Yamazato

The service was phenomenal! The waitress was so attentive and friendly. The food was delicious, but it did not live up to my expectations. For the price, it was not good enough. Ambiance was great.

I had an unforgettable birthday dinner last Sunday. During my stay at the Okura Hotel three years ago, this restaurant caught my attention, and upon a friend's recommendation, I was excited to finally dine here. Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted with warmth and hospitality. The interior, ambiance, and atmosphere were all excellent, and the female staff, dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, added a wonderful touch to the experience. The food was exquisite: beautifully presented, thoughtfully explained, and tasted incredible. Our favorite dish was the Wagyu steak, which might just be the best Wagyu we've ever had. The service was the best we've experienced at any Michelin restaurant we've visited so far. I would like to extend a special thank you to the main host, Chihomi, and her colleagues, who took such great care of us that evening. Not only was Chihomi incredibly kind, but she was also very attentive to every detail. For example, my partner noticed that Chihomi immediately recognized he was left-handed based on how he placed his chopsticks and glass of sparkling sake (which is a must-order), and later adjusted the plates, chopsticks, and glass accordingly. He mentioned that he had never had staff notice he was left-handed in this way at any other restaurant. We also appreciated how they asked about and took into account the pacing of each dish served, making sure the flow of the meal was perfect. As a sweet surprise, I was given a miso chocolate cake in addition to the dessert for my birthday. And to top it all off, we received a small origami crane for good luck at the end of the meal. Thank you, Chihomi, and the entire team at Yamazato. We’re already planning our next visit! :)

I have to say that the service and ambience is immaculate. It is a quiet, calm and peaceful space, where you can enjoy simple interior and being taken care of. We have been here two times. The first time, the food was good, the second time not so much. The wagyu steak was overcooked, the dishes were bland. Unfortunately, we will not visit again. The price point is high, but the food is not meeting the expectations at all. The dishes are poorly cooked and seasoned. One more thing that ruined the second experience is the restroom outside of the restaurant. The woman’s restroom was closed. You could use the men’s restrooms, but it is extremely small for the amount of people (resulting in a cue), dirty and you could basically look in the eyes of other people in the standing toilets while washing hands, because you see everything in the reflection. Something that I don’t want to experience when visiting a Michelin star restaurant.

Everything here is wonderful. The setting and atmosphere are especially unique and the service is probably the best I've had in any other one-Michelin-star restaurant. All dishes are exceptional and the menu is well-balanced. Accept any sake recommendation you get in the wine pairing, this is the perfect occasion to do so. Well worth the price tag!

Excellent top service. The food is fairly okay. But for a traditional kaiseki restaurant, I expected better quality.

I visited this place last year and wanted to share my review. Located inside the Okura Hotel, Yamazato Restaurant offers traditional dishes from the Japanese Kaiseki cuisine, with a typical Japanese atmosphere and service. They serve 9 or 10 different courses, explaining each one in great detail. We went in the evening, so I couldn’t see the garden’s atmosphere, but the place is truly beautiful, enjoyable, and perfect for fine dining. I highly recommend trying it!

We chose Yamazato in Amsterdam to celebrate our anniversary, and the experience exceeded all expectations. The service, food, and atmosphere were truly exceptional—refined, elegant, and of the highest quality. The staff’s attention to our special occasion was outstanding, with every member, including (but not limited to) our waiter, ensuring we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for. The pacing of the kaiseki menu was perfectly balanced, and I especially appreciated how our waiter attentively adjusted it to match our preferred tempo. Among the highlights of our meal were the Yamazato sashimi selection and the shiizakana, both exquisitely prepared and full of delicate flavors. The Mizukashi and the anniversary cake provided a perfect, sweet conclusion to our evening. Yamazato is a peaceful slice of Japan in the heart of Amsterdam—a true culinary gem that delivers authenticity and excellence in every aspect.

Delicious food in an atmospheric environment. You feel like you are in Japan. The dishes allow the natural flavors of the ingredients to come into their own. The service is also extremely friendly and attentive. A bit pricey, but for us it was more than worth it.

@yamazato.amsterdam in the @hotel_okura_amsterdam hotel with #onemichelinstar . #kaiseki at its finest (outside of Japan). As you can see from the main course of A5 Waygu beef, they really feed you well. Half that portion would have been just fine. It's a destination restaurant in a destination hotel.

