Waterkant

Bar · Jordaan

Waterkant

Bar · Jordaan

2

Marnixstraat 246, 1016 TL Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Highlights

Chill canalside spot serving delicious Dutch and Surinamese dishes, with a stellar beer selection and great outdoor vibes—perfect for sunny afternoons.  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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Marnixstraat 246, 1016 TL Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions

waterkantamsterdam.nl
@waterkantamsterdam

€10–20 · Menu

Reserve

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Marnixstraat 246, 1016 TL Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions

+31 20 737 1126
waterkantamsterdam.nl
@waterkantamsterdam

€10–20 · Menu

Reserve

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 13, 2025

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"It's easy to miss this spot, wedged between a monstrous concrete parking garage and the Singel canal, unless you notice the strings of colorful outdoor lights hanging on the patio. A young crowd refuels here before going out, especially in the summertime, when everyone's hanging out at picnic tables and taking in the waterfront setting. Waterkant bills itself as a Surinamese restaurant. Indeed, dishes from the former Dutch colony in South America are on the menu, like Surinamese buns filled with salted codfish, snake beans, pickles, and sambal. But you can also expect global favorites, like Chicken Tikka." - Meredith Bethune

20 Best Restaurants in Amsterdam | Condé Nast Traveler
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Catalina Wills

Google
We really liked it. The atmosphere is great. The food was very tasty. Also, a nice variety of drinks. (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic). And service was also very good. 100% recommended.

Itir S

Google
It is a very nice place, it is self-service outside, you should not forget your table number when ordering😂 Actually, it would be an incredible place if you could both order and pay with the QR code on the table😍 Every beauty has a flaw. The toilets are clean 😇 It's great that they also provide wet wipes with the burger. When ordering a burger, if you don't like spicy, remember that it contains spicy mayonnaise😇 It is very enjoyable to sit outside in the summer, it is very enjoyable to sit and drink by the water while the ducks are walking around it😍

Catarina Ribeiro

Google
Great Sunday afternoon, had this place saved to visit for a long time and let me tell you, I should’ve came sooner! Great views and vibes. Didn’t order any food but everything smelled delicious; I do recommend trying the Suriname Mule if you’re feeling into something fresh and spicy😉

Jeanne Kepaan

Google
I was absolutely blown away by the food, insanely delicious, huge portions and so flavourful. I savoured every bite and was so happy we got two dishes to share. The tables by the waterside bring a nice atmosphere, perfect for a sundowner drink and meal.

Florian Keirse

Google
Cute lil bar. Came in winter and even tho this is clearly a summer bar we still had a good time overlooking the canal.

Andrew

Google
Came here everyday for the few days we were here. Perfect little gem tucked away along one of the many canals. Excellent beer selection with very very good food! Great place for even a group. Does get crowded in the evening which is expected if a place this cool!

Lindsey Stiles

Google
Had nachos and sangria here and it was wonderful! Would highly recommend at an off hour though because it's much nicer when you can find a table ☺️

Amanda Paiva Almeida

Google
Great ambiance and service. Good location and comfy place. The food is good, comfort food and good price. Flavor wise, there is nothing like fine dining, is just simple and honest good food. The place can get very busy and is not an possible to book a table, but the fact that the orders and payments needs to be done at the bar, facility the turning table.

Christine Z.

Yelp
We were looking for a spot with chill vibes to relax and grab some drinks before going out for the night, and decided to come to Waterkant because it fit the description and also was able to accommodate our large group. We came after dinner so we mostly just had drinks and didn't get to try much of their food. We did order Super Nachos just for our table to split, and it was decent but nothing amazing, just your typical bar type food. Since we had a large group, they gave us wristbands so that we could easily order at the bar whenever and just get it added to our group's tab, which was convenient. Overall, decent spot to chill and grab drinks by the water but don't expect anything special from their menu offerings.

Jennifer W.

