Restaurant Gary Loen in Westelijk Havengebied

Hidden gem. Relaxed atmosphere, cozy decoration, excellent service and fine food. The dishes were carefully presented, all of them with some unexpected ingredient and well combined. The sea bass is delicious, also the canard, definetely must try one of the two. The staff is also very kind

Beautiful space, fun & thoughtful service, great food. Good for a slow leisurely dinner

Atmosphere was six stars for us: a lounge, stove, super cozy vibes and delicious food. When I think back to this evening I have a big smile and fuzzy feelings of comfort. What a nice place. The flavors were bright, light. Combinations super delicious and creme brulee an absolute must with lemongrass.

Today we had another delicious meal! It's amazing that so few people know about this place. You can get there quickly by bus from CS.

The friendliest staff and a nice fusion of Indonesian & Dutch food.

Arrived late after a show in the Amsterdam Theatre nearby without reservations and we had the most wonderful experience. Highly recommended

Second time we have eaten here and it was great again. Delicious food and a very nice atmosphere.

The restaurant is very romantic and cozy, with a lot of flowers, plants, decorations,... and French music in the background. The food is French cuisine with some interesting touch of Indonesian cuisine. The waiter is friendly, explained the menu carefully. Extra plus as a dog-friendly restaurant

I had a pleasant evening, but given the good reviews I expected more. I thought the food was tasty but not special, and a lot of the same spices for each dish. For this reason I don't think the price-quality ratio is good and I actually thought it was too expensive. The staff is super friendly and the restaurant has a distinct but warm atmosphere.

I highly recommend a visit with Gary. You can tell that the houseboat was decorated with a lot of love, plus absolutely delicious food, delicious wine and exceptional service. The restaurant is located a little outside the city, but is easy to reach by bus or car. We'll definitely be back! :)

The evening at Gary's was excellent. You immediately feel at home. Incredibly friendly and courteous service and incredibly good food. Thank you!

Delicious food and the chef's wine pairing was top-notch. Cozy atmosphere. Service could have been a little faster.

Beautiful restaurant, staff very friendly, food delicious, service excellent, highly recommend

We were so looking forward to trying this place because of its rave reviews but left very disappointed. It could have been an off night for both the food and service. I’ll caveat this review by mentioning that at the end of the night, our server apologised and took all our drinks and part of the meal off our bill, which we very much appreciated. We each chose a 3 course menu, with different courses. The appetiser before the courses was wonderful, a lovely chilled cucumber and tomato soup. After that, things went downhill. Each course took over an hour to arrive. My partner’s second course was forgotten and when we reminded them and asked how long the subsequent course would take to arrive, we were told it depends on how fast my partner could eat his forgotten second course, putting the responsibility on my partner rather than the kitchen. We tried to cancel it but it soon came, and the fish was so rare my partner couldn’t eat it. Eventually the main arrived and I’ve never been more upset at a restaurant dish. The salmon fillet was essentially raw, served alongside boiled vegetables and nothing was seasoned. I couldn’t believe I was spending money on it. The duck (supplementary €20!) was much better cooked and tastier, but not worth the hefty additional cost. By this point we had been sat down for over 3 hours and decided to forego the dessert because we just wanted to get home. Throughout the night multiple drinks were also forgotten with no apology until we left. Like I said, it could have been an off night. But sadly this experience left a bad raw fish taste in our mouths.

We had a very tasty meal with a very hospitable welcome at this floating restaurant. The location is remote, the ambiance seems a bit random, but it is definitely worth a visit. The menu is not large, mainly French cuisine with an Indian twist. Choice of two, three or four course menu. Flavors well matched and a beautiful presentation. The dessert in particular was a true work of art.