Excellent service, friendly staff and upbeat vibe. The food was prepared fresh in front of us and with a lot of care and consideration. Good quality ingredients and nice wine selection.

The perfect meal to end our Amsterdam stay. I'm a creature of habit and have gotten used to having a tasting menu to close out a vacation so I of course did my due diligence and booked a resy at every city we visited. This place was the clear winner for the first leg of our trip. The staff were so nice the moment we checked in. Okural houses numerous notable restaurants in the hotel. We decided to have our meal here vs the other options. We were seated as soon as we checked in our coats. There was a specific Christmas meal. It was a lot. Dare I even say, too much. The 9 course consisted of the following: Sushi Kani kabura Kousen-age Dobin mushi Sashimi Yuzu-miso yaki Hoba-yaki Shokuji Mizukashi Their servings were plentiful. It definitely became difficult to finish towards the end. There were a couple of courses that I couldn't finish mostly due to me being full. The service was impeccable. That extends to the hotel staff as well. My friend had a mishap on our way in and hurt her ankle. When I tell you, the staff went as far as holding the cold packs on her leg until the swelling died down.

Great way to finish my trip in Amsterdam. Had a great time and experience at Yamazato. I went to Ciel Bleu a couple of nights earlier (which is also located at Hotel Okura). Both had a great service and unique in their own ways, but I had a better time at Yamazato. From the moment you walk in, the staff of no less than five people greet and welcome you. The male staff wearing suits and the women staff (all Japanese) wearing the traditional kimono outfit. So you get a lot more Japanese ambiance, coupled with the wood furnishings, and a coi pond outside. Reiko was super friendly, hospitable and kept me entertained since I was eating by myself. I would also say the same for the rest of the staff. You get what you pay for and Yamazato definitely exceeded expectations. I opted for the Icho Kaiseki menu with the nigiri sushi upgrade. I may have gone overboard since I was struggling to finish at the very end, but there was no rush here and they give you plenty of time to enjoy and relax as much as you require. My favorites were the Wagyu beef, toro sushi and dessert. I would definitely come back.

My husband took me here for my birthday and it was simply a wonderful experience. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed. Everyone was so kind and accommodating. First, the food. The meal was excellent and you can tell a lot of care is given in the preparation. I have an allergy to wheat and they were very mindful of this and were able to accommodate and modify the dishes for me. Everything we had was delicious - no surprise since it is a Michelin rated restaurant! Next, the service. The service was some of the best we've had. Everyone was incredibly helpful and mindful of the diners experience - not just us but to all that were there. I especially want to thank Chihiro, our waitress for the evening. She was so kind to us, and even offered to take a few pictures for us even though it was a busy evening. At the end of the evening, she gave us a small card with a hand written note on it wishing me a happy birthday. I just thought this was so thoughtful and kind. Overall it was a wonderful dining experience and I would definitely go again!

The food was definitely great everything was beautiful plates , food and good service !!! it's an amazing experience ... Located inside an amazing hotel It's worth to go and experience Japanese food in Amsterdam .... Worth the Michelin star

The experience at Yamazato was absolutely amazing from their dining experience with Sota and Arisa down to the decor details. I really felt like I was back in Japan having a traditional kaiseki meal in a ryokan. The food was absolutely delicious and you can tell they used the freshest ingredients. Not to mention the pricing wasn't so bad for a 1 Michelin Star restaurant. I would definitely come back here when ever I'm back in Amsterdam. It's one of the most authentic japanese restaurants in the area.

Excellent sushi and great atmosphere, very traditional Japanese cuisine. They have a very nice selection of sake and they do pairing as well if you want that. All the dishes were very fresh and presented as an art on each plate. They make fresh wasabi for you and I tried the Japanese mint baby leaves which were super tasty and fresh. It is pricey so don't expect a cheap meal but work every euro for the quality and ambiance.

This place is amazing, it literally feels like you walked into Japan. The staff, the service, the food was all really great. I think the meal here was one of the high lights of my time in Amsterdam. We sat at the sushi bar and ordered Omakase. The chef made everything perfectly. The seared toro, eel and halibut all stood out as the best pieces. They also recommended a bottle of sake that was just really nice. The space is beautifully manicured, literally feels like they flew almost their entire staff in from Japan. Loved it.

