RESTAURANT VINKELES: A CULINARY LANDMARK IN AMSTERDAM
words NATALIE GAL
We are proud to present VINKELES, one of the finest restaurants in our beloved city. Alongside the grand, historic houses of the Keizersgracht lies this contemporary restaurant, celebrated for its elegant craftsmanship. The building itself, like all canal houses, holds layers of history waiting to be discovered. Once a poorhouse bakery, it became part of the city’s charitable offices after the fire of 1772. And even earlier, in 1638, the site was home to Amsterdam’s very first theatre.
Executive Chef JURGEN VAN DER ZALM leads a kitchen deeply inspired by ingredients of exceptional quality. According to him: “Seasonality alone is not enough. I search for that fleeting moment within the season when an ingredient reaches its true peak. Sometimes it lasts no longer than a week, and that is exactly when it deserves to be celebrated on the plate.”
On the chef’s menu you will find dishes such as Breton oysters with sea urchin, beurre blanc and Osetra caviar, or king crab with beurre noisette, fennel pollen and fig leaf. There is also a Japanese touch: the hamachi with “conference” pear, yuzu, Tomasu soy, black olive and wasabi is a true highlight. Another standout was the pigeon “au sang” with rose and sour cherry, while the Kumato tomato, a savoury dessert crafted for those less inclined to sweets, delivered an unexpected twist. When it comes to drinks, a highlight was the Ayala Champagne, a beautiful chardonnay-based blend that perfectly accompanied both the meal and the setting.
The interior carries a moody elegance, inviting you to settle in and feel at ease. This restaurant is the perfect place to experience quintessential Dutch gezelligheid, making you feel welcomed with genuine, personal service. We recommend this place to visitors who want to experience Amsterdam’s culture at its best: the warmth, the care, the surprises and the distinctive fusion of influences that gives Vinkeles its true Amsterdam touch.
