Rainarai Westerpark in Spaarndammer- en Zeeheldenbuurt

What an hidden gem! Staff is really friendly and the food amazing 😍 with the calm music and atmosphere from the park I could finally relax my mind

I am visiting from the US and had a wonderful lunch here - 1 course for 2 people. Everything was delicious! Fresh & great flavors. The owner was very friendly and accommodating. I loved sitting on the raised tables with pillows - so comfy and fun!

What a wonderful experience at Rainarai in Westerpark! The food was super tasty, with a varied selection of dishes for both vegetarians and meat lovers. Every dish was full of flavor and prepared with care. Additionally, the owner makes all the difference. He speaks multiple languages ​​and really does his best to make everyone feel welcome and at ease. The warm and hospitable atmosphere completes the picture. Highly recommended for anyone looking for delicious food and a fun evening!

Waiting over 1.5 hours for food and a drink, and then waiting for eternity. Once is enough, never again!

We ate here last night with a large group and had a fantastic evening! The owner was incredibly friendly and we felt very welcome. The food was delicious and the terrace was beautiful. We would love to come back!

The food was really delicious. Flavors you never recreate at home, with rich combinations of beautiful fresh ingredients. Highly recommended! The owner is super friendly and has a passion for his business!

My wife and I (we live in Amsterdam) had a wonderful Tuesday evening outdoor meal at Rainarai Westerpark today. We let the chef decide what to bring and gave him no instructions (other than "not too spicy". The entire staff surprised us with a wonderful medley of tastes and small dishes. It was a great Tuesday

Their work is excellent, and the Egyptian who presents the application and the accountant are excellent.

The place beautiful, the views magical, but the service of the bald guy was disrespectful and unprofessional such a shame for a really great location

Eaten here for the second time. Truly delicious! The food is very beautifully presented with plenty of vegetables and delicious herbs. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are somewhere in North Africa, with friendly service. In short, a visit to Rainarai is highly recommended!

We had a delicious meal and received friendly service. Highly recommended. The location in Westerpark is also great.

Tasty Algerian food, authentic vibe, very good. Also vegan and vegetarian options for those who like them.

Had a delicious meal, super hospitable people, and a bit of everything. Delicious spiced chicken, fish, and vegetarian food. With the generously filled tables and welcoming people, the relaxed atmosphere, and the location of the restaurant, you feel like you are outside Amsterdam for a moment. Definitely recommended to kick off or end your weekend on a high note, or simply to relax on a weekday evening with delicious and nutritious food.

Incredibly cozy place! The food was finger-licking good :) The service was very friendly and showed a lot of interest. If I could, I would sit here every day 🤗 Highly recommended!

A very nice, authentic restaurant with delicious food! Friendly staff!

We had a great experience at Rainarai. The food was fresh and delicious, and the staff was incredibly kind and accommodating. We’ll definitely be coming back!

The food was tasty... but when we ordered drinks, we were confronted with the fact that we couldn't order à la carte but had to choose between a 1, 2, or 3-course menu. One course was already €32.00 per person. I thought it was too expensive for what we got.

Great food, nice and cozy location! Definitely recommended!

Great food and wine. Interesting ambient. Highly recommend it.

Delicious food, surprisingly tasty and different. Good service.

Nice terrace, but very uninterested and slow service. One waiter completely ignored us several times, even when we wanted to pay at the bar. Very frustrating and rude. Don't think I'll be coming back.

We had a super delicious meal. The food is flavorful and varied, and the service is very sweet. We will definitely be back!

Nice spot in Westerpark. Super terrace. The tableware was a bit mediocre, but the food was excellent. The wine was rubbish!

What a fantastic restaurant this is! They are incredibly welcoming here, and it immediately felt like coming home. Besides the hospitality, the spices are an explosion in your mouth! I highly recommend it! Thanks for the extra service!