A little bit ashamed to admit that I was craving for Japanese meal in Amsterdam, apparently can't deny that I'm still Asian after all. Well, went to this place, somehow it wasn't too difficult to get a reservation. Opted for the tasting menu and everything were delicious, sashimi was fresh, steak was tasty and dessert, in particular, was memorable.

Fresh, clean, harmonious simplicity. This truly is the essence of authentic Japanese cuisine. Don't expect any all-you-can-eat mayonaise infused sushis here! I must say I am a little bias towards authentic kaiseki cuisine but all the dishes speak for themselves without feeling heavy whatsoever. I loved their cognac sesame vanilla ice cream, green tea matcha mousse and fresh fruit. The perfect balance of sweetness. Service: Very attentive Price/Quality: Good Food: Mouthwatering

I bookmarked this Japanese restaurant and finally got a chance to try it out. We were promptly seated, and the staff quickly took care of our wet coats. I expected it to be a small restaurant but it is rather large, at least 50+ seating. We ordered 2 tasting menus which consisted of amuse bouches, fish shoup, sashimi, grilled seabass, fried oyster, "sukinabe" beef and vegetables cooked over a portable stove, steamed rice and some ice cream and macarons for dessert. I asked to substitute the fried oyster for something else and the waitress acknowledged my request. Everything was good but it was way too much food. We had to skip the rice course and we got the cookies wrapped to go. Also the grilled seabass was overcooked and dry. It is a good restaurant for Japanese food but I have had a better experience in Paris at 'Okuda'.

I felt extremely disappointed after eating here. The food was fair and service sporadic. I actually can not imagine how this place "earned" a Michelin Star. My local Japanese restaurant in Sarasota, Florida is better and a fourth of the price. Save your money and avoid this restaurant

Kaiseki cuisine. Something I tried to fall in love with in Japan, and yet still trying to find a restaurant that will woo me as a Michelin star restaurant should. We celebrated my partner's birthday and since this place was on his list of places to try we ventured out here on Sunday evening. They were attentive to my diet restrictions and food allergies. But failed to present the vegetables and fish in the most satisfying way, the was not much play off the textures. Courses were quite big, I couldn't eat the Wagyu beef course (6th) and the soup with rice (7th) they just took away the untouched plates. To me, it seems like a poor planning by the chefs. We got sake pairing too, which was a good choice, the sommelier did a good job, and the richness of the dishes was offset with the lighter sake, and vice versa. Service was lovely. 525 Euro was the total, and as much as I adore Japanese cuisine, I will be skipping this place next time, as I am still in search for the perfect meal Oh, and next to us there was a couple who clearly had too much of hot sake, and the guy wanted to show off and was telling the waitress "Namaste", after another nervous laugh, he asked her how to say "thank you in Japanese? and isn't "namaste", accurate translation?" She said "namaste is from the Indian culture, in Japanese, it's "arigato". then they started throwing food at each other across the table, after which they were escorted out.

Yamazato has been a special retreat for me and my sister for decades.. when visiting my native Netherlands, we always spoil ourselves with lunch or dinner. The ambiance and service are exquisite, simultanously modestly and proudly japanese. One can enjoy a high level of attention in a representative interior of luxury wood elements and wall-to-wall carpet, with several of the long walls with floor-to-ceilings offering a broad view of the ornamental japanese garden with a pond outside. The food, varying from well-known sushi (of an unparalelled quality), to kaiseki dining, and a myriad of a la carte menu options in between, are all made of high quality ingredients. The menues are composed in such a way the subtle taste sequences leave you and your tastebuds in awe. If one so wishes, the food can be supplemented by a wide selection of excellent wines and/or sake. Do you like sparkling wine, make sure to try the sakura champagne cocktail with a hint of cherry liquor. And the green tea icecream with fresh fruit for desert, results in you leaving totally fulfilled savouring the whole experience.

We had the bento boxes for lunch at Yamazato. The restaurant and service was excellent. They have a nice view of the garden. The bento doesn't look like much food, but it is very filling. I enjoyed everything except for the beef. The beef was rather dry. The tempura was very light and crispy. The sashimi was very fresh. The server makes sure the food is laid out in a visually appealing manner. I would go back and just have sashimi or sushi next time

Highly overrated experience. We had the 50 euro set lunch which was very ordinary - same standard I would say as a cheap sushi train in Japan. While the dishes were beautifully presented, the compliments stop there. The courses came out unbearably slow. Something like 30 minutes before the first course and 20 spacing from then on. The fish quality was good, but not great. The servings were small. When the sushi came out, It was served on cold rice? What??? Michelin Japanese food on cold rice? The result was very underwhelming and the temperatures of the fish vs rice dynamic was ruined. Definitely not Michelin standard.

