A Sommelier's Favourite Wine Bars and Restaurants | In & Around Amsterdam
Specially selected restaurants for the best food and wine pairings
A selection by Koen van der Plas | Founder | SOMMatHOME
Maris Piper | Amsterdam | Tip by Koen van der Plas, Sommelier
“Please enjoy my guide with a continuous changing selection of some of my favourite restaurants offering high-end food and wine”
When a restaurant has a detailed and qualitative wine list, you usually don’t have to worry about the quality of the food. No one knows this better than award-winning sommelier Koen van der Plas.
In this guide, Koen shares his recommendations for restaurants that serve amazing food paired with the best wine.
In Amsterdam
SAAM
Saam means ‘together’ in Afrikaans, but also pushes together South Africa and Amstel. The name cleverly summarizes this new restaurant, which Koen co-owns together with chef Margot Janse of Franschhoek legend ‘The Tasting Room’, Max van Bockel of RIJKS and Henk Jan Beltman of Tony Chocolony. Expect pure ingredients, creative merging of Dutch and South African flavors and of course, fantastic wine. Check out their Sunday roast lunch as well.
L’ATELIER DU CHAMPAGNE
For me this is one of the most exciting wine shops in the country.
They have a very interesting collection of dynamic wine from young winegrowers which they import exclusively, and also offer a wide range of vintage wines.
MARIS PIPER
Maris Piper is one of my favourite restaurants in Amsterdam. I will never forget the first time I tried their fried Dutch grey shrimps as a snack with my aperitif. Just mouth watering. The wine list by Elske Mostert focuses on original, biodynamic and natural wines
CAFE DE KLEPEL
I have lived in Amsterdam for a few years now and De Klepel has become ‘home’ to me. It was one of the first restaurants that combines great wines with casual traditional French cuisine
HET BOSCH WATERFRONT KITCHEN
A hidden gem on the Nieuwe Meer. Danny, the owner and sommelier, is always on the hunt for new discoveries. They take small margins on bottles, so you’ll get value for money
Outside of Amsterdam
RESTAURANT AIM
This restaurant in Loosdrecht has great wines and food. Latoya, hostess and vinologist, brings a great selection of wines which you won’t be able to find on every wine list. Their kitchen is different and very original.
HENDRICKJE STOFFELS
The place where my career started. A cozy restaurant that exists for 31 years. I had my first encounter with wine at this place and actually, I didn’t like it at all. Bianca Mens, one of the owners, has a great knowledge about wine and often has some amazing bottles besides the list.
maps, in Hoorn
’T NONNETJE
Located in Harderwijk, this Two Michelin Star restaurant will surprise you with its originality. The service and wines are of exceptional quality with a good price level. A place to be in an informal setting.
DE BOKKEDOORNS
The first Michelin Star Restaurant I ever visited, when I was 16! It has held on to its Two Stars for ages and after a big transformation in both team and interior it has once again become one of my favourite addresses.
They also have an extensive wine list that offers great value for money, a rarity these days.
