Café restaurant van Kerkwijk

We encountered the restaurant for the first time and were immediately drawn to its ambiance, but having already dined that day, we did not enter. The following day, while seeking a reputable traditional Dutch restaurant, the hotel concierge coincidentally recommended this one. We love the atmosphere of the restaurant; it was so cozy, welcoming, yet filled with local urban vibes. The food was exceptionally delicious. There’s no menu at the table. If you look on their homepage, you may see the menu with their regular dishes. When you dine in, they will explain their menu, including the specials of the day, at the table. What great communication!

Yes this place deserves all the good reviews. Service was excellent and the menu is always different, which the servers will describe from memory. Everything was a hit. The food was delicious. I wished I had another day in Amsterdam just so I could come back again!

As someone who travels often and enjoys exploring new places, I believe it’s important to highlight spots that truly stand out — and this one certainly does. Simply delightful in every way. From the atmosphere to the quality of what’s served, everything felt thoughtfully done. It’s a must-visit for anyone in the area. Trust me, this is one of those places that leaves a lasting impression.

Absolutely loved this place! Super friendly staff, a cozy family atmosphere, and no written menu they just tell you what’s fresh that day. We started with two amazing soups, then had steaks one with herby butter, the other topped with goat cheese. Both were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. And that PEAR PIE... omg. Legit next-level. One of the best desserts I’ve ever had!

A place that feels like home 🙌🏻 From the moment you walk through the door, the warm and welcoming atmosphere embraces you. This restaurant doesn’t just win you over with its food—it’s the whole experience: it smells like home, and it feels like home too. There’s no fixed menu—and that’s part of the charm. Each day, the offerings change based on the freshest market ingredients. Instead of reading a menu, the waiters sit down with you at the table and personally walk you through the day’s dishes. This personalized attention makes you feel like a special guest. The food is homemade, flavorful, and carefully prepared. Everything is designed for you to enjoy as if you were at home—but with that extra touch that only a place made with love can offer. A spot you’ll always want to return to.

An absolute gem. Food was out of this world. Great service. If you only go to one restaurant when you visit Amsterdam make it this one. The starter of Stilton with salad, dates wrapped in bacon, and port sauce was a sensation. The steak on goats cheese with strawberry sauce, yes that's right I said strawberry sauce, was incredible. The only downside is that I cannot give them six stars out of five.

This is our favorite restaurant! 💕 My boyfriend and I love coming here - every time we come to Amsterdam, this is the very first place we go. The food is always delicious, the staff are sweet and attentive, and the atmosphere is so cozy that we never want to leave.✨

We decided to eat here based on the Rick Steves recommendation. The place is off the main drag but definitely appears to be frequented by locals as English was scarcely heard (but the wait staff are fluent). Atmosphere is casual. We ate outside, so we were able to get seated immediately. No printed menus. We waited a bit for service, but food was delivered promptly after ordering. My wife raved about her mussels (and definitely use the bread to soak up the sauce). I had the stilton cheese, which was excellent (although the bacon wrapped dates which came with it were only okay). We both had the beef with goat cheese accompanied by a strawberry sauce. I would have never thought of such a combination, but the steak was excellent (although my wife would have preferred hers to be well-done). Prices were decent for Amsterdam. It's definitely worth the visit to get some local Dutch flavors!

Looking for a romantic and 'dutch' restaurant to end our vacation. This place was recommended and we can see why. They didn't have the mussels and frites we came for, but we found delicious alternatives that did not disappoint. Server spoke better English than my ability to speak Dutch. Were there in June. Sorry for late post.

We came here upon the recommendation of a local. It's just off damn square, but it's a quiet street. They really did not have any written menus... The server just pulled up a chair and sat down and talk to you through it. BF had the fish stew which was sort of unique because it was flavorful, but it had no discernible chunks in it. I had some blue cheese with dates wrapped with bacon in a little Salad on the plate. It was fabulous. BF had salmon that was sort of cooked Asian style with some soy sauce and these crispy fried wasabi peas or something similar. Quite tasty. I had the duck confit over sauerkraut - it might not sound good, but it was.

Cafe Restaurant Van Kerkwijk in Amsterdam is a hidden gem, highly recommended by a local and it did not disappoint! We stopped in for their mouthwatering homemade pie and flavorful coffee, both of which were absolutely delightful. This charming, family-owned spot has a rich history and offers an inviting atmosphere. While we only had a taste this time, it's clear their full menu is worth exploring. If we're ever back in Amsterdam, a full meal here is a must! Highly recommend for anyone looking to enjoy authentic, homemade flavors in a cozy setting.

