Sea Palace Restaurant

Chinese restaurant · Nieuwmarkt/Lastage

Sea Palace Restaurant

Chinese restaurant · Nieuwmarkt/Lastage

2

Oosterdokskade 8, 1011 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands

Photos

Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null
Sea Palace Restaurant by null

Highlights

Floating pagoda restaurant serving Cantonese, Sichuan & Beijing dishes  

Featured on Michelin
Placeholder

Oosterdokskade 8, 1011 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions

seapalace.nl
@seapalace

$$$ · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

Oosterdokskade 8, 1011 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions

+31 20 626 4777
seapalace.nl
@seapalace

$$$ · Menu

Reserve

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
wifi

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@michelinguide

Sea Palace

"With statues of Chinese warlords Guan Yu, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, pagoda motifs and wooden chinoiserie everywhere you turn, the level of detail in the decor of this floating restaurant is extraordinary. You may be just a stone's throw from Centraal Station, but you feel like you are in a Ming dynasty palace. The wide-ranging menu is an ode to authentic Cantonese cuisine. Think steamed dim sum with prawns, stir-fried noodles with beef and soy sauce. The Peking duck (for two) is certainly a tempting option. A memorable culinary adventure that won't break the bank!" - Michelin Inspector

https://guide.michelin.com/en/noord-holland/amsterdam/restaurant/sea-palace
View Postcard for Sea Palace Restaurant
@atlasobscura

Sea Palace – Amsterdam, Netherlands - Gastro Obscura

"A large three-story floating Chinese pagoda is perhaps not the first thing that one expects to see when exiting Amsterdam Central Station, but despite all expectations, that is indeed a huge floating restaurant docked in the water. The aptly-named Sea Palace was built in 1984. The massive building was then considered the world’s largest Chinese restaurant, capable of seating 900 people at once. The whole project cost over 5 million gulden (about 4.3 million Euro, in 2021) and was financed by a group of businessmen from both Amsterdam and Hong Kong. It was the first of its kind outside of Hong Kong, which has a long history of magnificent floating eateries. Tour guides often point out the Sea Palace as a curiosity, and over the years many of them have started to repeat a legend that is definitely untrue. The most popular one is that the restaurant was never able to hold the 900 people as advertised.  This came down to a claim that the water in the Amsterdam canals is less salty than Hong Kong’s harbor, thus reducing the buoyancy. On Sea Palace’s opening night, the story goes, only 700 people could enter before it started to sink. 200 people had to wait outside. The owner allegedly felt bad for these people and had his cooks make them food that was packed in boxes to take home, thus creating take-out. Considering that take-out is much older than 1984, this is one story that doesn’t hold water. Know Before You Go Check restaurant website for opening hours." - Collector of Experiences, CoolCrab, coljay72, renelems

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/sea-palace
View Postcard for Sea Palace Restaurant

Yvonne Fisher

Google
The dim sum was delicious!! Fantastic restaurant right on the water with great views. The service was fantastic. Everything was ordered from your phone with a QR code but the service was quick and the staff friendly. I will be back next time I am in Amsterdam!

Noah Bloke

Google
We had a truly special dining experience at Sea Palace. From the moment you see it floating on the water, you know you’re in for something unique. The building is stunning—ornate, vibrant, and lit beautifully at night. It sets the tone for what’s to come. The staff were welcoming and attentive, happy to walk us through the menu and make recommendations. There’s something about eating on the water, surrounded by the city lights of Amsterdam, that makes the whole experience feel a bit magical. It’s not just a meal—it’s an occasion. Get yourself down to the Sea Palace and enjoy.

Ching K

Google
Kind of pricy for amount of food!! $27.00 for plate of pork belly no side of rice.😫Water was $8.00 used to being free(well, we got bottled). See pics. Welp, it had a view so that's a plus... food tasted good! They only allow you to stay for 2 hours.

