De Compagnon, Amsterdam

I am a recent widow and am getting used to solo travel. I would have preferred my husband for a dining companion, but the kindness of the wait staff and the quality of my meal were almost as good as having a companion. I ordered the chef’s 5 course meal and asked my server to select wines for each course. Here are the highlights -- the sour dough bread served at table is baked in house. The truffle butter and hummus were perfect. The amuse was a quickly friend cheese ball topped with a delicate mustard sauce. A caponate of lovely fresh vegetables was delicate and beautifully presented, A fresh cod was next -- so delicate that it melted in my mouth (although the grilled baby zucchini seemed odd with the dish). Next, lobster ravioli (the filling was great), and a strip steak. Dessert was a cheese cake topped with preserved apricots. The wines chosen were perfect pairings. This restaurant is hard to find, although it is very near the Central Train Station. The concierge from my hotel had to walk me over. You will need to look for a green, solid metal gate that hides a bike parking area and beyond that, the entrance to the restaurant. It is right on the Damrak.

I have been coming here every couple of years for the last 15 years. This is still the best restaurant in town. Quite but still in the centre. Stylish with great food.

Excellent 6 course tasting menu on a Saturday night. Highlight of weekend in Amsterdam. Very small- so book in advance

We ate here twice during our 5 night stay and had the 6 course tasting menu with different dishes each time. The food was outstanding. Possibly the best we’ve had and we’ve had some of the best in Amsterdam. The service was excellent and we felt comfortable and at ease. The wine was excellent and advice offered if you need it. Can’t wait to return. Thank you for 2 memorable evenings.

This little slightly eccentric restaurant is hard to find - make sure you know exactly where it is before setting out – and you have to put up with exposure to some red-light area rubbish to get there but it’s so worth it. Fantastic interior, lovely food (broadly modern French in style), view of the water and very friendly staff. We stuck to one of the menus. This restaurant and one or two others makes you think that eating out in Amsterdam is as good as anywhere.

Fabulous service, wine AND food! Creative! Delicious! Perfect ending to a perfect trip. Thanks especially to Patrick!

Really tucked away! Blink and you miss it. Worth the trip. I had a 5 course chef’s selection. Good price wine flight. Onpossible

Nice ambiance facing the center harbour. We have selected 6 course menu with 4 different wines and food was good and wines are very good. Nice service .

Hidden in an ally, overlooking the canal, very cozy place to eat. They offer from three to seven course meals, ranging between 45 to 70 Euros. We ate twice over there during our stay in Amsterdam. Both times the food and service exceeded our expectations. For the main dish I ordered Veal Cheeks, and it was exceptional.