The new urban district of Houthavens is populated by thousands of residents and workers. Well-known fashion companies, such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Diesel, Balr, Goosecraft, Strellson and Barts, among others, have all found their way to the industrial environment on the IJ. And where people go, a proliferation of catering establishments naturally arises, making the new neighborhood even more attractive to live and work in.
Houthaven is an area with a rich history. The new neighborhood in Amsterdam West was once one of the most important trading ports in the world. Now the area is being transformed into a vibrant neighborhood."
Lars Amsterdam
Lars Amsterdam is the brainchild of Lars Scharp and Floor Wiggers. Coming from two-star restaurant Aan de Poel, the pair thought it was time for their own restaurant. In boutique hotel Moxy they found their home. Quality products and hospitality are Lars Amsterdam paramount. You can go there for a high-level dinner, but also for work appointments or a drink. You dine there with a panoramic view of the IJ. - Danzigerkade 201.
ZA
ZA is a fine addition to the Houthavens. Owners Aleksey Belinskiy and Stefano Franco fell in love with Amsterdam and decided never to leave. In the Houthavens they found an ideal place to start a restaurant with international-Mediterranean influences. The dishes of ZA are meant to be shared. From pasta to pizza, ribeye, caramelized endive and date puree, the menu makes choosing a dish a challenge. The hip restaurant with ditto interior caters to the higher end, yet ZA also has a neighborhood function and local residents know how to find the restaurant effortlessly. - Danzigerkade 4.
Carat
Have drinks and dine in luxury at Carat. Spread over 2 floors and an outdoors, the Houthavens' newest hotspot is a restaurant, bar, bakery, terrace and lounge all in one. In the gold-lined restaurant, you'll find beer tables where guests can tap their own beer. If you're traveling by boat, the dock in front offers space for Karaat's guests. - Houthavenkade 103.
Bar Wood
At the head of the Houthavens, on the Review Island, you will find Bar Hout, a sustainable hospitality project where you can go to relax and to work. Bar Wood is a no-nonsense restaurant and flex workspace in one with a more than great terrace. Bar Hout is not a contrived concept. What you see is what you get. No difficult dishes on the menu, but tasty bites like burgers, richly filled pitas, various salads, bread with hummus, nuggets of cauliflower and hot dog of Limburg pig. Bar Hout is a very nice place where you can go all days of the week for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. - Review Island 1.
Wild Croquettes
Wilde Kroketten is the first croquette restaurant in the Netherlands. With 20 types of croquette on the menu, croquette lovers have come to the right place. From shrimp croquette to crab croquette, beef croquette, vegetarian croquette, rendang croquette and cheese croquette, they have it all. There's even a dessert with croquette on the menu. All artisanal and made in house. At Wild Croquettes enjoy a 5-course dinner consisting of 3-course croquettes with matching wines or specialty beers. - Danzigerkade 27.
REM Island
At the REM Island Restaurant in Amsterdam you can dine sumptuously 22 meters above the water, in a former pirate radio and television station. The restaurant offers stunning views of the IJ, the Minervahaven and the new architecture of the Spaarndammerhout. You can go there for lunch and extensive three-course dinners. - Haparandadam 45.
Vessel
Restaurant Vessel at Hotel Boat & Co has been considered the living room of the Houthavens since its opening. A café-restaurant where locals and travelers mix just fine. The menu, composed by renowned chef Ricardo van Ede, consists of purely organic dishes that you can order throughout the day. With an amazing view of the IJ, you can eat delicious, healthy and responsible food at Vessel. Modern, nutritious dishes with a twist and no fuss. Local delicacies that are good for you and the planet, and the best wines and cocktails. - Review Island 500.
Ferry 13
Pont 13 is one of the hidden gems of the Houthavens. The old ferry converted into a restaurant serves as a neighborhood cafe where you can enjoy drinks and dinner. The menu offers meat and fish dishes prepared on a real charcoal grill. On the terrace you can enjoy a delicious craft beer or wine in the sun while watching the boats sail by on the IJ. No sunshine? The interior of Ferry 13, with its rugged and industrial character, invites you to delightfully surrender to the service of the crew. - Haparandadam 50.