Kylie Truc Ngo

Google
My rate 3.5/5. A good authentic Chinese restaurant near the Central Station. Staff was friendly and attentive. Menu was not big but enough options. Price was understandable and portion was decent. Food was ok. Recommended!

Ryan Kent

Google
We went for the set menu dinner and had an excellent time. A ton of high quality food - the lemon chicken and duck were really highlights. Get your reservations ahead!

John Paul

Google
We were in Amsterdam for 4 days and we ate at the Sea Palace twice. First was a sit in meal during mid afternoon , and the experience was outstanding . Food was plentiful and of excellent quality. The added bonus for the kids was seeing the robotic food delivery units buzzing around the place. The whole experience could not have been more memorable for all the best reasons. Second visit was on our last day for a takeaway for one of the party who enjoyed their food tremendously. Were recommended to order online but the item in question wasn’t available on the site. Order was taken manually, but we had to wait nearly 40 minutes for some chicken noodles. That wait time was the only issue we had. Food, was again excellent.

adamltw

Google
Excellent dim sum in The Netherlands !! As a New Yorker, there was nothing that beats dim sum in Chinatown NYC. But, here in the Netherlands, Sea Palace matches that level. Hot, fresh , well spiced. The only difference is the elderly ladies with dim sum carts are replaced by ordering on an app at your table and robots bringing food around the restaurant 😂😀

michan lai

Google
I’ve been there twice and every time the service is impeccable. The food is not only delicious but also authentic. If you’re looking for good Cantonese food in Amsterdam, it’s the place to be. I would always suggest to make reservations as it’s a very popular spot 🙌
google avatar

Jose H.

Yelp
The location is enchanting, floating right along Amsterdam's canals. The three-story building, with every corner, beautifully reflects elements of China . The front attendant was kind enough to allow us to stay and wait for our table, even though we arrived late for our reservation. All the appetizers and main dishes were delicious. However, the timing of the food delivery could have been better. For instance, the spare ribs arrived about 10 minutes before the side dishes, like the noodles and fried rice, and the Kung Po Kai came 15 minutes after we had finished our other plates. As a result, we ended up having to take the Kung Po Kai as a takeaway. The ambiance was pleasant, though slightly loud, which is to be expected in such a large restaurant.
google avatar

Heidi H.

Yelp
I sauntered over to the restaurant about 8:20 pm. It was across from my Doubletree hotel and there was a slight rain. The hostess said I could not dine as they were full for the night with reservations and the kitchen closed at 9:00pm. I asked if I could sit at the bar, seeing all the stools were empty. She said to follow her. She took me to a table for one. I thought it was very kind of her. The entire menu, drinks, everything is ordered through a WR code from your phone. I left my phone to charge in my hotel room but it was not a problem. I was brought a small iPad type device and was easily able to order. Drinks arrived straightaway. I was told to order with a time gap in between if I did not want everything to arrive at once. I ordered an appetizer. An order of four chicken .... Things.... From the dim sum menu. It took quite awhile to arrive, but I enjoyed watching the robot deliver food and seeing what others ordered. After a bit, as I still waited on my appetizer, I decided to order my main course of fried rice with beef. That gave me just enough time to enjoy my first course before my main arrived. Honestly? The appetizer would have been enough of a meal for me! The chicken things ( not buns, but sort of wrapped with a noodle?) we're bigger than I was expecting and had ever seen before. The rice had vegetables such as onion and cabbage, peas and carrots plus the beef. The beef was tender. When a piece needed to be cut to bite size, my fork easily did the trick. There is fancier food here. I am simply a plain eater. There is a children's menu also. The restaurant was completely full and thus a bit loud. It is beautifully decorated. Overall it was a nice experience. Oh! I never had any trouble finding someone to help me when I had a question, etc.
google avatar

Amy W.

Yelp
Was craving Chinese food in Amsterdam and heard about this floating restaurant. Tofu hit the spot although you could probably skip ordering the soup dumplings. Really nice view of the water from inside!!

