John Dory Seafood restaurant in Grachtengordel-Zuid

Delicious, friendly service and lovely atmosphere

From start to finish, our dinner at John Dory was nothing short of perfection! As a coeliac, myself and my partner always get in touch with restaurants beforehand letting them know about my dietary restrictions - we were assured it would be absolutely no problem at all and they were kind enough to forward us the planned menu in advance. This only made us more excited for our visit! Upon arriving we were greeted by one of the lovely chefs, and were then led upstairs to where we would dine: tasteful interiors, quiet music, and two lovely hosts who made us feel incredibly welcome. There was no stuffiness at all. We chose which menu we wanted - I opted for 5 courses, whilst my partner requested to swap the dessert for the octopus which was part of the 6 course menu - this was no issue for them at all. Before our meal even started we were served three amuse-bouche which were DIVINE. Zingy, fresh, smokey, creamy, and spicy - we were practically dribbling on our table. Very pretty too. We then were graced with one of the best dishes I’ve had in a long time - salmon with beetroot, dill, gorgeous olive oil and balsamic. This dish was just sensational - the flavours sang in unison, nothing overpowering the delicate salmon that was the star of the show. I didn’t think the next dish would come close … Yet it did! Thinly sliced beef with pumpkin and coriander. Such a cozy dish with the best of autumn flavours. Creamy yet not rich, with a lovely subtle hit of chilli to cut through. I only wished there were a few more slices of beef. Next, my partner had octopus with paprika, jalapeño and almond - this was a real hit for him, the octopus being perfectly cooked whilst pairing wonderfully with the heat of the jalapeño. Afterwards came the pike-perch with cauliflower, nuts, and lashings of butter - I could’ve eaten this by the bucket load. This dish was gloriously rich which really complemented the fish, and was a nice way to lead us in to the catch of the day served with mushrooms and a silky sauce made from ceps. Again, pass me the bucket because I wanted it all! The fish was cooked perfectly with the crispiest of sears. To finish, I was given an adapted version of the apple mille-feuille which was very kind of the chefs. Apple, cinnamon, raisin, vanilla - you can’t go wrong. Not overly sweet, perfectly tart - a wonderful way to end a 10/10 meal. For two people having 5 courses and a 1/2 bottle of wine, it came to just under €200 (service not included) - though €40 was taken off as a deposit was paid to secure the booking. Wine list was extensive but pretty pricey, nonetheless we enjoyed our bottle of white. Service was fantastic from start to finish - no awkward hovering, no snobbiness, just very friendly and warm and easy to have a laugh with. We had a very special meal here, and no doubt John Dory will be at the top of our list when we’re back in Amsterdam.

We had a wonderful meal at this restaurant, which we discovered through Heerlijk. You can tell the kitchen staff are incredibly experienced. The fish, especially the smoky egg, was fantastic. The HR staff was truly fantastic! It made the evening complete. It's situated in a beautiful building, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting! Highly recommended.

We had a lovely meal last week. We had the six-course menu because we were curious about all the dishes from the seasonal menu. Everything looked beautiful and tasted fresh, but the portions were quite small. Especially the main course; it wasn't any bigger than any of the other courses. The service was friendly, and the ambiance was nice.

I wasn't satisfied with my visit

Superb fish experience 😀😀 The waiter was incredibly attentive 👌👌 Excellent food at a great price! Go for it! 👨‍🍳👨‍🍳

We had a wonderful evening at John Dory. The dishes were sublime, prepared with great care and served on time. Compliments to the staff!

Most amazing meal, I’m not a fan of seafood and loved every single course. I would recommend going for the six course tasting menu. Everyone was very knowledgeable on the food. Would 100% return next time I was in Amsterdam. Very reasonably priced.

A small, cozy restaurant. The portions are small but of excellent quality. The service is attentive.

The food was delicious. Beautiful dishes and lovely wines. Friendly staff. The restaurant is also lovely. We arrived a bit early, but were allowed to have a drink outside in the sunshine. They could do with a bit more attention to empty glasses. Regarding the restrooms, a more neutral color (no pink and blue doors) would have been more inclusive.

Absolutely wonderful everything, especially for the price. Highly recommended!

An amazing restaurant with top of the line dishes, amazing quality, delicious!! And what a beautifully designed restaurant at a perfect location on the canal.

Huge thank you to the John Dory team for hosting us at our business dinner. Everything was spot on - from the perfectly prepared food to the attentive and professional staff. We’ll definitely be back!

