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Recommended Reviews - The Seafood Bar
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Surprisingly good for a chain restaurant. Excellent service from the greeter to the server and general waitstaff. The fish and seafood were all fresh and so too were the salads. Our server Saskia had a good sense of humor and was also extremely careful to let us know all food ingredients to be sure that my wife's food sensitivities were taken care of. If we should visit Amsterdam again, we would certainly return.
Very nice meal; nothing ground-breaking, but the service is as friendly and efficient, and the food itself is well-prepared. We particularly enjoyed the mains - while they don't debone the sole for you, the flavor/prep is excellent (pan seared and covered in fried capers - nom); the cod was also excellent (flaky, moist flesh; crispy skin; delicious veg accompaniments). Last but not least: the air conditioning is arctic - in these summers of intense heat across Europe, it's a real respite.
Honestly, I'm surprised this place has so many great reviews because my experience was completely the 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
Our experience was very overwhelming. Well, everything looked good, the taste of our octopus appetizer was bland. And a lot of the seafood on our seafood platter was overcooked and a little mushy. The Server did try to make up for it and offered us a complementary drink. The dessert was the best part of the meal.
Not bad for a seafood chain restaurant, at least compared to the chains in the United States. Not exactly a hyper local restaurant as it was mainly other tourists dining there, just to give you an idea. Reservations were easy to make online. We arrived earlier than our slotted time because we were hungry and they were very accommodating. We got the Fruits de Mer and a cod filet. It wasn't the best seafood we've ever had but not terrible and it was still an enjoyable meal.
What a fulfilling way to spend what was supposed to be a full day that unexpectedly turned into just 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.
We ordered the Fruits de Mer (standard) and the Cod Fillet with pumpkin and beurre blanc. The Cod was delicious and moist, paired nicely with the sauce. I would have it again. I also had some mint tea with it which was good, but I wish it was a bigger glass of tea. For the Fruits de Mer, while presented beautifully, I probably wouldn't have it again and definitely not if I'm trying to keep clean. I didn't know I could ask for a disposable bib until I saw people at a nearby table wearing them, but none was offered to us. I think enjoying the Fruits de Mer could definitely be an experience for others, but personally not for me. It was frustrating trying to dig out the meats from the shells and not glamorous at all. It also wasn't super substantial considering most of it was shells. Overall, I had an acceptable experience and wouldn't mind coming back to try other dishes.
On a two-week trip to Europe, which included a 7 day cruise, this was the BEST meal, and the price was extremely reasonable for the excellent seafood. Tucked away in the museum district of Amsterdam, this restaurant has a high concept urban vibe, and glass cases to exhibit the variety of seafood and fishes they serve. As soon as you arrive, you will be seated, given your menu, and asked about drinks. The service is attentive and timely, but you certainly don't feel rushed. The menu is extensive, with shellfish and fish, served raw, steamed, baked, sauced; it's your heart desire. The meal was $137, with tax and tip, and included 4 glasses of wine, two cappuccinos, a raw shellfish combination and a steamed shellfish combination. Reference the pictures, please. See the glass case for more insight.
Extremely fresh seafood at this famous Amsterdam restaurant. The seafood was all perfectly prepared with precise attention to detail. The service was excellent as well, the wait staff was extremely helpful and their recommendations were dead on. I will be returning to this restaurant on my future trips to Amsterdam
Absolutely delicious food in that Seafood Bar spot in Amsterdam. The seafood was fresh, tasty, and well balanced in flavors and variety. The bottom plate was all cold cooked or raw seafood, and top plate was grilled. The portions of the seafood and the sauces were very generous. We paired that dish with a white wine recommended by our waitress who was lovely young lady. It was a bit on the expensive side but well worth it for the amount and quality of the food. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are visiting Amsterdam, but make a reservation early because it is quite a busy place.
This place was seriously amazing! Definitely get reservations very easily online! We got the combo for 2 people and it came with literally everything! It was so tasty and filling! We had two glasses of wine as well! Ambiance was great--very crowded but fun vibes
Great food ! Went there 2 times in a row when I was in Amsterdam with my best friend ! Can't wait to go back!!! Miss the food there !
I wasn't feeling too well so ended up not getting any seafood, which was a bummer. I ended up just ordering the pumpkin ravioli with butter and sage sauce and that was amazing. Would def come back to try the seafood!