We arrived after 10:00 PM; the kitchen was closed, but they were kind enough to prepare a meal for us anyway. It was delicious! The owner was standing outside preparing tasty food by the fire. Friendly service when we were looking for the right wine. Thanks and see you next time!

Great food, ample portions, nice dining room with a view of the kitchen. This is an "omakase" style restaurant where you choose the number of courses, inform the waiter of food restrictions/allergies, and the bring you the chef's choices. We had two courses and it was plenty - I would not have had room for a dessert course. The "two courses" were more like six different dishes (plus rice and bread). Really delicious! We had a large mixed salad, a labneh-like yogurt starter and an eggplant spread starter, a mixed pumpkin/greens/broccoli main item with chicken and also salmon with carrots. This was the best meal we ate in Amsterdam during our week-long visit. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Great food, we tried all - veggie, fish and meat and everything was excellent.

What is such a shame here is that the building is not maintained. Everything is grubby. There was no towel in the toilet. It was very quiet in the restaurant, and yet we were seated next to the only occupied table. We didn't understand it at all. The music is so intrusive (Arabic music) that you can barely hear each other. It is a pity, because the food, on the other hand, is delicious. I would go back for that, but not for the atmosphere. We had to wait a very long time for the food while we couldn't choose; it was a set menu, so you would expect it to be prepared in the kitchen. In short, go for good food. The rest could certainly be better with a little extra attention from management.

The food is excellent, great variety and many options for vegetarian.

Had a really delicious meal, super flavorful

We've been coming back here every two or three years for about 10 years. I really like the food, and in my experience, they prioritize hospitality.

Rainarai near Westerpark is highly recommended. Their nomadic cuisine surprises with delicious flavors and vegan options. That can be a challenge in Amsterdam, but here it was fantastic. The owner even came by, making us feel truly welcome. The location? Perfect if you're heading to Toomler afterward.

We were unlucky, as we got a table without a reservation. The food itself is good. There's only one set menu per day, and you're not told what it is beforehand (the waiter thought that was funny). And then it takes two hours for the food to arrive. So they make the exact same thing for everyone and it takes a full two hours. That's really bad. The atmosphere is loud, you can barely hear your friends sitting at the table, the chairs are uncomfortable, and it's cramped. On top of that, it's outrageously expensive. Never again; you feel trapped like in a prison.

I've rarely been so disappointed in a restaurant. From the moment we walked in, something felt off. The service seemed disorganized; no one greeted us or offered a menu. We waited a long time before anyone even came to take our order, and when the food finally arrived, the disappointment was complete. The dishes were tasteless, poorly prepared, and sloppily presented. As an Algerian, I'm honestly ashamed of how Nomadic cuisine was presented here—it has nothing to do with the rich flavors and love with which our dishes are normally prepared. The ingredients seemed old, the colors dull, and the textures completely different from what they should be. The beetroot and red cabbage salad was dry and lacking any finesse. Nothing seemed fresh or carefully made, as if something had been thrown together just to serve "something." The food was simply awful; our plates remained almost untouched. At the bar, we ordered one mocktail—the only non-alcoholic option on the entire menu—and it was utterly terrible. Unbalanced, strangely flavorful, and definitely not a drink you'd expect in a restaurant. The drinks menu was deeply disappointing, and the atmosphere was anything but pleasant. The music went from too soft to suddenly far too loud, then quiet again, making the whole experience even more chaotic. It felt like there was no direction or vision in what this restaurant was trying to be. We left early and made it clear that we only wanted to pay for what we'd actually eaten. Even that felt like overpriced, considering the quality. We didn't have dessert, and frankly, we didn't want it anymore. It was a disappointment on every level—from the service to the food, from the ambiance to the attention to detail. In short: if you're looking for a place where quality, authenticity, and customer service are paramount, this is unfortunately not the right choice. I sincerely hope the management takes this feedback to heart, because the potential is there, but right now, it's completely untapped.