KK

Yelp
Service was the worst! U order on line, for a nice restaurant that should not b the case. Our drinks never showed up until after the meal came. I had to ask for soy sauce 3 times. I was changed for a to go box. Very disappointed. The only thing that was great was the view. If u want Chinese Go somewhere else. The food is nothing special.
google avatar

William C.

Yelp
Not a big Chinese food fan, but pretty good. Order your own food from the app and you're on your way.
google avatar

Kurtis C.

Yelp
Sometimes you just wanna embrace the tourist in you and fall for the tourist traps, at least I do anyway. But how can you NOT feel just a liiiittle curious about a floating, ornate, extravagant Chinese restaurant? On a harbor/river? In my defense, it was also literally right outside the doorsteps from my hotel. The inside of the place looks just like what you'd expect it after seeing it from the outside. Lots of details, very showy, and very spacious with a gorgeous view of the city all over. As far as the food goes, they offer all the typical Cantonese classics. My wife and I showed up for dim sum and while it wasn't bad by any means, it wasn't exactly memorable either and a bit steep in terms of cost. Siu mai: Pretty good, standard siu mai. A bit on the small side, but good! Har gow: Again, pretty standard and a bit on the smaller side (maybe this is just the American in me talking), but jokes aside, still good. Beef chow fun: Good, but also different from home. Plenty of flavor and color with distinct wok hei. The noodles were thicker though, so the texture/chew wasn't exactly chewy/springy. The beef was tender and flavorful. Chicken feet: Least favorite. Small and bony, the flavor was a little different. Shrimp cheung fun: Not sure if our server or kitchen forgot our order, but we had to ask our server if it was still on the way. He mentioned it took the longest (which I wish we got a heads-up on) or if he forgot, but either way the dish showed up when my wife and I were already done with our meal. We wanted to just get up and pay at this point and the old lady who I'm assuming runs the place would not allow us to cancel/send back the dish. She literally just set the plate down and walked off. Very annoying. Overall, decent-ish/authentic-ish Cantonese food. It's not something I would go back to, but if you want to try and see for yourself, it's not exactly terrible either. The service was bad though. It took FOREVER to flag ANYONE down, especially when we just wanted to pay the bill and leave. I also overheard the table next to us saying they forgot a dish they ordered and another table where they were dropping off beverages that had already been ran. There seems to be some sort of communication issue going on behind the scenes.

Samuel B.

Yelp
From earlier comments, I was unsure about the service but food was apparently worth it. Well, our experience was different. I'm a little old school and prefer a physical menu; none here, only electronically. On top of that you must order electronically with your phone which means no alterations from what's on the menu. (Example. We wanted the pork fried rice without the prawns, too bad, not possible) really sucks when the internet goes down which it did. The waitress didn't know how to order our food without internet. Food was average at best but the people/service was excellent once they reset the restaurant router. I wouldn't recommend it based on quality/flavor or the food.
google avatar

Naol T.

Yelp
We have been to Amsterdam 3x before and always thought this was a touristy restaurant - we were completely wrong. The food was very flavorful and cooked well. Portions are good. Better than the Chinese restaurants back in California! Robot service is only on the first floor. We were seated on the second floor which had great views. Menu and ordering is done completely online and wifi is available if you don't have cell service. Reservations strongly recommended, else you risk being disappointed!
google avatar

Shawn A.

Yelp
Had dinner the last night I was in Amsterdam since this was right next to my hotel (doubletree). This place I would say is a little overpriced, probably due to it catering to lots of tourists, but the food and service is excellent. What I like the most about it is it's QR code ordering system. Just scan the QR code and order each course through the web app as you like it. A robot will bring the food and drinks when ready. To start off I had a lychee mojito and xiu mai and pork soup dumplings. For mains I had the half Beijing duck and Singapore noodles. This was all entirely too much for one person but I was grateful to have some leftovers to bring back to my room. All the food ended up being great. Especially enjoyed the duck. 10/10 would order everything I ordered again. If I ever find myself in Amsterdam again I'll definitely be back.
google avatar

Herbert E.

