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    Izakaya

    3.8 (75 reviews)
    PriceyJapanese, Asian Fusion, Lounges
    Open 12:00 pm - 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

    Izakaya Photos

    IZAKAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Trendy
    Dressy
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Izakaya

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    Appetizers

    The Netherlands isn't exactly known for their food. We stumbled across this place on our way back to our hotel and the food was ok. I really enjoyed the appetizers but the entree wasn't my favorite. The staff were also not that friendly.

    Amazing fresh sushi and sashimi
    Neluta G.

    As good as it gets for sushi. They do not serve any soy sauce or ginger until needed to be served. The sashimi was light, fresh and perfectly seasoned. The tempura items had a light tempura batter and cooked to perfection. Server very knowledgeable of wines and provided great service. A nice sushi experience in Amsterdam.

    Luis G.

    My new fave in town. Great sushi. The fish temperature and rice is perfect. I recommend for slow eaters to order 2 dishes at the time because they are very fast and it feels like they are rushing you thru the meal, but they're not. Everything in the menu is amazing

    chilean sea bass tempura with amazu ponzu and chili

    Very low key spot hidden in the hotel to the right. Unbelievable on all dishes, missed pics of most food as it was so good. Must try, must have res

    Place is hopping.
    Luke T.

    How about that, an Izakaya in the middle of Amsterdam. An izakaya is a japanese tapas bar. Think tapas but japanese food. As with tapas, the drinks is a must and this place is well stocked. I enjoyed a few of their Japanese whisky. Sake selection seems to be limited. Most local were drinking wine and champagne. Its dressy, and the crowds look great. Reservation is a must, unless you come early and sit at the bar, which I did and I think that was the best seat in the house. Eye candy galore. I ate whatever the server recommended. The star was a razor clam sashimi with white asparagus with some white awesome sauce. Portions were smallish, so it went quick. Also in season were their white asparagus, which came with shitake mushrooms.. also fantastic. The grilled meats were so so.. somehow, it hard to beat US beef. Pricey it is, but very entertaining and a good place to spend some time picking thru small plate, drinking fine whisky and people watch.

    AJ A.

    Let me start by saying that most of the bite size dishes are good, nay, excellent, especially in terms of execution. Now I will let my OCD rant a bit. This restaurant is called "Izakaya". Now, in Japan "izakaya" is a usually small bar/pub, pretty much like any other small bar/pub in the world where you go in the evening hours to punish your liver and synapses. The only (huge) difference is that at an izakaya you don't get nuts with your beer (or sake) but instead you get charbroiled bite sizes of heavenly goodness at ridonkulously cheap prices. The bite sizes are skewered on small and thin wooden skewers and they're called "kushiyaki" which literally translates to "skewered BBQ". The most famous kushiyaki in the west is probably "yakitori"; boneless chicken thigh marinated in teriyaki sauce and grilled while still applying the sauce with a brush while it's on the grill. This mini charcoal grill in a real izakaya is right on the bar, on the bartender's side, with a small fan above it. Now, the restaurant IZAKAYA is everything BUT an izakaya! Talk about building me up before letting me down, with a title like that. But is this a bad thing? If you want cheap and delicious kushiyaki, as you would expect from an izakaya, then yes. But if you have no godforsaken clue what "izakaya" is and it "just" sounds Japanese to you and so other than that you really don't have any specific expectations, then prepare to be wowed by the food here! I'm picky and anal when it comes to Japanese food and so when I was sitting at the bar with a bunch of friends the other night looking around me with dismay and repeating to myself like a bitter old man "this ain't no izakaya", I was pleasantly surprised when we started receiving the first few dishes. I took a bite of some grilled squid, which was the first thing I tried, and I was instantly pissed! I was pissed that it was SOOOO GOOD! I didn't wanna like it but I did. I liked it VERY much! It wasn't overcooked at all and it wasn't undercooked, at all! The seasoning was perfect too and you could still taste the BBQ in it as well which is difficult since it was lying in a bed of juices from the shiitake and asparagus. Perfect execution! The second thing I tried was sashimi! Holy @#$%! It was the first decent sashimi I've tried in months! One of the best in Amsterdam! Nothing like at those Chinese-owned Japanese restaurants... NOTHING! Instead of growing angrier with every dish I tried, I started opening my heart to this inappropriately named restaurant. The lighting is dim and romantic and it was bustling and noisy, which I personally don't mind. The staff was friendly and helpful but not in a fake and patronizing way that makes you feel you're 7 years old and having your birthday at some random family restaurant. Some of the dishes and my virgin drink were a bit boring but that's subjective. I found most of the dishes to be very well executed as I've mentioned before. It's no secret that this place is quite expensive but that's also the vibe and quality they put out.

    Veera T.

    More choices on the brekkie menu, if one doesnt want to have the whole buffet! The restaurant is a bit cold because of the constant opening of the automatic doors. The customer service also failed to satisfy. We ended up not ordering any food so cant say anything about it. Coffee was really good though!

    beef
    Winne C.

