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Thanks to nearly 350 years of colonization the Netherlands is home to a sizable Indonesian population, and when it comes to Rijsttafel few places are so well regarded as Sampurna right in the heart of Amsterdam along one of the many canals. A low-lit space with religious carvings and tightly packed tables, the upstairs and downstairs separated by a bar, guests with reservations are greeted on time by pleasant staff happy to explain a menu built upon various shared "Rice Tables" plus a collection of a la carte dishes. Fairly priced with 35+ years of history, the "Sate Solo" just €31.50 for six skewers and ten side dishes plus complimentary Rice Crackers, plates designated as "spicy" are quite tame compared to Thai or Szechuan Cuisine, and fans of Sambal will likely love the boiled Egg atop a side of Rice. Busy without a lot of circulating air, the lower level quite warm even without the candles and heated serviceware, Cucumber Salad as well as one of Mangoes prove quite refreshing between tender bites of Meat highlighted by Sauces ranging from Soy to Peanut. Adding dried Coconut for Texture, this plus the Sauce from Goat Skewers perking up fairly basic Noodles, Desserts look interesting but ended up being skipped as a few large parties overwhelmed a single downstairs server leading to a lengthy wait for both the check and more water.
This was noted as a touristy restaurant, likely given its location across from the flower vendors along the canal, but this is a great way to try Indonesian food if you haven't had it before. The restaurant is narrow so this really limits it comfortably to a group of four. If you have four I recommend ordering one of their Rijstaffel, or rice table, dinners. If you order this you get a choice of one of two starters, which each member in your party can choose something different. The Rijstaffel is great because it is a multi-course sampler so that you can try so many things. We really liked everything we got but the surprise favorite for our table was the Sate kambing- a delicious marinated goat skewer. Service was fast and they expect many diners who have not had Indonesian food before.
My experience at this location was somewhat disappointing. The staff was very inattentive and completely ignored us for the first 5-10 minutes of our arrival. Despite us having a 8:30pm reservation and ordering shortly after being seated, we were not served our food until 9:50pm. The food came out cold and rice was severely undercooked. I will say the lamb chops and curried chicken although cold, was very tasty and flavorful. We were seated in the very back near the restrooms, which gave off an unpleasant, no -food smell even though there was ample seating available in the main dining area. We ultimately felt as if we were unwanted guests.
I was surprised to find out that there is a rather large Indonesian community in Amsterdam. For foodies, that means there are lots of opportunities for delicious Indonesian cuisine. I don't think I've really had an authentic Indonesian experience before so there's not much for me to compare to but whether Sampurna is authentic or not, it is very delicious and I highly recommend! Since we had a large party, we made reservations online and large groups have to do their set menus. This is a great way to try a bit of everything, especially if you don't know what to order. The amount of food will be tailored based on your party size. There are different set menus but we went for the slightly more expensive one (Sampurna Rice Table) since we were on vacation. Our friends went on a different day and complained a bit about the service but we didn't experience any issues and the food arrived at a normal pace. My favorites were the Daging blado (braised beef), Ayam mentega (Chicken with a sweet soya sauce), Ikan Bali (Cod fish in a spicy Balinese sambal sauce), and Domba bakar (Grilled lamb chops). I thought Indonesian food was traditionally spicy and I was very worried that I wouldn't be able to handle it. Everything on the set menu was not spicy at all and I'm not sure if that's a step away from tradition or not but I enjoyed it! If anything, a lot of the dishes were a mix of sweet and salty. The side bowls of vegetables and salads were a nice break from the heavy meats too. One of my favorite meals in Amsterdam and if Sampurna is out of your budget, then definitely try to find an Indonesian restaurant during your visit!
Incredible, amazing, delicious food! We got the set meal for two, and every bite was scrumptious. It was a lot of variety, and so much food. The price was reasonable too. Service was excellent, even though the restaurant was very busy with only one server. Our waiter was efficient and kind, even though he had a lot of tables to serve. Ambiance is really nice! I love how the room was decorated. The only mild warning for patrons is the room was very loud and boisterous. It may not be the best setting for an intimate, romantic lunch or dinner. Sampurna is an excellent restaurant to visit for a delicious Indonesian meal!!