My daughter found this place online. We had just wrapped up a walking tour and were at Dam plaza. The restaurant was only a few blocks from there and was on the way to our afternoon destinations. It is located on a quiet side street. It is not huge, so there might be times when you'd have to wait for a table. In our case (around 11:30 a.m. on a Monday), we happened to get there when they had a few empty tables. They also had a small bar area but I didn't notice if you could actually get seated there. They had interesting lighting - stacks of translucent plates on the wall. The staff seemed to tag-team the tables. One asked about drinks and brought the water. Then another one came by to take your food order. I'm not sure if this was flexible due to what language the staff vs. customers were speaking, or if it is the general policy. I had no issue with it. We all got various salads and two of us ordered soups. Everything tasted very fresh. The soups were on the small side, but since we didn't have a way to take leftovers with us while traveling, smaller portions are usually preferred. Everyone liked their lunches. If I were in the area again, I'd readily return here for a meal.

Always eat at this spot when I am in Amsterdam. The pear-ginger cake is to die for. There is a revolving menu daily due to the microscopically small kitchen, but the flavors are inventive while still being traditionally Dutch.

What a great find! So glad I use this tool every where I go! Cozy little restaurant off the beaten path. Get there relatively early unless you want to wait for a bit. No real menus just 6 options of starters and mains that all sounded so incredible it was hard to choose. I had duck and my coworker had the chicken and we had the pâté and the fish mousse and they were all to die for!! Highly recommend!

Stumbled upon this restaurant and went in because it looked Cozy. It was very busy but the 4 workers upstairs were able to manage it all. There are no menus- the waiter will come up to your table and tell you what they are serving for the evening. They offered dinner course options with vegetarian / chicken/ beef/ duck/ seafood. We decided to get the steak with the goat cheese and strawberry sauce. The combination of flavors was delicious although the cut of steak prepared was tough. The mussels were excellent!!! For the ambiance and food, the prices ended up being more affordable than I expected when the bill came. They also speak English. Definitely recommend this place.

We stumbled onto this place for lunch recently. Just as other reviewers said, this place is a gem. The hostess/waitress was friendly and service was fast. There was no printed menu and she quickly recited what was available that day. We ordered duck breast and salmon. Both were superbly delicious. They came with veggies and fries. What was even more amazing was that the chef whipped this up in a kitchen that was only 3' x 3' (1 meter square).

By far our best meal in Amsterdam. Was recommended by a friend who lives locally. English was somewhat limited but they sent a server to our table who communicated well. We had a couple starters and shared entrees. Don't remember a menu, they just told us what was in season/available and we chose. Great experience.

My best friend and I arrived in Amsterdam in the evening and we looking for a good place to grab dinner near our hotel. I was searching on Yelp, and this place came up highly recommended and the food pictures look delicious. The place isn't very big but we lived the coziness of the restaurant. The service staff was polite and very knowledgeable. I also had the best mussels I ever had here. The mussels were not rubbery or overcooked and the broth was delicious. If you like seafood. You have to get the mussels. You will not be disappointed. The duck was succulent and the signature steak entree was yummy too. I also recommend their local private brewed beer. Don't forget to leave room for dessert. The homemade pear pie was to die for.

The food was AMAZING. No menu here but you cannot go wrong. I had the salmon and my daughter had the signature dish- beef. Both were very tasty and cooked perfectly. Tender and juicy. The wait staff were attentive and friendly. The atmosphere intimate and quiet enough for conversation.

This is a pretty cute place pretty much in the middle of Amsterdam. Not far from the Red Light District, Dam Square, Central Station, etc. The place was packed when we arrived, but it only took about 15 minutes for them to seat us. We both ordered the beef with strawberry sauce. I know what you're thinking. Thing again, Ace. It was totally delicious. On a totally random note, I was watching the chef working while we were standing at the bar waiting for a seat. She was absolutely amazing. I don't think I've every seen anyone work that hard.

This place came highly recommended and with good reason. I loved having a surprise menu (although they do have a few dishes that are set ) the mussels in garlic oil were amazing and the fish special had such a nice sauce and topping. The service was great and the server sat down next to me and explain d the menu. I enjoyed the location close to Dam square but down an alley away from the b

If you're unsure of where to eat, eat here! Excellently prepared food for any taste, and the best service I've had in my week in the Netherlands.