YAMAZATO, PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY! Came here for my birthday dinner with my husband I stepped into a Japanese-Zen-food-haven. I had Kaiseki (traditional Japanese multi-course dinner) and it was super filling. The most memorable dish we had was the lobster sashimi that was inside a ice bubble that you had to break with a gavel to get to. Oh, and I also had the best eel of my life here! Every course in our Kaiseki was super well thought out - pleasing to the eye and delicious. And the end of the meal, they surprised me with a birthday dessert :) The service was great and the female servers wore really cute traditional kimonos. Yamazato is a place to go to if you want a taste of Japanese culture (no pun intended). Definitely see why it has a Michelin star.

Wonderful Kaiseki experience. While the food is as outstanding as you'd expect, the highlight for us was the sommelier Fukue Homma. A great guide and such a warm personality.

Really great food. We had the seasonal 8 course Kaiseki dinner ( every month its different). Every course was great. Lot of attention and great care in preparation. It's our favorite Japanese restaurant.

I'm surprised to say I had the best Omakase of my life at Yamazato. Hands down best ever. My ex-boyfriend did some research before our 5-day trip to Amsterdam (long story) and discovered the highly acclaimed Yamazato restaurant tucked away in the Okura hotel. We love sushi and always order Omakase and we were curious to see what it would be like in the Netherlands, so I called the restaurant a day in advance hoping to make a reservation. I explained to the reservationist that we wanted to do the Omakase and within 2 minutes I had secured a two-person reservation for 20:30 the next day at the sushi bar. Already I was impressed. This would never happen in NYC. As we pulled up to the hotel in our taxi, we couldn't help but notice what an eyesore Hotel Okura is. We felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. When we walked into Yamazato, all of the female waitresses were wearing kimonos, which I've never seen before and thought was unique, but I was under impressed with the decor (was this really a Michelin star restaurant?!) and already feeling a little skeptical about what we were about to experience. There was only one other couple seated at the sushi bar and two sushi chefs. We were given hot hand towels and a sake menu and ordered one of the lower-priced bottles, Horin 3000, which ended up being a superb pairing. They didn't waste our time showing us a sushi menu since they impressively already knew we wanted the Omakase, which was nice. We were pleasantly surprised when our sushi chef asked us if we wanted to start with sashimi or sushi (we didn't know we could have both!), so we decided to start with sashimi. Our sushi chef proceeded to grate fresh wasabi root for us, which was a good sign that the restaurant wasn't about to ruin high quality fish with fake wasabi typically served at Japanese restaurants. For the sashimi portion of the omakase, I recall being served the following: three pieces of sea bream, which we never had before and thoroughly enjoyed, followed by three pieces of toro (absolutely divine, melted like butter in your mouth), three pieces of hamachi (very high quality, buttery and delicious), three pieces of tuna (very fresh but not extraordinary), and three pieces of Scottish salmon (fatty and delicious). After the sashimi, we were served a scallop lightly torced and folded in a sheet of seaweed, which was very tasty and served as a nice transition to the nigiri part of the meal. For the nigiri part of the meal, I'm fairly certain our sushi chef used freshly grated wasabi root in his preparation. From what I remember, we were each served the following: turbot (with a radish, chile garnish; succulent, wonderful flavor complex), horse mackerel (typically not my favorite but very fresh and flavorful), squid serrated with lemon juice and salt (magnificent flavor, buttery, wonderful texture), and tuna belly (what you would expect: rich, fatty and mouth watering). When it was over, we re-ordered some of our favorites (when in Rome, right?!). Our receipt indicates these included the following: toro, maguro (tuna), turbot (appears on our receipt as Hirame), amaebi (sweet shrimp, a personal favorite), aji (mackerel, my ex's favorite), ika (squid) and unagi (eel). I don't recall re-ordering the maguro or unagi but we were three bottles of sake deep at this point so I'm sure they were delicious. During the course of the meal, my ex ordered a few items off the food menu to try: the seaweed salad, beef carpaccio Japanese style, and miso soup. All of it was fine but subpar to the sushi/sashimi. I won't bother with the food menu when I return. In all, we got a great deal of very high quality fish and we felt the omakase was very reasonably priced at 45 euros per person. We greatly appreciated the care and thoughtfulness our sushi chef put in to each bite he served us. The service was attentive and thoughtful and we left feeling very happy. Not to mention, this meal easily could have cost us twice the price in New York. I'm certain I will be back and look forward to when that day arrives.