One of the main things I was looking forward to while visiting Amsterdam was experiencing Dutch Indonesian food, especially none other than rjastafel. This dish literally translates to rice table in Dutch. It is basically a hodgepodge of various Indonesian dishes that you eat together. In some ways it reminded me of Korean barbecue, not necessarily in terms of flavor, but the concept of eating a variety of things at once. My favorite was the chicken satay and some of the vegetable dishes (This place is Halal so that is a plus for me). me and my friend both enjoyed this place and we were very full afterwards. The price point is ok too (FYI it is per person charge). We came on Thursday afternoon around 2:30 PM and it was fairly empty . That was a relief because I heard this place was not very big and gets crowded. However, I would still make a reservation just in case.
When we found out Amsterdam is known to have amazing Indonesian food, we knew we had to try it for ourselves! I've never had Indonesian food before, so I didn't know what to expect. We made a reservation for our large party of 8. For large groups, you can't order a la carte, so we went with the Sampurna Rice Table set menu. Our chip appetizer and starter dishes came out relatively quickly, but after that we waited around 45 minutes to get the rest of our course. Other tables by us also waited a long time, so it seems like the kitchen was just backed up. We also had a large group so it probably took them a while to prepare everything, so that everything could be brought out and arranged on the table at the same time. I think it would have been nice to get each dish as it was prepared so we would constantly have something to eat, but the wow factor of seeing all the food presented on our table at the same time was pretty cool and definitely a big part of the experience. My favorites included the spicy sauce for the chip appetizer, the skewers and the fried rice. Come hungry because they give a decent amount of food! We weren't too hungry since we had a late lunch, so we did end up with leftovers. It was super stuffy and hot inside when we came in July, so just something to be aware of. We didn't even realize until we got up to leave that there was actually a wall AC unit right next to our table, but it was so hot we didn't even feel it. Overall, delicious food and a cool experience but I'd recommend setting some extra time apart for this since it took longer than expected. I wouldn't mind coming back the next time I'm in Amsterdam, but if we have a large group again I'd probably want to split up so we can do a la carte.
I didn't realize Amsterdam had such a big Indonesian community, and after a few friends did some research on must-go places in the city, we landed on Sampurna. The restaurant is not large, and most seating arrangements are for smaller parties, so I would highly recommend making a reservation in advance! We had a party of 8, and it seemed like the only place that could fit us was in the back of the restaurant. It is quite stuffy inside, and although there is an AC unit/fan blowing, the heat is just overwhelming. It was very busy when we arrived, and continued to be busy throughout our dinner. At first, I thought it was due to our large party that our service was delayed, but it seemed like the kitchen was just extremely backed up as other tables near us also got their food very late. Between the chip snack and starter dish into the main meal, we waited almost 40-50 minutes! That wait combined with the heated environment made us pretty unhappy. When the large food spread arrived, it definitely got better as we were just able to enjoy our meal. Food was pretty tasty, and we even had leftovers to take back to the hotel, where one of our friends said even cold the food was good. Thinking our slow service was just a one off, and hope they continue to get good business.
I came here without a reservation so was told to return in 30 minutes for a possible table opening, and it did. I did have to go inside the restaurant to try get someone's attention for it. Once seated the atmosphere is amazing, clean, with golden light pieces around with clean tables. Lots of locals and tourists, all enjoying delicious food. I got the vegetarian sampler which was delicious! Absolutely loved it. From the spice level on the various dishes to the texture of the different tofu and tempeh and vegetable dishes, it was filling and satisfying all the way around. I don't think there was a single thing I didn't like. I also had a desert drink, which was fun and tasty. Absolutely great intro to Indonesian food! Worth coming
The Indonesian food was out of this world! I highly recommend getting an Amstel beer and the Indonesian tasting menu. You pay per person but it's a sharing family style. They gave us over a dozen different dishes and they were all so amazing! The lamb, shrimp were super! It's a great spot to experience as they bring out many different dishes. A memorable spot!
Good place to try the rijs tafel and other Indonesian dishes. The prices are about 30 euro or more for the rice table. They are very friendly but it's a little slow for American standards. Make sure you make reservations! I saw at least 5 people get turned away walking in and the place was packed at 7 for dinner.
