A Taste of France

The French way is taking off in our fair city, as Amsterdammers increasingly choose oysters and wine in lieu of bitterballen and beer.

When it comes to dining out, nothing beats fine, old-fashioned French pampering. You’ll find it at the Michelin-starred Le Restaurant. For a more casual bistro vibe, try nearby Café Caron. Or, admire colourful CoBrA art at Brasserie Ambassade while enjoying the classics. In inclement weather, you’ll want to soothe your soul with the rich Savoyard fare at Bistrot des Alpes. Noteworthy newcomers that are also très français include La Parole, Le French Café, Cafe Garçon, AMI - Café Manger, and Troef. Want to stock up on French essentials? You’ll find a singular selection of organic and bio-dynamic French wines at the independent importer and wine specialist Au Paradis. For French pastry, such as Paris-Brest, eclairs and madeleines, head to My Little Patisserie or Et CLAIRE. And, for the best baguettes and flakiest croissants, we always bet on Le Fournil de Sébastien and Gebroeders Niemeijer.

Slagerij Alain Bernard has a good selection of homemade patés, terrines, rillettes, foie gras, confit de canard and sausage, as well as dried sausages from the Ardèche, and Breton butter. And for all your other French groceries, make a beeline for Epicerie de Pijp

Enjoy chef Jop Schippers’ refined Southern French flavours alongside views of the Amstel River. Our favourites from a recent meal included sourdough fougasse flatbread with basil oil and browned butter (€3.50), duck liver terrine (€18), and ris de veau (tender veal sweetbreads with garam masala and kumquat, €22), but there’s also côte de boeuf with béarnaise sauce and frites (€80, to share) and classic tarte Tatin (€11). Order a la carte or go for the three-course BIB Gourmand menu (€50). Tip: if weather permits, ask for a waterside table in the Sur l’eau section.

NIEUWE DOELENSTRAAT 2-14, MARIEAMSTERDAM.COM

Rijsel

Rijsel’s spartan 1960s modern interior – a study in white, blonde wood, steel and stone with an impeccablykept open kitchen – is just as no-nonsense as its Northern French-Flemish food (Rijsel is the Flemish name for Lille). Known for classics such as Breton fish soup and rotisserie chicken, an excellent wine list and friendly service, you’re always in good hands at this Oost mainstay (€49 for 3 courses).

MARCUSSTRAAT 52B, RIJSEL.COM

Auberge Jean et Marie

Shop duck terrine, porcini-flavoured chips (a favourite of French expats, we’re told) or fetching tins of tuna (€6.95) at Epicerie De Pijp

GOVERT FLINCKSTRAAT 175 EPICERIEDEPIJP.COM

Pick from more than 1,000 bottles in the climate-controlled in-house wine cellar and let Jean and Marie take you on a culinary stroll down memory lane with their old-school French classics: think garlicky vineyard snails au gratin with Café de Paris butter (€16 for half a dozen), navarin of lamb (a rustic stew, €34.50) and melting crémeux au chocolat with coffee sabayon and honeycomb (€14.25).

ALBERT CUYPSTRAAT 58-60, AUBERGEAMSTERDAM.NL