Neighborhood expert Danique on the best restaurants in De Pijp

De Pijp

De Pijp is one of Amsterdam’s liveliest and trendiest neighborhoods and is part of the Amsterdam Zuid district. The neighborhood is located between Ceintuurbaan, the Amstel River, Boerenwetering, Singelgracht, and the Amstel Canal. De Pijp is divided into the Diamantbuurt, Nieuwe Pijp, and Oude Pijp. You’ll recognize the neighborhood by its narrow, charming streets lined with cute boutiques and a variety of cozy places to eat and drink. 

The coziest dining and drinking spots in De Pijp

Bar Bellini 

The owners of Brasserie Lolita opened Bar Bellini on March 15, 2023, diagonally across the street on Ferdinand Bolstraat in the heart of Amsterdam’s Pijp neighborhood. Bar Bellini has an Italian theme. The bar lives up to its name and serves Bellini cocktails as an aperitif. This is an Italian cocktail made with prosecco and peach puree that originated in Venice. 

The menu is based on the concept of shared dining. It consists of ten small dishes that are perfect for sharing but can also be served as individual courses. Dishes on the menu include: fried artichoke, linguine with langoustine sauce, and barbecued quail. They also serve delicious desserts, including classic tiramisu and panna cotta. At Bar Bellini, you can enjoy not only dinner but also lunch and late-night drinks, where you can even dance until the wee hours.

The interior of Bar Bellini has a cozy feel and offers a modern take on retro vibes. Fun fact: the orange hue used in the decor is a nod to the color of the classic Bellini cocktail. The large open kitchen is a real eye-catcher and is located in the center of the restaurant. Guests can also dine here, where they’ll be served by the chefs cooking right behind them. 

At Bar Bellini, they encourage you to drop by on a whim for a bite to eat or a drink. As a result, reservations are only available for a limited number of tables. 

Our Gigí

Italian shared-dining restaurants have become a staple of the scene, and La Nostra Gigi on Marie Heinekenplein is no exception. Gigi, also known as the prettiest girl in De Pijp, is a colorful and extravagant trattoria, cocktail bar, and lounge all in one. 

Chef Richard Way prepares a variety of Italian shared-dining dishes, ranging from oysters, pizzas, bruschetta, and calamari fritti to antipasti, as well as fish, meat, and vegetarian dishes. There are also plenty of delicious dessert options, such as scroppino and tiramisu. As the icing on the cake, Best Bartender 2022 Stefan Sumual has curated an extensive cocktail menu, and there is live music every Sunday featuring different musicians.

Creative director and interior designer Will Erens of Too Many Agencies, together with owner Van Roekel and furniture company Goesten & Goesten, is responsible for the extravagant interior of La Nostra Gigí. At Gigí, Erens has opted for a romantic and opulent aesthetic, which is expressed in a surprisingly colorful and extravagant interior. The cocktail bar, lounge, and trattoria feature cozy seating areas, interspersed with mirrors, shine, green arbors, and plenty of color. 

Zero Zero

In 2022, the Italian sandwich shop Zero Zero opened its doors on Nieuwe Spiegelstraat. “Zero Zero” refers to Italian 00 flour. This superfine flour is perfect for making the most delicious pizza and pasta dough, as well as schiaccata. Schiaccata are topped or stuffed focaccia from Tuscany, which are Zero Zero’s specialty.

At Zero Zero, for example, the schiaccatas are topped with meat, such as capocollo or porchetta, but there are also plenty of vegetarian options available. One vegetarian option, for instance, is topped with grilled eggplant or cherry tomatoes and pesto. The schiaccatas are finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. 

You can take the schiaccatas to go and eat them on the way, but you can also stick around and enjoy your sandwich in the cozy interior while sipping a cup of coffee or savoring some fresh tiramisu. The walls are covered with art. Local artists are given the opportunity to exhibit their work at Zero Zero, a nod to the famous Spiegelkwartier neighborhood where Zero Zero is located.

Caffé Pico 

Caffé Pico has only just opened, but it’s already a huge hit. No wonder, since this Italian shared-dining restaurant has a basement where you can dance to music. On Saturday nights, there’s even a DJ spinning tunes. 

Pico serves a variety of shared-dining dishes, including pasta and pizza. You can also order natural wines and delicious cocktails, such as the Spicy Paloma. The restaurant features cozy round tables where you can enjoy your meal, but you can also sit at the bar. Once you’ve finished eating, head down to the basement for a dance. The basement has a mirrored wall and is lit with orange lights. The restrooms are definitely worth a visit—they’re anything but ordinary, featuring a disco ball and loud music.

Neighborhood expert Danique wanted to have dinner here one Thursday evening, but it was completely full. So booking in advance is definitely recommended!

The Amsterdam at Home real estate agency has a dedicated neighborhood specialist for every area. As a real estate agency in Amsterdam, we stay up to date on everything happening in each neighborhood, including De Pijp. We combine this knowledge with our real-time data to achieve the best possible results for our clients.