Yelp
Initially we came here on recommendation for dinner, but found out that Waterkant was more a summer hangout spot for drinks. It's right on the canal so great views when it is nice outside, and they have patio seating as well. But when it was raining, windy and cold outside, that was moot. The food here was decent -- we got burgers, nachos and crispy chicken -- but nothing particularly special. The burger was tasty and came with a side of coleslaw, the crispy chicken was exactly as expected but the "pops" were a bit small IMO. The nachos were a bit disappointing -- there were 2 versions, but the regular version only came with guac and salsa, no cheese?! While it was our bad we didn't read the menu clearly... the guac & salsa tasted fairly store-bought and without cheese to tie things together, this snack wasn't all that great. But I guess, alongside some beers, it would do. All in all, the meal was fine, pretty casual place that got busy the later it got, most folks here were just here for drinks. The staff was nice and service was pretty fast.

Sarah C.

Yelp
Nice place to sit by water and get a drink and some simple food. Reasonably priced. Order at bar for drinks and food.

PJ M.

Yelp
Fun local restaurant serving Surinamese food. Good place to hang out or meet up with friends. The food was delicious. We started with mini cheese soufflés and tempura cauliflower. For entrees, we had Saoto Soup and Moksi Alesie. Both were delicious. I definitely recommended trying to Surinamese offerings. Service was good. Just a bit slow. You have to flag down your waiter if you need something.

Gary H.

Yelp
A perfect place to go when everything else is full. It's under a parking garage. But he's a nice view.

Lissette R.

Yelp
Came in for some drinks! Great service and views! Loved that they also had board games to play!

Andy N.

Yelp
I came to Waterkant for one thing and one thing only: bitterballen! I heard that this was the spot to come and try some of these fried delectables. What surprised me the most though were the great views of the Amsterdam canals while you sit back, relax, and enjoy the open seating with good food and company. The bitterballen came out piping hot and was absolutely delicious. I've had my fair share of croquettes in my life but these were quite possibly some of the best I've had. The meat was absolutely tender and each bite ended with crispy batter all around. It came with this tangy dijon mustard dipping sauce that I wasn't particularly a fan of personally. There was also a number of Surinamese food on the menu but my friend and I were so full from our earlier lunch. So why only three stars? Aside from the bitterballen and the views, there really wasn't much else that stood out for me. The service was pretty slow on a Wednesday evening and the beer was fairly basic for being on draft. So come and stay for the balls- they are worth it.

Yonnie C.

Yelp
Popular joint under garage by the canal. Local hang out with plenty of ash trays on tables. Surinam food. Get table, remember number, Order inside and staff will bring food to table. We ordered bitterbollen, weird teriyaki dip, definitely taste different than porto's cuban style potato balls. Chicken roti roll similar to a potato chicken burrito. The habanero gravy with egg is highlight. The gado gado dirty duck has to duck fried egg rolls and curry flavored salad. The egg rolls are good the salad is not. Wash everything down with fever tree lemonade, refreshing (Written by husband)

Lisa A.

Yelp
The best thing about this restaurant is the water view but that's about it. Although that experience can be easily ruined by all the chain smokers sitting outside as well. This is the kind of place where you sit down and go up to a counter to order your food and drinks and then they bring it out to you. We went during the day and surprisingly it was pretty packed. We got a table outside on the shade and went up and ordered some food and drinks. We ordered a few Gin and Tonics which were pretty good. We also went with the nachos which were a big let down. After that we didn't really want to risk ordering any of their other food so we left. I recommend trying this place for drinks only! You can find better food elsewhere.

Kristi T.

Yelp
The best recommendation we got from a local thus far! I didn't take any pictures since I was too hungry, but loved their cultural menu. My boyfriend and I ordered the chicken roti roll (I would want this before I die and comes with sambal on the side!), cassava chips with peanut sauce (omg), baby corn on the cob with salt and chili flakes (was fine) and the drinks were amazing. I got the tea which was a beautiful presentation. The terrace is self seating with awesome picnic tables to gaze out to the canals. Turns out this is an amazing hidden gem under a parking structure of all places! Must. Go.

Jenny S.

Yelp
You must try the chicken roti!!! SO GOOD. I read other reviews raving about the chicken roti, and was skeptical since i grew up eating roti and couldn't imagine what was the hype about this dish. But it's worth it. I've even craved this dish since coming back to Arizona. Can't get anything this good here. Also the views of the canal and surrounding houses are beautiful too, especially during sunset.

Jill S.

Yelp
This place is alright, but we only came here for drinks. Perhaps if I had some of the food I would think better! I wasn't impressed with the drinks but the prices are decent. Kind of a strange place for drinks but the outdoor seating is nice, especially with the heaters.