A fantastic evening with an outstanding menu and many culinary highlights. We won't forget this evening. This restaurant works with love for food and guests. We have rarely felt as welcome as with Gary Loen. LG, all the best, see you next time Note: the second visit confirms our experiences from the first visit. We would love to come back, another great evening. We'll be back, 1a

Everything was perfect, from the food, very tasty till the service. Particular attention to the customer, 5 stars deserved.

Very tasty food, beautiful location and friendly staff!

Dear Gary, Thank you for the wonderful evening with you. For us, the evening wasn’t just “going out to eat”, but rather a great and relaxed overall experience. The restaurant is simply wonderful and bears your personal signature. The furnishings and decoration are inspiring, pictures, vases, plants, flower garlands, lanterns, ... a beautiful place to enjoy. The food is special and very tasty. Your recommendations for drinks and food are great. And you are such a friendly host, very personal and lovable. We will definitely come back! Kind regards Jens and Doreen

Such a hidden gem! All the flavors are popping and the setting is super cozy, like a hidden garden on the water. Perfect for a huddle with friends or your beau. Gary is the most hospitable chef, host, and storyteller, passionate, personable, warm and engaging. The pescatarian 4-course chef's menu, revealed a well-balanced epicurean feast, blending Indonesian flavors, with a contemporary interpretation of French classics like bouillabaisse , with fresh seasonal ingredients. Every bite was delicious!

Very friendly service and exceptionally good food. We had a very relaxing evening. A delicate solution was also found for vegetarians. Thank you very much!

This is the best restaurant we have ever been to. It was a magical experience from beginning to end. The atmosphere is gorgeous and cozy with beautiful views. The owner and chef, Gary Loen served us and treated us so well. He speaks 5 languages and made everyone feel at home. The food and presentstion was elegant and delicious with a touch of whimsy. For the quality of the experience it was a great value.

We had the excellent 4-course menu at Gary Loen and were thrilled with every dish. The confit duck was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and tender meat that just melted on the tongue. The sea wolf steamed in banana leaf was also a highlight—flavorful and succulent. Gary's hospitality was particularly remarkable; he took the time to chat with us and even took a photo with us at the end of the evening, making our visit truly unforgettable. The atmosphere in the restaurant is unique, marked by loving decoration with fresh flowers and a warm, welcoming environment. An unforgettable evening with outstanding food and first-class service. Highly recommended!

Had a very nice evening at Gary Loen’s. Friendly and personal service from Gary and great food. Highly recommended

We went to Gary for our 5th anniversary. The welcoming was very warm and there's a monthly changing menu from which you can choose between 3, 4 or 5 courses. We didn't really like the starter with grilled avocado. Unfortunately it was a bit cold inside which is something you don't expect when it's being described as grilled. Everyother dish was fine but the highlight certainly is the main dishes, steak or duck confit. These were really superb. Unfortunately we lacked a proper description of the dishes and the used ingredients. Also there's no physical menus where you can read more about it so you have to rely on a chalkboard and what Gary tells you. As I have worked in gastronomy for many years, I have expected a bit more in regards to consultation and description of foods. The interior is really interesting and detailed. The location being a house boat is very nice and romantic as well. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and might also be back in the future to give it another try. Definitely worth a try and good value for your money.

Some random searches lead to incredibly beautiful results and experiences. Discovered online - Gary was personally on the phone when making the reservation. And then wonderfully present in the evening. We enjoyed the finest fish, asparagus and duck legs. Creative. Cooked to perfection. Pure taste experiences. Plus a host of excellence. And the ambience!!!! You have to experience it because it is quite unique. Thanks for the lovely evening, Gary and team.

Unique location in the Minervahaven, with delicious satay and a beautiful outside terrace for when the weather is nice!

We were eager to experience this restaurant. I went there in person to take a look. I asked to make a reservation and was told I had to do so online. I emailed them. No answer in two days. I emailed again. Then I left a voicemail. No answer. I called again and could not get voicemail one day before our 'reservation'. So I cancelled the reservation. How can you trust someplace that can't simply respond 'Yes' or 'No'?