Yelp
'Ello chaps! Sea Palace is a floating restaurant in downtown Amsterdam steps from the Central Train Station. Opened since 1984, Sea Palace boasts a robust fare of Asian cuisine. With more than 600 seats, dining spans three stories on this floating restaurant. The service was great, and employees were very accommodating to find a table on a busy night. I love how integrated technology is in this restaurant. You order everything on your phone, so you can order in phases, and the food comes in phases. That said, there can also be some limitations, especially if you have allergies. It's important to speak to one of the many roaming servers before ordering. But, if you want more food or drink, you can simply order it on the phone without having to wait for someone to pass by to do so. Since so much ordering is phone based, they do have FREE WIFI. As someone who is a picky eater, I did find there to be plenty to order off the menu. Veggie and Pork spring rolls, for example. The pricing is a bit high, likely for being in a tourist area. This was by far our most expensive meal and we did not even have that much. That said, we had an overall good experience. Simply due to pricing, I give Sea Palace 3 stars out of 5.
google avatar

K R.

Yelp
The food was good but the customer service was horrible. I don't mind ordering on my app and having my food delivered but the waiters and waitresses we encountered had attitude and all we asked for were straws that we didn't get until the 3rd request and some condiments.
google avatar

Scott K.

Yelp
Always consistent. Good foods served fast and hot. Open 12noon to 12midnight. Great surroundings. Lots of choices.
google avatar

Andy V.

Yelp
I didn't realize until this visit that the Sea Palace is like an institution in Amsterdam. I looked it up prior to my visit and knew I wanted to give it a try seeing as I love this type of cuisine and I was in luck that it happened to be located next to my hotel. What more could I ask for? I absolutely loved the interior of this place. First of all, it's huge. Most European restaurants are cramped, tiny and so hard to navigate through for us big American's, but this place is opulent and spacious, and grand. Walls are windows with amazing views of Amsterdam no matter where you sit. I decided to come over here during lunch because I figured it would be less crowded. They offer you a dim sum menu and a lunch/dinner menu. you're able to order from one or both, so I did just that and ordered from both. Disclaimer: I ordered too much food. So much that the food runner laughed when she saw it was just for one person. "This can't all be for you?!" she said. Sort of in shame I replied that it was. She said, "I'll bring some boxes" and of course I needed them, but I just had to try things. Their fried rice was out of this world good. I ordered some buns because you just have to when dim sum in available and they didn't disappoint either. I did order one thing that I wasn't crazy for and I forget the (Dutch) name, but essentially it was a larger version of an American "rangoon" but it was only shrimp inside. It was just rather plain. Paired with their hot tea, the food overall was pretty outstanding. Oh, and I forgot to mention, this restaurant is a floating restaurant so it adds to the magic. Overall this place is pretty great. Definitely check it out.

Bella B.

Yelp
The customers service were horrible, I agree with almost all the negative comments on here. They were chatting, not attentive. Very disorganized. The food was mediocre. Do not be fooled with the hype. More Chinese restaurants nearby like 5 min walk. Trust me!

Ramkrishna K.

Yelp
Good Chinese food at a beautiful location by The Centrall Station in Amsterdam Enjoyed dining experience
google avatar

Jim S.

Yelp
Dining at the Sea Palace has been an annual tradition when attending the METS Trade Show every November, over the years I have been part of large groups and dined alone and have tried almost everything on the menu, it's always excellent and the service is great, this time was different due to the COVID-19 restrictions and protocols but still great food and service, I highly recommend it and I will look forward to coming back next year!

Rogger E.

Yelp
Customer service sucks after been waiting 35 mins in line for a table, they told us that they only have tables for four and my daughter is an infant so I was planning on keeping her on my lap and they still weren't able to provide us a table.. the lady said it was "very difficult" In addition, a male server was rude and disrespectful to my wife engaging myself into and argument with him.
google avatar

Mark D.