I have booked this amazing restaurant to celebrate Valentine’s Day with my love. I booked a week prior, we arrived and our table wasn’t ready, we waited 30 minutes!! Seating in a bar without any started or snack while we waited. We asked the waitress to get a piece of bread and she denied, saying we didn’t have a table number. We waited 1.5 HOURS to eat! Food came wrong! No entrance! Then everything came all at once. We requested the bill and it never came, we had to stand up and go to the register and wait there for someone. This was beyond unfortunate, we are really shocked and frustrated. Food was incredible, restaurant was severely understaffed and staff wasn’t helpful at all. We will think about coming back here..

Delicious food, very friendly and attentive service, good atmosphere!

A disappointing experience at Rainarai Westerpark that fell short of expectations and was fraught with regrettable misrepresentation. The restaurant refused to accept the Yums credit at the time of payment, despite it being clearly stated on the accepted reservation. They also claimed the POS system was broken, preventing an official receipt. I wouldn't have booked a meal here otherwise if it weren't for the Yums credit. Furthermore, it was frustrating to be faced with limited choices, unexpected menu changes, and substitutions made without consultation, especially when these changes affected the ability to enjoy the meal and accommodate the needs of the rest of the party. It is particularly concerning that promises regarding spiciness and dietary requirements were not kept. Key shortcomings summarized: * Lack of menu transparency and imposed set menus, despite advertised à la carte options * Unapproved substitutions (e.g., replacing lamb with chicken without notice) * Misinformation regarding dietary restrictions * Inappropriately spicy food for minors who cannot tolerate spicy food, despite reassurances * Misleading communication surrounding the use of Yums Judging by other scathing reviews, one would be unconvinced that the restaurant takes these issues seriously and has any commitment to maintaining the standards customers expect. At best, the food was mediocre, uncreative, buffet-style, and tasted bland. Other rave reviews likely came from diners with inexperienced palates, somehow taken aback by the presence of herbs/spices in contrast to the usual bread and cheese they are accustomed to. I had been here before and hoped this Yums experience would change my mind. Unfortunately, that was not the case and would not recommend this place.

Great place where vegetables get just as much attention as meat and fish!

The personal attention the owner gives you is something you rarely see in Amsterdam. Everything is seasoned so beautifully, and the way they make rice and vegetables taste is a true art. I would recommend this place to everyone; the owner deserves it!

Always incredibly authentic and tasty. A place to keep coming back to

Great atmosphere, delicious food, and excellent service. Three options on the menu: menu 1, 2, or 3. Deliciously delicious. Menu 1 was more than enough for me. I'll definitely be back. Patrick

A charming, cozy, and beautiful place with a wonderful aroma the moment you walk in, just as you'd expect from an African restaurant; with all the rich flavors of the North African region—and all in a historic building. Why wasn't I here earlier?!

Food was good, chef was awesome, very good spot.

We had a fantastic meal and it was an inspiring evening. We especially enjoyed the food and the experience, the restaurant was friendly and welcoming.

I’ve celebrated several occasions here, and it has always been such a wonderful experience. The food is absolutely amazing and never gets boring and every visit feels special. I absolutely love the atmosphere, and the service is consistently friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended!!! Thanks Rainarai

had a very intimate and cozy experience at Rainarai! the food was incredible and the service was amazing - very personal touch (shoutout to Laurent!) Will be back again soon

Delicious food, fantastic flavors. Good service.

Delicious food, nice atmosphere, very friendly service. Highly recommended!

We made a reservation here on a Sunday evening around 18:00 with seven adults and two young children under 4 years old. I booked based on the à la carte menu because it looked good, but upon arrival, the owner only recommended the chef's surprise menu at €32.00 per person, so we couldn't choose anything ourselves. It wasn't too busy in the restaurant at that time at all. We told him beforehand that the children would be joining our plates for dinner. Then the owner said, "Because it's so cold outside, "I've made this vegetarian dish extra spicy with harissa!" Well, that was even too spicy for us. And the chicken had skewers in it. They could have warn us for that beforehand. We even left a lot of food behind. In conclusion, I found the service unpleasant and overpriced for what you get.

