Café de Parel in Jordaan

Amazing food, place and people! One of the best of Amsterdam: Not crazy high prices for average food which is the case in many places. Great taste! Good service!

I occasionally dine in Amsterdam with both of our sons. We all love to cook and are always looking for a new, great restaurant. Last night, we truly dined at a little gem. They serve one set menu, three or four courses. We chose four courses. I won't name any Michelin-starred restaurants in Amsterdam, but we think Cafe de Parel deserves one. Every dish had so many different flavors. They used many beautiful vegetable preparations. Too many to list here. They also had beautiful bread with whipped goat's butter—delicious! An orange chicken with a delicious mushroom stuffing was grilled briefly after cooking. At the table, the ingredients were discussed with enthusiasm, and what delicious combinations! Every plate was emptied, even with our spoons scraping it. The setting is reminiscent of an Amsterdam cafe with beautiful stained-glass windows and tile tableaus. The service is friendly and attentive. A chef who loves food creates beautiful, flavorful dishes. We will definitely be back. Highly recommended!

Nothing special. We went to Cafe De Parel with high expectations. Unfortunately, they weren't met. The menu looked good on paper. Bread and ham as a starter. Both were excellent. We decided to expand the menu with an extra course, the oyster mushroom. Thank goodness, it was the best dish of the evening. The first course was okay. I can't recall exactly what it was. Then a carrot dish. Not good. Very floury. Even my knife struggled to cut through it. I left half of it. The plate was cleared away without asking if it was good. That wasn't asked at all during the evening. Next, a bread course. The same bread as we had ordered beforehand, with the same butter, this time with horseradish shavings. Strange that this is a separate course on the menu. The oyster mushroom as an extra course. A truly delicious dish. Well prepared, good flavor. Excellent. The pork belly that followed was again disappointing. The flavor was mainly determined by the way the pork belly was prepared, not the pork belly itself. Here too, the knife struggled to cut through. I left a portion untouched. The dessert, however, was fine. To pay, I ended up going to the bar because there wasn't much attention. Even when we paid, they didn't ask how we felt. The price-performance ratio is disproportionate. Such a shame, as it's a charming restaurant. Please do have your knives sharpened!

Very glad to have had the opportunity to dine here. The food was incredible and the staff were friendly and clearly passionate about what they do. Would definitely go back! Pictures don’t do the presentation justice.

What a disappointment!!! We got our table (reserved) after 25 minutes of waiting. Disappointing quality of food… overcooked pork, soup with a strange taste, a thousand carrot leaves without taste and pretentious and incredible price of the bottle of sparkling water!!!! 12€. all in a bleached olfactory atmosphere! To flee.

A warm, cozy atmosphere, very friendly staff, and delicious flavors. The open kitchen makes you feel like you're being invited into their living room for a pleasant evening. They serve it slowly, allowing you to relax, chat, and enjoy your meal.

A lovely, intimate setting. I would definitely go here again for a date. I'm a light eater, but the vegetarian alternative to the main course was quite small. The generous portion of bread we received at the beginning was absolutely essential to avoid going hungry. It would also be nice if the staff checked in a bit more often; we sometimes felt a bit forgotten.

What a wonderful experience at De Parel! Our evening was made extra special thanks to Joppe, who served us fantastically. He was not only incredibly friendly but also knew everything about the wines and dishes. His enthusiasm and knowledge made the evening complete. Highly recommended—ask for Joppe for top-notch service!

Cozy cafe with delicious food, fantastic atmosphere, and a great chef!

We don't understand why everyone walks away with this (Bart's book parool review) menu: Broth with overcooked leek so that there was no taste left in it in any case. Starter: Portobello was very tasty but not a difficult dish and little attention was paid to it. Main course was a tiny piece of duck and nothing worth mentioning. Bad taste. It is much better to eat at Domenica or at Kortekaas for the same amount. 3 course menu for the price of a 5 course menu. We don't understand why people take all this at face value. There is no pride or love or professionalism here. Embarrassing.

One of the best meals I've had in Amsterdam! Every dish was inventive, fresh, unique, and so delicious.

A very fun, enjoyable and surprising experience! Definitely recommended and worth trying. We would love to come back again :)

Had a very pleasant evening with good food and very nice service. A very cozy restaurant, will definitely come back!