Absolutely star place my second visit always fresh innovated and just amazing food

A wonderful dinning experience. Had a dinner there yesterday. What a treat. Staring with the staff through the excellent 6 course menu, ending with a lovely wine pairing. If in Amsterdam do not skip the experience. Not a cheap one but worth every penny. And if you’re there do not miss the liver desert ( in the picture )

Exceptional cuisine, fish and freshness. Service a little slow but atmosphere and quality wins

A great evening in a very pleasant atmosphere. Every course was excellent, and the service was friendly and attentive. We'd be happy to return.

Very exceptional experience. Everything is perfect. Food was great. I liked the idea of surprise menu. The owner Sonny is a very great and welcoming person.

What a wonderful place with beautifully presented dishes. Highly recommended!

The food is meager and makes a spectacle, but it's nothing special. Moreover, it may contain pollutants. In fact, I later felt sick and vomited 38 times.

Always great. We come here regularly for dinner and it is always fantastic.

Had a great culinary evening at John Dory!

Great service, great location and great food. Great price/quality. Really recommended!

After reading about it, John Dory became a destination location for dinner during our trip to Amsterdam. Simple and tasteful décor was featured in the second-floor dining room, which was reached by a wide spiral staircase from the ground floor entryway and glass-windowed kitchen. The maître de greeted us and took our coats and umbrella before inviting us upstairs where we were seated in the center of the small, yet spacious-feeling, dining room. Classic French service, beautiful wine glasses and exquisite plating only served to enhance the creative and delicious food, served course-by-course at a leisurely pace. Each dish was explained in the language of the diner, with an obvious emphasis on seasonal and local food. Each course took common, simple ingredients, prepared with care and presented in unique and fresh style to make the sum better than its parts. Fresh cutlery carefully placed for each new round of the 4, 5, or 6 course meals, plus an interval to digest, made the meal even more enjoyable. While wine pairings were not set, a full wine menu and careful suggestions from the wait staff yielded a delicate balance of food and wine. The finale, dessert, a choice of sweet, savory, or a delectable 5 cheese plate, was followed by coffee and yet another sweet treat of a macaron and a handmade chocolate. This bill was less than my original guess and well worth every euro. A meal to remember forever - 5 stars all the way!

Fantastic food and what unique flavors with each new dish. The restaurant is a bit dark, please do something about the lighting. Prices on the high side.

Excellent meal, the children also had a great time, very pleasant team, I recommend!

What an absolute pleasure having a meal here. From start to finish it was perfection and without doubt one of the best meals out we have had for a very long time. We chose the six course tasting menu and my dietary requirements were catered for perfectly. Great food, wine, service and atmosphere. I’ll be back.

Very tasty food in a very beautiful setting. Friendly service and staff. Food was very tasty and refined. Gems, one by one

Simply delicious! I would definitely go back. The service was 11/10, and the food was amazing.

Fantastisk mat, fin service. restaurangen ligger centralt. Lätt att boka bord, restaurangen var fullsatt kl 1930. Vi kom 18 30, en lördag kväll Återväner gärna

A fish restaurant that meets all criteria. Enjoyed this pleasant evening with colleagues yesterday. Here you will enjoy a professional welcome. Made our choice a la carte and really enjoyed the pure cuisine. One person in our group felt unwell (last day of a very busy working week) and the staff took immediate action. We were very impressed by the quick action to help our colleague. We would like to thank the team for ending our last evening in Amsterdam on a positive note.

Very good. Super friendly. Nice atmosphere.

John Dory es una visita obligada para cualquiera que busque una experiencia de mariscos refinada y memorable en Amsterdam. Tanto si eres un local como un visitante, este restaurante ofrece ingredientes frescos a todos los niveles: ejecución experta y un servicio impecable. Muy recomendable!

Cannot say WOW enough. The food was probably the best meal I had in Amsterdam. Highly recommend their fried oysters, their smoked salmon (sooooo juicy), catch of the day with hazelnuts and capers, and finally their scallops with foie gras cooked to perfection. Service is a bit slow (2 hours for dinner), but sooooooo worth it.