3 years ago
My friend and I walked in on a Sunday around Noon and were able to get seated right away since there was only one other table that was taken at the time. The ambiance is quite nice--not upscale, but the gold made the place feel expensive/elegant in my opinion. It was my first time trying Indonesian food and it was absolutely delicious! My friend and I opted for the set menu so we could try a bunch of dishes at once. Let me tell you, it was the best decision. I also got the tea flight while my friend ordered a wine. I was able to mix and match the loose tea leaves which was nice. Overall, everything w was incredibly flavorful and I'm glad we came. read more
3 years ago
While going through the recommendations for Indonesian cuisine, we came across this highly rated place and thought of giving it a try. Ordering the rice table was our obvious choice after seeking suggestions from the server and also since we could see it on each table! Its hard to describe in words the happiness you feel when they bring that huge and meticulously well laid out platter to your table ( only a true food lover can relate to the butterflies I had in my tummy that time ;)). Each and every item was delicious and the spices were perfect to our taste. The location, ambience, service and specially the food makes this a go-to place if anyone is in mood for engaging themselves in a gastronomical experience. The only flipside that comes to my mind is the price. Only if it was a bit lighter on our pocket, it would have been a true value for money! read more
3 years ago
I really enjoyed my meal here. I wish we had more Indonesian food in the USA. I'm hesitant about tourist traps but I will definitely come back again. Yummy read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
We wanted to try Indonesian cuisine while we were in Amsterdam since we've heard some pretty great things about it. Sampurna was a convenient walk away from our hotel and they were open pretty late while everything seemed to be closed or was closing. It's easy to find as they are located right next to the Bloemenmarkt (floating flower market). We walked into the restaurant and were greeted & seated right away. The restaurant was pretty empty and we had the section all to ourself, perfect! It was my first time trying Indonesian food and I was quite amused that a lot of the menu items were familiar terms used in Filipino languages. Now, I told my husband that I wasn't that hungry, but somehow he managed to order the Rijtafel which is a whole spread of food that took up the entire table. I definitely gave him "the look" but hey we were on our honeymoon and the food came out rather quickly. Not to mention the prices were affordable for the amount of food that we got (A LOT), even in such a touristy area. Everything was laid out so nicely and perfectly organized in several small, shared plates. We had a sampling of a number of dishes and our meal came with little sauces/spices which I wanted to try out first. The first thing that I tried was out of this world spicy (It smelled similar to something used in Filipino cuisine & I am not a big fan of spicy food). I wanted to cry, but my husband had a good laugh! It's hilarious now that I can look back on it, but it wasn't at the time. I learned after that to stick to the more milder flavored dishes which were oh so tasty. Overall, good meal & I would recommend it if you're looking to try Indonesian cuisine and want to have the rice table experience (Rijtafel). Just be prepared for the spiciness. I was not, Lol. read more
4 years ago
Excellent food & service. We were very excited to try Sampurna's extensive menu and it did not disappoint! We ordered a set menu that had multiple proteins and veggies. Everything was delicious & unique. The staff did a great job accommodating the packed house. Best to call ahead for a reservation. We called a couple hours before and we're able to get in easily. read more
4 years ago
Delicious, cozy, good service by an charming server, full of energy. Reservations recommended. read more
2 years ago
Sampurna is a wonderful Indonesian restaurant with scrumptious food in a classy interior, all served by friendly staff. The staple here (and at any Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam) is the "rijsttafel" (rice table), a meal of many dishes all for sampling and sharing. The beef rendang was my favorite, but all of it was delicious. Come hungry! read more
Authentic Indonesian cuisine and really nice rice tables for dinner. Made a reservation for a Tuesday evening for two and when we got there, we were seated right away. Took a little time to get our orders but we placed whatever was on the second page and it was epic. Great experience, good food throughout and delicious tastes. I would recommend this spot for a group or a date - both are fun outings - enjoy! read more
4 years ago
