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Pesca

4.5 (101 reviews)
ModerateSeafood
Open 6:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Pesca Photos

PESCA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Pesca

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Reviews With Photos

Samantha Z.

I visited Pesca during my husband and I's first trip to Amsterdam, and to this day I still think about it often. I've traveled quite a bit around the world, and by far this is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. From the moment you arrive, you are greeted by a wall of fresh seafood displayed on ice, almost like a fish market. You get to hand-select your seafood and then choose how you want it cooked, which makes the whole experience so interactive and fun. We ordered prawns that were perfectly cooked and full of flavor, and the oysters were some of the best I have ever had in my life, creamy, fresh, and topped with unique Asian-inspired garnishes I had never tried before. But the highlight of our meal was the fish cooked on the Green Egg. Honestly, when it first arrived, I didn't even take a picture because it wasn't the most eye-catching dish. But one bite completely changed my mind, it was smoky, tender, flavorful, fresh, and absolutely unforgettable. The service was wonderful, the drinks were excellent, and the entire experience was memorable from start to finish. I often joke that I would fly back to Amsterdam just to eat at Pesca again, and honestly, I think I would.

take home ice cream!
Thuy Dan T.

We had a very excellent meal here! The decor and theme of the place alone is worth a visit. It's fresh seafood but displayed in a 'movie theater' type of way and your show is the meal. The bathroom is even decorated in the theater style so be sure to stop in there too! We had a large group of 10 so they had created a tasting menu for us. The starter bread was delicious (but beware that if they offer you more and you say yes, it is an extra charge). The seafood was incredible! Started with raw courses with oysters, a tuna ceviche, and salmon/ikura - all were so good and the sauces accompaniments were amazing. Cooked/fried options were calamari sticks, salmon (cut in triangles), and then 2 grilled fish prepared a classic salt/lemon and in a red sauce. Sides we got perfectly fried thick cut fries, butter lettuce salad with edamame, and bruleed eggplant with ricotta and pomegranate (a little to sweet for me). Water is a little confusing in Europe too where they ask for still or sparkling, and is not free. You have to explicitly ask for tap water (another surprise on the final bill). You leave with getting to pick a mini ice cream pint to take home, which is a great touch! All of this food plus some cocktails for a group of 8 was about $75 per person. Stuffed and satisfied. A must when visiting Amsterdam.

Sishi L.

Love it. The food taste, quality, service and decoration. No menu, pick any seafood you want from the seafood market, the chef will do the magic cooking for you.

Our adorable fish connoisseur. I think his name was Jacob. .
Gina M.

Loved this restaurant! It started by choosing your fish, and we had the most adorable kid explain everything to us so we could get just what we would like. The food was delicious, and the whole experience was just so fun. I really appreciated the fresh fish selection.

Dining room
Kirk F.

Excellent fish, and a fun and unique atmosphere. Everyone who helped us was fun and all-in on the idea this is a fun dining experience. Everything is high energy!

Making our selections
LeChele P.

This place was worth the flight from the U.S. to the Netherlands! The setup at Pesca is both inviting and invigorating! You enter the stage and make your seafood selections. While they send those to the kitchen, you select your sides and beverages. Everything is top notch from the cuts of fish to the wine pairings. Once all sections are made you are seated and can "watch the show" of your meal being prepared. Every team member we encountered was jovial and helpful! Every morsel of food brought to our table was delight for the tastebuds! So fresh, so flavorful! This is a high recommend and I legit can not wait to take my next trip to Amsterdam...I will forever be a fan of this place!

Crusted Whole Monk Fish  in Thai Saice
Lily H.

Oh so extraordinarily satisfying big feast of my selected fresh seafood for dinner even I am by myself first time in Amsterdam! Superior service assisting in selecting your desired seafood & wine ! Attentive service throughout and cool vibe ! Crusted whole monk fish in Thai sauce Juicy Scallop Coconut lime Foam Grilled Giant Prawns Crispy yet moist Soft shell crab You shouldn't miss this Theatre of Fish!

Prawns
Irene B.

We booked this place when we got a recommendation from a boat tour guide. Never been so it was a new experience for us. I would describe it more like a "show" and not a normal restaurant. When you arrive, you have to look at the seafood selection and start choosing what you want to eat. While we are both adventurous eaters with no dietary restrictions, we felt it would have been nice to know what we would be getting based on our choices. So it's really up to the restaurant what you end up getting... then they push you to the wine/drinks area where you choose what you want to drink. And then, they seat you. Once we were seated, it was really strange that no wait staff talked to us and we just waited for food. We forgot to order water and it took forever to flag someone down. When we got our dishes (grilled fish, prawns, veggie sides, French fries), the wait staff dropped it off and left us again. We finished dinner and were told to pay up front. Ambiance was nice and service was lacking. Also would have liked to know how each seafood would be prepared as we probably would have chosen some other options that we saw at other tables near us. The dishes we got were cooked well but just nothing impressive and somewhat bland. Not really into this concept so will not be returning.