Everything about this place is top drawer The food is amazing but so are the staff. Our party had everything including every dessert and it was most excellent. Super disappointing to see the folks that give this place a lower review than it deserves are people that are anxious and in a hurry. That is not why you go to a restaurant like this how sad for them The whole concept is a family meal enjoyed overtime wth ‍

Incredible good - great staff! We had such a great time at this restaurant. The food was reasonably priced, too. Go!

We completely enjoyed our dinner at this local spot. We had a lovely conversation with a Dutch couple whose parents had started coming here and advised their grown children to go. Food was good. Prices were reasonable. Atmosphere was non touristy.

Nice lattes here! Ambiance was awesome with everyone sitting and just enjoying the afternoon. Great people watching spot and a place to hang out!

Excellent food, great ambiance. They were super busy, but we were well served regardless. The no-menu element is a nice touch. Prices are very reasonable. Cozy and cute with super good food.

exceptional dinner on NES street off Dam Square. Cozy bar and close tables make for an intimate dining experience. the cod and lamb dishes were complex and perfect. meals come with wedge fries and salad both first rate. if you find yourself in Dam square you should definitely try this restaurant you won't be disappointed

This cafe is in a tucked away alley, but it's really right in the middle of the city center and one of the best meals that we had in Amsterdam. However, prepare ample time to enjoy the experience, because we were in a rush to the airport and that definetly took away from the meal. The menu special is recited by the waiter/owner, but it's also written on the board outside. We ordered the beef fillet in goat cheese and strawberry sauce (amazing combination), indonesian chicken in coconut curry (my favorite), and the tuna melt. Can probably pass on the tuna melt next time, it was good but really untraditional and I prefer heavier tuna chunks. The crisps that came with the chicken was one of the best I had in my life, and the grandma cooking did an amazing job with being very inventive. Will definetly come back to try her apple and pear pies next!

Wow! What an experience. We were a little nervous since they do not use a menu, however we were amazed by the food, the price, and the service. The entire 35 person restaurant was served by 2 servers and 1 cook. The service was impeccable. As for the food, incredible! The beef and whitefish were 5 star and the average entre cost was $20 euro.

Speak English? the server will gladly treat you like a 2nd class citizen. Expect to wait twice as long than Dutch speakers. Staff was incredibly rude and condescending, despite our many efforts to show kindness, patience, and good manners. Food was decent, but the experience was awful. Not a local? Avoid this place at all cost

They deserve way more than five stars! My husband and I came here wanting to experience Dutch food. I know nothing about authentic Dutch food but what we had, all of it, was most certainly delicious! Best meals we've had in Amsterdam by far. Not to mention the experience. This place was packed on a Saturday night with one waitress, a host who's also serving the plates, drinks and cleaning tables, a bartender, a cook (maybe two) and definitely a dishwashers--the place is efficiently ran. The waitress and host didn't make you feel rushed. Very friendly atmosphere! I highly recommend this place. We had a mussels, paté, flat iron steak, tender beef steak, salad, French fries, and peach pie for dessert. Everything is top notch!

There's a small, cozy alcove just off the busy streets of Amsterdam. There are candles on every table and in the windows, and a pair of unique, wall-mounted light fixtures mounted to the wall against the alley are made of stacked dinner plates. The lighting is just right. A young man approaches me, and I ask for a menu. He smiles and says "I am the menu" and asks what I would like to drink. He then lists the beers available, and I select the lager specially brewed for the restaurant. It has a distinct floral note and a quick finish. It's a perfect start to the evening. When he returns with my beer, he lists the starters. I choose the pâté with warm bread. For the main course, I choose the beef tenderloin with goat cheese and strawberry sauce. Both are excellent. The bread is soft and fluffy with a nice crust, and the steak is cooked to perfection. The Pilsner is also a nice compliment to the steak. To finish it off, I order a glass of port and the homemade brownie. Together, they are divine. It was an excellent meal on all counts, and I highly recommend it!

Incredible food and service! Definitely a good impression of food in Amsterdam on my first night here.

It was worth the wait even in the rain!! Homemade food and a darling brother and sister running the show!! Great staters and main dishes and desserts! It is definitely a gem!

I ate here twice & absolutely loved this restaurant. Great inspired creative cuisine at reasonable prices. Very friendly waiters.

