lattes flexing for the #gram alongside Beth’s signature Pop-Tarts, fans of The Coffee Class Biscuits will find Vegan versions enjoyable as ever while those seeking something new will notice laminated Donuts a little more oily than Ansel’s original for $6.
Despite signage suggesting Summer House Santa Monica the location inside Durango Casino & Resort is actually Lettuce Entertain You’s first branch of the “California-inspired Restaurant” out west, and regardless of what might be inside the Cookie Bar out front is a sight for sore eyes.
Taking a Spago-esque approach to Market-fresh fare, think Pizzas and Pastas plus plates from an all-wood grill, it is for roughly $5-6 each that guests will find a dozen or more daily baked good including everything from classic Chocolate Chip with big dark chunks to Rice Crispy Treats with or without bits of Oreo in the mix.
A natural feeling space bathed in light, Rockwell Group taking on LEYE’s first off-Strip venture, guests not fond of Cocoa will find “Birthday Cake” far outpacing crumbl’s famous Frosted Cookie while both glazed Lemon and Peanut Butter eat soft and chewy within a gently crisp rim.
Always impressing with Brownies and Blondies, also offered Gluten Free, Summer House’s Apple Oatmeal Cookie reminisces of Autumn Apple Crisp in portable form while the all-new Wild Thai Banana and Coconut Chocolate Cookie are sweet but balanced and complex.
Last visited May of 2025 Friendly Donut House remains a Henderson staple for good reason, opening hours as early as 4:00am daily finding shelves full of fried Dough paired to pleasant customer service.
The sort of place built for Veterans to linger over Coffee, a strip-mall on South Boulder Highway playing host to regulars for decades, fans of classics will find lightly fried Yeast rings beneath Glaze while those who favor Cake can choose Vanilla or Chocolate with Sprinkles, Cinnamon Crumble or plain.
Also offering Longjohns and squared-Bismarcks, the later piped with Cream or Custard, Buttermilk Bars are textbook thanks to penetrant Sugar plus Icing in a variety of flavors while the Bear Claw and Apple Fritter are easily Sin City’s best and well-worth the drive, cost and calories thanks to the golden exterior and Cinnamon-spiced Fruit inside.
Born in Logan Utah Crumbl took the city by storm, their Instagramable rounds offered in thirty stores across six states by 2019 and now in all fifty states with six in Las Vegas including the Durango location opened in May 2020.
Created by Sawyer Hemsley and Jason McGowan, rapid expansion through franchising yielding mixed results from store to store as evidence by Social Media, it was after several variable experiences that the westside storefront proved competent, the staff exceedingly pleasant while describing each choice.
Undoubtedly popular in part due to photogenicity, though a sterile interior oversells the fact that everything is made from scratch, the first thing those entering will notice is Crumbl’s limited collection of just six weekly flavors, though occasionally one may find “Mystery Cookies” including specials from the previous week.
Still a young company, so much success despite only starting in September 2017 certainly enviable, best bites came from specials that included “Chocolate Toffee Cake,” a nice texture with complexity added by Heath Crumbles while Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunk is executed as it aught to be.
Offered onsite or via delivery from 8am until at least 10pm Monday through Saturday it was next that “Cinnamon Roll Cookie” took on the namesake before “Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Featuring Reese’s” doubled down on two concepts with good effect.
Again finding “Cake” concepts better than the Cookies by which crumbl made their name suffice it to say “Berry Trifle Cake” wouldn’t be out of place in a local Restaurant while “Triple Chocolate Chip” offers what the name suggest.
Located in the shadow of Southern Hills Hospital Leafs and Grounds opened at the end of 2022, their popularity slowly growing by word of mouth attesting to Sin City’s best Scones and a locally grown feel that taps into Pacific Northwest Coffee culture.
A novelty in Las Vegas, the shop slowing things down compared to Dutch Bros or Starbucks and doing things their own way without a slew of influencers, guests arriving Tuesday through Sunday from 6am until 3pm will find a family owned spot with plenty of room to linger, work, and read.
Using Lavazza for a variety of Lattes and specialty Coffees, a proper grinder and Espresso machine attesting to doing things the right way, Pastries are made on-site by the Mother and children with Empanadas fully loaded beneath a golden shell while Danishes are so flaky that a fork and plate are mandatory.
Onward to Scones, flavors announced daily on Instagram, suffice it to say these aren’t the typical British rounds in need of Clotted Cream or Jam, but rather something like a layered Southern Biscuit loaded with Butter and complex flavors ranging from Ube to Blueberry.
Serving Las Vegas for over forty years one might well assume Metro Pizza has the take-out game down to a science, and even now with more competition than ever John Arena and Sam Facchini’s Pizzeria remains irreproachable in terms of customer service and quality.
Presumably an amenity established mainly for denizens of The Gramercy Couve Specialty Coffee opened in May of 2025, the design so “minimalist” it is actually off-putting in a way that seems not only pretentious but frankly unwelcoming even when compared to the likes of Blue Bottle or Sawada.
Priced on par or higher than Coffee Class or Mothership, onsite machinery suggesting Couve roasts its own Beans, guests are invited to choose amongst limited options including several Matcha based beverages while “Cold Brew” is unavailable aside from Espresso shots over Ice “Americano.”
Serving Scones as a lone Food option, rotating flavors including Butter Pecan and Orange with Cranberries tasty but falling short of Leafs and Grounds, it will be interesting to see how well this concept fares with growing competition and most folks willing to settle for Starbucks just a few yards away.
