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Look for the "Tourist Menu", often prominently displayed outside of Restaurants -such are usually very good value for money -often being available in the evening as well as lunchtime, and apply to all sorts of cuisine, Indian, Chinese,Thai Argentinean, Korean, Spanish etc. Dutch food itself is very good - though the Dutch themselves seldom, if ever, eat "Dutch" in restaurants ! (However, I have read there is a "renaissance" occurring and Dutch food is becoming popular again, it has much in common with good English & German cooking) Try a "Rice Table" - "Rijsttafel" - an Indonesian meal, consisting of a large bowl of (usually) rice or noodles and anything up to 20 or so much smaller dishes of seafood or meat or vegetables and meat in spicy sauces which often contain peanuts- and "satay", small spiced pieces of skewer-roasted meat and fish. Service in the more central restaurants is usually fast -but the prices are high, further out, lower prices are often accompanied by slow service. Service charge is included in all Restaurants, tipping is not expected. Drinks Amsterdam runs on strong coffee, cups are small & by tradition only half-filled, though "Milk coffee" & "Cappuccino" and sometimes "Latte", is also available There are 1500 non-Cannabis Coffeeshops, called "Koffieshops" or "Salons de Tea" to distinguish themselves from the 300 Cannabis Coffeeshops in Amsterdam.These tend to specialize in Coffee, maybe with cakes, and Teas only Some other alternatives to Coffee in most Cannabis Coffeeshops are: "AA" - orange flavored non-fizzy sports drink around f3.00 "Looze Juice" - a very good bottled fruit drink at around f3.50 - try the "Mango" or "Pear"- usually served chilled in the bottle Fresh squeezed orange juice - expensive for a small glass - but really healthy (Some shops don`t do this. :€ 3 for a large glass at "Betty Boops" Coffeeshop) Chocomelk - thick, sweet, chocolate drink. Coca Cola is widely available, as is 7-Up etc. Herbal teas are sold in many coffeeshops and tea shops Alcohol: Lager is the staple, Scotch is expensive. Holland Gin, "Jenever", is cheaper just as powerful, comes in many flavours and strengths and is widely available.
 
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For
more up - market eating, I suggest you consult one of the
many guide books available for Amsterdam
-
"Rough Guide",
for example has a good food section) -
every
cuisine in the world is available in Amsterdam, or check at
the VVV for recommendations
- Please
note: It is Dutch custom to eat early in the evening and
some restaurants consequently close early -often around
10pm. - sometimes earlier.