We had such an amazing time in Amsterdam, I am really keen to show you all the lovely foods we ate so that I can reminisce and imagine we’re still there (yes, we only got back yesterday).

Number one on our eating list was bitterballen – apparently made from béchamel sauce and mixed with beef (normally) – we ate these every single day. I was hooked, they are very similar to croquettes and a snack of 6 between 2 people is the perfect afternoon pick me up.

We also had the pleasure of eating at Burger Bar thanks to a recommendation from @NoBetterWords on twitter. This was probably the best burger I’ve ever had and was everything a burger should be – perfectly tender, juicy meat with just the right amount of accompaniments - no need for fancy fillings here as the meat spoke for itself. We went for the kobe beef burger, expensive at €9.95 but worth every cent.

This place is my #1 recommendation for eating in Amsterdam (if you’re a carnivore of course). Burger Bar is small though, so be prepared to consider takeaway if you can’t get a seat inside.

Another place we’d been recommended was Casa di David - I was quite taken with the menu online so booked dinner in advance online so we didn’t miss out. We didn’t get our requested table (on the first floor, overlooking the canal) but that didn’t matter. The restaurant was really busy for a Thursday night and it seemed like there were lots of regulars. We had bitterballen in the afternoon which sadly meant we both weren’t really hungry when we arrived, so just had mains and shared a salad.

Pancakes! is quite small and depending on the time of day, you might have to wait for a table. On Sunday at lunch time, we waited about 1/2 an hour but it was worth it.

The last meal I’ll include here was at The Pantry - I found this by a bit of TripAdvisor searching and we thought it would be good to go to a traditional Dutch restaurant. This place was brilliant, small and intimate with super friendly wait-staff who will take their time explaining the menu if need be. They had a good set menu option but I was set on having poffertjes for dessert.

Dutch goat cheese croquettes (3) with rocket salad and honey mustard dressing

Pea-soup served with rye bread and smoked bacon

We grew up eating pea soup and this was just as delicious as my Mum’s version

Combination of hutspot, boerenkool- and zuurkoolstamppot served with a smoked sausage or a meatball

(Hutspot – mashed potatoes mixed with stewed beef, carrots and onions;

Boerenkoolstamppot – mashed potatoes mixed with kale;

Zuurkoolstamppot – mashed potatoes mixed with sauerkraut)

We both had the same main – Graeme with smoked sausage, and mine with a meatball. This dish might not sound too appetizing but all the types of mash tasted really different and were all delicious in their own way. My meatball also had a really nice smoky flavour to it.

At the end of our trip in Amsterdam, we were both saying how lucky we were to have eaten so well. I can’t think of one meal I didn’t enjoy and every person we met was super friendly and helpful.

What have your dining experiences in Amsterdam been like, and did we miss anywhere amazing?