Yelp
Excellent atmosphere and authentic interior mood. The food was fantastic and timeous. I would recommend this restaurant!
google avatar

Justine F.

Yelp
A bit expensive but the food was pretty good. Service was slow since it was packed. Thanks

Susan K.

Yelp
Absolutely hands down the best Chinese food we have had in a long time! I would highly recommend this restaurant to any tourist in the area. The service was wonderful and we the food was delicious and fresh. From the dim sum to the Singapore curry noodles and the sweet and sour monk fish, everything was first rare! A must when visiting Amsterdam!
google avatar

Anton K.

Yelp
The Sea Palace established in 1984 is a three story floating restaurant serving Canton, Macau and Peking Duck cuisine. It is located on the Osterdock near Central Station. The atmosphere is ornate with red paper lanterns, red and black lacquered ceilings and a host of Asian idol imagery. There is open air seating on the top terrace with views. I found the food to be fresh and authentic. They are open from 12:00-23:00 daily and also offer take-out, delivery and catering. I ordered the Dim Sum Box which featured 2 pieces of Nagau Yuk Kuun (shrimp rolls), 2 pieces of Hau Kau (shrimp dumplings), 2 pieces of Sui Mai (shrimp and shitake dumplings), Kai Kau (chicken) end Lo Mai Chi (sweet coconut dumplings w/lotus paste. Bill came to 18 Euros for the take-out. Great choice if you are in Amsterdam.

J A B.

Yelp
Not good. Over hype. Go somewhere else. Service non-existent. Recommend by a number of locals but it's not good at all.
google avatar

Rodney C.

Yelp
Had a great meal here. Do recommend reservations...as large a restaurant, they do fill up. Peking duck is a must and their bbq buns are delicious.
google avatar

Rick L.

Yelp
One of the very few, genuine place to go Yum Cha in Amsterdam. Similar to "Jumbo floating restaurant" in Hong Kong, the decor is very much Chinese inside. The staff are well-dressed like a higher-end restaurant and of course, the prices are slightly higher than a Chinese restaurants in Los Angeles or New York City. Overall, I had a positive experience here, the food was surprisingly authentic for something in Amsterdam. I would definitely come back here if I have a craving for dim sum the next time I travel to Amsterdam.
google avatar

George H.

Yelp
Small menu, overpriced food lacking in taste and quality. Not even close to Hong Kong or even California standard. But excellent service, good ordering system, free wifi and gorgeous views.
google avatar

La C.

Yelp
This place is amazing. Chicken feet, noodles with duck and dim sum. First time having Chineese food as good as this in europe...... This is a must go if your in Amsterdam. It is a little pricey but it is well worth the trip.
google avatar

Belinda H.

Yelp
Showed up and were seated with in 30 minutes on a busy night. Enjoyed some prosecco with lychees which were delicious. The Peking duck with pancakes was perfect. Lots of meat. We also had the salt and pepper squid and fried shrimp dumplings. I'd recommend both. Great ambiance. Food came out VERY quickly even though it was a busy Saturday.
google avatar

Cindy Blair H.

Yelp
Wonderful jasmine tea. Delicious Dim Sum & Peking Duck! The ambiance and view are also quite nice.
google avatar

Michael D.

Yelp
Okay, I'm a foodie. I admit it. I travel a lot all over the globe and like to eat, good food. I tried out the Sea Palace on a recommendation from the Double Tree staff. Everyone gets to wait in the bar after you enter. Minus one star for assuming I wouldn't order wine with the meal and treating me like a number. After an obligatory 20 minute wait I'm ushered to my table and provided a menu. Service is quick. They take my order after just a few minutes. Won Ton soup, dim sum, and honey fried pork are inbound. The won ton soup was hot, full of dumplings, but not the best I've ever had. The bowl is small and pricey at about $6 US. The pork dim sum is very good and on par with what I've tasted elsewhere. But at $9 US or $3 apiece too is overpriced. I'm seeing a trend.... Crispy fried honey pork just delivered. See you in 15. Hmmm. Main dish is okay. But not what I was expecting. No soy sauce at the table, no salt, no pepper. Nobody checking. I gotta say, my Mrs makes a hell of a pork loin in a sweet sauce these guys need to taste. The main dish is okay, just okay. But the serving size is large. Looks like tomorrows lunch. Maybe sitting overnight will improve it......maybe.... Save some $$ and find a Mom n Pop place in Centraal Amsterdam. Service will be better and food will be tastier. No reason to pay high prices for middle of the road food. Work on it Sea Palace. Your cousins in San Jose put you to shame.
google avatar