This tucked away restaurant in Amsterdam's city center is def one of, if not the best, place you'll eat in Amsterdam. No menu, the waiter will let you know what their daily offerings are. We started with a broccoli cream soup which was AMAZING. Soup came out hot. The flavor had a bit of tart, a bit of sweet, and a lot of plan goooood. Next came out a variety plate of pate. Ours had a pork pate, a tomato pate, and an Indonesian meatloaf. The pates were all excellent but the meatloaf was the star of this presentation. Our entree was the steak with strawberry sauce and goat cheese, which I believe is an everyday item. The strawberry sauce was good and very unique. I think there is too much of it on the plate tho and kind of overpowers the steak, in terms of visual presentation. Almost looks like your steak is sitting on a pool of blood!! I don't like goat cheese so unfortunately there was a lot of it that I just scraped aside. Steak was cooked perfect. Definitely need to come here if you're in Amsterdam. It's on a small tucked away street but it's easy to find and right near the Royal Palace.

Relaxed restaurant experience - the menu is spoken. Good place for lunch if you are not in a rush. The Stilton cheese starter came with bacon wrapped dates and bread. Had the local fish in a tarragon sauce with orzo pasta for the main. Both were very good. Mains served with fries and salad.

I was here with coworkers while away on a business trip and for a moment I thought it would be a grand place to bring a wife to on a visit to Amsterdam. Place has no menu. Waiter explains that evening's regular and featured main dishes. Pictured here is a beef steak on top of goat cheese in strawberry sauce. The beef was excellent. Really really well presented. Staff friendly. I will be here again.

An incredible dinner, such a great personal touch from the owner who recites to you the nightly menu from memory. This is one of the ones, highly recommend giving it go.

The food is excellent. The chef works in a tiny space at the rear and there are only 2 wait staff to serve 18 tables. The wait staff are extremely pleasant and efficient. No printed menu, the wait staff tells you what is being served that evening. Good variety of dishes. Each course was a treat. Highly recommend.

The steaks are fantastic ,, had a great sampling platter with garlic mussels,, couple remarkable wines and carrot cake and apple pie to die for .. the servers are very helpful and flexible .. this place does not do reservations but is more than worth the wait.. thumbs up.......

A very unique and cool dinner spot. Van Kerkwijk is intimate and doesn't take reservations, however they are very open to having you sit at the bar and enjoy a drink while you wait The server inside was incredibly nice and made sure to get everyone seated in the correct order that they arrived, very impressive. As many others in the reviews, I ordered the steak with strawberry sauce and goat cheese. I loved the interesting pairing, although the steak was a little tough. For an appetizer I tried the tomato soup which was delicious. Also, watch out for their cat who goes in and out of the restaurant and sometimes finds a seat at the bar! Very cute.

Adorable little restaurant with amazing food! We didn't have a reservation anywhere our first night in Amsterdam, so I looked up a few places and chose this spot since it was near our hotel. It is situated near Dam Square and can be easily missed because it's pretty small. When we arrived, we were told we can wait at the bar for about 10 minutes. The waiters here were super friendly and this place felt very homey. We ordered a couple of white wines which were delicious. Their menu is very small, and they don't even print it out. The waiter came by and told us what it was for the day, which included about 5 appetizers and 5 entrees. I ordered their steak which had been on their menu for 20 years. It was cooked perfectly and came over goat cheese and a strawberry sauce. It was absolutely delicious and I would highly recommend it. My mom ordered the salmon which was also perfectly cooked and came over a delicious sauce. The entrees both came with a green salad and fries to share, which were delicious. We also ended up getting dessert which was a pear cake and it was amazing. We were so happy that we chose to stop here for dinner and I would definitely recommend it!

We found this vibrant restaurant close to the shopping center. It was very busy and we had to wait quite a bit but the wait was well worth it! We got coffee while waiting and it was soo creamy and delicious! The menu is chef's choice so we had to wait until seated to know the choices. We took the appetizer sample platter and the steak and salmon entrees. After the appetizer which also came with bread, we were ao full! It was already so much food and sooo good! I had the salmon entree, it was very herb rich and juicy.

Definitely one of the best meals that we had in Amsterdam. There was no menu per se but the nice wait staff so elegantly described the food choice for that night. Everything that we had was very delicious and well prepared.

Really torn on whether I wanted to rate this a 3 or a 4. I love, love, love the concept of the restaurant i.e. there is no set menu, so the waiter explains the daily offerings. I also really liked that they offered a bunch of sharable items for the table, to start. The ambiance was very low-key and casual, which was a bit unexpected based on the menu concept. But all-in-all, I just don't think it matched the hype. To start we had a variety of pates (smoked fish, pork, etc.), which were actually all very good. The other items were a bit unmemorable, to be honest. For my entrée, I had the signature dish, which apparently is always offered: steak w/ goat cheese and strawberry sauce. The steak was cooked properly, but under-seasoned, for my liking. The cheese was pretty heavy, and probably would've benefited from being loosened up with some butter (and maybe the addition of herbs would've elevated the dish). The strawberry sauce was quite tart, which I believe is the idea, but there was simply too much of it on the plate. In summation, great concept of a dish, just lacked on the execution. The desserts here were crazy good though, highlighted by the homemade carrot cake - simply perfect. So it was nice to end on a high note.