Fresh fish
Ti N.

Good service and fresh food. A little bit crowded, but this restaurant looks really nice

Gamba
Ash Y.

Unique experience. Highly recommend. Food is fantastic and you can tell ingredients are high quality and fish is very fresh. Service is great as well.

The fish "market" and our personal fish monger
Marc G.

Pesca is a pretty participatory dining experience. You enter and are shuttled over to the "fish market" section of the restaurant where you select the seafood items you want the kitchen to cook for your dinner. Each protein has a different prep/sauce, and the fishmonger will tell you about each one. We selected 3 extra large gambas which were roasted and served with pesto sauce; 4 plump sea scallops to be pan seared and served with beurre blanc, a soft shell crab to be flash fried, a whole sea bass to be plainly wood grilled with salt and lemon, and a green salad and fries (served with the ubiquitous mayo). Then, off to the wine seller/cellar, where we picked a top of the line Chassagne-Montrachet for a pretty reasonable 124 euros. We were let to our table with the wine and a bottle of still water in an ice bucket. The waiter brought us a small loaf of freshly baked bread with butter that we were sure had some seaweed in it; an auspicious start. The shrimp were outrageously good; plump, sweet, and perfectly cooked. The scallops less so; they were very overcooked; we mentioned that to the waiter and they were promptly taken off the bill. The crab came and was great; crisp, greaseless, and served with a wonderful curry mayo. The fish itself was magnificent; fresh, flaky, perfectly cooked, with just a hint of woodsmoke. The fries were excellent, served with rich mayonaisse,, and the green salad was bountiful, fresh, and well dressed. The bill (taking into account the reduction for the scallops) was 195 euro, and 125 of that was the Grand Cru Montrachet we ordered. Highly recommended for seafood and a great atmosphere in Amsterdam.

Santee L.

Glad we tried to place before leaving Amsterdam. DH and I love seafood; so, seafood restaurants are always on our list to visit on our travels. This place did not disappoint. Every food served had robust flavors. It was like dining in a very expensive restaurant in US without the price. All our order was less than $300. Don't hesitate to try this place when in Amsterdam!!!

Michael J.

Such a great and unique experience where there is no menu provided only verbal communication. Fish that is mostly caught locally and made on the spot in an environment that is conducive for groups all the way down to a single party.

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Pesca Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Pesca

From the moment you arrive, you are greeted by a wall of fresh seafood displayed on ice, almost like a fish market.

Mentioned in 14 reviews

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The Seafood Bar - Exquisite seafood.

The Seafood Bar

(273 reviews)

€€€

Museumkwartier, Zuid

What a fulfilling way to spend what was supposed to be a full day that unexpectedly turned into…read morejust five hours in Amsterdam. We had originally booked the Damrak 213 location but had to cancel due to a flight delay. Determined to make the most of our short time before heading to Paris the next morning, I chose this location because it was close to the areas we wanted to explore after dinner -- and I'm so glad I did. After reading on their website that they keep tables available for walk-ins at most locations, we decided to try our luck. As soon as my best friend and I walked in, we were not disappointed. The ambiance felt right immediately -- warm, inviting, and full of good energy. There was little to no wait, and the fresh seafood display at the front looked incredible. Vanessa was our lovely server and truly a whole vibe throughout the evening. She, along with "Mr. Champion," gave us great suggestions on where to walk and explore next -- and we absolutely took their advice. I love a menu where you can order and split a little bit of everything with a friend, and every single dish was perfection. The shrimp croquettes, king prawns, asparagus, roasted carrots, and fish and chips (kibbeling) were all served hot, fresh, and packed with flavor at a very reasonable price. The kitchen was run by a Black chef who was clearly putting in serious work and completely understanding the assignment. I wanted to personally commend him, but he was fully locked in and busy creating magic. Even the espresso martini stood out -- easily one of the best I've had. Great, relatable conversations, amazing food, and the evening ended on a sweet note with a complimentary lemon crème brûlée served with sparkles. This spot is truly a neighborhood gem. I'm so glad we chose this location -- it turned a rushed travel day into a memorable night dining with some true champions. We can't wait to return with more time to fully enjoy the experience.