The Pont jetty
Icon of the Houthavens is the Pontsteiger. The building is rightfully the most striking building in Amsterdam. Whether you like the Pontsteiger or not, the iconic building cannot be overlooked with its height of 90 meters. From far out in the city, you can see the building looming like an enormous chair in the horizon. What seems like an ungainly building from afar turns into elegance up close thanks to the elliptical and circular spaces on the first floor that house Hotel Pontsteiger and Café De Pontsteiger. Living in the Pontsteiger? A few apartments are still available. - Pontsteiger 343.
Cafe Pontsteiger
In the city's most talked-about building, you'll find Café Pontsteiger, a cozy neighborhood café that has everything you need to spend a day, dine in or take out on the go. High ceilings and endless windows with an unparalleled view of the IJ makes Cafe Pontsteiger a place for the creative. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and stare endlessly across the IJ in style. - Pontsteiger 343.
Gary Loen
Restaurant Gary Loen is the surprise of the Houthavens. Hosts Gary & Henk Loen serve flavorful Mediterranean and Asian dishes, combined with Dutch pot. Cooking has always been a passion of Gary's. After winning The Masterchef Holland and The Taste of Germany, he started several pop-up restaurants in Amsterdam before settling permanently in the Houthavens. - Moermanskkade 4.
Boat & Co.
The Houthavens are not only sought after among residents and employees of various advertising agencies and fashion brands, tourists are also flocking to the industrial area with phenomenal views of the IJ River. In the past year, Hotel Pontsteiger, Moxy and Residence Inn by Marriot opened their doors in the area. And recently, Boat & Co opened its doors. Inspired by the Amsterdam School, Boat & Co offers, in addition to hotel rooms, several restaurants, a bar, a spa and huge waterfront terrace. - Review Island 500.
"First bringing in logs, Houthavens is now the heart of Amsterdam's fashion industry. A walk through the neighborhood reveals that well-known fashion houses such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Levi's, Diesel, Etnies and BALR have settled in the area."
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Proeflokaal De Prael
Lovers of local specialty beers should be on Nieuwe Hemweg for the tasting room of brewery The Prael. Here you will drink the famous Prael beers and eat homemade snacks and exquisite steaks. In the Houthavens, the famous brewery builds on its commitment to sustainability, society and high-quality beer. The brewery lets visitors witness the brewing process and explains what goes into brewing beer. After brewing comes tasting. - Nieuwe Hemweg 2.
Bin
Restaurant Bak is the culinary jewel of the Houthavens. A hidden gem that overlooks the inland water and harbor of the new residential area. At Bin they cook at a very high level using only local products, such as seasonal vegetables, game and fish. There is no standard, menu but you enjoy a gourmet, tasting menu with ingredients that are currently available. - Diemen Street 408.
Mr. Nieges
Mister Nieges is Yiddish for Mister Bad Luck. A reference to the location where several restaurants have never been successful. But Mr. Nieges has definitely broken that spell. The restaurant boasts one of the finest terraces in Amsterdam. With a magnificent view over the IJ and Amsterdam North. Weather permitting you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner here. Inside it is just as cozy with a fireplace, nice sofas and a large bar. If you feel like dancing, you can do that too, until the early hours. - Westerdoksdijk 40.
Pikoteo
Pikoteo Taberna is a modern tapas restaurant with a shared-dining philosophy. At the tapas bar near the Houthavens, you really are in for a night out. Besides Spanish delicacies, you'll slide in here for fine selections of wines at a fair price. Start or end the evening with cocktails or G&Ts, which are excellent here. On weekends the evening is graced by a DJ. - Houtmankade 9.
Compartir
The Spaarndammerstraat is West's culinary hotspot. Just steps away from the Houthavens. Recently Compartir took up residence down the street. A restaurant born out of love for the drinks board and sharing food. The drinks board in this one is not a wooden board, but a table filled with flavorful dishes from all over the world and special wines. - Spaarndammerstraat 49.
Wine Cafe Sausage
Just steps from the Houthavens you will find Wine Cafe Sausage, a more than great wine bar that also serves lunch and dinner. The wine list consists of no less than two hundred wines and the menu includes eight dishes with sausage as the main ingredient. Café Worst belongs to the same owner as the adjacent Marius. A tiny living room restaurant with a very special cuisine. As a culinary gourmet, these two gems are not to be missed. - Barentz Street 171.
From the foot of the Pontsteiger, a ferry goes every half hour to the NDSM Wharf, and back. Super nice if you want to grab a drink in Noord. On vacation in your own city. - Tasmanstraat.