Maybe one of the best in Amsterdam. The Café de Parel is a little nice and cozy restaurant in one of the nicest area in Amsterdam. One chef, one set menu an open kitchen and foremost amazing quality. The menu does change every other month and consists out of 3 or for courses + a starter. The taste was simply amazing, modern French cuisine but you need to be up for the surprise and difficult for vegetarians. The hand picked selection of classic and natural wine is of great quality. Would come back again. Every other month, to taste the next great menu.

No price information about the menu (see photo in previous review = same). Everything was very tasty, except for the extra entree, which turned out to cost 16.50. Nice choice of drinks, with some non-alcoholic options

We had such a great night at Cafe de Parel! Amazing food, beautiful restaurant, and personable friendly service - couldn’t recommend enough!

Amazing experience eating there! The food was really delicious and made with fresh ingredients, and with a lot of effort behind each dish. The wine was also really good; and the service was amazing, very friendly, great explanation of all the dishes. We had an amazing time.

Had a fantastic meal in this wonderful restaurant in the Jordaan. There are a maximum of 8 tables in the restaurant with an open kitchen. Delicious menu with delicious wines. Sommelier is truly a great person with a lot of knowledge of his profession. The cook is also great. An experience for the books!

Delicious food, friendly service, hospitable!

A truly top tent. Fantastic food, nice wines, very friendly staff and a very cozy inn atmosphere. Reasonably priced for Amsterdam too.

The food was delicious and the service had a pleasant atmosphere. We had a wonderful evening and I will definitely come back.

Awesome! Last Saturday I had lunch at Cafe de Parel... I have been a fan of Cafe de Parel since the beginning. When owner Miriam wanted to transform this brown café in the middle of the Jordaan into a stylish, warm café-restaurant, friends thought she was crazy. But that didn't stop her from opening her first catering business... And what kind of one! - a true Pearl in the Jordan! And what her chef Mattia (ex Vuurtoreneiland) and team conjure up from the (small and open (!) - bar places recommended) kitchen cannot be put into words; fantastically tasty, mainly vegetarian dishes with an option for an extra course of meat/fish, seasonal with a focus on responsibly grown fruit and vegetables from local farmers. The wines served with a smile and pleasure by the warm team with great anecdotes about the winemakers are mainly natural and biodynamic. And now there is also lunch on Saturdays... and even a snack board with home-smoked beef sausage, cheeses and pickles... The only thing missing is a place to sleep, but my Saturdays can no longer be ruined. Dear people - don't walk -run!

The food was surprising and very tasty. It was somewhat surprising that it was vegetarian. According to the staff, this was stated on the website. I couldn't find that on the website. Since the prices are considerably higher than the prices in a cafe, it is very unusual that meals are served at the bar. It is also special that when you make a reservation for 3 people, you will be placed at the bar. Fortunately, the staff was willing to bring out a table and 3 chairs, so that we could eat even more pleasantly. As mentioned, the meal was excellent and surprising. We thought the red was served too cold and too expensive for the quality. The acoustics were particularly poor, fine for a pub, but not for a restaurant.

Went to eat at Café De Parel again last Friday, with high expectations after a great evening earlier last month. Unfortunately, this time it turned out to be a completely different experience. The chefs together were extremely arrogant and the attitude was downright unpleasant. Especially the young employee who behaved as if he was running the business caused a lot of annoyance. Too bad, because after that first positive experience, I especially brought my table guests along to experience this again. Unfortunately, it is now clear: arrogance seems to be the new standard here. I won't be coming back here again.

Cafe de Parel is a wonderful and cozy experience! The attentive, enthusiastic and skilled staff create and present a beautiful and innovative menu. How a small restaurant in an old brown café can be grand and unforgettable! Spread the word!

Delicious meal with pleasant service. Really fine dining. Each course is explained and served on beautiful tableware The only downside is that some dishes had already cooled down a bit.

Had an amazing dinner with colleagues from abroad and they all loved it. Food was amazing, very good wines and the best atmosphere. It's remarkable what the chef can pull off in the relatively small kitchen. Can highly recommend!

One of my favorite restaurants in Amsterdam. The combination of the atmosphere of the converted old bar and the nice food and wine options just make a perfect combination for me. Recommended for sure!