Honestly, I'm surprised this place has so many great reviews because my experience was completely…read morethe opposite. When I walked in, there was only one person at the entrance, and I was completely ignored. A family ahead of me was immediately seated, but I had to wait and try to get someone's attention--it took quite a while. I was finally seated at the bar, which was fine since I was alone, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was an inconvenience. Everything, from getting a drink to ordering food, felt like a struggle, and the staff didn't make me feel welcome at all. The food was okay--I've had better--but the overall experience left me feeling unwelcome, and I couldn't wait to leave. I'm genuinely surprised by the high reviews, because I felt quite the opposite. I'm not sure I'd recommend this place or come back

Rob Wigboldus Vishandel - Fresh herring sandwich

Rob Wigboldus Vishandel

(15 reviews)

Centrum

This place was recommended in an article that I read about things to do/try in Amsterdam. On our…read morefirst morning in the city, our walking tour guide also recommended it saying if there was one "Dutch" food to try, herring was it! Not only that, he said it was the time of year for fresh, great tasting herring. So after building up an appetite during our tour, we walked straight to Rob Wigboldus Vishandel. At the counter, I asked for a menu but the friendly older gentleman (possibly the owner) replied saying we probably wanted the herring sandwich, so we went with his suggestion. It's a very small place - we were lucky to grab a table while we waited. It didn't take long though, the sandwiches are very simply made: fresh herring, chopped onions, and pickles. That's it. I'm not going to lie, I was not expecting to really like this fishy sandwich, but when in Rome ... And guess what? It was delicious! Herring is naturally oily and mild-tasting! It was very inexpensive, too! I wish we had more time to go back while we were in town.

It's exactly what I expected! As a tourist I heard about the famous local herring and had to try…read moresome. Sandwiches were the way to go according to the locals, so this was it. It was close to my hotel and centrally located downtown Amsterdam. No line, they took credit card and the guys were very friendly! Only gave it 4 stars because I was a big fan of the sandwich but that is personal taste / choice. If you're in town you gotta try one and this is as good as it gets!

Frens Haringhandel

Frens Haringhandel

(62 reviews)

Centrum

This place is ALL OVER social media, but is it worth the hype? Absolutely…read more We stopped here in October 2025, after an already filling late lunch. But we knew we had to try it, and life is short. It is a tiny stand located along a central canal in the heart of the city. Business is hopping here. We got the picked herring and kibbeling, which are the main staples here. The pickled herring was, well, something you either love or don't. It has somewhat of a gelatinous texture that can be off-putting, but when you take a bite with the sides of sweet pickles and onions, it shines. The Kibbeling was out of this world. Perfectly fried with a crunchy batter that had a hint of, hmmm, curry, maybe. It was amazing. Although the batter was thick and tasty, it didn't outdo the delicious cod. The staff here was friendly, and having this Dutch food along a canal in Amsterdam made for a memorable experience. There are plenty of places to sit near the stand - enjoy this tasty food and watch the world go by.

Street food in Amsterdam, does it get any better? There were three street foods I wanted to try…read morewhen visiting. Herring was on the top of the list. Most herring I had eaten was Swedish herring or "sill" usually prepared in a pickled solution. We returned to this stand, located near the Bloemenmarkt, across from UNIQLO. It was quite a popular area, located on a bend over a canal with trams and trolleys rolling by. The line on the two days we were there wasn't long and waited less than 5 minutes both times to place our order. The first stop I bought one order of herring with pickles, onion and the "Nederlandse vlag." We returned two days later and purchased another order of the herring and a herring sandwich with the herring served on a simple white roll with onion and pickles. Both were excellent. Didn't sample the fried cod, eel sandwich or the mackerel. Would I return? Without a doubt! While we had some excellent food in Amsterdam, Frens topped my list as a must visit stand when walking around Amsterdam!

Mr. Crab

Mr. Crab

(18 reviews)

€€€

Centrum

We went to Amsterdam for just two days, so we wanted something "special" for dinner. Since…read moreAmsterdam is near the sea, we thought that fish should be a good idea - and so "Mr. Crab" sounded just right. They absolutely did not disappoint - everything we ordered was fresh, very well seasoned and prepared masterly. Perfectly grilled tuna steak, fresh shrimps, very tasty oysters and lots more. The staff is very friendly and every conversation was sincerely heartfelt. On our next trip to Amsterdam, we'll certainly visit Mr. Crab again! And so should you, if you're looking for great seafood.

My friend and I went to eat at the Mr. Crab location Zuidas Amsterdam on friday 23-08-2019…read more We ate the soft shell crab burger, onion rings and shrimp croquettes. OUR FOOD WAS HORRIBLE! Too much oil! Right after dinner we felt a bit off and we mentioned to the restaurant manager we didn't like the food. His response was "well, you can go and pay now!". Not to our surprise, the next day we were both sick! Vomitting and diarrhea! So we called the restaurant and the same manager told us that he didn't believe us because their burger is the ranked the number one burger in town. He continued telling us we need proof that it was this burger that made us sick and therefore we needed to get a medical statement from our doctor to serve as proof. Not only is the food bad but the customer service is nowhere to be found! As we sat at the restaurants there were two ladies complaining as well (they had the same complaints: too much oil). However, they got offered a free dessert. Through this whole conflict, the manager did not once offered a solution for our complaints. As he just continued to treat us poorly. We want our money back! To conclude, DO NOT EAT AT MR. CRAB!

Pesca - seafood - Updated May 2026

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