Vegan fine dining at Bonboon

BonBoon in Amsterdam’s Jordaan district, formerly the ‘Ons Huis’ community centre founded by Hélène Mercier, blends historic charm with modern Regency design. Art Deco touches, velvets, and unique artworks fill the space. Inside, you’ll also find the elegant vegan restaurant, BonBoon.

Being vegan can conjure up a myriad of responses, ranging from scepticism (“But you eat fish, right?”) to concern (“Do you get enough protein?”). This lifestyle choice often sparks passionate debates, piques curiosity in those unfamiliar with plant-based cuisine, and can even inspire a complete lifestyle shift. This is where the team at BonBoon literally steps up to the plate and debunks the myths. In fact, if there were a Vegan Vogue magazine, BonBoon would probably end up on the cover.

The first thing I love about BonBoon is that there is no à la carte menu. Simply four or five courses paired with wine or tea. Take the five-course menu paired with wine! This way, you’ll not only enjoy debunking the vegan stereotypes of bland food but also thoughtful pairings, with wines like a crisp Riesling from Germany, a smooth Palomino from Spain, and a bold Mondeuse from France. Alternatively, you can opt for tea pairings, such as Dong Ding from Taiwan, Da Hong Pao from China, Satemwa True Black from Malawi, Sichuan Green Orchid from China, or a delicate White Darjeeling from India.

The second thing I love is… No smears, drizzles, or drips on the plates, and not a chunk of fake meat in sight. The culinary team knows you’re here to eat and not stare at the plates. The fermented cauliflower croquettes arrive with a silken peak of tangy chive mayo, balanced with a crunchy cauliflower and apple salad, and a dusting of chipotle. Up next is the grilled mushroom trio: chanterelles, shiitakes, and enokis, glazed to perfection with portobello sauce, on a luscious pool of sunflower seed crème. Who knew sunflower seeds could whip up so creamy? The perfect dip for the porcini-dusted flatbread that sits alongside.

The main event is all about the smoked cabbage with seaweed shio koji. Now, here’s where BonBoon goes to the next level. Shio koji is a Japanese marinade made from fermented rice (koji), water, and salt. It’s the secret weapon that tenderises and boosts flavour, adding a subtle umami punch to whatever it touches. Add fermented tomato chimichurri, nori, coriander seed gomasio, and another one of those luscious wells of sauce—this time, whipped tahini.

For dessert lovers, you can enjoy not just one, but also a pre-dessert: a crepe made from chestnut flour with sweet pear and orange blossom jelly, wrapped up with smoked soy ricotta and hazelnut. The final dessert (obviously no cheese board) is the frappe with coffee, corn, vanilla cream, and orange. I thought it might be inspired by Greek frappé coffee, but it turned out to be a light, crispy pastry, fried and coated with sugar crystals. The sweet endings are even more enjoyable accompanied by a fragrant Gewürztraminer from France and a sweet Moscatel from Spain.

BonBoon is setting the benchmark high in the culinary world—and the fact that they’re doing all this with only plants is something I applaud. Next time, I’ll mix up the wine with the tea. That sounds like a nice balance.

Bonboon

The Place: Set off a side street of Prinsengracht, BonBoon’s cosy yet chic vibe is just as important as the food. Think low-lit, intimate, and perfect for impressing your date—or even just yourself.
The Space: It’s minimalist but warm, with just enough cool factor in the artwork to feel upscale without the pretension. This is a…. take your time, enjoy the wine pairings, and savour each bite… kind of place. 
The Base: At around €55 for a four-course tasting menu (with wine and tea pairings extra), BonBoon sits comfortably in the mid-range for a fine dining experience in Amsterdam. 
The Face: BonBoon attracts a laid-back, diverse crowd. You’ll find everything from stylish Amsterdam locals to foodies visiting from abroad, all drawn to the creativity of the plant-based menu.
The Ace: The menu changes with the seasons, but the creativity? Always at a high. BonBoon is the ace up Amsterdam’s sleeve when it comes to vegan fine dining. Besides dinner, you can also enjoy drinks and/or vegan snacks at the well-appointed hotel bar. Additionally, most menu items can be made nut-free and gluten-free upon request.
The Veg: Everything vegan, all the time.
Opening Times: Wed-Sun 18:00-23:00, Mon-Tues closed

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Images from bonboon.nl, Bonboon

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Neil Roake

From founding a collective clothing brand to crafting boutique hotel experiences and game lodge menus, and with 8 cookbooks under his belt, Neil’s creativity knows few boundaries.

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