Food was very tasty! Nice restaurant and nicely located. Risotto Oysters Bisque The waitress was friendly - just doing her job. Too bad we just didn't really click. It may sound strange, but the service can make your evening just that little bit more enjoyable.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had a wonderful weekday dinner at John Dory. The evening started with a small amuse to set the mood. My friend enjoyed two oysters and was especially impressed by the variety of cold and warm oyster options on the menu. We shared the ceviche starter, which paired perfectly with the guacamole, absolutely delicious! For the main course, we chose the fish of the day: a baked white fish in butter, topped with nuts. The atmosphere in the restaurant was fancy, but chill. Which was a perfect match for a weekday dinner. The service was excellent and the waiter was kind and very professional. Overall, highly recommended! We’ll definitely be back for more delicious 🐠🐠🐠.

Food was excellent, only a couple of nit picks as am a chef but nothing to write home about. Service was very attentive but a little slow but that could come down to how busy they were and also it's valentine's which they may slow things up to accommodate...

Uitstekend gegeten (4 gangen) in dit sfeerrijke restaurant aan de Prinsengracht. Ambiance goed, Zitcomfort prima en een fijne, professionele bediening. Presentatie van het eten is zeer mooi met een duidelijke uitleg.

Excellent restaurant and very good service! Friendly staff and fast service. It is also possible to eat vegetarian à la carte or from a menu! I recommend

Beautiful setting and a well-located restaurant. We were a small group and the service was attentive. Great wine selection and well-crafted cocktails. The dishes were thoughtfully prepared and delicious. A great choice for a good evening !

Lovely restaurant charming location and room. Food meets expectations would definitely return

I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful the food was! Lovely presentation and fantastic service. I will be back!

My favorite fish restaurant in Amsterdam. Great food, service and ambience!

Divine in every aspect 🥰! We are so grateful🙏🏻

Price-performance is right. Food very fresh and delicious! Positively surprised. Service very friendly, but could support with additional staff.

Boxing Day Christmas dinner was, in one word, fantastic. Definitely recommended. The delicious menu (what a taste sensation) and the relaxing atmosphere with the very friendly service and the most beautiful table in the restaurant made it unforgettable for us.

The food is on quite expensive side compared to the portion. Surprisingly, I like the steak the most. It is quite tender even though we ordered medium and they cook perfectly as what we ordered. All seafood dish are very fresh so it makes the dish tastes even better. The staffs are very polite and helpful. They give you time to read the menu and always assist with any questions you have.

Very nice discovery, price-quality really hard to beat. Original dishes prepared with care and passion. It all also felt very personal thanks to the smooth communication with Arjan, Laura and the team. Special shout-out to Wouter who did an excellent job with the audience. We will definitely come back!

SUPER GOED en LEKKER gegeten!! Het was beetje rustig, denk stilte voor de storm..... feestdagen. Komen snel terug dank jullie wel voor de leuke avond A&T (16 jaar!!) Amsterdam Oost

OMG! We have been here in December now 2 yrs in a row and its been better the 2nd time. Outstanding service with even better food. Will continue to go again and again. Big recommend!!!! Don’t miss it!

Estaba muy contento de visitar este lugar, ya que la última vez que estuve en Amsterdam estaba lleno. He reservado esta vez con antelación y mis expectativas fueron realmente superados! Cada plato es de 5 estrellas, pude probar el menú degustación completo. Tuvimos una verdadera experiencia Michelin - estrella con una calidad impresionante. ¡Y también descubrimos el increíble vino de Francis Ford Coppola! La calidad de la comida es increíble por el precio. Si quieres una comida llena, estética y educativa (cada plato es su propio viaje), ¡reserva con antelación! ¡Y no solo una vez cuando el menú cambia! Saludos a todo el equipo y al chef!

It was great! I had some sand in mussels. Added after reply: and I’m eating mussels for about 30 years. In my experience I had three times sand in. I understand how difficult is to wash them properly as I also cook mussels by myself!!!

This seafood restaurant is located in a charming canal house, offering a cozy and warm atmosphere. They have both à la carte and set menu options. While the setting is lovely, I found the food somewhat average. I had the lobster bisque, which was flavorful with lobster meat, but the flounder was overcooked and too dry. Overall, the ambiance outshines the food.

We had a delicious meal here last week after we made a reservation for 18 people at very short notice. The help with reservations, the incredibly friendly communication and, above all, the delicious food made it the crowning glory of a fantastic evening for us.

Delicious food, dishes with great taste and structure. Some fish were exceptionally tender and flavorful. Friendly service.

I'm not a huge fan of seafood and yet, the experience at this restaurant was absolutely exceptional ! The value for money is really great. The dishes are a blend of high-level flavors with beautiful presentations (4-course menu). The setting is cozy and authentic, without being too luxurious, with a lot of charm by the canal. The service is perfect. A must-try!