Kanchan B.

Yelp
Sea Palace is a Chinese floating restaurant located in a canal, and about a 5 min walk from Amsterdam Centraal station. A local in our party of 3 told me that it was a gift of the Chinese Govt to the city of Amsterdam - and am taking her word for it. The cuisine style is mainly Cantonese cuisine, but they do have some options like Beijing duck and Taiwanese hot pot. They also serve traditional Dim sum, however that is only available from noon till 4pm. All our food choices were really good and so not sure why the low score for this place? Our party of 3 enjoyed a lovely feast: 1) Kung Pao Chicken (€22.50) - best dish of the night! Spicy and nutty and really great taste. I have not eaten chicken in a while now, but broke my streak with this dish. The pieces of chicken thigh filet with peanuts was just really perfect medley of flavors. Absolutely recommend getting this dish. 2) Spicy rice noodles with cha siu & shrimps (€17.50) - 2nd fave of the night. Lovely rice with good variety of the protein and fluff pieces of eggs. Wasn't that spicy for me and I have a low tolerance for chili. 3) Nos C47 - Mushrooms with Peas Mixed mushrooms with beans (€19.50). On the fence with dish as the sauce was actually fairly bland. Good mix of mushrooms and beans tho' 4) Half roasted duck with soya sauce (with bone) - €22.50: This was ok. It was too much salt for me, but for one of my dining companions, it was her favorite dish of the night. 5) Nos C51- Seafood Casserole - Casserole with seafood and bean curd (€27.50). I had really been looking forward to this dish and expected a medley of seafood options and so was majorly disappointed in that regard. The seafood mainly consisted of scallops and calamari and was quite bland. I wanted fish, octopus, etc and so yeah, probably wouldn't get this dish again. This was the perfect amount of food for the 3 of us, and we had just a little bit of leftovers. BTW, their takeaway boxes aren't strong and leak, so be careful carrying their. Containe home. To drink, got the Two chefs Funky Falcon Pale Ale (€6) and it was okay. Was hoping would be more fruity, closer to a Radler but while light, it still had a wee bit of a bitterness to it. Smelled delicious tho'! I definitely want to come back, maybe either for the set menus or the Dim Sum! Yelp 236/ 2018

Cansu Ö.

Yelp
Loved the Beijing Duck!! Really delicious food and nice place :) the service was a little slow, but I think the reason is that it is a big restaurant and it was very crowded. After all we were very happy with the food, and we will definitely come again!

Jay L.

Yelp
Nice set up. Food is decent so is the portion. The service however is horrible. First they won't change our seat to window even though there were plenty of empty tables for us to move to. When the table next to us opened up they still won't change our seat saying that it was reserved. We pretty much finished our meal and the tables remained empty. During the meal we had to flag them down for water and then after the meal no one would come by for the bill. The self ordering system online is somewhat convenient but once the screen closes on my iPhone you can't get the previous information back.
google avatar

Shannon T.

Yelp
We were a party of 9 (3 kids meals not pictured). This is a huge place can accommodate big parties or small. All portions are served family style so be ready to share. The food was ok, not the best Chinese food I've had but decent. It was not too loud inside and some tables have a nice view of the water & city...(Not big tables). The staff was nice enough except the server that asked if my daughter was 12... She's 18, and was insulted. He meant no harm, just trying to keep her from ordering a really strong drink. If you are staying local, this is a fun place to eat with a large group.
google avatar

John V.

