purnama amsterdam

Amsterdam

Purnama, Amsterdam East: the first Indonesian restaurant in the Javastraat

6 June 2024
Photo credit: © purnama amsterdam

On the Javastraat in Amsterdam East, you can find almost everything: Eastern supermarkets, brown cafes, takeaways, coffee shops, trendy cocktail bars, mezze restaurants, fresh bakeries, and so on. What had been missing until recently was an Indonesian restaurant. Thankfully, the newly revamped Purnama changed that for good.

introducing: this is Purnama Amsterdam

Co-owner Saifudin Sulaeman has been working in the hospitality industry for over twenty years, and owning his own place was his long-cherished dream. It came true last year when Purnama opened its doors on the Javastraat in Amsterdam. He doesn’t cook himself, but he has a keen sense of what tastes good. This has resulted in a cozy place with an excellent kitchen where you’ll want to linger. This is often lacking in Indonesian restaurants: you come to eat and then leave. Contrary to Sulaeman’s expectations, guests stay longer and even order another drink after eating. We guess this is for several reasons: when you’ve eaten well, you don’t want to go home immediately. Also, the interior plays a part: the colorful walls and abundant plants create a cozy atmosphere, and the staff is almost un-Amsterdam friendly.

purnama amsterdam

© purnama amsterdam

everything about the Menu at Purnama Amsterdam

The menu at Purnama Amsterdam is classic Indonesian. The rendang, nasi padang, sate ayam, and lumpia sayur are favorites among connoisseurs. The spekkoek is also a must-try dish on the menu, and for the pisang penyet (fried banana with chocolate), you’ll definitely want to step out.

Their mocktail menu is more extensive than that of the average Amsterdam establishment. With a shirley temple, cucumber sour, blackberry smoke, and virgin mojito, teetotalers are well-catered for. But those who do enjoy a drink will be pleased with the extensive cocktail menu and the modest wine list. The latter proves that a simple selection can suffice. Plenty of reasons to head to Amsterdam East, then. And Purnama is the place to be.

more Amsterdam tips

purnama amsterdam

© purnama amsterdam

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.

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

Purnama Amsterdam

Javastraat 55-H

Amsterdam (Amsterdam East)
purnamaamsterdam.nl
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Emma

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