Italian food is one of the things I return to most often in Amsterdam.
I have eaten Italian here on quiet evenings alone, on slow weekends with my husband, and on early dinners with my kids when we needed something familiar and reliable.
Over time, I realised that Italian restaurants in Amsterdam are often misunderstood.
Many lists blur everything together, but in reality, only a small number of places stay consistent with regional Italian cooking and disciplined menus.
The restaurants I return to work because I understand where they are, what type of Italian food they serve, and what kind of visit they are right for.
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Why Location Has Always Shaped My Italian Food Choices
After years of eating around the city, one pattern became very clear to me: Italian food in Amsterdam changes dramatically by neighbourhood.
When I eat in high-tourism areas, menus tend to grow too large, and flavours lose focus. In quieter or mixed residential areas, kitchens are more disciplined, and the same faces keep coming back.
From my own experience:
- The Jordaan is where I go for serious, ingredient-driven Italian cooking
- Centrum is unpredictable, but a few restaurants manage to resist the pressure
- Pizza quality depends far more on the kitchen than the postcode
Once I started choosing Italian restaurants this way, my meals became far more consistent.
1. Toscanini
Location: Lindengracht, Jordaan, near Noordermarkt
Toscanini is where I go when I want a long, quiet dinner, usually with my husband, occasionally alone.
This is not a place I chose for convenience. I prefer it because the kitchen cooks seasonally and refuses to freeze its identity into a predictable menu.
Every visit feels slightly different, which is precisely why I trust it.
The food leans toward Northern and Central Italy. Pasta dishes are balanced rather than heavy, and main courses change with the time of year.
I never come here expecting a specific dish. I come expecting care.
Service is calm and unhurried. This is not somewhere I take my kids or rush through a meal.
It works best when the evening is left open.
When I choose Toscanini
- Slow dinners with time to talk
- Evenings built around food rather than plans
When I don’t
- Tight schedules
- Casual or spontaneous meals
2. Il Pacioccone
Location: Koggestraat 1A, Centrum, near Amsterdam Centraal Station
Il Pacioccone surprised me the first time I went. I expected another tourist-friendly Italian menu.
Instead, I found an authentic Umbrian–Tuscan trattoria holding its ground in a difficult location.
This is countryside Central Italy on a plate. The food is earthy, filling, and direct.
When I eat here with my kids, I know exactly what we are getting: handmade pasta, meat-based sauces, and dishes that feel comforting rather than refined.
The atmosphere is informal and welcoming. Portions are generous, which makes it a good option after travel days or long walks.
Presentation never tries to impress. The flavours do the work.
I admire this restaurant because it could easily change to survive, but it doesn’t.
When I choose Il Pacioccone
- Family dinners
- Evenings near Centraal
- Comfort food without compromise
When I don’t
- Light or seafood-focused meals
- Formal dining moods
3. La Perla
Location: Tweede Tuindwarsstraat, Jordaan
La Perla is my choice when I want excellent pizza without turning it into an event. I often come here alone or with one other person. With my husband, I care more about execution than atmosphere.
The dough is soft and elastic, the toppings are minimal, and everything arrives quickly. The space is small and busy, which suits the food perfectly.
This is not where I linger. It is where I eat well and move on.
When I choose La Perla
- Solo meals
- Quick dinners in the Jordaan
When I don’t
- Group dining
- Long evenings
4. nNea Pizza
Location: Bilderdijkstraat 92, 1053 KX Amsterdam
nNea Pizza represents a fermentation-driven approach to Neapolitan pizza. Extended dough maturation yields a lighter texture and a more pronounced crumb.
While less traditional in its atmosphere than La Perla, the execution is high and strongly appeals to diners who value technique.
The place I actually return to with my family (especially with kids).
Best suited for
- Pizza enthusiasts
- Dough and fermentation focus
Less suitable for
- Classic trattoria atmosphere
5. Cecconi’s Amsterdam
Location: Spuistraat, Canal Belt, near Dam Square
Cecconi’s is where I go for work dinners or central meet-ups. The food is reliable, the service is polished, and the setting works when timing and location matter more than culinary discovery.
The menu leans Northern Italian, with refined pasta and structured mains. I would not choose this restaurant for rustic Italian food, but I trust it for consistency.
When I choose Cecconi’s
- Business dinners
- Central plans
- Polished evenings
How I Personally Choose Where to Eat Italian
Over time, my decision process became simple:
| Situation | Where I Go |
|---|---|
| Seasonal Italian Cooking (When the Food Really Matters) | Toscanini |
| Umbrian–Tuscan trattoria | Il Pacioccone |
| Neapolitan pizza (When alone and want speed and quality) | La Perla |
| Fermentation-focused pizza (With my family, when I want space and predictability) | nNea Pizza |
| Modern Italian dining | Cecconi’s |
Mistakes I Learned to Stop Making
- Treating all Italian food as interchangeable
- Assuming menu size equals quality
- Eating Italian food near major tourist routes without checking
- Expecting the same cuisine across regions
Italian food only works when the context is respected.
Final Thoughts From My Own Experience
Amsterdam offers excellent Italian food when choices are made with intention. Toscanini remains my benchmark for serious Italian cooking.
Il Pacioccone continues to impress me for staying true to Umbrian–Tuscan traditions in a difficult area.
For pizza, La Perla and nNea Pizza serve very different needs, and both do them well. Cecconi’s fills a different role altogether.
Popularity has never guided my choices. Understanding has.
FAQs
Q. Is Italian food in Amsterdam authentic?
Yes, when restaurants with a clear regional identity and focused menus are chosen.
Q. Where is Toscanini located?
On Lindengracht in the Jordaan, near Noordermarkt.
Q. What type of cuisine does Il Pacioccone serve?
Umbrian and Tuscan cuisine from Central Italy.
Q. Which area has the best Italian restaurants overall?
The Jordaan consistently performs best.
Q. Is pizza in Amsterdam comparable to that in Italy?
Yes. At select restaurants that prioritise fermentation and restraint.
Explore the Jordaan Beyond Italian Dining
Many of Amsterdam’s most reliable Italian restaurants are located in or near the Jordaan, a neighbourhood known for its historic streets, small canals, and independent businesses.
Dining here works best when paired with time spent walking the area rather than treating a restaurant visit as a standalone stop.
If you want to understand why the Jordaan supports some of the city’s best Italian kitchens, a self-guided walk through the neighbourhood provides useful context.
From quiet residential lanes to local markets and traditional cafés, the area explains itself best on foot.
For a structured overview of the Jordaan’s streets, landmarks, and layout, see this detailed walking guide: Jordaan Walking Guide
This helps place Italian dining within the broader character of the neighbourhood rather than viewing it in isolation.