I found Gary Loen restaurant night before our trip to Amsterdam. I was looking at the places to eat near Moxy because hotel restaurant was Michelin. We have had our fair share of M places and do not want to go anymore. Enough of that. What is more appealing is just great atmosphere, good food and the happiness. I didn’t book at the night before because we just pop in to some place if we are hungry, so I didn’t know if we get to the hotel first. But train from airport to Centraal and then bus to Houthavens were enough and the weather didn’t look promising. At the bus stop I pointed Gary Loen restaurant to my husband, and he said immediately, this is the place for us. After taking bags to hotel, we walked to GL and were able to get a table, although it was almost fully booked. Still today, after one week of the visit, we are smiling when thinking about Gary and his restaurant. The place is lushious, lavish, beautiful and ultimately a happy place. Décor is full of fun surprises, and the flowers and plants beautiful. Food and drink were perfect, and the whole experience just what we needed that rainy Friday night. Aspargus with baby squids, confit de canard for my husband, fish & super tasty herb salad for me, plus crème brulee with fois gras plus a glass of sauterners. Gary is fantastic person and although restaurant was full and he was very busy, he was still having time to have little chat with all the guests. We recommend this place and will be back again. If you go, remember to take time and enjoy the entire experience. Fun & happy things are what we need these days.

Gary is a wonderful host, you can tell that he has turned his passion into a career. Great ambience, lovingly furnished, unique restaurant. Gary looks after his guests very pleasantly and lovingly. The menu was simply top class and it rightly won several awards. Clear recommendation!!!!

Here a restaurateur lives his thing, many thanks to Gary for the wonderful evening, food, service, ambience, but above all the personal touch make a visit absolutely recommended. I will only eat octopus here again, fantastic. Price/performance are absolutely top.

For us it is now a MUST on every trip to Amsterdam. I became aware of the restaurant through the positive reviews and we called spontaneously. As soon as we arrived we felt like we were at home. Gary greeted us like “family.” The ambience invites you to feel good. There is something to see everywhere. The food…. I think sensational is the right term. The menu is explained at the table (always changing menus) and if something doesn't fit, another suggestion is made straight away. Every course tasted perfect and exceptional. Everything was really well prepared. It wasn’t just “food” but an experience. Gary kept coming to the table and was just a fantastic host. The price-performance ratio is definitely good. We will be back! Thank you for this great evening Gary

A pleasant, original and cozy restaurant, with a warm and professional welcome. Excellent cuisine. Gary is very nice. We can only recommend this restaurant.

The perfect place in an unexpected area! Decor of the place is unique that is an experience by itself! Menu was amazing and the host made me feel home! See you soon Gary !

We had a VIP corporate dinner at Gary Loen last night and the food was outstanding, as was the service. I highly recommend this restaurant. Gary Loen and his team are amazing!

An absolute must if you are in Amsterdam and are not looking for something in the center. A great host and chef Gary Loen welcomes you personally!!! Absolutely delicious and authentic menu on the recommendation of Gary Loen and also absolutely great in terms of price!!!! We will be back! 5 Stars

Beautiful French cuisine with Indonesian notes. The boss speaks French. A must-see if you're in this part of Amsterdam and worth a visit if you're further afield.

So happy to discover this hidden gem for dinner near my hotel. When it was rainy and cold outside, the colorful and warm decorations were extra welcoming. They seem to only serve the chef menu (2-4 dishes) I went for the 4 courses which ended up being just 65euros, incredible value when you'd easily pay 200quid for an experience like this in London, and you may not even get as much attention. My favorite is the laksa soup and asparagus with baby octopus, the flavors are so rich and orignal while the ingredients cooked perfectly. Actually the duck was as well, super crispy. Dessert is not too sweet which is a great clean finish for this spectacular dining experience. Thank you so much!

