Spanish food in Amsterdam: a guide by occasion

Updated 11 Sep 2026 · Based on 15 tracked Spanish venues in Amsterdam · Best-ranked list

Not every Spanish restaurant fits every plan. Using the Google ratings, review counts and the dishes we have confirmed on each menu, here is how we would play Amsterdam depending on the occasion.

For a date

El Pimpi Tapas (Stromarkt 4, 1012 SW Amsterdam, Netherlands) — the strongest all-round rating in the city (★ 4.7 from 2,154 reviews; the menu confirms Spanish omelette (tortilla española), patatas bravas, croquetas, Ibérico/serrano ham, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), fried calamari, pan con tomate, paella, albóndigas (meatballs) and chorizo). Book ahead at weekends.

Tapas with friends

Pata Negra (Utrechtsestraat 124, 1017 VT Amsterdam, Netherlands) — the widest confirmed Spanish spread in Amsterdam: patatas bravas, croquetas, Ibérico/serrano ham, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), fried calamari, Padrón peppers, albóndigas (meatballs), chorizo, ensaladilla rusa and gazpacho / salmorejo (★ 4.2 from 2,024 reviews; the menu confirms patatas bravas, croquetas, Ibérico/serrano ham, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), fried calamari, Padrón peppers, albóndigas (meatballs), chorizo, ensaladilla rusa and gazpacho / salmorejo). Order several plates to share and ask what is on special.

A special occasion

Mamas & Tapas (Hugo de Grootplein 6, 1052 KW Amsterdam, Netherlands) — ★ 4.8 from 1,404 reviews; the menu confirms patatas bravas and croquetas; around €20-€40 per person. Tell them you are celebrating when you book; Spanish restaurants are usually generous with a celebration table.

A quick, casual bite

Duende Tapas Bar (Lindengracht 62, 1015 KJ Amsterdam, Netherlands) — ★ 4.5 from 1,500 reviews; the menu confirms patatas bravas and fried calamari. Bar seating and a couple of tapas is the fastest way to eat well here.

Something sweet to finish

Café Josélito (Nieuwendijk 2, 1012 MK Amsterdam, Netherlands) — one of the few places in Amsterdam whose menu confirms churros.

What to order in Amsterdam

These are the classic dishes most often confirmed on the menus we checked, each linked to our recipe so you know exactly what should arrive at the table:

All 15 tracked venues, filterable by dish, price and rating: Amsterdam on the map.
Rankings by dish in Amsterdam: Patatas bravas (8) · Croquetas (8) · Jamón ibérico/serrano (7) · Gambas al ajillo (6) · Albóndigas (6) · Calamares (4) · Pan con tomate (4) · Pimientos de Padrón (4) · Ensaladilla rusa (4) · Chorizo (4) · Paella (4) · Pulpo a la gallega (3)
Beyond restaurants: food tours, tapas walks and cooking classes in Amsterdam on Viator. (Affiliate link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)