One of the most enjoyable trends of the past year has to be the rise of omakase restaurants in Amsterdam. We are all familiar with standard sushi, teppanyaki, and ‘regular’ Japanese restaurants. Less known, but undoubtedly worth it, are omakase restaurants. Omakase – officially omakase shimasu – means in Japanese ‘I leave it up to you’, where you leave the menu choice to the chef. When creating the menu, the chef considers which ingredients are at their best at that moment, as well as the guests’ reactions to the chef and the food. The menu can even change during the dining experience.
At most omakase restaurants in Amsterdam, you sit at a bar in the kitchen or the chef’s table. The intimate setting allows the chef to focus entirely on the food and the guests.
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The best Omakase restaurants in Amsterdam
There are (unfortunately) only a few omakase restaurants in Amsterdam, but they do exist. Most of them serve Japanese cuisine, but there is one notable exception.
Yamazato Restaurant*
For a chic, entirely Japanese evening with an Omakase menu, you must go to Yamazato Restaurant*. As part of the Okura Hotel, the restaurant has a Michelin star, and you will eat exceptionally well here. Set aside your entire evening for the extensive menu, as you will undoubtedly taste the best and freshest fish you have ever eaten here. And that’s something you want to take your time for.
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, Amsterdam, okura.nl/en/dine-and-drink/yamazato-restaurant
© Yamazato, @yamazato.amsterdam
Fuku Ramen
Anyone who thinks you only slurp a bowl of ramen at Fuku Ramen is mistaken. At this place, you can also go for a complete chef’s menu in omakase-style. A great recommendation because not only are the flavours unique here, but everything is also prepared fresh right in front of you.
Ingogostraat 14a, Amsterdam, fukuramenamsterdam.com
More of the best Omakase restaurants in Amsterdam
Shigure
Shigure means ‘time and rain’, but once inside, the sun shines. Since 2020, the restaurant has been serving an omakase menu with classics and ‘forgotten’ traditional Japanese techniques. In short, here you feel as if you are briefly in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Andreas Bonnstraat 36, Amsterdam, shigure.nl
© Shigure, @shigure.ams
Sushi Hanabi
Leidseplein offers more than party cafes and tourist hotspots; it is also where Sushi HANABI is located. Based on the best sushi places in the world, the chefs created their omakase menus.
Leidseplein 10-1, Amsterdam, hanabiamsterdam.com
Até
Under the shadow of the Nine Streets, you’ll find Até (formerly Kit at 384), part of The Dylan Amsterdam. Chef Filip Hanlo gained experience at Noma***, Chez Panisse, Azure 45*, Restaurant Cheval Blanc*** and Le Grand Restaurant** – all awarded one or more Michelin stars. He cooks to the stars and creates dishes with worldly flavours that he summarises in an extensive omakase-style menu.
Keizersgracht 384, Amsterdam, ate-amsterdam.com
© Até, @ate_amsterdam
More of the best Omakase restaurants in Amsterdam
Ikkoku
On Ceintuurbaan in Amsterdam-Zuid, you’ll find Ikkoku, a classic Japanese place where traditional cooking methods are used. And we haven’t even mentioned the unique presentation of the dishes: top-notch Japanese and with the utmost precision.
Ceintuurbaan 246h, Amsterdam, ikkoku.nl
Restaurant Europa
Unlike most traditional omakase restaurants on this list, Restaurant Europa serves an 8-course menu with mainly European influences. The seats are limited, so be sure to reserve in time!
Gedempt Hamerkanaal 81, Amsterdam, europa.rest
© Europa, @europa.rest
Ken Sushi
Ken is of Thai descent and has no background in hospitality. Initially, he was a dancer. During a workshop at Hotel Okura, he became captivated by sushi and changed his career. He studied until he felt good enough and opened his own Ken Sushi. The only choice you make here is the number of courses: 20, 25, or 30 for (approximately) €45, €55, or €75 per person. The courses are served simultaneously for the whole group.
Geldersekade 19, Amsterdam, kensushi.nl
© Ken Sushi, @kensushibar
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.
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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