Incredible restaurant, the location is magnificent. Looking forward to coming back when there is the terrace

It was a fantastic experience. Warm and welcoming staff and wonderful food. For a reasonable price. Indonesian with a French twist. The wines were accompanying the food very well. We had such a great evening. Highly recommended!

Wir waren schon oft bei Gary und sind jedes Mal fasziniert von seiner Kochkunst und seiner herzlichen Art im Umgang mit den Gästen. In der Speisefolge der perfekt auf-einander abgestimmten Gänge zeigt sich die kulinarische Vielfalt und man merkt, dass er mit viel Liebe kocht. Auch der perfekte Service durch Nikki verdient ein großes Lob. Einrichtung und Dekoration des Lokals sorgen für absolute Wohlfühlatmosphäre. Ein Besuch in Garys Restaurant ist ein "must have", wenn wir in der Nähe sind.

Exceptionally good restaurant experience with only a surprise menu, and this surprise was delicious! The friendliness of the reception also contributed enormously to a pleasant moment for our wedding anniversary. Found it by chance on Google maps as the closest restaurant to our hotel, and it's a shame we can't get back that easily - 200 km from home - but when we come back to Amsterdam I hope we get the opportunity to come here again. Thanks to everyone who contributes to this project.

It was a great evening with great food.

Wonderful restaurant. There is a lot to see and discover. Gary and his charming waitress Nicky gave me an unforgettable evening! Very warm people. The menu was very creative and super tasty. Indonesian influences perfectly underlined the dishes. A firework of flavors! I really enjoyed the visit! Thank you, dear Gary! Absolute recommendation! I will gladly come again!

Actually we only got there by chance. We were looking for a restaurant near the hotel and that's how we discovered it. It's a bit out of the way, but definitely worth a trip if you want a culinary experience! Even in winter!❄️ We enjoyed a four-course meal and had three aperitifs to choose from. You could also choose a vegetarian menu. It was super tasty. The lovely waitress spoke German well and described each course to us in detail! The head chef, Gary Loen, is a winner of several cooking competitions and is known through these shows. We only found out about it through the book we discovered in the restaurant. Gary Loen was also at the table several times and asked the guests about their well-being. A nice little restaurant on the water. Definitely even more beautiful in the summer. One point deducted because I was a bit cold. That's why the electric heater was running in my direction. But the fan makes it a bit annoying. Otherwise everything is just great! Next time, definitely again!

Surprisingly good culinary food in a somewhat informal atmosphere. Beautiful French chansons as background music.

Voor 16 december voorafgaande aan een concert in het Amsterdam Theater bij de Houthavens, was ik op zoek naar een restaurant op loopafstand. Mijn oog viel op de website van Gary Loen. Ik ben over het algemeen niet zo dramatisch. Maar op basis van wat ik op de website zag en las? Dat kwam direct binnen en ik was gelijk verkocht. We hebben met ons vijven genoten van een verrukkelijk twee gangen diner, met amuses vooraf en ook nog eens een verrukkelijke oester: Gary’s own touch. Een foto van het heerlijke soepje vooraf en mijn toetje ben ik vergeten te nemen. De inrichting in kerstsfeer en in combinatie met die prachtige bloemen. Het was overrompelend. Alles. Waarvoor dank. Ik kom zeker terug.

Obviously closed ?! -> not closed ! But altough a website exists you can not find any details on it, and Emails will not be answered, also via facebook messenger no answer - pitty...

Sehr geiles essen, anders kann ich es nicht sagen. Gary ist einfach ein super Gastgeber, bin schon zum wiederholten Male hier. Jederzeit wieder wenn ich in Amsterdam bin!!!

My friend and I found this restaurant as we were walking in the area. We were greeted so nicely by Gary that we decided to stay for dinner. The food was spectacular, tasty, attractive and just wonderful. The ambiance was lovely. We love the decor and everything about the restaurant. We'll be back for sure.