We had a super delicious meal with surprising dishes. The chef came to the table to explain the dishes with humor. The service was also great, highly recommended.

Fun place to go, varied food with surprise. Overall a good experience

Everything delicious. Cool atmosphere. Will repeat for sure

We would like to sincerely thank you for the wonderful experience we had at your restaurant last night. It was our first time there, as we don't live in Amsterdam, and the warm welcome we received was truly special. We immediately felt at ease and very welcome. The hostess was truly fantastic—friendly, attentive, genuine, and with a wonderful energy. Such people are the heart and soul of a restaurant. We were also amazed by the delicious blend of flavors and the care that was palpable in every dish. Our compliments to the chef and the entire team. The love, kindness, and attention you give your guests make all the difference. You create more than just a meal, but a true experience. We enjoyed every dish and the atmosphere. Congratulations again to the chef and to the wonderful hostess—a gem.

A very warm welcome and delicious cuisine!!!

We went in because of the delicious smell. The service was super friendly and the food delicious. However, the owner was unfriendly. We wanted to order dessert and went to the counter. He then said he'd come to our table right away. Ten minutes later, he came back and yelled at us for sitting too long. That left a bad taste in our mouths. It was a shame.

Not been there, but they do not pick up the phone, nor do they have an email or whatsapp. Surprising they manage to have a google location. Still keen to try and have food there.

A lovely, delicious lunch outside. A super friendly host/chef. Good food. Will definitely be back!

Overpriced and not tasty, what a disappointment. We had three and a half salmon steaks to share among four people. I really enjoyed the chicken, but it was a shame that only two pieces of chicken breast were available per person.

We had a wonderful meal. We opted for the two-course menu. An explosion of flavors. The octopus was incredibly delicious.

What a disastrous downfall. This place used to be a gem, but now it feels like a parody of itself. The menu has been stripped down to a rigid fixed selection: fish, beef, lamb, or a token vegetarian option. Sounds simple enough—except they were out of both beef and lamb. Strike one. When it came to sides, the choice was rice or couscous. We picked couscous. Guess what? They were out of that too. Strike two. The so-called “first course” was nothing more than a few pitiful dips with flatbread. One was a baffling green aioli, the others were dull, lifeless smears of eggplant and beet. Calling this half of a €40 meal is almost insulting—the portions were meager, the flavors flat, the effort nonexistent. Strike three. It honestly hurts to write this, because this used to be one of the neighborhood’s best spots. Now it’s a hollow shell of what it once was. A restaurant that can’t keep its most basic offerings in stock and charges premium prices for scraps has lost all credibility. Do better!

Very good North African food. The vegetable appetizers were excellent. Then chicken tajin and salmon -- perfectly made.

We had a lovely meal outside, overlooking the cooking area. A lovely place for a cozy and delicious meal. Highly recommended!

Love the outdoor area! Owner cooking on the fireplace. Their location on prinsengracht is also amazing!

Delicious food, great atmosphere. Highly recommended! The couscous and fish tagine the chef prepared were delicious!

Delicious food! I opted for the one-course menu because a la carte wasn't available. In hindsight, it was a good thing, otherwise I wouldn't have chosen or tasted it! The most delicious vegetables ever, too.

We had a delicious meal at this nomadic restaurant. We opted for a two-course menu. Both the appetizer and main course consisted of various appetizers. The wine was from Algeria, deliciously fruity. Finally, Rimrim's service was excellent. Definitely worth a return visit, and also great for extended dining with larger groups.

