The Netherlands

Rightly deserving of it's spot in the World's 50 Best Bars, Tales & Spirits is the perfect blend of incredible hospitality, great bar bites and amazing cocktails that are devilishly strong yet easy drinking.

The popular Zombie is a poster boy for the bar's already very 'gram friendly drinks, featuring a alarmingly potent mix of 4 rums, pineapple, lime and grapefruit juice, along with aromatics imparted from falernum and cinnamon syrups, absinthe and bitters. It's so strong they only allow a maximum of 2 orders per person!

Taste: 5/5

This one's a looker but don't underestimate her bite. Hayman's Old Tom gin jazzed up with the citrus of fresh lemon and tartness of raspberry, with a little magic from Bitter Truth's Creole bitters adding undertones of stonefruit and spiciness. Finally, a dash of soda to lift the flavours with effervescence. Sundays are made for easy drinking.

Tales And Spirits
Lijnbaanssteeg 5-7
Amsterdam

Taste: 3.5/5

What if...this is the best twist on the daiquiri you've ever had? It's certainly the best I've had. Bacardi Superior is mixed with fresh lime and pineapple-ginger shrub for a tall, cool taste of the beach-side and palm trees.

Taste: 5/5

We came here to takeaway their off-the-rail kaasvlinders, but stayed for the gorgeous pastries. The appelrondje sees caramelised apples and raisins in a baked custard filling, ensconced in a dreamy buttery crust. This off the beaten track heritage bakery is definitely worth a visit, especially for their extremely cheesy crackers(the aforementioned kaasvlinders).

Taste: 3.5/5

Established in 1962, Upstairs Pannenkoeken is an institution that's also the smallest restaurant in Europe with only 4 tables. Be careful while you ascend the very steep staircase, and if you're lucky like us, you'll manage to land a table without having to wait too long.

The huge pancake completely exceeded our expectations with a soft and fluffy consistency that was made even better with some delicious charring. Streaked through with bacon and topped with thick slabs of creamy brie, this is a very good savoury pancake which only makes me want to return in the future to try their many other flavours.

Taste: 3.5/5

Saving the best for last, dessert was a spectacularly fitting finale to the end of the meal. A quenelle of absolutely divine goat's milk sorbet is surrounded by the unlikeliest of companions, including the fruity tang of bright red strawberry sauce clashing with the verdant emerald green of string bean sauce, with hints of hibiscus and sugary rhubarb in the background. Balanced, refreshing, vibrant and unconventional, this was a real bolt of brilliance.

Taste: 5/5

Our experience at one Michelin Vinkeles at the hip and luxurious Dylan Hotel in Amsterdam was stellar from start to finish. Even the amuse bouches were innovative and exciting.

These intricately composed miniature jewels of almond and razor clam were a complex unfolding of nutty, citrusy and subtle shellfish flavours in a single bite.

Taste: 4/5

The previous courses set the bar for our expectations and Vinkeles really put their best foot forward with our main – impeccably cooked cuts of tender lamb saddle sauced with jus and served with a sweet and salty miso aubergine as well as a quenelle of creamy fresh sheep’s cheese. A real standout.

Taste: 5/5

Two ingots of turbot, perfectly seared, meaty and firm. Doused in a superbly savoury poultry jus and served with artichoke 2-ways – crispy fronds and fleshy hearts of artichoke. There’s a certain purity in how clean this dish eats and in the meal’s course progression.

Taste: 4/5

Shockingly simple but not to be dismissed is the very excellent in-season white asparagus, naturally sweet and crunchy, set off by the mild sharpness of melted parmigiano reggiano and the salty funkiness of ruby folds of fat-streaked jamon iberico.

Taste: 4/5

Lift the veil of alabaster langoustine to reveal underneath, a delightful garden of cucumber, dill, eucalyptus, shimeiji mushroom and Dutch Oyster. An exciting and novel combination of flavours and textures if anything.

Taste: 3.5/5

Vinkeles €120 5-course menu is a whirlwind of gastronomical delights, including this amuse bouche of crispy-skin graced red mullet in a pristinely clear yet flavourful bouillabaise.

Taste: 4/5