Uitstekend gegeten, verrassende smaakcombinaties met prachtig opgemaakte borden. Daarbij mooie bijpassende wijnen. Attente bediening. Een verborgen parel in Amsterdam waar je geweest moet zijn.

Lovely little gem in Houthavens. The food was delicious, I particularly loved the concept of sharing plates. The flavours and combination of ingredients were fantastic. Service was personal, attentive and very friendly. The atmosphere is relaxed and easy going. If you're looking for a cozy evening with great service, food & wine, this is the place to be!

Superfeines Menü, toller Service und ein rundherum schöner Abend. Das Menü war dieses Mal ausschließlich auf Fisch und Meeresfrüchte ausgerichtet und von toller, frischer Qualität und ungewöhnlich en Aromen. Einfach sehr lekker... Auch die vegetarische Alternative war perfekt. Wir werden uns sicher nochmal überraschen lassen!

We went there for a family dinner because of the Google reviews. The place was certainly very beautiful with a kistch aesthetics, the service was also very kind and attentive. Nevertheless, the food was way below our expectations. Too many dishes, and the starters were not appropiate for a tasting menu, in our opinion. Some combinations were also too strong in taste or too salty. The best thing, the fish and the music, very special selection! We enjoyed our evening anyway. It’s a nice experience, but not worth the price, way too expensive for what they offer: 91€ per person for the tasting menu + 1 bottle of wine and apperitif. We would advice the kitchen to reduce the amount of dishes and focus on the most selected ones

I had dinner at Gary Loen and had such an amazing experience! First off, the location of the restaurant is splendid; surrounded by water, it feels like you’re in a cozy cocoon. On top of that, the place is nicely decorated with candles, plants, and cushions, which creates a very pleasant and homey atmosphere. The service was also impeccable, the lady was very welcoming and very knowledgeable about each dishes served! The food served was honestly exquisite and very unique! As a french who really enjoys the French gastronomy, I really enjoyed how the chef perfectly blended this cuisine with Indonesian gastronomy. I would definitely recommend!

Went for a casual dinner. Had an amazing experience! Great restaurant. Seriously, one of the best in the world! Gary Loen was off on holiday and the restaurant's guests were expertly cared for by Nicky and the kitchen. They were offering a 4 course fish & vegetarian meal with a duck option to be added with the 3rd course. Optional wine pairing made for a truly memorable meal. The kindness and hospitality on top of the eclectic beautify of our surroundings truly made this the perfect evening!

Sehr schön gutes Essen und freundliches Ambiente

Einer der herzlichsten Gastgeber bei dem ich je als Gast gegessen habe. Von Anfang bis Ende war alles Perfekt. Das Menü war überragend und alle Komponenten harmonierten wunderbar. Es war eine Geschmacksexplosion.

Absolute Empfehlung! Das Personal sprach deutsch, war sehr freundlich und entgegenkommend. Es gibt keine Karte , sondern ein 4 Gänge Menü , was vermutlich stetig wechselt. Ich darf momentan kein Fisch essen und habe problemlos Alternativen bekommen. Das Essen war nicht nur gut , es war überragend! Durchweg alles hat geschmeckt und war sehr stilvoll angerichtet. Das Lokal was sauber inkl. Toilette mit entspannten Vogelgezwitscher 😄. Wir haben zu viert ca. 440€ bezahlt , es war aber jeden Cent wert. Gary selber ist absolut süß! Er hat sich am Ende noch etwas zu uns gesetzt , so ein herzensguter und gebildeter Mensch. Er spricht einfach mal 5 Sprachen. Sollte ich nochmal nach Amsterdam kommen ,werde ich Gary erneut besuchen.

Niet direct van buiten te zien maar; Top plek met super lekker eten, gezellige sfeer met veel bloemen (top bloemist!) en persoonlijke service van DE MasterChef winnaar 🙌

Gerechten waar ik achteraf de hele weg terug over nadenk. Wat ontzettend lekker. Heel fijne service ook. Een super ervaring, echte aanrader.