Siz D.

Yelp
So I got here this Monday arvo: and it was already quite busy! The sun was out and nearly all chairs outside were occupied. Of course, the Waterkant can't be compared to its big brother in Paramaribo( ohh, the sun.. The people, the music.. The food!) but it does try its hardest :) you need to order (and directly pay for) all your food and drinks inside (or at the outside bar). When you order your food, don't forget to mention your table number(written on top of the tables) and they will come and bring it to you. They've got a nice variety of beers on tap and in bottles+ some nice cocktails. Staff could be more knowledgeable: @all chefs from de Waterkant: make sure you let all of your front house staff e.g. The waiters/barstaff taste all the food you guys sent out at least once. Organise a tasting/bonding ;) eve! :p Great ambiance overall: and awesome to hang out at one of the picknick tables or by simply just hanging out at the waterfront :p

Grace M.

Yelp
Good spot. A bit hard to get a table outside on a nice day but if you do the perfect place to sit in the sun and watch the passing canal boats. Great nacho. And an array of Asian fusion. Chips and peanuts also available as required for bar snacks. Spring rolls and things. Great beers.

Ama E.

Yelp
What a vibe!!! Water side view, and great drinks. Definitely recommend the cheesecake.

Kyle P.

Yelp
This place was awesome. It had amazing food and an exceptional ambiance. It is right on the water, so if you can snag a table right beside the canal it makes the experience all the more worthwhile. I wasn't able to, but even sitting inside was a great time. The service was really fast (I got my food a couple minutes after ordering), and the food just tasted so good. I had the Gado Gado with spring rolls, and it was so good. It is a little pricey depending on what you get, but they also have many cheaper options. I thoroughly enjoyed dining here.

Sara S.

Yelp
Helemaal chill! Naturally there are many places by the water in Mokum but only a few where you can literally sit by it. Waterkant is one of them. For the next 5 years this is the place to be for relaxed biertjes after work and some carribean-inspired food. The big terrace with the wooden tables and the colorful lights gives it a festival sphere. If you catch a table underneath one of the 2 round drive-ups of Q-Park Marnix, you can behold the sky in a tunnel vision. The container with the seats inside looks cozy but the gezellige tables outside are just too tempting. I hope they'll have some heaters and a glühwein stall outside in winter. I'd even suggest to do fondue events there.

Alberto G.

Yelp
Welcome to the newest addition to hipster hangouts in Amsterdam! This place is located under a parking and right in front of the water. I have to say that my first time here wasn't a very good experience. The staff had this, cannot find any other way to describe it, special attitude, not particularly helpful. That being said and if you are willing to ignore the aura of uber coolness, the place is defined let worth a visit. Not only for its prime location, which makes a very sough after location in sunny days, but also because of its F&B offer. They have a very good beer menu, mainly composed by local craft beers and the food Is also good. I had the chicken roti and it was very decent. Also the food service it's incredibly fast! So if you are in the neighbourhood, and it's sunny, this is a good option!

Anthony H.

Yelp
We came down to Waterkant on our last night in Amsterdam. It's a beautiful spot right on the canal. The pitchers here are pretty cheap, and the food is decently priced. Unfortunately, we arrived after 10pm and they stopped serving food. We picked up a few pitchers of beer and hung outside on the patio. There are several heaters outside, so you can stay somewhat warm. The best part of this spot are the views. You're right on the canal. The reflection of the lights on the canal were the highlight of this spot!

Marie M.

Yelp
It's a nice setting--right on the canal. Nice place to hang out, have a beer. Not super crazy about their menu, and it wasn't the easiest thing to find the entrance, which requires you to walk through a gas station/parking garage.

Annie G.

Yelp
Make a reservation! I came on a random rainy day after work, and all the tables were being saved for ressies. And I heard they don't take ressies for their outdoor seating, which is right on the canal, so when the weather is nice, prepare to come early to save an outdoor spot. I apologize in advance because I can't remember the names of the snacks I ordered... I tried all three duck dishes (red curry duck roll, cucumber duck roll, and I don't remember the third,) but the red curry duck spring rolls were bomb! Also the fried bananas were super delicious...and I don't even have much of a sweet tooth! They were big though, beware. Decor was super colorful and creative. Potted plants lined the walls, and actually inspired my friend to try the same in her apartment :)

Jessica M.