Sublime treats in a down to earth styled setting. I ate lunch here twice and both times, it was true treat. Although the sushi and sashimi is truly excuisite, they really make their mark in the other japanese dishes. Anyone looking for a good selection of everything, I would recommend the Bentobox, perhaps supplemented with an extra small dish if you're a big eater. The service is impecabble and unexpectadly casual (as they are all dressed in traditional kimono's). Out of all the dishes, I think the omlettes were the most excuisite. Having been to Japan, I think Yamazato is one of the few places that provides a true Japanese fine dining experiance. If seated correctly, you almost forget that you are in Amsterdam. A truly fantastic experiance!

Best sushi I've had in my life. Seriously, if you have money to burn (or someone else is paying for dinner) you HAVE to eat here. The toro just melted in my mouth - I probably could have gotten away with not chewing it. I felt the service was a little slow, but this is the type of place you just lounge around and enjoy the sake and conversation. My American expectations left me a little disappointed in that respect, but I think it's just the Dutch way because honestly, I felt that in just about every restaurant where I dined. Yes, it's expensive, but it's worth it!

I had one of the most incredible sushi meals of my life at Yamazato on a recent work trip to Amsterdam. We were greeted with hot towels to clean our hands with, and the service was outstanding. Yamazato had a surprisingly thorough wine and beer list, and while I was a little confused about the menu at first (I'm not used to such fancy digs!), but I soon figured things out and ordered one of the sushi meals. For being a super expensive restaurant I expected the portions to be super tiny, but I was impressed with how much sushi we got with our meals. The sushi melted in my mouth. If you have some extra dough in your pocket and want some delicious Japanese, check this place out. OR If you're poor, like me, but your boss is willing to pick up the tab, suggest this to him/her.

I have had diner in the seating area about five, maybe six times the last 15 years and every time it was a unique and wonderful experience. This time it was better than ever. I think this was probably one of the best diner experiences I ever had. Seriously, this is the European temple of Japanese cuisine. We chose Fukinagashi, the Chef's Seasonal Recommendation menu May 2015 (see pictures), which is the flagship. I had made that choice a few times in the past and never regretted it. This time the accent was a bit more on flavour combinations and a bit less on nouvelle cuisine techniques. The ingredients were speaking more for themselves, so no more molecular experiments, just insanely tasty dishes. I am not going to comment on each one of them, they were all good. Definitely Michelin-star level. Compared to Dutch Michelin Star fish restaurants, the experience here is a little bit less formal and posh, with a nicer mix of clients, nationailites and ages. Don't believe the negative reviews from people here that ordered only a few pieces of sushi and then think they can have an informed opinion about the best Japanese resaturant in Europe - please note it is the only one with a Michelin Star. The over all quantites of this menu together are a bit too high for my taste, I should have cut down on trying to eat every last bit of each course, but hey, it is amazing food. We stayed in the hotel so I was not worried about that and we had a wonderful experience. The staff was very attentive and helpful, accomodating our wish to have slightly faster service in order not to spend 4 hours at the table with our 11 year old daughter. So we clocked at 2.5 hours with 3 courses for our daughter, all were happy and my daughter liked the dishes. The menu suggestions for her were good. I had my diner with warm sake (house brand), but got a different one the 2nd order that was more tasty. I forgot to ask which one it was. We finished with a classic desert that was executed flawlessly, and green tea.

Yes very expensive but the food is very delicious. I loved every minute of being here. Experience Japanese culture at Yamazato in the Okura hotel. I have lived in Japan, so I know what true authentic Japanese restaurants should be like. I was highly impress with this restaurant. You will get a true Japanese experience here, not like the other unauthentic sushi restaurants. The experience here was more then memorable and lovely. What did I love specifically about this restaurant? My favorite was the servers dressed in beautiful kimonos, splendid food, and lovely atmosphere.

