NYE in Amsterdam?
 

I have been to AMS several times, but not over NYE, so would greatly appreciate some expert knowledge.

Looking for a really nice (but not Michelin-star) restaurant that would be centrally located and suitable for watching the fireworks later on. Group includes various adults and a few teenagers, so any "family-friendly" upscale restaurant would be great.

On a related note: Which would be the best spots to see the fireworks on NYE?

Thanks in advance!

There is no central fireworks display in Amsterdam, so it doesn't really matter where you are - except downtown is going to be much, much busier, and arguably more dangerous.

The fireworks are... Like nothing I've ever seen. It's not that there are fireworks displays, it's that everybody - everybody - sets off fireworks for the first 20-odd minutes of the New Year (and then come out to put the casings in the recycling). If you want to see it - look up! So, to that end, a restaurant on a higher floor could be an advantage. Afraid I'm way out of date with Amsterdam restaurants, though.

For somethign earlier in the evening (it closes at 8pm on NYE 11pm otherwise) is the Amsterdam Light Festival. Not quite fireworks but pretty spectacular non the less


https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en

The Iamsterdam website is also a good resource

Dam Square is jam packed with people until shortly after midnight, and the whole place smells of pot. Everything but the bars and clubs close fairly early on NYE.