Yelp
This is a must in Amsterdam! The sun came out for a little one of the afternoons we were there and so we immediately headed here to sit by the water. They have a lot of beers on draft and plenty of seating. Very good for groups of all sizes. They even let you write on a postcard and send it anywhere in the world! We wrote one to ourselves back in the states. We didn't try any of their food, but would definitely return for the beer and views!

Adam P.

Yelp
If you're not looking for it, you can easily not know this place exists. But you'll be glad you're there. Very vibrant atmosphere, people genuinely love hanging out here. Outstanding water/boat views. Great draft beer selection.

Farah A.

Yelp
Good Surinamese food, great young casual atmosphere and on the water! The food was delicious, but not as authentic as you can get for Surinamese food in Amsterdam. There's a lot more options given the large Surinamese population in Amsterdam. The service could've been better, but it was a Saturday night, so a crowded restaurant with overworked servers are expected.

Anisha K.

Yelp
Stopped here for a quick drink with a local friend. Was a bit difficult to find - its hidden away past a gas station. The place was hoppin' around 11:15pm. Chatted with some cool new people. Very diverse, fun, and rowdy bunch of folks. Selection or beers, wine, and drinks are good. Snack menu was intriguing - featuring fusion-y fried foods - but did not try them on this visit. Bottom Line: Good crowd. Service was quick, prices are reasonable. Would return to grab drinks or try the snack menu.

Tess G.

Yelp
Another random Amsterdam find that did not disappoint. It was perfect sitting outside under the heat lamps watching the rain over the canal. Great beer menu and the apple loaf was perfect.

Will S.

Yelp
As I walked my trusty pooch for her morning business I noticed an erection taking place just across the canal. I couldn't make out it origins nor its intentions. As the days turned into nights it grew larger and soon.. it was even multicoloured. I liked the look of it, the shape was appealing, it was slick, cool... an erection for young and old. Soon it was totally up, drawing people from all over Amsterdam to taste its delicacies and the foreign liquids that lay within. One day I decided to check it out for myself, at first it felt a little uncomfortable but after a few drinks, well... I was sold. I'll be back soon.. maybe even convince my mum to try it on for size!

Noura Andréa A.

Yelp
Such a cool venue! Entirely outdoor, benches, a bit of grass, good drinks and good people. On the weekend, it closes around 2.30 am Going back!

Stephen H.

Yelp
So, before you finish reading this review, if you're reading this in Amsterdam, start walking/riding your bike/running towards this place. It gets full quickly, and not just because it's got a great view over the canal, but because of their *extremely* good Dirty Duck Black Pepper Buns, which are some of the best steamed buns I've ever had, anywhere. It caught me off guard because Waterkant is a Surinamanian restaurant and that's not where I expect to find awesome steamed buns - but rather than order 2 more orders of these (which I wanted to) I opted for moderation and got a hearty bowl of saoto soup, which has a hearty chicken stock base and spices, but also features fried onion, vermicelli, potato sticks, and a boiled egg. Traditionally you throw in the steamed rice that it's served with into the soup as well, but you can do what you like. It's delicious however you choose to construct/deconstruct it.

Francesca C.

Yelp
Waterkant, your location rules. I ordered the Jamaican ribs and my partner had the burger. I was jealous of his burger, but in the end they kinda tasted the same? Both were slathered in the same BBQ sauce (?). The service was nice, and the ambiance was great. We even spotted 2 famous Dutch people! (the ginger guy from the Ziggo commercials and the host from the farmer dating show). Yes, I love trash Tv. The food wasn't anything special, but I'd go again for a beer + the view.

Yomi A.

Yelp
Nice hang out spot along side the river especially in summer time. Good view, friendly staff's, decent crowds too....

Varia M.

Yelp
Lovely place - big patio, cozy and sun-filled inside, nice atmosphere. Sadly this place suffers from the Dutch curse of having been "discovered", which means it gets extremely - and I mean ridiculously - crowded as soon there is a shred of sunshine. So only go here if you're willing to deal with a pile-up of very trendy Dutch people! The location is OK, there are nicer viewpoints along the Amsterdam canals, but I have to mention again the SIZE of the patio -- this place is slightly out of the center and the only such place on the block, not to mention built alongside a parkade, which means that people can spread out along a whole stretch of water with their drinks. Not very common in Amsterdam where every bar seems to be competing for world's smallest. I've only eaten 'bar snacks' here, i.e. bitterballen and other fried things (bog-standard), and last weekend, a plate of nachos, which were a bit disappointing. They arrived quickly (given how packed it was) and were a decent accompaniment to our beers, but the taste was nothing special. I've heard good things about the "real food" menu items, but I won't go out of my way to try them...

