As a port city with a liberal, open minded attitude, Amsterdam’s restaurant scene is as broad as the influences that it has been exposed to over the centuries. A number of international ethnic restaurants can be found in the city, although some truly traditional Dutch restaurants can be found as well. But the city itself has developed its own restaurant culture in ways that makes it a unique European city.

First, and notoriously, there are the bruine kroegies, or brown cafes, where patrons can get a buzz from the coffee or from the different kinds of marijuana and hashish that are legally sold in the city. Tourists jam into these places along with the locals, so you’ll often meet quite an international group as you share the experience.

For those of you whose interests are more traditional, Amsterdam has an incredible array of Grand Cafes. This is not just a way to make them sound more alluring – it is a designation for the cafes that actually are a class above the others. These cafes will focus on service, food or wine and creating a certain atmosphere where people want to both see and be seen. The Café Americain is one of these, which serves all three meals, tea and even has a brunch with a Jazz band on Sundays. Or try the Café de Jaren and sit on one of the grandest terraces in Europe.