As summer approaches and more and more visitors come to Amsterdam, the question about where to find the best rijsttafel in Amsterdam comes up frequently. I’m always torn as to what to recommend. On the one hand I understand the urge to try to typical local food. And for Amsterdam and the Netherlands the rijsttafel, originally imported from Indonesia, does top the list. On the other hand, I often walk away disappointed having been served what comes down to an exotic yet average buffet.
Recently, Restaurant Blauw on Amstelveenseweg, has become my go to place for Indonesian and they do serve a good rijsttafel in a clean, modern setting.
Blauw is located off the beaten path, on Amstelveenseweg, just off the far end of Vondelpark. Alongside other newcomers like Sophia, Umoja or Sucre it caters to a slightly hip crowd. It opened a few years ago as a branch of the popular Blauw in Utrecht. The interior is modern, dominated by black and red colors, and nicely split across three levels to make it feel smaller.
While the ambiance is modern, the menu is traditional Indonesian. Next to the rijsttafel, Blauw serves Saté Ayam (chicken satay), Gado Gado (veggies with peanut sauce), Daging Rendang (slow cooked beef) and other Indonesian classics. Prices are not cheap – the rijsttafel for example is € 29,50 and wines start at € 20,= per bottle. Service, as unfortunately in many places in Amsterdam, can be on or off.
Restaurant Blauw – www.restaurantblauw.nl
Amstelveenseweg 158-160
1075 XN AMSTERDAM
Tel.: +31 (0)20 6755000
Public transport: Tram 2 / bus 15 to Amstelveenseweg or tram 1 to Overtoomsesluis
Taste of Amsterdam is part of a world-wide series of food events that celebrate fine dining in major cities. The formula is to provide visitors with an opportunity to sample small portions of the signature dishes of prestigious local restaurants. Michelin star decorated Ron Blaauw and Aan de Poel will participate amongst a group of 18 restaurants. Guests will need to buy € 15 tickets to attend the events and can then taste samples from different chefs for somewhere around € 4 to 9.
The Over Het IJ Festival is a theater festival on NDSM wharf in Amsterdam North, across the water behind Central Station. There is an extensive program with a focus on performances by younger talent. There also are nice food options for in between, including caterers “One for the Road” or the pancake boat. You may also enjoy a trip to neighboring Noorderlicht Cafe, spectacularly housed in a cool glass hangar and sporting a hip vibe.
De Parade is another theater festival with a strong food focus. The atmosphere is very much cabaret and circus, with all performances held in large tents around the main area of restaurants, bars and ticket sales. It’s a traveling festival that starts in Rotterdam mid June, moves on to The Hague and Utrecht and ends in Amsterdam from 6 to 22 August. Expect comedy, song and dance and other quirky shows such as the popular silent disco. And enjoy food and drinks from the Tacobar, wood oven pizzeria Fuoco e Desiderio or organic eatery La Rana. Tickets are € 7, excluding food, drinks and performances.