Yelp
Fun family style dining on a floating restaurant! Really neat place to go and have food with friends or family for sure!

Paul R.

Yelp
Waited for 45 min for a server to come to our table after being seated by the host. we tried flagging down several waiter but they all just ignored us and kept walking. on the way out i told the host what happened and he just looked at me and said have a nice day then walked away. and yes he spoke perfect english so i know he understood me. DO NOT GO TO THIS RESTAURANT.
google avatar

Armand V.

Yelp
Zero stars, DO NOT GO HERE, terrible service, you sit down quickly but you would have to wait to be served, we were visiting AMSTERDAM and thought about eating here, as we missed dimsum back home in Houston, TX. I highly recommend that you walk around as there more restaurants who would like your business...SO, DO NOT GO TO THIS RESTAURANT...spend your time elsewhere and enjoy AMSTERDAM...OH BTW, the host has a terrible attitude.
google avatar

Annette C.

Yelp
Once upon a time, the Sea Palace was designed to be an exact replica of a restaurant in Hong Kong. The architects used a copy of the plans to build Europe's first floating dim sum restaurant. The original Hong Kong restaurant had a capacity of 500 people, so it's reasonable to expect this to hold true for the Amsterdam replica. It didn't...the Sea Palace sank after the 300th person. ~JK~ they realized the original Hong Kong restaurant was built in the ocean which has a much greater buoyancy than the fresh water canals of Amsterdam. And perhaps, the average size of a Hong Konger is just less than that of a tourist. Don't fact check me on any of this information. As for the actual review, my friend and I waited 20 minutes to be seated, which was much shorter than we expected. There's a bar in the restaurant you can wait at to entertain yourself for the time being. The staff was nice, although our server spilled red wine on me. She was incredibly apologetic and immediately rushed to get me what was necessary to remove the stain. She also gave us one of our dishes free of charge as an apology. While the restaurant exterior is notably unique, the interior is designed with contemporary, upscale decor. I've had dim sum all my life growing up, so I wouldn't say this feels authentic (ie food carts being pushed around), but it is a good "European-Asian" ambiance. The food itself is fairly average, and I was not blown away for the price I was paying. The Peking duck was a win, but everything else we ordered was underwhelming for the amount of attention this famous dim sum restaurant gets. Overall, 5 stars for the unique location and ambiance, and 3 stars for the average food and high price point. Go once for the experience if you're just visiting Amsterdam.
google avatar

Alexia R.

Yelp
While on holiday in Amsterdam, we passed this restaurant on our boat tour and the exterior definitely piqued our interest (it looks pretty magnificent sitting out there on the water!) so we decided to add it to our list of restaurants to try. Upon entering the restaurant, our attention was captured by the interior decorations. There is so much going on! It is quite elaborate and well-maintained. 4 stars for the atmosphere and ambiance created by all the little details in the decorations. It was beautiful, and we enjoyed looking around at everything while we ate. The food was fine. I definitely don't have any complaints, but it was probably about average as far as Dim Sum goes. There was a lot of variety, which we appreciated, but nothing really stood out as extra-amazing. I left with the opinion that this is more of a novelty restaurant. You go for the cool building and the exciting interior; the food is good, but not great. That being said, it was a pretty fun place! If atmosphere is your thing, you should consider visiting Sea Palace.
google avatar

Jerry C.