    This is my second time here, and we ordered the same way. We handed the menu back to the waiter and said... Surprise is. And what a surprise it was.... Again! The corn fritter was delicious. Perfectly coked and light. The beef would nearly melt inside your mouth! I loved the foie grad dumplings... But I'm a sucker for foie gras. We had the sea bass and it was a hit with the crew. The duck was... Ok. The scallop with mushroom were to die for. So many other dishes I'm losing track. The cappuccino brûlée was better than promised. The other surprise was the bill. 350 euros for 5, and I think we had 3-4 beers on the tab. Hot spot. Make your reservations. They have two sittings. If you don't mind eating late you will not be rushed. On the first seating they will start moving you to the bar around 9pm. Would go again!

    Peter Y.

    Izakaya live up its reputation as a high-end date spot in downtown Amsterdam. My colleagues and I found ourselves a bit out of place when we walked in causally to get our dinner after a long day of work. We were under dressed and didn't have a reservation (on a Saturday). Regardless, the hosts and wait staff were super nice and attentive. They even accommodated us without much of a wait in a full house, which is kinda impressive. The real highlight was its food. It's traditional Japanese izakaya/bar food with a Southern Pacific twist. The combination worked surprisingly well, and the quality of the food was top notch on presentation, taste and freshness. The food price was typical for a high-end joint. Perhaps I am used to fat American portions, I left the joint thinking I can eat a couple more dishes. Oh well, maybe on the next visit.

    Sunday Brunch
    Lisa A.

    Super hip and cool. Sunday brunch is a bit wild for such a small space but if you are in the mood for ultra loud music and people dancing all around while you dine then this is the spot to be Sunday afternoons. Dress to impress. Food is very good. Service was fast and friendly. Junmai Daiginjo saké was wonderful, semi sweet and smooth. Chilean sea bass and duck were delicious. Sashimi is ultra fresh yummy! For me ... I'll be back but for a regular evening meal where I will be able to hear the conversations over the music. ;)

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    6 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Family got food poisoning 12 hrs later on flight home. Beware of raw consumption- especially all pieces of sushi.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The food, service, and ambiance was incredible! I highly recommend going to this spot.

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    12 years ago

    Helpful courteous staff and over zealous chef. Food was interesting and pricey, but fabulously delicious.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Izakaya Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Izakaya

    The three signs are for real, but my dinner was amazing.

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    Super Lyan

    Super Lyan

    4.8(10 reviews)
    2.6 kmCentrum

    I've been to this bar a few times and what really makes the experience is if you have good…read morebartenders. During my favorite visits, the bartenders explain each drink you order as they serve it and tell you the story. Every drink has a story. Sometimes they are busy or not interested and you don't get the story. I wouldn't have noticed that the drink tastes like a salad, and not in the bad way, had the bartender not told me the story. A couple of times I asked if they have merch for sale and one time they had pins which I bought. The next time I came, they were out of both pins and shirts. Bummer. I recommend a visit when you're looking for a cool place in Amsterdam, especially when you are staying at the hotel.

    Super Lyan was a must visit bar based on the videos I watched on YouTube about Amsterdam. The place…read morewas very cool and I received great customer service from the bartenders. The decor was very nice as well. I didn't try any food there. Now it comes to the important part of the review. It's all about the cocktails. I got the Beeswax Old Fashioned(17 Euros).It was very good and a nice twist on an old fashioned. My second drink was the Paradiso Manhattan(17 Euros) and it was a tasty cocktail with something extra. It came with a piece of chocolate that was made with mushroom powder. They paired well together. I can't give it five stars for one reason. The drinks were very good,but they were a little weak. I felt very little to nothing after my second drink. I'm not a big drinker and I have a low tolerance for alcohol. The drinks need to be a little stronger. More of a kick to them. I would still recommend Super Lyan to anyone that has the pleasure of visiting Amsterdam on holiday.

    Photos
    Super Lyan
    Super Lyan
    Super Lyan - Super Lyan's Menu

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    Super Lyan's Menu

    Door 74 - Their speciality cocktail.

    Door 74

    4.4(126 reviews)
    1.3 kmCentrum
    €€€

    Epic bar. Social, open until 3am, and overall a fun time. Unique cocktails that were quite tasty…read morewith various flavors and interesting serving cups. Good for small groups or just at the bar.

    Thanks to Iago from NJoy, we heard about this soeakeasy and decided to check it out. Reservations…read morerecommended. Carlota who answered the doorbell, was able to accommodate us at the bar (our preferred seating anyway). She took our coats, placed them in the coat closet up front and led us inside. Once seated, we were given gorgeous ruby red complimentary aperitif (hibiscus, honey, ginger). The drink menu is interesting, based on the concept of growing up, with more basic tastes to start and more mature complex tastes later on in life. (The drinks are more complex the later in the menu). I ordered the Awake at Last, and my husband ordered the Ruby Stone. Mine was sweet and coffee flavored and his was more tart and sour cherry flavored. When I tried his drink, I immediately felt nostalgic because it reminded me of umeboshi (pickled plum in Japanese food), so we ended up trading drinks. Both were great for supping. Sitting at the bar was fun, watching the bartender at his work. He was silent, focused, skilled, professional. So glad we checked it out! I didn't post pictures of the entrance or inside because I'll leave it to you to discover! (The fun of a speakeasy).