Tolles Restaurant Gary super lieb und aufmerksam das Essen einfach nur lecker das Menü war sehr überraschend und außergewöhnlich sehr zu empfehlen und wir kommen sicher wieder

Coole Location im Hausboot Style und leckeres Essen, mit indonesischen Gewürzen!

What a celebration of Taste!!! Gary Loen is a culinary genius and all your can do is surrender your palate to him. We honestly had a Gastronomically outta body experience. Every dish was perfection from start to finish, wine pairing and cocktails were a magical in itself. His attention to every details from creating a whimsical Botanical atmosphere to the crafting of every plate. It’s a hidden gem that I want to have hidden forever. Thank you Chef Loen and your amazing team for the most unforgettable night.

Wat een fantastische plek! Heb hier een tijdje terug van een heerlijke chef's lunch genoten op het prachtige terras. De ginger beer was super lekker! Gary is zeer sympathiek. We hebben ons laten verrassen en ALLES van begin tot eind was lekker en verrassend. Ik kom hier zeker terug voor het diner.

Es war ein Gaumen-Feuerwerk! Das Menü, der Wein, das Ambiente, Gary, Nikki und Charles haben uns sehr glücklich gemacht. Danke für den Fantastischen Abend

Highly recommended!! The inside restaurant is a big surprise, fully decorated with flowers, candles and details. The service is excellent, friendly and lovely to talk about. And what to say about the food… every dish is entirely different to the previous one but works in a nice flow of flavours and textures. Gary and the team, thanks for the experience. 😍

A great place if you are up for a great experience. The Gary Leon is definitely something else, but in a good way. Located on a boat in the Harbour a bit outside and still a bit of a secret tip. You start with an aperitif on the sun deck. We the had luck of a beautiful warm summer night out. Afterwards you head inside. It is one shared table with everyone who is there and you simply don’t know what you will. It is mainly vegetarian and fish, but you can let the team know, if you want small adjustments. What we got was simply amazing. A great soup with a fine spice, great two dishes of fish and a delicious desert. It was all with quite an Asian/ Thai touch which you have to be up fore. Again, no choice of the menu, you have to be open for it and you will have a great evening.

Gary was so welcoming and the food was delicious and environment delightful. Many thanks for a lovely evening! Rebecca and Andrew.

Hidden gem. Like having dinner at friends with a superb cuisine and excellent paring wines. Well done!

Restaurant Gary Loen was one of the single most amazing culinary experiences of my life. I brought my husband here for his birthday tonight. I didn't know what to expect. I've experienced a tasting menu before, but nothing that exuded so much passion and raw skill. The service was 3.5 hours long amongst 7 courses. Each course was exponentially better than the last. Service concluded with a lemongrass creme brule that was to die for. Throughout service, I felt a distinct sense of extreme gratitude to have been able to experience a meal made with such love and skill. Chef Gary Loen and his team are nothing short of masters of their craft. This meal inlocked a core memory in us that we will never forget.

My partner and I had such an amazing time eating dinner here. The food was like nothing I’d ever had before and the presentation was gorgeous. All of the courses seamlessly connected, with no abrupt palette shifts. Gary was so wonderful to talk with and the atmosphere was beautiful as well as comfortable. There were seats with pillows and blankets too in case outside was a little chilly. The service was wonderful and we felt very cared for and welcome. The location is very nice too, such a beautiful restaurant overall. Thank you so much Gary!

Wat een geweldige ervaring, een pure smaaksensatie en de sfeer in het restaurant, en de service van Gary, zijn geweldig. Wij komen zeker terug

Geweldig gegeten, verrassende Frans en Indonesische smaakcombinaties die ik nog nooit eerder heb geproefd. Echt een verrassing. Gepassioneerde eigenaren die echt weten waar ze het over hebben. Enorme aanrader.