The staff are nice and the atmosphere is wonderful. The foods are very delicious and tasty! I love this restaurant 😉😋

Mi prometida y yo llegamos a Amsterdam menos de un día antes de nuestra cena en John Dory. Habíamos reservado la mesa con algunas semanas de antelación. Queríamos algo especial para nuestro aniversario de tres años. En realidad habíamos seguido lo que nuestra intuición nos dijo cuando elegimos este lugar. ¡Estoy contento por eso! La experiencia en general fue increíble. La comida era absolutamente deliciosa, y el vino también. Los cursos tenían el tamaño justo. El ambiente era tranquilo, el lugar tiene su propia elegancia. Los propietarios y el personal eran muy amables y mostraron gran cuidado y finura en su manera de servir. Nos encantaría volver y sin duda recomendaría John Dory a otros.

Had an amazing dinner here at John Dory. Food was delicious, well prepared and beautiful. The restaurant is low key yet sophisticated and the service wonderful. TY!

Definitely not the best fish restaurant in terms of food but has a good ambient atmosphere and vibes

My boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary last night, the staff even made a card for us, what a nice touch! The food was sublime, the service was impecable. A special thanks to Luigi that made our night perfect. I strongly recommend this experience!

Very good food in terms of quality and presentation

Hands down, one of the best seafood restaurants I've ever been to. The place is very cozy and inviting, the staff is super nice, and the food (we ordered a 5 course dinner) is absolutely amazing. Fresh ingredients, inventive combinations, generous portions, and reasonably priced (not cheap, but worth every cent). We will definitely come back. Highly recommended

A very nice restaurant, you decide the number of dishes you want to eat, 5, 6 or 7 but you don't know what they are going to bring you. And all very good. Fantastic service.

Our third visit to John Dory. It's excellent every time! If you are a fish / seafood lover and in Amsterdam, go there !

Wonderful restaurant, with very original food. All seafood and the dishes are colourful, tasty, look great and taste even better. Was surprised with every course

Impeccable quality and dining experience. A bit pricey though.

Dinner on the 4th of May. We selected the 7-course surprise dinner. Excellent! Food and service were more than perfect. We appreciated the two minute silence in the (complete) restaurant at 20:00, on this Dutch remembrance day.

Incredible place! so as not to stop going!! FABULOUS food!!!!! Pleasant attention. For me a 10 out of 10!!!

Zeer goed 5 gangen vis diner. Verrassingsmenu. A la carte niet mogelijk. Vier gevarieerde amuses bouches. Zeer goed koud voorgerecht langoustines. Gevolg door prachtig stukje daurade met heerlijk knapperige bovenlaag. Rode mul, met merkwaardig en onnodig stukje zwezerik. Hoofdgerecht een kabejauw achtige witte vis op de huid gebakken. De huid net iets te weinig knapperig, met mooie asperges. Fris dessert op basis van aardbeien en rabarber. Minpunt: half flesje chardonnay op wijnkaart ( €35,-) was niet beschikbaar, wel half flesje Chablis voor € 55,-. Glas Chardonnay voor € 12,- ook nogal prijzig. Wel gedwongen minimaal 5 gangen diner, wat ons teveel is. Prima espresso met gourmandises. Vanwege minimaal 5 gangen (€ 80,-) keren wij zeker niet terug.

fantastic experience. obviously, not a cheap one. this top-of-the-line restaurant is worth its micheline awards. to recommend.

We came to Amsterdam with my husband for a short weekend getaway, and this was the most delicious part of our holiday. We chose the 6 course Michelin menu. Price performance quality is very good. Definitely deserves the star.

First of all, the food was amazing. We ordered the 6 course menu, and each dish delivered amazing flavours. I also have to say, the timing was exceptional. 6 courses in 3h is no small feat, each course came at the perfect time. They are capable of hurrying it up if you are in a rush, like the table behind us. A big thank you to Luigi for his service - he was friendly and efficient, the perfect waiter. Finally, the atmosphere - the restaurant does not have many tables on each floor, so the atmosphere stays cozy in this lovely Amsterdam spot. All in all, a great evening and I will definitely come again.

Tasty food, beautifully served, no everyday hassle. If you have something to celebrate and you like fish, reserve a table there and enjoy.

What sublime flavors and top service!