    Photos
    Door 74 - Great drinks and atmosphere!

    Great drinks and atmosphere!

    Door 74
    Door 74

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    Smokey Amsterdam

    Smokey Amsterdam

    3.7(23 reviews)
    1.4 kmCentrum
    €€

    After a late dinner at Coco's Outback, my bf and I decided to for a walk around Rembrandtplein…read moreplaza. Most of the establishments looked pretty quiet and dead except for Smokey and the club next door. Since we weren't in the mood for clubbing, we decided to go to Smokey. The moment we walked in, I noticed that it totally lived up to its namesake and was totally... smokey. Too smokey. It almost seemed like there was a fire going on inside. The place was pretty packed and busy, but we managed to snag a little bar table by the door. It was next to the vending machine for ciggies and under a large clock, so I could keep tabs on exactly what time it was. :) I sat on a high bar stool by the wall, while my bf sat with his back towards the room. It wasn't the best position for him to be in, as people kept bumping into him as they were walking by. He got a beer, and I ordered a mint tea because I didn't feel like drinking any more alcohol. I loved how the mint tea came with tons of fresh mint leaves. Totally awesome. They also gave me a Pickwick English tea bag with it, which I didn't bother to put in, as I didn't want any caffeine so late at night. We left after only one drink, as we were tired and the place was too smokey to hang out for long.

    Don't get the wrong idea, y'allz. I was an OBSERVER, not a participant…read more I've actually put off writing alot of my Amsterdam reviews b/c I don't want my "good girl" image to be tarnished (Hi Mom!). Let's just say I observed certain recreational activities in Amsterdam that I think the world should know about. Amsterdam is brand spankin' new to Yelp, after all. So they need all the reviews they can get. Smokey's is smack in the middle of Rembrandt Square, which is a haven for tourists. The inside resembles an above ground neon-lit cave. Pool tables in the back. Music videos playing on the flat screens. Every time I hear Kid Cudi's "Memories", I think of this place. Everyone stopped what they were doing to sing along :) Tables are communal. Most patrons are college-aged. They have a zig zag vending machine and they sell pre-rolled or bagged product. According to my traveling companion, their merchandise was much more pricey than at neighboring coffee shops (like Rokerij, which is awesome), but since Smokey's is a better hangout spot in a more central location - you pay a bit more. The quality is mediocre, though. I enjoyed a 4 euro pineapple strawberry smoothie at the bar. They don't serve alcohol here though, only smoothies, which I found to be quite common in the coffee shops of Amsterdam. The folks behind the counter were pretty nice folks, too. Overall, I would recommend Smokey's for the younger crowd.

    Photos
    Smokey Amsterdam
    Smokey Amsterdam
    Smokey Amsterdam

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    NJOY - Indoor seating

    NJOY

    4.5(54 reviews)
    1.1 kmCentrum
    €€€

    Thouroughly enjoyed our visit here on April 6. We rang the doorbell and Iago the bartender greeted…read moreus, letting us choose where to sit--we chose the bar because we like getting to know the bartender and watching them do their mixology. We ordered beef bitterballen to try this traditional Dutch comfort food. Meanwhile, my husband ordered their signature cocktail called "Beurre Noisette" old fashioned and I ordered a Dutch Negroni (Negronis are my favorite drink to order wherever I go). Both were delicious! Meanwhile, we chatted with Iago the bartender, and Lily the manager. We learned more about Amsterdam and why so many people come here from elsewhere in Europe to work. Iago was super fun to talk to. He'd lived in Amsterdam for 7 years and It was only his first week here at NJoy. He was skilled as a bartender, being able to mix fabulous cocktails and also hold an interesting conversation at the same time. We'd go back just to be able to talk with him again, such a friendly bartender, very attentive, and professional. The beef bitterballen was so hot we had to wait a bit to try it. It comes with savory mustard that is better than any mustard I've tried before. Not sure why. The bitterballen were crispy fried with beef ragú inside. I'm not a fan myself but am glad I tried it. NJoy is elegant and romantic and cozy. There's another bar downstairs with a disco ball above. It would be fantastic to host a celebration event here. Their cocktails are memorable! Highly recommend!

    Beautifully unique experience. Relaxing atmosphere and delicious drinks. The mixologists are…read morefriendly, and offer great recommendations. Don't miss out.

    Photos
    NJOY - Go up the stairs and ring the doorbell

    Go up the stairs and ring the doorbell

    NJOY - Cool chandelier at entrance

    Cool chandelier at entrance

    NJOY - Downstairs area

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    Downstairs area

    Izakaya - japanese - Updated May 2026

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