Zest is exactly what you'll get at this praise-worthy restaurant, which brings a modernist slant to everything from the interior to the cuisine. The menu offers dishes with Asian and Mediterranean flavors, although no culinary coffers escape the kitchen's raiding. The food has developed such a reputation that folks often revel in it over leisurely meals, sampling Thai curries, grilled lamb, a wealth of fish and seafood dishes, and deftly prepared vegetable courses. The wine list offers selections by the bottle and by the glass as well. A wonderful, intimate spot.

For well over a half-century, this wonderful establishment has been a city mainstay. Character is found in gleaming copper cookware, rustic beams, and romantic artwork, and the menu boasts both French-inspired dishes and updated Dutch fare. The restaurant's presence on the second floor of a circa-1687 home also imparts charm, and fresh flowers are omnipresent. Among the culinary options are grilled salmon and chateaubriand. A boon to late diners, the Black Sheep serves dinner until 11pm.

In years past, this elegant venue was the waiting room for first-class train passengers. Nowadays, the Art Nouveau-styled space invites travelers and other folks into a haven of beauty, where they can indulge in a variety of terrific fare throughout the day. Whether your appetite is large or small, you can get a full, three-course meal or simply have a sandwich and a drink. Regular, gourmet specials provide an upscale note and ensure that no one goes away hungry. Ideal for on-the-run professionals.

Pale-hued and elegant, Bice is a strong presence on Amsterdam's dining scene. Refinements like crisp linens and pristine tableware provide indication that a meal will be nothing less than spectacular. Northern Italian cuisine is particularly authentic, given that the restaurant was founded in Milan in 1926 (and still maintains headquarters there). Folks frequent the place for everything from light pastas to grilled meats and seafoods, reveling in impeccable presentation and service. Among the dishes you'll savor are ossobucco alla milanese, baked venison, pigeon in red wine sauce, grilled swordfish, and baked sea bream with pumpkin, chestnuts and pinenuts.

Signature restaurant of the stylish Blakes hotel, this enviable eatery melds urban and Asian aesthetics in a 17th century building. Its culinary stylings are just as eclectic. In a former bakery where natural materials add warmth to a black-and-white color scheme, diners are plied with foods that mix Asian, Continental, and Mediterranean flair. To wit: Foie gras soup tinged with coconut milk and red curry, sea bass with black squid-and-ginger sauce, seared tuna sushi, duck, fillet of veal, chilli-seared langoustines, and beef sirloin with green papaya salad. Careful service and flawless presentation render this chic boutique restaurant a must-do.