We spent an entire day in the Museum Quarter of Amsterdam, going from the Rijksmuseum then to the Van Gogh museum. Searching for a restaurant for lunch, we walked by The Seafood Bar, which showcases its range of seafood in a glass case. They had everything we could imagine, so we knew this was the place. I found out later that they have other locations across Amsterdam, but this one is nicely situated in a toney neighborhood, and its clean modern interior also recommends it. Their service is orchestrated, as they work as a team, from seating, drinks order, and so on. They are efficient and attentive. I highly recommend the seafood tower, which is a great shareable, giving you a taste of the unique shellfish found in Atlantic waters. read more
The Seafood Bar is a great place to combat jet lag with seafood. The space is cheerful with a great vibe. The staff were nice. Kirsten was very perky. We started off with a couple of glasses of excellent Sancerre. We sampled a few things. My wife loved her shrimp scampi. The fruit de mer was excellent and featured some choices that I haven't seen often. The cauliflower was surprisingly good and the fries didn't disappoint. The restaurant was packed and buzzy. Prices were reasonable. We would happily return. read more
2 months ago
Surprisingly good for a chain restaurant. Excellent service from the greeter to the server and general waitstaff. The fish and seafood were all fresh and so too were the salads. Our server Saskia had a good sense of humor and was also extremely careful to let us know all food ingredients to be sure that my wife's food sensitivities were taken care of. If we should visit Amsterdam again, we would certainly return. read more
4 months ago
Very nice meal; nothing ground-breaking, but the service is as friendly and efficient, and the food itself is well-prepared. We particularly enjoyed the mains - while they don't debone the sole for you, the flavor/prep is excellent (pan seared and covered in fried capers - nom); the cod was also excellent (flaky, moist flesh; crispy skin; delicious veg accompaniments). Last but not least: the air conditioning is arctic - in these summers of intense heat across Europe, it's a real respite. read more
Honestly, I'm surprised this place has so many great reviews because my experience was completely the 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 read more
Our experience was very overwhelming. Well, everything looked good, the taste of our octopus appetizer was bland. And a lot of the seafood on our seafood platter was overcooked and a little mushy. The Server did try to make up for it and offered us a complementary drink. The dessert was the best part of the meal. read more
Not bad for a seafood chain restaurant, at least compared to the chains in the United States. Not exactly a hyper local restaurant as it was mainly other tourists dining there, just to give you an idea. Reservations were easy to make online. We arrived earlier than our slotted time because we were hungry and they were very accommodating. We got the Fruits de Mer and a cod filet. It wasn't the best seafood we've ever had but not terrible and it was still an enjoyable meal. read more
8 months ago
What a fulfilling way to spend what was supposed to be a full day that unexpectedly turned into just 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. read more
We ordered the Fruits de Mer (standard) and the Cod Fillet with pumpkin and beurre blanc. The Cod was delicious and moist, paired nicely with the sauce. I would have it again. I also had some mint tea with it which was good, but I wish it was a bigger glass of tea. For the Fruits de Mer, while presented beautifully, I probably wouldn't have it again and definitely not if I'm trying to keep clean. I didn't know I could ask for a disposable bib until I saw people at a nearby table wearing them, but none was offered to us. I think enjoying the Fruits de Mer could definitely be an experience for others, but personally not for me. It was frustrating trying to dig out the meats from the shells and not glamorous at all. It also wasn't super substantial considering most of it was shells. Overall, I had an acceptable experience and wouldn't mind coming back to try other dishes. read more
On a two-week trip to Europe, which included a 7 day cruise, this was the BEST meal, and the price was extremely reasonable for the excellent seafood. Tucked away in the museum district of Amsterdam, this restaurant has a high concept urban vibe, and glass cases to exhibit the variety of seafood and fishes they serve. As soon as you arrive, you will be seated, given your menu, and asked about drinks. The service is attentive and timely, but you certainly don't feel rushed. The menu is extensive, with shellfish and fish, served raw, steamed, baked, sauced; it's your heart desire. The meal was $137, with tax and tip, and included 4 glasses of wine, two cappuccinos, a raw shellfish combination and a steamed shellfish combination. Reference the pictures, please. See the glass case for more insight. read more
Extremely fresh seafood at this famous Amsterdam restaurant. The seafood was all perfectly prepared with precise attention to detail. The service was excellent as well, the wait staff was extremely helpful and their recommendations were dead on. I will be returning to this restaurant on my future trips to Amsterdam read more