Yelp
Looking like a fish out of water in Amsterdam, this floating Chinese seafood palace looks like a postcard from Aberdeen Harbor Hong Kong, which is probably where it was towed from. The barge interiors are a fabulous overload of traditional Cantonese grandiosity better than you'd find at any fancy Chinese wedding banquet hall. We came for late dim sum. Ordering is off a sheet with a pencil where you indicate the quantity, with a helpful picture menu for the less savvy of us that can't read phonetic Chinese. The dim sum menu was pretty extensive with both the usual steamed shrimp (har gow) and pork (sui mai) dumplings, and more unique items I've not seen in America. All our selections were tasty but nothing stood out. I forgot the name of the special noodle dish but it had preserved vegetables and duck. It was pretty good and I thought better than the dim sum. Service was ok as they were winding down and it wasn't crowded. Still, they forgot one of our orders and had to go and get it made at the end. Caveat: Make sure you reconcile your dish count (even though they take the finished ones away) with how many items you ordered on your sheet! To sum up this dim sum: You could easily get dim sum for cheaper in Amsterdam Chinatown on Zeedijk, but you wouldn't get the opulent experience.

C M.

Yelp
The service and attitude of the employees is horrendous. We entered and expected to have a nice meal but the hostess was too busy to seat us. She kept taking phone calls for reservations when there was a paying customer already in the house. Insulted we left.
google avatar

Chad S.

Yelp
Fantastic food. Taste is delicious and quality is high. My only complaints are (1) that this is clearly a tourist trap and priced accordingly, and (2) the service is lacking. Our waiter visited us only twice: once to take our order and once to collect the check. One other very minor complaint is that I was looking forward to a nice pair of American fortunate cookies which sadly never arrived ;-) I enjoyed the "Drie cups kip" - 3 Cups Chicken. My vegetarian wife feels that her meal was the best she has eaten during the last week in Germany and Amsterdam: "Gedroogde tofu met haricots verts" - Dried bean curd with green beans.
google avatar

Kevin C.

Yelp
Okay, I admit I had to drag myself here to this tourist trap - how else would you classify an eye catching floating 700 seat monstrosity of a Chinese temple near Centraal Station? The decor is very elegant both inside and outside, and definitely worth a picture. The dim sum here actually tastes somewhat authentically Cantonese which was a pleasant surprise, but the portions were also small. The place is definitely pricey for the quantity, but consider it as the surcharge for the location. Probably worth a visit if just for the pictures.
google avatar

Richard L.

Yelp
Great setting: a two-story floating Chinese restaurant right near Amsterdam Central station. Food is good. Service is very inattentive. I went in for a late lunch on Sunday (14:45), the place was only half full and they still took a long time for every step of the process (20+ minutes to get tea, for example).

Lauren K.

Yelp
This is possibly the worst service I've ever had in my entire life. Like literally 0/10. I waited OVER an hour for a bowl (side) of rice. I asked three different servers multiple times for my order. Absolutely ridiculous. Generally speaking, the food was average (nothing special). The drinks were better. The service staff is clearly understaffed/overworked. I would not recommend this place if it was the last restaurant on earth. Run away.
google avatar

Rupa S.

Yelp
The food was average but it was a good experience in general specially because its a floating restaurant in a canal. The food tasted bland and they had very few vegetarian options.
google avatar

Martin V.

Yelp
Really a 2.5 star. Three for the restaurant, two for the service. The only reason I could think of going here is if you are a group of 6-8 persons as they have many large round tables for maximum 8 people. The internet (Wi-Fi) worked without problem. But other than the very poor service the food was quite boring although it didn't fast bad. The place is quite loud. Certainly not romantic. No background music but that is probably good considering how loud it already is. The place is expensive. No special lunch prices (as is normal in the Netherlands). Per person for one drink and a main course you will pay about 25-35 euro.
google avatar

Kevin T.

Yelp
Unique experience to say the least. So much to choose from on the menu. Service was spot on as was the food. Waterside window seating is a must and worth the wait. Enjoy the atmosphere and good food!
google avatar

Tony L.

Yelp
Standard Chinese fair in a cool pagoda on the water,,,, Nice for large groups.... Cool place to chill, get a drink appetizer, nothing more.... Sorry it's ok....
google avatar

Hayley M.

Yelp
This place was so good! Get the juicy pork dumplings for me please... best damn thing on that menu and will definitely be coming back to amsterdam just for those dumplings!!! Very cool restaurant, definitely worth seeing and eating.