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Latest update: 16 October 2024
Amsterdam is, of course, full of restaurants. But suppose you want a special dinner, not necessarily with Michelin stars, but definitely a memorable evening. A dining experience. That is possible. Quickly check where you can have a unique dinner in and around Amsterdam.
Vuurtoreneiland: summer and winter restaurant
Vuurtoreneiland has been sold out for years. I went there for the first time in 2016 and again in 2024. And it is still just as trendy. The name Vuurtoreneiland already gives away the location a bit: it means lighthouse island. You take a boat to an island in the Markermeer near Durgerdam, and of course, there is a lighthouse on it.
In spring and summer, you can go to the greenhouse for the summer restaurant; in winter, you can go to the bunker. You’re not just out for dinner: the entire experience lasts about 5 hours. That includes sailing on the historic IJveer XIII. You’ll get a snack on the boat, and there’s also a bar where you can toast to a fun evening.
Please note: you can make a reservation up to three months in advance. New options open in the reservation module every day. But you have to be quick! So make sure you’re ready at 1 p.m. to reserve a date.
Pampus: Zomerlicht and Winterlicht
Actually, it’s a bit of the same idea as Vuurtoreneiland: for Zomerlicht and Winterlicht, you sail to Pampus by boat to have a unique dinner experience on the island. And both Zomerlicht and Winterlicht also sell out in no time. So here, too, you must be on time with your reservation.
I went to a Winterlicht edition and enjoyed it. First, it’s a half hour of sailing and then you’ll get to explore the fortress island. In the corridors of the fort, we are given a welcome drink, and a poet recites her work. Here we also eat the starters, and then we can go to the restaurant to continue the dinner.
And uh… stupid, stupid, stupid. I was having such a good time that I completely forgot to take pictures.
Zacht Staal
Okay, Zacht Staal (Soft Steel) is actually in Beverwijk. But on Thursdays, a yellow American school bus full of restaurant guests leaves from Amsterdam Sloterdijk station. The bus rattles and shakes but brings me safely to the green grounds of Zacht Staal. There is a vineyard,aand vegetable garden ,and we eat in the atmospheric greenhouse.
We already get a glass of cider on the bus, and with the five-course menu, you can decide with each course whether you want a matching wine. To be honest: we have to eat the dessert very quickly to catch the bus. But it is all really delicious, and the atmosphere is so nice at Zacht Staal.
Fruits de Mer pop-up
Fruits de mer in de Wijngaard pops up in the summer. In Wijngaard de Amsteltuin you can take a tour of the vineyard and have a delicious lunch between the vines on weekends. You guessed it: you get a Fruits de Mer platter. But that’s not all! There is a welcome drink, soup, dessert, and, of course, a bottle of wine from the vineyard.
Especially on a sunny day, you feel like you are in France – I do, at least. Unfortunately, we miss out on the wine: the self-made wine is gone! So we get a bottle of Chateau Amsterdam. Also tasty, but secretly we are a bit disappointed, because we happened to be at Chateau Amsterdam last week. But hey, it can happen. Apart from that, everything is taken care of down to the last detail. So I do recommend checking it out if you have the time.
Incidentally, you can go to Wijngaard de Amsteltuin for guided tours all year round, and from May to September, you can also go high-wining. The vineyard is located on the edge of Amstelveen, so you have to jump on your bike from Amsterdam.
More travel inspiration for the Netherlands
Useful links for travel in the Netherlands
- Accommodation. Forever favorites: Booking.com and Campspace. Or try a holiday resort via Roompot. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. Another good option is WithLocals. Try a ‘free’ walking tour with Freetour or GuruWalk, and for bike tours, try Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. Get a 5% discount on museums and attractions via Tiqets with the coupon code KIMOPREIS22.
- Car rental. Compare more prices at Discover Cars and Rental Cars.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Try CheapOair or Expedia.
- Public transport. Use the regular public transport options, or find a bus, train, or other mode of transportation on Busbud or Omio.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel guides. I love the practical travel guides from Lonely Planet, buy them Amazon. I always enjoy seeing my own country through the eyes of foreign visitors.
- Yoga retreat. Or try a yoga retreat in the Netherlands.
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