What a wonderful evening I had at Café de Parel! From the moment we walked in, everything felt just right. The food was simply fantastic – every bite a delight. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxed, just as you would hope for in a cozy café. But what really made this evening special were the fantastic hosts. They really went out of their way to make our experience perfect. Their warm service and genuine attention made us feel more than welcome. There was even a pregnant woman walking through the service, unfortunately I didn't really get to experience her, but that didn't detract from the whole experience. In short, Café de Parel is highly recommended if you are looking for delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere, with staff that makes the evening unforgettable. We will definitely come back!

Love the small atmosphere and the food !

You don't feel comfortable sitting at tables that are much too small and you don't eat well for prices that are much too high

This really is a gem of a restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. The service is very friendly. The food really very good. Original dishes, not too much, not too little. 10/10!

A wonderful experience where cosy atmosphere meets culinary explosion of savors and excellent service. I will be back for sure.

Lovely atmosphere and beautiful dishes! Really enjoyed it, the only downside is that the prices on the wine list are really high, my lord!! Affordable without wine, with wine you pay a fortune.

Atmosphere and service were excellent. First course was not good, cold beetroot with little flavour. The rest of the dishes were very tasty but for the price there is not enough food

The quality of the food was good, but if we had known that it was a fixed menu, so we could not choose from the menu, and that we were only served vegetables, we would not have eaten here. After visiting the pearl, my husband went to eat a shawarma, he was so hungry

What a nice restaurant. Relaxed atmosphere, no frills but delicious food.

We unexpectedly received a completely vegetarian menu, which is not a problem, but it is if the portions are small. Incomprehensible, because it is beets, cabbage and some cake. The flavors were good, but we left hungry despite ordering extras.

Vega(n) 3 courses with beautiful, surprising dishes. Very nice that the atmosphere is classic and the dishes modern! And… the tastiest bread ever…

Café De Parel exceeded my expectations. From the moment I walked in, I immediately felt welcome by the warm and hospitable atmosphere. The staff is incredibly friendly and really makes you feel like you are at home. The service was excellent; my order was served quickly and with a smile. As for the food and drinks: everything was delicious. The dishes are clearly prepared with care and the flavors are perfectly balanced. Whether you come for a cup of coffee, a drink or an extensive dinner, you are always in the right place at De Parel. All in all a great experience, where the warm feeling of the employees was really the icing on the cake. I can't wait to go back!

Unfortunately, we were left underwhelmed and hungry. We had long waiting times in-between courses. Nobody was really checking in to see if we would like a drink or take our initial order and we had to try and get their attention. The food portions were so small that we were left hungry and went somewhere else after to have something extra to eat. The pricing for the food is not justified. It is shame as we have previously had a better experience at Cafe de Parel. However, we will not be going again.

Delicious food and a super nice restaurant

We had a really nice meal, but unfortunately the trendy wines were not really our thing. We understand that it is of course busy on Friday evenings, but the service was sometimes really too long for us.

As always. With surprising flavors!

Gorgeous restaurant, so happy to have a place like this in Amsterdam.

Great food, very good service, nice place, good atmosphere.

Good food, nice vibe, friendly staff. A tad high on price for the quality

Excellent food and cosy atmosphere

Nice place with a good ambiance because of the setting. It could have been five stars if the waiters were smiling and a bit more forthcoming. Food was good, but the wine was terrible. Be careful with your reservation deposit. They forgot to deduct and get back with us after repeatedly emailing. Room for improvement and in the meantime enough other good options further down the street.

Beautiful little restaurant with delicious food

We went for the set menu which had an amazing variety of beautifully cooked and presented dishes. Would recommend!

We had a super fun evening. Especially the main and dessert are super tasty and very nice service!

Quiet, cozy spot for great food.

This is an experience everyone should enjoy in their life. The atmosphere combine with the food and friendly service made this not just a meal, but a memory! One my wife and I will cherish. Thank you!

Casual service, a bit hidden, delicious menu with fantastic wine. In short, EVERYTHING you want in one evening.

Cafe de Parel is a gem!!! What a great restaurant this is. Worthy of a Michelin star! Zero choice stress, because you can only choose from a 3 or 4 course menu. Tip: take 4 courses. Food is really excellent. We sat at the bar. Nice to see the chef at work. Every dish a flavor explosion. What a party. Highly recommended!

Interesting cuisine experience! They really work their magic with fresh ingredients to make appetising dishes. We tried the four course meal. First dish was a pumpkin based starter, then a cod dish (100% my favourite), main was duck with a (bit boring) salad, and lastly an apple dessert. The staff presented all dishes. And in general nice, but could have been more friendly with their guests.