🇳🇱The best "North Sea Fish Restaurant" in Amsterdam @John Dory Seafood Restaurant: Best North Sea Fish 🐠 Restaurant in Amsterdam

Tasty seafood restaurant along the canals. One of the few places in that area that isn’t a tourist trap. Delicious menu, nice wines, and super friendly staff. Definitely try the duck liver with mushroom ice cream for dessert, which is truely unique!

Wir waren nach 5 Jahren wieder da und wurden nicht enttäuscht. Zunächst großartige Austern und dann das Überraschungsmenü. Für mich waren 5 Gänge mehr als ausreichend, der Rest hatte 6 Gänge. Fisch und Meeresfrüchte in super Qualität, kreativ umgesetzt. Tadellose Weine. Empfehlung für einen speziellen Abend.

Viel tegen. Erg kleine porties, geen heel bijzondere smaak ervaringen en onaardige bediening. En dat voor € 140 per persoon.

Amazing experience. Michelin star food for regular prices!

Delicious. At first it seemed like very little, but this was exactly 😊

Just amazing! We went for a 6 course menu. Every dish was fantastically prepared and presented with care. The restaurant is cozy and the service is more than ok.

Unfortunately not satisfied. On the day itself, I saw a photo on Instagram that they were smoking pike-perch for the main course. We got coalfish, which was dry and had little taste. The lady at the counter told us that the owners were on a winter sports holiday. We expected more from the service, there was little attention. In terms of food, the Argentinian prawn and the amuse with parmesan cheese stood out. Nothing else really stood out to be positive. It was very cold in the restaurant. Still losing a lot of money, which isn't a problem if everything is in proportion. This was not the case here. Had a very good experience last time. But we won't be doing this again anytime soon.

Lovely place with delicious food, extremely attentive and friendly people. It was a delightful evening, one of those you will remember ❤️ Chef adjusted recipes specifically for me, taking into account what I can’t eat. Amazing service 👌

We enjoyed the chef’s menu with 4 courses of exceptionally well prepared fish dishes. The service was very good and couldn’t be faulted. Due to the fact we chose to eat early we were the only customers in the restaurant and therefore there was a lack of atmosphere.

Absolute recommendation! Great ambience, excellent service, exceptional food.

I got it from my son Erwin van der Meijden For Christmas I've enjoyed it It was intimate and cozy Good friendly service And class for the delicious food

The place has a nice intimate atmosphere, it looks not super cozy, but also not like a cheap restaurant. Service is fine, but too formal and minimalistic I'd say. Dishes were described too laconically, for some dishes we have waited too long. The food itself is from 'more or less fine' to delicious quality. In general, I'd give the food 4 stars, but one of the most awaited dishes - lobster, was over-salted. I think that's not acceptable for this restaurant level. For this minus 1 star. In the end, I have mixed feelings about the place. It's not bad for sure, but maybe it's better to consider some alternative if you'd like to visit a fish restaurant.

3rd visit, always excellent. Near faultless across the board

Amazing food with beautiful presentation and great service. This time the staff chose the wine for us and did some great choices. In my opinion, best place in the city.

Great fine dining place. Elaborated very tasty dishes

This is my second visit and just like the first visit, I am highly delighted. The food, the service of the owners; lovely couple; and the environment all great. Especially the food was inspiring…

Echt zo heerlijk gegeten! Vriendelijke bediening en heerlijke wijn. . Wij komen zeker terug

We went for 7 courses dinner. The foods were great. We had a new expreience in having fish in almost every plates. It exceeded my expectation. Love it. The owners were also giving very good service. They actually gave a good recommendation on wine paring. However, the plates at the 6th course and 7th cousr seems abit slow due to the fact that all of the table were fully booked and there were a lot of guests. But at the end, the dessert was worth the wait. Would definitely revisit again next time in Amsterdam.❤️

Couldn't finish the menu, then Puked everything out as soon as I got home. I guess don't order the oysters if you don't like stomach cramps. I've been there a few other times and it was good. Generally a good place.

Wonderful tasting menu and service! Unique flavors and presentation. The servers were hustling with the top floor full. Worth the visit

Great atmosphere and food was phenomenal! We had such a great meal.

Incredible fish restaurant. Amsterdam's finest. A MUST visit!

Beautiful food, top quality service and great value for fine dining. Highly recommended

Zuivere vis, lekker eten en goede wijnen. Iets te veel licht mag wat meer gedimd.