Amsterdam

Holidays by Destination Europe Netherlands Amsterdam Eating 

The word snack is apparently Flemish in origin, and there are plenty of these including from machines which sell deep fried croquettes. These are also available from small bars and similar, along with kebabs, frites, waffles and seafood options.

In sit-down establishments high chairs are common, as are children's (kinder) menus, though given the cheese and ham bias of standard Dutch cooking, adult menus should be able to provide something suitable. Particularly helpful are most of the museum and park cafes.

If you and yours are adventurous, Indonesian food is the best ethnic option, drawing on expertise from the ex colony. Two recommended are Puri Mas, Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 37/41-I, Leidseplein, and Sama Sebo, PC Hoofstraat 27, both of which offer the complete meals known as rijsttafel. However note that many of the dishes are very hot.

Wholefood/vegetarian places are usually good choices for families. Bolhoed (Bowler Hat), Prinsengracht 60-62 is a relatively central and provides a high chair.

As usual pizzerias are a good bet, as are pancake places. For these second check out the restaurant in the Historical Museum, Kalverstraat 92, with popular statues of David and Goliath (more than 5 metres high), or the Pancake Bakery, Prinsengracht 191 with up to 100 different pancakes.

There are some places with or next to play areas. Caf? Kort, Amstelvelt 12 is next to a play area. Winkel Lunchcafe Noordmarkt 43 opposite the Noorderkerk has a small outside play area and some of its food is organic. Moeders Mooiste, Marie Heinekenplein 5-8 is a brasserie with play room at the back supervised by a nanny Thursday to Sunday 4 to 8pm. Pastorale II, Haarlemerdijk 160-164 serves Turkish and Italian food and includes a ball pit, slide and TV in the basement for children. Enfant Terrible, De Genestetstraat 1, is a caf? with a supervised playroom where children can be left for a maximum of three hours. Evening meals begin at 5.30pm and once the children have finished they can play while the parents finish their meal.

A couple of places encourage the children to cook. Het KinderKook Cafe, Oudezijds Achterburgwal 193, + 31 20 625 3257 is a restaurant in an old canalside house with kitchen, stove, tables and chairs all made child size and cooking lessons for child cooks who serve up the food and wait on the tables. Phone for details of events for tourist children. Pizzeria Paprika Hugo de Grootplein 1, 1052 KV Amsterdam, + 31 20 686 6107, with a day's notice are happy to let children bake their own pizza between 4 and 5pm.

Children are accepted in bars as long as well behaved, but young teens are slightly less welcome.