Absolutely delicious food in that Seafood Bar spot in Amsterdam. The seafood was fresh, tasty, and well balanced in flavors and variety. The bottom plate was all cold cooked or raw seafood, and top plate was grilled. The portions of the seafood and the sauces were very generous. We paired that dish with a white wine recommended by our waitress who was lovely young lady. It was a bit on the expensive side but well worth it for the amount and quality of the food. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are visiting Amsterdam, but make a reservation early because it is quite a busy place. read more
This place was seriously amazing! Definitely get reservations very easily online! We got the combo for 2 people and it came with literally everything! It was so tasty and filling! We had two glasses of wine as well! Ambiance was great--very crowded but fun vibes read more
1 year ago
Great food ! Went there 2 times in a row when I was in Amsterdam with my best friend ! Can't wait to go back!!! Miss the food there ! read more
2 years ago
I wasn't feeling too well so ended up not getting any seafood, which was a bummer. I ended up just ordering the pumpkin ravioli with butter and sage sauce and that was amazing. Would def come back to try the seafood! read more
This was one of the worst seafood dining experiences I have ever had. This restaurant had high reviews and most all of what we ordered either was undercooked (the entire lobster) slimy and sour tasting, the shrimp/prawns were musty and the crawfish were uneditable. Very disappointed after spending $165 euros on a meal. If you are looking for fresh tasting seafood I would not recommend getting This dish. The vibe here is great, excellent atmosphere and great staff. Very accommodating yet we did not share the meal was horrible. read more
Our experience was just as good as the first time we went, which was at a different location. We happened to pop in during happy hour and was able to get oysters basically half off. We were seated immediately despite not having a reservation. 2 dozen oysters, Fruits de Mer for 2 and 5-6 drinks later, our total ended up being around ~150 euros for 3 people. Personally, I felt it was worth it because we would've spent way more in the US, likely double + tips. The food was really good, we were stuffed by the time we left. Service was fine, our server was friendly but not too attentive. Highly recommend if you like seafood! read more
2 years ago
Wonderful atmosphere and excellent service. Vanessa was awesome we said we weren't to hungry and she helped us order. The seafood was lovely the oysters were our favorite so we ordered a few more! Thanks goes to the service and staff. read more
We came on a Sunday night and got seated fairly fast at the bar. It is a great setting for a group gather, family putting outing or dates. My friend and I got the fruits of the sea (7/10) to share. The platter is huge and it was plenty to share between two girls. I think for the most part, the seafood was fresh but it's definitely a bit pricy. We also got a mule (10/10) which was refreshing and delicious. Our bartender was so nice and let us try the Sgroppino (10/10). We ended up ordering the sgroppino at the end of our meal, which was a nice finish. read more
1 year ago
I'm shocked. This restaurant is not only highly recommended on yelp, but if you research good restaurants in Amsterdam this restaurant will likely be in the top ten of the list. That said...maybe I was there on an off day? First I will say that their service was mostly attentive and very friendly. I enjoyed the service. I love seafood. I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest where I have access to fresh shellfish and fantastic salmon,cod, trout, bass and a nice selection of seasonal fish so maybe my expectations are just high? Anyway, I didn't know when I'd be able to return here so I ordered the fruits de mer for 1. The presentation was nice. However, everything on the plate had a bitter, metallic taste. The clams were the size of my nail. Where I'm from it's not even legal to harvest them this small. They tasted bitter. The periwinkle's had a metallic taste. It was off putting. The crab was so odd. The meat inside the shell came out almost chopped into tiny pieces. Not quite a purée but I'll say I couldn't pull out a whole piece of meat because it was shredded in the inside. Don't ask me how that happens. I've never seen that sort of thing in a crab before. The taste was also not fresh. So I moved on to the tiny fried shrimp with the head on. That was both bitter and metallic. The only things that didn't taste bad were the mussels and the crab salad. Then when I got home I wound up with an awful stomach ache that caused me to not be able to leave my hotel for about 24 hours....which was when I was scheduled to leave Amsterdam. Needless to say, I'm disappointed. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
There are more than one location so be sure to double check the address. We accidentally went to the first "The Seafood Bar" we saw. We are a family of seafood eaters and everything we had was fresh and delicious. Our server was the best we had during our trip. Friendly and personable. We enjoyed the seafood tower for two and the grilled salmon. read more