Stopped for lunch on a chilly Thursday. Though it's in an inconspicuous spot, the place was busy. It has about 15 tables and a bar. Enjoyed a flavorful Middle East-inspired eggplant and chickpea soup, which was both hot as well as a bit spicy. The bread that came with it was still warm. 4* I also had a club sandwich which was fresh and tasty if a bit salty, which could have been from the bacon or the pesto. It came with a (separate) bowl of fries which were hot with a crispy outside and tender inside. The fries were a bit under seasoned and came with mayo (which doesn't hold a candle to ketchup, IMHO). 3* Service was SLOW. I didn't mind since I was just spending the day walking the city, and passed the time watching the bundled-up shoppers walk past the windows. If you're in a hurry, you may want to try somewhere else. 3*

Was excited due to the high reviews but was really disappointed. In two words, extremely overrated. Food and service was very slow. Their signature dish, steak (almost well done) and blue cheese with a stawberry sauce was very boring and alone on a plate doesn't work. Should be mixed into a salad and call it a day. Wouldn't recommend, sorry.

What an incredible experience. My meal was absolutely delicious. I had the muscles as a starter and the Cod for dinner. Beautiful wine and the service was superb. They are a well oiled machine. The owner, waitstaff and chef we so friendly and welcoming. Do not miss this place.

The Van Kerkwijk is a must visit restaurant. It may not show up on the search because it is listed as a coffeeshop or a bar but it definitely is a great restaurant. The waiter will explain the menu for you and it comes with a starter and a main course. The atmosphere is amazing and the staff is very kind and energetic. The food is simply fantastic. Enjoy, we will definitely be back next time we visit Amsterdam.

Charming, cosy and more than anything truly delicious food. An experience one treasures on a vacation - especially unexpected. We wondered into this spot - sat at the bar and were seated within 30. Really great food.

Very busy Friday night, wait staff greeted us with smiles as our shoes cleared the door sweep. They quickly explained the wait time and we settled into a seasonal beer, olives and fresh bread while we waited. The atmosphere was loud and vibrant, food was fantastic, fresh and flavorful. I Highly recommend this experience! The Amsterdam experience is alive and well.

Very cool spot to grab some dinner. Had the mackerel for appetizer, Irish steak for entree, and Cheesecake for dessert. Everything was great. Also, the ambiance was top notch.

We stopped in for dinner because we heard about the restaurant from a group on fb about Amsterdam travels. The food was good but the portions were small (I probably just am saying that because they forgot to give us our salads) so we were still hungry but it's hard to get the attention of the waiter there. (only 2) The place's atmosphere isn't the best but it's good food.

I had an evening to myself, and while I am not an adventure seeking tourist, I am the most definitely adventure loving dining explorer. This restaurant is located in the theater district so be prepared that theater crowd might interfere with your dinner plans. As I stepped inside of the little dining room, I felt this place was way too crowded, but the waiter noticed me immediately and made me feel welcome. Pointed out to the bar where the bartender offered a drink. I opted out to dine at the bar, which was faster than waiting for a table. Had smoked mackerel for the appetizer which was okay but for my main course, i choose a medium rare steak with goat cheese and the strawberry jam. I learned that they had this dish for 18 years on the menu! The steak comes with salad and Belgian cut French fries. My mackerel appetizer now seemed like a poor idea. Should have skipped it... My meal was excellent, and service was very pleasant and at most friendly. Loved the atmosphere.

My friend and I were trying to find a decent place to eat near the city center and cam across this restaurant online. I am glad we did. When you are seated they will repeat the menu verbally to you because it changes frequently which leaves you with a closer connection with the waiter, making you feel more welcomed. All the food sounded so good that it was hard to choose from one item. My friend and I both ended up with the chicken dish which was beyond what I expected. It tasted so good and seemed to just melt in your mouth. The prices are also very reasonable. For two drinks and two entrees we ended up paying the equivalency to $22 each. If you want to get away from the crowded city center, come here for dinner. It is located just two blocks off of Dam Square.