Andrew D.
Google
This place was recommended to us by our hotel concierge and it turned out to be a very strong choice for a relaxed but high quality meal. A reservation is definitely smart, although there is bar seating for walk ins so do not write it off entirely. You can still luck into a seat without a booking.
We ordered the Plateau for Two. It is a substantial mixed board featuring pork belly, short rib, sausage, half a roasted chicken, and ribs, along with house pickles and pickled onions. Three sauces arrive with it. One is a smoky barbecue sauce, one is a creamy aïoli, and the third is a herb driven green sauce reminiscent of chimichurri but noticeably brighter, fresher, and more layered.
We added the grilled vegetables and I would strongly recommend this. The platter included zucchini, eggplant, roasted peppers, carrots, fennel, and a bit of tabouli in a light vinaigrette. Everything was seasoned correctly and cooked with care. The vegetables also come with extra pickles and trust me you will want as many of those as you can get. The red onion pickles in particular were addictive, tangy, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced.
In the United States, mixed meat platters often have at least one filler item that exists purely for volume. Here, nothing was a filler. Every component was well executed and genuinely enjoyable. The fries were also excellent. They were thin, crispy, and golden, the style people compare to McDonald’s but cooked with far more consistency. I usually ignore fries in mixed platters but these were worth finishing.
The chicken was impressively moist, including the white meat. Considering the volume they cook nightly, keeping this level of juiciness is no small feat. The ribs were tender and deeply flavored with a savory, slow cooked richness that avoided the one note sweetness that shows up so often in the United States. The sausage was aromatic, garlicky, and satisfying. The short rib was another standout. It had a subtle cumin profile and a slow braised texture that was fall apart tender while still holding its structure.
Despite the fact that Cannibale Royale has grown into a mini chain throughout Amsterdam, they are clearly doing something right. The kitchen shows consistency, solid technique, and real attention to detail. I would absolutely return the next time I am in the city.