The service was excellent. The food was more than decent but not totally out of this world. But for the price I did have higher expectation. Maybe it is because I am from NY and frequent Nobu regularly. And have even ventured into Brushtroke for a foodie adventure. So my comparison is to NY sushi, please bear that in mind. I did feel their sushi was way too thick. Their 5 kinds of seaweed salad ws good but I did wish they actually mixed the dressing instead of serve it on the side. Very hard to get an even coating of dressing by pouring or dipping. Miso soup and the noodle soup were both good. And they couldn't provide a yellowtail in ponzu appetizer. They didn't do well with improvisation. That also bothered me. In most japanese restaurants, swapping a fish for serving the same way wouldn't have derailed the waitstaff. The waitress was a bit flustered by the request. LOVED their shrimp tempura rolls, btw. Overall, I would go again if I was craving sushi but would stick to the menu and probably not order the seaweed salad.

This is another one of those restaurants where I just can't figure out how it received a Michelin star. I have to wonder if the Michelin inspectors in the Netherlands simply aren't familiar with Japanese cuisine. I ordered the seasonal set menu for lunch and had the following reactions: A finely chopped "salad" consisting of iceberg lettuce and a cherry tomato cut in half reminded me of something one would get at a cheap Japanese restaurant. All it was missing was the standard orange-colored dressing. Where I had raw fish in either sushi or sashimi, quite a few of the cuts didn't seem amazing with a couple that were stringy and chewy. The chef was quite heavy-handed in applying teriyaki sauce to the main of beef. The beef was described as "filet" but it seemed no better than a sirloin or not very high-quality ribeye. The miso was very salty but redeemed somewhat by the variety of ingredients. It was also provided without a spoon. The dessert that included vanilla ice cream was fine. The ice cream had a very smooth texture, and the vanilla was like a French vanilla and had a hint of butterscotch or butter pecan. There are better and cheaper lunch specials out there. My lunch at Bord'Eau the next day was far more enjoyable while also being cheaper.

Eh I'd say this place is good of course... but Michelin star quality? I don't get it. We weren't impressed with the food... the service and ambiance were fantastic, as were the drinks (sake, aperitif, Chardonnay a bold red that paired nicely with the steak for sure) but the sashimi was really disappointing and the dishes left my pallet and mind wondering why it was given a Michelin star. Nothing overly exciting, plated very minimalistic and compared to other star restaurants we've eaten at this was our least favorite. Again, the staff and service were fantastic and they do a nice job of making you feel like you're in Japan which is authentic for sure... perhaps we should not have ordered the tasting menus? Because as I stated above the beef was excellent but the sashimi and salads and fish apps before... not so impressive.

Amazing brunch/lunch. Highest quality sushi I experienced in all of the Netherlands in the span of a half decade. Huge windows, and you are surrounded by coy ponds. Not inexpensive but perfect for a long weekend day meal. Great wine list. The michelin star is deserved. Very nice hotel as well.

We ate here after seeing that it had a Michelin star, something we weren't expecting for a Japanese restaurant in Amsterdam. The ambiance is excellent, and the service is very good. It's in a gorgeous, five-star hotel, and the attention to detail as we walked in was lovely. We had the chef's choice sushi, and it was something of a disappointment. If we were to do it again, we'd choose one of the non-sushi dishes, perhaps the shabu-shabu, which looked excellent when it was served to a neighboring table. The problem with the sushi was a combination of inconsistency and lack of originality. Compared to a good sushi restaurant in Los Angles or San Francisco, the fish choices felt uninspired. I don't expect to get plain ebi at a starred restaurant, for example. That said, some of the fish, particularly the toro, was of excellent quality, equal to the best I've had. The restaurant earns its four stars from me for ambiance, service, and food quality. It loses the fifth for lacking that bit of originality that would justify the prices.

The sushi was good but nothing speculator. It is overpriced for the service it provides. It was my first time at this restaurant and the sushi chef was not that friendly and the service was slow. At one point, I had no food to eat and my drink was empty. I ended up staring at the sushi chef to see how long it would take for him to give me eye contact. Overall, it was an average restaurant. I probably will not return.

This is one of the better sushi places I know, and definitely the best in Amsterdam. Traditional preparation, very fresh ingredients. On the expensive side, but well worth it.