Heerlijk gekruid eten! Lekker menu van de chef gehad het was super veel maar echt heerlijk. De bediening doet het op z’n eigen manier en maakt er een show van

For our team day, we wanted to try something "different." And well, that's exactly what we got... From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the owner in a particularly unfriendly and disrespectful manner. There was no hospitality whatsoever, so we decided to leave immediately. Luckily, we found a cozy pizzeria a little further down the road, where we were welcomed with open arms and had a delicious meal. That's how it can be done! This restaurant? Absolutely not recommended!

Voor onze teamdag wilden we eens iets “anders” proberen. Nou, dat kregen we ook… Vanaf het moment dat we aankwamen, werden we op bijzonder onvriendelijke en respectloze wijze ontvangen door de eigenaar. Geen greintje gastvrijheid, waardoor we besloten meteen te vertrekken. Gelukkig kwamen we even verderop terecht bij een gezellige pizzeria, waar we wél met open armen werden ontvangen en heerlijk hebben gegeten. Zo kan het dus ook! Dit restaurant? Absoluut geen aanrader.

Not great / special. Looks nice at first sight. Fresh vegetables etc. Single set menu and the food really has no taste. Waste of time and money. Service is slow and food is warmed up.

Masha'Allah, a beautiful restaurant. I ordered chicken and couscous from them. I recommend you try it, but the order takes about 35 minutes. My order hasn't arrived yet. There were people before me who had their order delivered, but it might be because it was crowded, but it's beautiful.

He viajado mucho y he probado comidas increíbles, y la comida que acabamos de probar en Raïnaraï está sin duda en la lista de las mejores. Los sabores eran simplemente excepcionales. El servicio fue genial. Era una atmósfera realmente única. Fue una experiencia perfecta. Ojalá hubiera venido con más hambre para poder comer más.

Amazing food, great service and beautiful setting. We went for a 2 course set mezze meal where the chef surprised us with a selection of North African dishes. We sat at tables in the grass of westerpark making a perfect scene for a date night on a hot summers evening.

Excellent food!!! The three-course meal, including dessert, was absolutely amazing! All the ingredients were carefully selected and perfectly combined. I've never tasted such delicious chicken in curry sauce! Very pleasant ambiance right on the water. The staff was very friendly and reliable!

we had made a reservation on June 12 for that same evening. Everyone was sitting outside. There was a large table with about 30 people already present. Apparently that was too much for the chef and service. We waited an hour for a first course. The service was very stressed and kept coming by to apologize for the long wait and incorrectly delivered orders, also at other tables. Only the large table was served well. The owner behaved rudely towards the guests, and we heard shouting from the kitchen several times. The food was completely uninspired and very mediocre. On the website and even on the displayed menu you could still order a variety of mezze. That was no longer possible. An example of what we were served; sticky couscous, on top of which some chicken was slapped with a mixture of herbs that everyone can buy at Jumbo. The vegetables included eggplant with blackened bitter skin, some half-cooked carrots and pieces of zucchini. The food at every cafe is better; the price too.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, we stumbled upon a beautiful spot in Westerpark: Rainarai. We enjoyed some drinks in the sun and decided to have dinner there as well. The menu is simple: you choose either a 1, 2, or 3-course meal with fish, meat, or vegetarian options. Beyond that, it’s a daily changing menu — nothing to choose from, which means no stress and no food envy. Perfect! The food was a very flavourful nomadic, Algerian–North African fusion. Great value for money. We have quite a bit of experience living and dining out in Amsterdam. 😂

What a gem! Surprisingly fresh food. Today as a starter artichoke with beet salad. Fantastic.

Both the food, the service and the atmosphere are worth a big 10 🏆

One year later and a perfect day , 32 C, to eat on the terrace under the trees with most of the rest of Amsterdam on the ring for 750yrs anniversary. Chefs menu, 1,2 or 3 courses we took 2 with Starter was artichoke with beetroot , vinegrett dressing and hummus and babaganousch. Then mains - eggplant, rice, chicken tajine and pastilla with cod all delicious. Rainy Friday lunch time, and very quiet hence the low rating for the atmosphere .BUT delicious food. We took the mixed Mezze lunch, mix of vegetables , rice, couscous, chicken and gambas for 2 with their bread, everything was delicious and right quantities for us.

