Nela Amsterdam: fine dining from an open fire and international vibes

Those who fancy a night out with international allure want (no have to!) go to Nela Amsterdam. You have probably already seen the special building The Valley in Amsterdam South on Instagram, but did you know that you can also eat here very well? At restaurant Nela you can enjoy an evening of extensive dining with a table full of divine dishes to share, fine wines and good cocktails. This is a place you want to dress up for when you go out in Amsterdam!

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© Your Little Black Book

International vibes at Nela in Amsterdam

Does the evening still feel young after dinner? After the signature desserts, feel free to linger in the cocktail bar where it can get busy later in the evening (even on a weekday). Almost un-Amsterdam-ish and therefore a welcome change if you want a chic evening out where you imagine yourself in a city like Singapore or Los Angeles.

The interior of the restaurant, which was decorated by Framework, is anything but Dutch and the atmosphere here is of a level of hospitality that I normally only see abroad.

The restaurant is decorated in natural colors with an exciting combination of light and dark, creating a different atmosphere in different corners of the restaurant. My favorite place for a date with just the two of us is at the bar where you have a view of the kitchen. There, the team prepares the most delicious bites right in front of you on an open fire. Instant inspiration for what you would like to order yourself!

© Your Little Black Book

© Your Little Black Book

Menu X Nela Amsterdam

Restaurant Nela Amsterdam works with a shared dining concept and the menu is therefore full of tasty dishes to share. Expect dishes such as steak tartare with langoustine and raw sea bass from the ‘raw and cured’ selection of the menu. But also lots of vegetable dishes and even pizza from the open fire. In addition, a wide choice of delicious fish and meat dishes, which sometimes makes it quite difficult to choose from the extensive menu. From our place at the bar it quickly became clear to me: the ingredients here are of high quality and you can taste that in everything!

© Your Little Black Book

Live fire cooking at Nela in Amsterdam

It is clear that Nela in Amsterdam is a Valhalla for a culinary and entertaining night out. The two chefs who set up the restaurant, Hari Shetty and Ori Geller (known from Nobu and Izakaya, among others), make almost all dishes with ‘live fire cooking’. As soon as you enter, you can’t miss the huge open kitchen with multiple grill stations and ovens full of fire. If you want to see the chefs at work up close, book a place at the Chef’s counter like we did. Especially if it’s just the two of you, I think that’s the nicest place in the whole restaurant!

© Your Little Black Book

Cocktails and drinks at Nela Amsterdam

Nela Amsterdam is also the right place for cocktail or after dinner drinks; with an extensive wine list and signature cocktails. In the middle of the restaurant you will find a large round bar where you can enjoy drinks and bites. What I really liked to see when we were there (not too long after their grand opening) is that it can suddenly get busy later in the evening. Even on a weekday!

The conclusion? We will definitely go back here for another date night if we want to have the feeling of a weekend away in a metropolis but unfortunately still have to go home to the babysitter around midnight ;-)!

PS: scroll down for more photos of restaurant Nela in Amsterdam.

more Amsterdam tips

Amsterdam Bucketlist & Things to Do
(DIGITAL) ART EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fabrique des Lumières
⋙ NXT Museum
⋙ STRAAT street art museum
⋙ MOCO Museum for street and modern art
⋙ Amaze, an audiovisual labyrint
FOOD EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Food Tasting Tour of Jordaan area
⋙ Albert Cuyp Market Food Tour
⋙ Sightseeing Boat Cruise with unlimited drinks
⋙ Pancake Cruise
⋙ Micro Brewery Beer Tasting Tour
BEST BIKE TOURS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fatbike e-bike tour (also to Amsterdam North)
⋙ Rent a bike by yourself and explore like a local
⋙ Outside of Amsterdam: windmills & Zaanse Schans
⋙ 3 hour biketour: backstreets & hidden gems
FIRST TIME VISIT TO AMSTERDAM – MUST SEE & DO’S:
⋙ Private Canal Boat Tour
⋙ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
⋙ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
⋙ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
⋙ Canal Cruise in the evening
INSTAGRAM MUSEUMS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
⋙ Youseum
⋙ The Upside Down
DAY TRIPS FROM AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
⋙ Drive-it-Yourself Tulip Fields GPS Audio Tour
⋙ Catch a direct train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Brussels, London or Paris, starting at € 20,-! Check tickets & prices >>
AMSTERDAM WITH KIDS:
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
⋙ Go an a bike tour with the kids 
⋙ NEMO Science Museum
SPIRNG / SUMMER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Paddle board tour on the canals
⋙ Go for a kayak-tour in Amsterdam
FALL / WINTER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival bike tour 

| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>

Our favourite hotels in Amsterdam:
TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Pillows Maurits at the Park: this newly opened hotel is all about luxury.
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: recently renovated, this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
☾ W Amsterdam: with lively restaurants and a posh rooftop bar with swimming pool.
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals with great all day bar.
☾ Hotel Jakarta: the most sustainable hotel ánd great value for money with a spa.
☾ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
☾ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam from the North side.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Hotel Dwars: small scale and around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
☾ Hotel Mercier: pretty new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city by MGallery.
☾ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel with restaurant in Amsterdam West.
☾ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
☾ Ruby Emma: eco design hotel with a great skybar near Amstel station.
AFFORDABLE (FOR AMSTERDAM PRICES) // €
☾ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
☾ The Social Hub budget proof in trendy East district close tho the subway.
☾ Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
☾ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
☾ Motel One: budget design hotel with several locations in Amsterdam.

More photos of dinner at Nela Amsterdam

© Your Little Black Book

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Let’s get social

I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb and @yourlbb.amsterdam you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.

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