I have been back to this restaurant on a number of occasions. Expensive, but the delight of sitting at a table having teppanyaki and drinking sake from a masu (wooden box). It's wonderful.

The wife and I went here during our trip in '10. Best sushi we had in Amsterdam, and one of my top sushi experiences. Authentic Japanese cuisine. Upper scale dining with prices to match, but definitely worth it. We had sushi/sashimi and a wagyu beef plate, both were excellent. The fish was fresh and top notch, the beef was melt in your mouth and authentic... unlike some of the kobe/wagyu sold in the states. We will definitely be back the next time we are in the 'Dam.

Really really far from the center of Amsterdam, we decided to take the taxi anyhow and 25 minutes we were there. have to admit that their Sushi is average and did not knock me down the floor. service was ok and the general place not look that clean. Seems like a real small resturant in Japan without the fancy look.

Excellent sushi, obviously expensive but the food quality, presentation and general ambiance are without peer in Amsterdam. What you would expect from a Michelin rated establishment. I do not understand why this restaurant is so difficult to find in Yelp or why it is listed under the category "do it yourself".

Honestly, I swear people buy their Michelin stars... I will give my honest opinion of the food as a 'basic' Japanese restaurant. Everything was very very average--comparable to casual Japanese restaurants here in Vancouver. Nothing was memorable; if I had to choose, maybe the soup. The least appetizing was the sashimi itself, which was very disappointing. Overall the meal lacked finesse: tempura was not delicate, it was heavily battered, and the quality of the fish was nothing special. The dessert was vanilla ice cream, fruits and a coffee creme .... nothing authentic about this meal. The best part was the sparkling Sake. The service on the other hand was truly great as one would expect in a Michelin restaurant. The space was also lovely and I enjoyed the atmosphere. However terribly disappointed by the food, our worst meal while in Holland.

Given they hype and Michelin star we were very underwhelmed- this is NOT even close to the best Japanese restaurant in Europe. Make no mistake: The quality of the fish is quite good but does not rival Michelin star sushi in London or New York. We might have had a horrible waitress but the service was shocking for its reputation. She didnt know what a quail egg was and said they didn't carry them- until the people next to us had them on their dish and we pointed them out to her. We had to fill our own glasses of water as they stayed empty for quite a while. Finally- we had 8pm reservations and at 9:15 we were told the kitchen is closing in 15 minutes . Just not up to snuff with a Michelin star. If you don't have michelin expectations you will not be disappointed.

All I ordered at Yamazato was sushi; I did not try any of the cooked dishes. I offer that as a disclaimer because maybe the cooked dishes are knock-your-socks-off amazing. The sushi was up to par with good to very-good restaurants I've eaten at elsewhere in the world. (It actually reminded me the most of good restaurants in Tokyo, because of the service which seemed authentic to the level of attentiveness I've experienced in Japan at similar places.) But it was not "must-try," especially for that price, and I have to admit that I was a little disappointed in the meal given the fact that Yamazato has earned a Michelin Star, and given the hefty price. I wonder whether the rumor about Michelin giving stars to Japanese restaurants too lightly is true. Perhaps not in Amsterdam (I didn't have much time to explore), but in other major cities, better sushi can be had for a better price. Very good, but not truly great, and this place's reputation suggested greatness.

This was likely the most boring, most overprice japanese food I have ever had. I don't know what one has to do to get one Michelin star but they also just lost all their credibility. Spend 200 euro for food that barely tasted like fish (despite having a significant amount of fish in it). It all looked nice and great and service was wonderful but the flavors? Bland, boring, lame, you pick the term. For 50-60 euro this would have been ok, but not for 200 euro. Just to be clear: I eat a lot of sushi and I have been in many fantastic sushi restaurants around the world. All I can say about this one: Stay away!

Service great, sushi average, price high... Not sure what the fuss is about this place. Besides service, food here is average for my taste and there's no omakase from the chef. What kind of high end Japanese restaurant doesn't have omakase?!?! Chef sushi course looks like low end sushi shop... Nothing memorable... Don't expect the food to be like high-end NYC sushi shop like Nobu or Sushi of Gari... just average sushi with great service and nice ambiance.

this is the best japanese restaurant in europe! the standard is outstanding and deserves more the one michelin star (which it has already). it is worth a trip to eat hear as it is closer than japan! first class is first class. though, i must say, one should choose for dinner than lunch. it is more spectacular!