We came here twice while in Amsterdam. Our first trip we tried the Combination, which is combo of hot cooked mixed grill and cold seafood called Fruits de Mer. It is plentiful and you do get a good mix of seafood. Even though we are not big fans of pealing shellfish, cracking crab and digging out lobster meat we thought we'd give it a try. The food was pretty good. We especially enjoyed the hot mixed grill but frankly fiddling with the cold seafood wasn't our thing. What we were able to manage to crack, peal and dig out was good. Our service was excellent and even though the place was busy, our table was ready for us (we had reservations). The website says they hold 40% of their tables for walk-ins but they were turning people away who didn't have a reservation. Highly recommend making a reservation. On our second visit was a totally different experience. Maybe because it was Kings Day and it was super busy, but the service was off. Very slow. We sat at our table for 30 min before getting water and service. Once we were able to order, we got the "Nordic Blu" Salmon and Fish & Chips. The salmon was dry and way overcooked. The fish and chips was cooked perfectly and it was a generous size. However, the restaurant had no malt vinegar. It's a Fish & Chips crime not to have malt vinegar. I can see why this place is popular for those that like the large assortment of cold seafood - I'm sure if that's your sort of thing you'll enjoy the place. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
Calamari was amazing, razor clams we're a bit overcooked but the sauce was super tasty. The fruits de mer were solid and this is where the bib is a must! The down side is the service is a bit lackadaisical and they forgot about our whole fruits de mer plate until we reminded them , but the they hustled and made it right. Definitely touristy, but I am a tourist and I will jump on any opportunity to wear a Bib for some solid seafood. read more
Business owner information
Nico V.
Hi there,…
3 years ago
Randomly walked in and was happy with my food selections. After listening to the waiter's recommendations, I chose two appetizers: the lobster soup and octopus. The octopus was my fav. I had the Paloma mocktail which was very refreshing. Staff were attentive and the meal was reasonably priced. Would definitely go back. read more
A very clean restaurant. We did make reservations the day before since we saw it packed the previous nights we walked by. The staff are efficient and nice. We had the Lobster Soup and Crab Cakes to share. The Lobster soup wasn't really as creamy as I'm used to but still good. The crab cakes were underwhelming. For our main course, we split the mixed grill platter which had shrimp, squid, salmon, prawns mussels and sea bass filet. All were well cooked and flavorful, although the sea bass filet still had plenty of bones which made it difficult to eat. read more
Business owner information
Nico V.
Thank you for dining with us and sharing your experience. We're glad…
7 years ago
After an afternoon of cocktails at the House of Bols we had lunch at The Seafood Bar. The seafood is all freshly caught, but also very expensive. If you avoid the seafood towers and lobster most entrees are under 30 euros. We each ordered a pot of the mussels. For 20 euros you get a heaping pot of mussels cooked in your choice of broth. My husband opted for the classic French style in white wine, garlic and cream while my sister and I selected the Asian style in coconut milk, lemongrass and coriander. I loved the combination of mussels in coconut milk and the lemongrass and coriander added such a pleasant fragrance to the dish. After pairing the meal with side salads and fries we left stuffed. While I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here I would recommend this spot if you're in the area visiting other sights. It's one of the better rated restaurants in the area and the mussels are delicious! read more
1 year ago
A modern, clean seafood restaurant with friendly staffs. Four of us came for dinner on a Saturday night during our trip. It was a bit of a wait but you can get a drink at the bar inside once they give you a number. For food, you can't go wrong with Mussels wine garlic sauce, it was good and mussels were big. However the fried calamari was just so-so, go with Fritto Misto instead. It's a mixed fried shrimp, fish and squid with different batter which was really tasty. I love the delicious tendered Razor Clams. And the Mixed Grilled was very flavorful with fishes, shrimps and shellfish. We enjoyed our meal and definitely recommend this place. read more
4 years ago
Popped into Seafood bar when I was exploring Amsterdam and got hungry. They served us with complimentary Prosecco and Oysters for their 10 year anniversary! Outside eating was nice with shady covering. Oysters were delicious. Got the combo fingersnacks, lobster bisque and salmon tartare that were all superb! Great recommendation for a seafood lovers quick snack while adventuring through the city read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
You really have to like seafood to come here. My wife had the pumpkin ravioli which was very good and I had fruits de mer, or seafood bar. It was absolutely delicious, arriving in an array of crustaceans from squid, shrimp, prawns, to snow crab, lobster, and a king crab leg. We also shared the calamari which had a very fresh taste to it even though it was breaded. If I ever visit Amsterdam again I'm definitely coming back. read more
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