I had 1 evening in Amsterdam and found this gem. This restaurant wasn't too far from the Central Station. The place was packed around 8 pm on a Tuesday night. I ended up having to wait outside for 15-20 minutes but it was well worth the wait. If you're dining on your own and you want to try everything on their menu, they have a great option for you. Lots to eat! The flavors of all of the dishes were so unique and so tasty! My favorites were the goat and beef skewers. So tender and delicious! If I ever pass through town again, I am coming back. read more
7 years ago
4 years ago
So delicious, everything was incredible and spicy and surprising! We really enjoyed the food. My favorite bite of the evening was the lumpia! read more
7 years ago
I've never had Indonesian cuisine before so we were very excited to try it! After much research we settled on Sampurna and we did not regret it! They start you off with these "light as air" rice cracker chips. They were so addicting. We ordered the sampling for 2 so we got to taste a little bit of everything: spring rolls, beef skewers, peanut chicken skewers, pickled veggies, curry veggies, rice, sticky nut rice (my fav), more chicken, fish. The restaurant was romantic and intimate. The decorations were whimsical. The service was so fast. I definitely recommend this place! read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
Ya gotta have Indonesian food in Amsterdam! My friends and I came here for dinner, as we read that Sampurna was one of the best spots for Indonesian food. Plus, while we were at the flower market, we saw that it was just right across from it, so already knew where to find it! I am unfamiliar with Indonesian food, but after having had it at Sampurna, I want to learn and EAT more! We came here without a reservation and fortunately, was able to get seated for the three of us on a weeknight. The space isn't large, as the dining room is split into two rooms and is on the more narrow side. The menus are in both Dutch and English and there's a full bar here. Not knowing anything about Indonesian food, I asked the server what she recommended for someone's first time having it. She recommended the Sate Solo Menu if we all wanted to get something different and not share. The sate solo menu is a great option for someone who wants to try multiple items, but doesn't have anyone to share it with. One of my friends is vegan, so couldn't share any of the meat items and my other friend wanted a different kind of entree. Therefore, the sate solo menu was for me. Before we ordered our main entree, we were provided complimentary chips. The sate solo menu came with Indonesian fried rice, two chicken skewers, two beef skewers, two goat skewers, spicy chicken in a coconut sauce, steamed veggies in a peanut sauce, mango salad, boiled egg in a spicy sauce, beans with bamboo shoots, cucumber salad and coconut with peanuts. Doesn't that sounds amazzzzzing? Well, it was! It's spendy at nearly 30 bucks, but I think it's worth trying if you want to have a little bit of everything. Gosh, what did I love the most? Everything was so tasty and went together very well, with a little bit of sweet, a little bit of sour, a little bit of spice and a little bit of creamy. It's truly the best of all worlds. Of the skewers I liked the goat one the best, as the meat was very tender and flavorful with however it was seasoned. But all of the skewers had a slight grill taste, which added a nice lightness to all the other plates with sauces. The spicy chicken in a coconut sauce was incredible, as the coconut flavor really came out with spice, which is just how I like curries. The steamed veggies in a peanut sauce were crispy and light, and would've even liked them without the peanut sauce. Though, the peanut sauce adds a nice flavor, especially when eaten with a skewer and the fried rice. Mango salad was refreshing, with a nice, chill to it and added sweetness to the palate. Again, all the different taste buds really came through with the solo sate menu. I left full and happy. Indonesian food, I need to eat you again! We all loved our food and Sampurna was definitely one of the best meals I had while in Amsterdam. I loved the various flavors, complementing one another in my meal. I highly recommend the sate solo menu if you don't do family style here. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
We read that we shouldn't leave Amsterdam without trying a rice table. So glad we took that recommendations. The place was packed on a Monday night and was a little loud but honestly I enjoyed the energy. The portions were perfect and the food was fantastic. Must try. read more
While reminiscing over my Europe trip pictures, stumbled across some delicious food pictures and I knew I had to help spread the word on this awesome place. Located near the Flower Market, this cute little restaurant serves one of the besttttt Indonesian food I have ever had (in comparison to the places in the States). Once you enter, the atmosphere is quite nice. From the soft candle lights to the dimly lit interior, this place is ideal for dates or small group get together for its intimate feel. With an upscale fanciness, do expect prices per person to be at least $30+ (USD) if you plan on doing the set courses. For my group of 4, we ordered 2 different sets that came with a variety of dishes. In total, we must have received around 24 tapa like style dishes and man......FOOD COMA ALLLLLL DAY. Each dish was stellar. From the execution of the various meats (lamb/beef/chicken/pork/goat) to the combination of veggies + spices....all the dishes were spot on and I couldn't find one dish that I didn't like. Service is pretty decent. If your table seems to be water guzzlers, simply ask for a pitcher since the waiters don't swing by too often. With drinks included, it came to be around $40/person (USD)......A bit pricey for dinner but super worth it for the experience of "rice tables" when visiting Amsterdam. read more