The food was nice, but the portions were way too small. I left feeling hungry. The owner (I assume) was pretty cold. Whacked the bill on the table without a word. We were aware of the time slot, but you could let us know with some more tact. The other staff are very friendly and forthcoming, and the place itself is nice and cosy.

As the name suggests, a pearl in Amsterdam. A pearl in the Westerstraat. A place where, in contrast to so many places in Amsterdam, quality is central. You can see the eye for detail everywhere. The food, the teas, cups, bowls, light; service to the music: Ingenuity is everywhere. The food is delicious. Tasteful and always a beautiful card. It has a very homely, warm atmosphere. An unprecedentedly good place. A favorite for me in Amsterdam. Small and extremely spherical. Mega credits to the owner for how she started this when the whole world was on fire (Corona) and then realized how it is running now. A no brainer to visit. Absolutely recommended

A friend recommended this restaurant and it did not disappoint. It’s physically quite small, but the atmosphere, service, and food are very good.

Wonderful restaurant in the Jordaan. Last Friday we had a delicious meal at Café de Parel. In addition to the delicious food and the tasty - somewhat pricey - wine, we were positively impressed by the atmosphere and service. Something went wrong while booking via the Table app, which meant that the reservation with a deposit of €50 had actually already expired. After I called about this, it was resolved quickly and neatly: we could still have a bite to eat the same day and use the full deposit. They didn't have to do this of course, but it shows a service orientation in my opinion. We both went for the menu, one with the turbot and one with the duck. All dishes looked delicious, tasted good and followed each other at a good pace. I also thought the portions were good, but I can imagine that the bigger eater would want to order a side dish (or two). Throughout the evening, the friendly staff was ready to answer any questions and enthusiastically explain the dishes and the extensive wine list. The only point for improvement would be to add some cheaper, accessible wines by the glass and in the bottle to the menu. The cheapest bottle of white is already around €50. Finally, it looked like the staff enjoyed being there and making the guests happy. This added to the entire experience. Thank you for the nice evening!

good....but wayyyyyy toooooo OVERPRICEDDDD 😏

Wonderfull little restaurant, very special with only 2 staff, however exquisit serving and especially cooking of smaller dishes. Wine choice admirable as well. However be careful with prices, particulalrly of the wines.

The dimmed candle light, the mixed antique silverware, and beautiful ceramic tableware are simply perfect. The food was delicious and so were the accompanying wines. Most of all, the friendly service and attention we received made this an enjoyable evening with friends to remember. Thank you!

Een super gezellig, knus en romantisch restaurant. Het eten en de service geef ik zeker 4 sterren. Toch een totaalscore van 3 want de wijn was waanzinnig duur. Een redelijk karig ingeschonken glaasje port 9€. Voor het menu met 1 fles wijn en port waren we 250€ kwijt. Zonde, met een iets toegankelijkere wijnkaart zou ik zeker teruggaan.

Amazing dinner, good natural wines, loved it

Zalig eten in ongedwongen sfeer, alleen was het zo lawaaierig, dat je heel moe werd van het harde praten. Op de wijnkaart zou ook meer keus kunnen zijn bij de open wijnen, wanneer elke gang om zo’n andere wijn vraagt en je niet bij voor- en hoofdgerecht met z’n tweeën steeds een hele fles wijn wilt gaan drinken.

A very cute and cozy restaurant with an open kitchen. We had an amazing dinner there, the staff is also very friendly

A great birthday family time in the cosy Café de Parel atmosphere, where the 2+2 cooks hands, Aiden & Sylvia sublime colorfully fresh and delicate raw ingredients with passion & “UMAMI” All the Team is efficiently supporting the orchestration of the “a la carte” course. Place to go without moderation

Atmospheric, renovated Amsterdam brown bar with heaps of personality. The food is a treasure trove of pan-european flavours causing a taste bud overload. Well worth the effort of visiting and tasting. Lekker!

Great atmosphere and lovely service. The food was delicious and refined ! The bread & butter were so good, it's always a good sign:) We had also an amazing cocktail and a well advised Pinot noir wine.

What a place! No restaurant compares to Parel. I'm already planning my trip back to Dam in the spring to go back to Parel! It's on my go to list in Dam and I wish I could eat here every week! It was magical in my mouth. Amazing food and such friendly service. Cafe de Parel you are doing so many things right. I look forward to tasting more of your menu. Well done!

