Local and sustainable cooking is all the rage right now. But Pianeta Terra in Amsterdam’s canal district has been doing just that since it opened in 2000. Chef Fabio Antonini’s kitchen works exclusively with organic, often forgotten and sometimes unwanted, ingredients from Dutch soil. Entirely in the spirit of the Slow Food Alliance, which opposes the industrial production of food. Only the wine, oil and cheese come from Italy. And the atmosphere, service and hospitality also unmistakably have their roots there. Although the restaurant, co-run by Fabio’s wife Laura and his childhood friend Raul, is not as well known as, say, a Toscanini and Cecconi’s, in 2022 it captured 30th place on Prosecco DOC’s list of 50 best Italian restaurants in the world. Moreover, Italy Magazine lauded Pianeta Terra as The Best Italian of the Netherlands 2022. Truly a reason to book a table there. Don’t expect spaghetti carbonara and pizza vongole, but dishes made with respect for “planet earth” (right, the restaurant’s name). Think smoked pork chin from Extraordinary Pigs, wild Wadden Sea oysters from Good Fishermen (which other restaurants don’t take away due to size) and – surprise! – crow breast with gravy from the carcass, from The Kitchen of the Unwanted Animal, the organization that, in collaboration with restaurants, aims to let you experience that unconventional meat can be very tasty and that we need to change our view of meat. Either way, you will walk out the door an experience richer!