12 years ago
Ambiance was very contemporary and chic with the service being accommodating. It's Indonesian food in Amsterdam! The food was great and full of spices and zestiness! It is on the high end of dining, but worthy to pamper oneself once in awhile - especially trying out Indonesian food while in Amsterdam! read more
8 years ago
We walked in on a weekday evening and we're quickly seated even though we did not have reservations The good: -Place is super cute and intimate - Food: We had the Kuning rice Table for four and the food was more than enough. All the dishes were super yummy and I like that there was a variety of dishes for all dietary needs. - Service was good. - Prices were reasonable The bad: I can't think of anything Final verdict: One of our best meals in Amsterdam. I would certainly return. read more
Thoroughly enjoyed my lunch at Sampurna! It's located near the floating flower market but doesn't come across as stop for tourists. I'd been trying to get in more Indonesian meals while in Amsterdam. I do not know the names of any of my dishes, other than my ginger honey tea. The taste of the food was even better than the photos. The starter was tasty & delicate. The entree had two different types of veggies and the chicken was full of spices and the rice was done perfectly. The dessert was the cherry on top - it was coconut milk, green tapioca, much softer than typical tapioca with fresh sliced jackfruit. It'll be a dessert I'll be on the lookout for in the future! read more
2 years ago
8 years ago
With a significant Indonesian population in Amsterdam, we made it a point to partake while we were visiting. We tried making a reservation online for a Monday evening, but nothing was available, so we decided to chance it and walk-in anyway. We arrived to a busy, but not quite full, restaurant and were seated right away. Our first impressions were of awe and appreciation: the interior was slick yet classy, simple but tasteful. We were also delighted that most of the staff was lgbt =) We love spicy, so at the recommendation of our server, we ordered the Kuning Rice Table. Why not try a little of everything? The next hour was an explosion of flavor that would leave us reminiscing for days. From the shrimp soup appetizer to the amazing array of skewers to the spiced coconut to the classic rendang...everything was wonderfully seasoned, cooked, and presented. At about 30 euros/person, it wasn't a cheap meal, but it was definitely worth it as a delicious treat. We ended up cleaning our plates and left fully stuffed and satisfied. The entire waitstaff was friendly, helpful, and wore shining smiles. We definitely recommend this fantastic restaurant, and we look forward to returning in the near future! read more
4 years ago
2 years ago
This restaurant is located right next to the flower market and seems pretty nondescript from the outside. Dropped by for lunch and it was pretty much empty. I ordered the fried rice which tasted quite good and was slightly salty. My friend ordered the chicken soup which smelled great, but ended up being very light in flavor. He loved it since he wanted something more bland. There were also several shared small plates in the middle. A basic cucumber dish, fried egg in curry sauce, shrimp crackers, and sweet and sour nuts. We never got a chance to see if they refill these plates, but each one was quite good. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
7 years ago
This is one of the best meals I've ever had. It was a thrill to try Indonesian food for the first time. We had the skewer samplers and enjoyed the lamb and beef the most. They were full of flavor. The chicken was also good, but we preferred the other meats more. We also ordered the sampler platter with noodles instead of rice. It was delicious. Some parts were spicy, some had more earthy flavors, but even the cucumbers were great. They also had a good wine selection. Next time, we will try the tasting menu! read more
4 years ago
Highly recommend this place! The food was tasty, the vibe inside and location is good, and the service was great! Even though their reservations were sold out all evening, they accommodated us. It was really really good food! My fave dishes were the sate, the spicy beef dish, the curried chicken, the veggie dishes were also great! Mango salad, fish lumpia... I mean pretty much everything. And their dipping sauces--spicy and yum!! Well worth it! And go hungry! Lots of food! read more
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Sampurna - indonesian - Updated May 2026
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