Super découverte ! Cuisine soignée et inventive, préparée devant nous. Ça commençait déjà super bien avec le pain maison sortant du four ! Merci beaucoup !

Atmosphere was very nice – a cozy, dimly lit brown bar-turned-restaurant. The open kitchen also adds to the vibe. Chairs were unfortunately falling apart. Wobbly or with holes. We swapped chairs twice. On the menu you will find snacks and a set menu. The entre of beetroot and barley was tasty, but not memorable. The first main course was grilled seabass which was a beautiful dish, but much too small. We added the optional main which was a locally grown pork with cabbage (2 ingredients + a jus). Tasty, but 1/4 of it was fat that we left on the plate. That was a dish to be shared for two people, however once you cut off the big bone and fat you were not left with a portion for two. Dessert was a slice of peach with ricotta icecream and crunchy caramel on top. Tasty, but nothing special. Was really looking forward to this dinner. Left a little disappointed. Not great value for money and dishes need to be both bigger and perhaps have a few more ingredients to feel like well-composed meals.

Leuke tent waar je zeker een keer naar toe moet. De sfeer is goed, de bediening ook. Eten is lekker maar de porties wel erg klein. De akoestiek kan beter.

Fantastic prix fixe meal. Adapted to my dairy and gluten allergies with no problems.

Nestled in the heart of the historic Jordaan, Café de Parel stands out as a testament to the enduring allure of a classic Dutch Brown Café with a modern cuisine. The painstakingly preserved Dining at Café de Parel: A Tribute to Timeless Tradition Nestled in the heart of the historic city center, Café de Parel stands as a testament to the enduring allure of a classic Dutch brown café. The painstakingly preserved architecture and decor reveal the profound dedication of its owner. One cannot help but be enchanted by the antique Dutch tiles that grace the walls and the pristine, original woodwork. Suspended elegantly from the ceiling, a glass bar framed in delicate metal. The culinary offerings, crafted by an exceptionally gifted chef, seem to distill the essence of comforting, home-cooked fare, yet presented with the finesse that one might expect from a place boasting a two-month reservation queue. Miraculously, no such waiting list exists. Café de Parel has, over time, become my sanctuary. It’s the haven I seek whether in times of celebration or solace, whether in need of a culinary embrace or to share a consoling glass of wine with a dear friend after life’s more challenging moments. It’s a space where even tears over spilled milk find gentle reprieve. A most romantic place for first dates, a perfect place for thoughtful dinners.

Shout out to the monk fish and pork neck 🥹 also the wine recommendation was amazing

Amazing little place in Amsterdam. Being from Sydney we crave great produce respectfully cooked. Every course nailed it. Thanks again made our day.

Bang for your Buck, cozy atmosphere and the amazing cookin

Great place with lovely details. The staff was welcoming, genuinely nice and polite. The menu was just right. Every dish is was surprising, balanced and right out delicious. The atmosphere is an interesting balance between low-key, Paris-café, and urban street vibes but with brilliant food. The toilet has nice details to make a visit enjoyable. A must go, when ever your in Amsterdam.

Recommended by a friend who's job is setting up restaurants for Nobu worldwide. We asked fir a list of the 4 best restaurants in Amsterdam. This is one of them, and we fully recommend it !

Absolutely amazing, had a lovely dinner and amazing wines

An absolute gem: both the restaurant and the lovely owner Miriam. The food is sophisticated in a non pretentious way. They easily cater to your dietary requirements without losing sight of the original dish. The staff is incredibly and genuinely friendly and welcoming. They serve fantastic wines and the restaurant itself has a warm, cozy and intimate ambiance. But the cherry on top is the restaurant owner Miriam. So very kind and generous in her time and energy, easy to talk to and will really put in the effort of making you feel welcomed. Could not recommend enough. 11/10.

Lekker eten. Simpel eten maar op een fijne manier interessant bereid. Top service. Mooie sfeer.

Excellent and creative dishes. Nice ambiance and good service.

Eten was erg lekker. Genoten, nog speciaal een kaasplankje gekregen. Hebben aan de bar gezeten en zijn hier goed en fijn behandeld. Wijnen worden goed gematcht aan het eten. Eten duurde wel ietwat lang. Was een foutje gemaakt met een tafel naast ons maar is erg goed opgelost

Heel sfeervol met verrukkelijk eten, uitstekende wijn en fijne, persoonlijke service.