D’Vijff Vlieghen: one of Amsterdam’s oldest restaurants.
By Seger Abels
Spuistraat 294-302, 1012 VX, Amsterdam, Netherlands
BOOK NOWAs a local, there are some restaurants in your own city that you will never visit. Reason unknown. Perhaps they just feel like they’re ‘not for you.’ d’Vijff Vlieghen might be a place in that category. It’s located in the city centre, but not in the ‘annoying’ part. Yes, it’s next to a hotel, but it’s not a hotel restaurant. This article/review is a sincere plea for everyone to visit this unique restaurant at least once.
The restaurant consists of several dining areas, each with its own character and unique collection of antique objects. Think Delft Blue tiles from the 17th and 18th centuries, gold-plated leather from the 17th and 19th centuries, and an amazing collection of very old prints in ‘The Print Room.’ I mean, come on, this isn’t your average restaurant. It’s easy to see why people often refer to d’Vijff Vlieghen as a culinary museum.
In honour of the Dutch Masters, the head chef works with seasonal Dutch ingredients only. At d’Vijff Vlieghen, they take great pride in the beautiful ingredients our country has to offer, and truly showcase this in the menu. Speaking of the menu: dining à la carte is perfectly possible, but we recommend opting for one of the set menus, where the chef has all the room to showcase his creativity. A great example of this creativity is their take on the traditional ‘Huzaren salade’. A dish (veal, egg, Amsterdam-style pickle, brioche) that every Dutch household will know, but certainly not in the elaborate and luxurious way it’s served here. It’s a true fusion of old and new.
The restaurant spans multiple old canal houses, and it’s a warm tip to explore a bit when dining here. Every new room and corner holds new secrets in store, and we absolutely loved discussing the history with the staff (something they’re more than willing to do). During our meal, it almost felt like we had a private restaurant, as we were tucked away in a cosy corner. However, our waiter informed us that at that very moment, over 200 guests were enjoying their meals.
d’Vijff Vlieghen has been a popular restaurant for quite some time, and it’s fun to realise that some famous people have sat in the same chairs as you. From Walt Disney and Henry Ford to Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen.
d’Vijff Vlieghen
The Place: 17th-century galore.
The Space: A culinary museum.
The Base: €100-125 pp
The Face: Mainly tourists who appreciate good food and history.
The Ace: Take some time to explore the restaurant; the different areas are a sight to see.
The Veg: The veg offerings are just as tasty.
Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 17:30-22:00.
Images from vijffvlieghen.nl, d’Vijff Vlieghen
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