Jenny B.

Yelp
Great hidden place! been there for lunch, would definitely go back for the masala chicken wrap!! oohh so delicious!!!

Kevin B.

Yelp
I bring an American tourist's perspective at lunch on a weekday. This place seems to be a big hit with local 20-somethings who want a place to enjoy some snack and mostly drinks whilst relaxing by a canal. It's very laid-back, there is no table service (you order at the bar), and stake your claim as space becomes available. I tried bitterballen, toast with poached egg, and IJWIT draft so kindly recommended to me as a good local beer. Altogether the dining experience was pleasant, the food arrived quickly and was well-prepared. I had a 3/5 star experience when I visited mostly due to the relative lack of personality the place evoked (imagine a university Starbucks ambiance in both class and patronage), but my timing was far from optimal, so I feel it deserves at least 4 stars. This is the kind of place that seems to be relatively sleepy until weather or weekend.

Michael B.

Yelp
Went to Waterkant for a birthday celebration. Since I was there just for beers and snacks, that is all I can really comment on, but I will be back for dinner at some point soon. The location is on the canals is great and they have plenty of outside terrace space to enjoy nice weather. The servers were friendly and efficient, even when there was a big crowd clamoring for drinks. I love that you can get a big bottle of Parbo beer! They also had the best nachos I have had since arriving in Amsterdam. Hurry up and visit Waterkant, these nice summer days are numbered!

Misty S.

Yelp
Super burgers! Great atmosphere! And my favorite place to hang out in the summer time.

Brian K.

Yelp
Love Waterkant. Been here several times and have not been disappointed with the food. Wouldn't mind a few more options for drinks, but it doesn't dampen my enthusiasm for the place. My last visit's meal (last week) was the pumpkin roti roll. Nice chunks of pumpkin with other vegetables. Ask for the hete saus with it if you like spicy food. Would be great for vegetarians, but I'm not so I can also vouch for it as a legit option even if you do eat meat (though I also highly recommend the chicken roti roll). It's very filling so I wouldn't advise ordering it along with several other courses unless you have a very big appetite. My wife always orders the Gado Gado. Every. Time. She likes it that much. I'm also partial to the duck spring rolls. Always enjoy myself here and it's on the list of places we take friends who visit us from the States.

Aidee C.

Yelp
This was one of my favorite spots that I went to while in Amsterdam. Great beer selection, young crowd and just a really great ambiance.

Marlon B.

Yelp
Good food and service. A bit loud, but nice salsa music. Great place at the waterside.

Abby W.

Yelp
Cool bar located on the waterfront. Drinks were a little expensive but the food was good. Huge portions.

Nikola C.

Yelp
Tasty and delicous food. Simple concept: you order your drinks and food at the bar. The food is very tasty, even for seasoned Surinam cuisine lovers. Would definetely recommend the Roti Chicken and the kabeljouw. If you're up for Gado Gado, I would definetely go for the option of adding some more springrolls as well. Great option for docking if you're with your boat as well.

Kelsey V.

Yelp
I went here with friends on a Saturday night a few weekends ago for a beer before dinner. It's a bit hard to find (of our group of 4 I was the only one who could find it) - there's no sign from the street and you only catch a glimpse of it when walking or riding by. And a word of warning: google maps directs you to the WRONG PLACE. It really is a bit hidden unless you know where it is so study the pics carefully! But once you find it, location can't be beat - sitting canalside with lots of water around, nice big picnic tables, a unique theme for this type of place (Surinamese - get the beer!), I will definitely be back!

Mona Z.

Yelp
Fun bar by the water, several different rooms with different music and ambiances, ranging from some dancing to just hanging out.

Sam L.

Yelp
Order your food and drinks at the window and a server will deliver them when they're ready. It's nice by the water. A little chilly though when it's not sunny. They have a nice menu, too.