This is a delightful restaurant! very good food, and vegetarian friendly. Chef was accommodating and welcoming although service a bit slow. Can accommodate both large groups and small groups relatively easily (big tables available). Both outdoor & indoor seating available. Most of all, the food was delicious. Really a gem!

Had a wonderful meal at Rainarai. The atmosphere is warm and authentic, with dishes full of flavour and character. Everything was well coordinated and beautifully presented. A special thanks to manager Karim, who guided us in a relaxed and hospitable manner. You can feel that they work here with attention and love. Definitely a place to come back to.

Ranarai is truly a gem! The ambiance is super cozy, with nice music and a warm atmosphere. The food is fantastic - surprising, tasty and beautifully presented. The service is friendly and attentive, which makes you feel welcome right away. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to eat well in a relaxed setting!

We had a great dinner for my sister’s 30th birthday with the family, the location and vibe are amazing and the food was maybe even better! We had the perfect birthday dinner, thank you very much <3

Excellent food. Very nice ambiance between the trees. Great service.

Beautiful relaxed setting with friendly interactive staff and delicious food! Something unique in Amsterdam

Fantastic. I don't understand what the low score is about. Food, staff, outdoor seating (in summer), the whole atmosphere, it was just brilliant.

Excellent service, great atmosphere, would highly recommend

Magical setting; slightly disorganized but hospitable service; deep, balanced and healthy food.

Great service. Was an outstanding experience! Literally everything they served was fantastic and tasteful! Can highly recommend Rainarai!

The new manager Karim has done a remarkable job. So enjoyed a lovely evening on the patio with exotic flavors 💚

a beautiful spot to enjoy beautiful food!

Joyful experience and easy friendships in this Algerian restaurant full of people who know how to cook and serve

have wanted to come here for aaaages and it did not disappoint! was so flavourful, fresh, fulling and a little bit fancy (but not too fancy at all) also so vegan friendly which i love! staff are lovely, setting is stunning and music is spot on

Great food with a bitter ending. I’ve ordered one 2 course meal for me and my friend to share. Afterwards I needed to pay nearly the double amount because it ‘was not custom’. Which would be okay if you’d tell us beforehand. Doei.

Perfecta cocina auténtica y ambiente. Relájate y disfruta. El menú vegetariano y vegano es rico en sabor. Deliciosa comida. Sin duda volveremos. Recomendable

Super tasty food and very generous portions. I dont get the rating of 3.9 honestly, its very misleading. The food is super tasty and satisfying. Its nothing fancy, but definitely very hearty food. They have nice big terrace, super nice on a hot day. The service is a bit slow, but everyone is super kind and friendly. We reallly enjoyed it.

I love this place so much. We ordered the mezze lunch for two and got stuffed. Got a take away container to have for dinner, it was insanely good!! I will be back for sure :)

Amazing food, need to let the chef invite you into his home, food cooked that catered to 3 different tastes, chef can be a bit brash but seriously let him surprise you.

Poor service, the food quite deceiving (dry fish, overcooked meat). Don’t go there! When we arrived we were told tables were reserved although none clients came after us, so we were forced to seat next to an occupied table. We mentioned that we wanted to eat a light dinner (my friend had food before and I was not extremely hungry), the waiter acknowledged without telling us what will come (a surprise). In the end he said the Chef did not listen to him, they brought us 8 dishes in total, and charged us 85€ for 2 people. Really not what we came for neither what we asked to the waiter. This place seems to not care about their clients.

The owner is extremely rude and disrespectful not just to his employees, but to customers as well. Such a shame, because the food is actually really good.