Ristorante Il Primo in Grachtengordel-Zuid

If you're looking for an Italian restaurant in Amsterdam, this place could be an acceptable option, although there are several aspects that could be improved. The best thing about our visit was the pizzas, which were well-made and definitely the most recommended item on the menu. The pasta, however, was disappointing: it was tasty, but it wasn't fresh pasta and relied too heavily on spices for flavor. For this reason, I wouldn't consider it an authentic Italian restaurant, especially if you're looking for a traditional experience. Another negative point was the service, which was surprisingly slow even though the restaurant was only half full. This unnecessarily prolonged our meal. The drinks were also quite expensive, something to keep in mind. In total, we spent €23 per person, which is rather high for the overall quality. In short, it's an acceptable place to eat a good pizza in Amsterdam, but there's room for improvement in authenticity, service, and value for money.

The food was pre-arranged, but that didn't stop it from being quite good.

You need to try the pasta cooked in the parmesean cheese wheel!

Super salty carbonara. Though pizza was god, atmosphere was nice and the 2nd waiter did appologize 😋

We can't comment on the food or the service, but it really doesn't smell pleasant there. Almost like a toilet…

It was really delicious, I would come again just for this.

This restaurant is really great with its charcuterie boards and excellent pizzas, Christian the waiter is really friendly 🤩

Simple restaurant but very welcoming and good service, Cristiano was very friendly. The pizzas are very good.

Delicious pasta and the service was fantastic. We received free limoncello and dessert for a birthday, so it's a truly top-notch place. Definitely recommended!

Delicious food. Highly recommended, it tastes like you're in Italy. Especially the service from the owner.

A warm and friendly welcome. The menu is very interesting. I had the mushroom risotto and it was very good. It's a good, classic Italian restaurant.

Il Primo in Amsterdam delivers. Christian and Mirco are warm and attentive, and the pasta tossed in the Parmesan wheel is pure comfort. Easy place to come back to.

Good and pleasant atmosphere. Waiters with good service. Very tasty food. One important point to highlight: the bill cannot be split so that more people can pay, only one person can pay.

I recently had drinks and a bite to eat there with two friends. We all had a fantastic time thanks to the atmosphere and the staff. The food was delicious, and everyone was full. I recommend the scroppino for dessert—it's delicious! And try the house white wine or sauvignon.

I should have heeded the negative reviews, but we tried anyway. The gorgonzola lasagna was small and swimming in oil. The waiter tried to make us believe that the other table didn't like it either because the cheese was too strong, but no, it was just bad and oily. The carbonara... It was dog pasta, even I make better! 😮‍💨😢 And don't even get me started on the hygiene of the restrooms... I don't know how there can be good reviews for this restaurant. Avoid it at all costs!

The pizza was very good, but we didn't like the focaccia as much—too much bread and nothing special. The waiters were all very friendly and attentive. It's a great place for pizza.

Very good restaurant with excellent pasta and pizzas. Very cheerful and friendly waiters. The atmosphere and soft music are very enjoyable. I recommend it.

Wonderful welcome, Cristian gave us a lot of reasons for our choice. Excellent food and very friendly staff. Really enjoyable.

The worst service ever, an Italian restaurant with pineapple pizza 😂😂😂😂 the service is rude, I come here often, I will never go back again in my life

Welcome to Hell (Italian version) Ah, this little Italian restaurant in Amsterdam... how can I describe it? An extraordinary sensory experience, especially if you enjoy waiting, being ignored, and eating tasteless dishes at palace prices. We were a family, full of enthusiasm (what a mistake). After a long time of standing around, we were finally seated—without smiling, of course, you can't ask for too much. Then the wait continued: the menu arrived with the grace of a snail on a temporary rest period. The prices already left us speechless: for that price, we almost expected a Neapolitan chef singing opera to arrive. Spoiler alert: he never showed up. Once the order was placed, the magic began: my son and I received our dishes, while my husband sadly watched the others eat. He waved his arms, but it didn't help—the waiters had clearly developed a rare talent for keeping customers invisible. When we finally point out the oversight, we're met with a magnificent "we're overwhelmed," delivered without apology, without embarrassment, without soul. (Small note: "being overwhelmed" has never been a professional response, but clearly here, it's the house motto.) Forty-five minutes later, my husband's meal finally arrives, as sad as a frozen pizza on a Monday morning. Tasteless, bland, without emotion—a true homage to factory cooking. No goodwill gesture, obviously. On the other hand, we're kindly offered a bottle of water for 4 euros "to make up for it." Yes, yes, a bottle of water. At that level, it's art. In summary: 👉 Endless wait 👉 Ghostly service 👉 Flavorless food 👉 And all at a high price One piece of advice: run away. This isn't a restaurant, it's a parody. If Italy saw this, it would file for divorce. 🇮🇹💔

Nice place, good food, nice staff

Great place for Italian food. We went for dinner and had a really good time. Kudos to Cristian, who was super professional and super friendly. Well done!

Lovely food and impeccable service. Very friendly. If you're into cocktails, I would recommend their espresso martini.

We had an amazing experience at Ill Primo Restaurant! We ordered the lasagna, shrimp pesto pizza, and a fresh salad — everything was absolutely delicious. The flavors were rich and perfectly balanced. The staff were super friendly and welcoming, which made the meal even better. Definitely highly recommended for anyone looking for great food and a warm atmosphere!

Good, but nothing special Warm welcome Endless wait

Was great, but you can't split bills

The pizza is tasty and good for the price

The food was delicious. We were a lot of people, but we were well looked after.

They immediately took in a large group when there were 16 of us, so that was great and the atmosphere was pleasant.

Took in a large group and had a pleasant atmosphere

Mid food. Mid service. But open late for desperate times.

Great food, but slow service. Good portions and good gf options.

We ate at Restorante Il Primo and it was truly a wonderful experience. The pasta carbonara and the lasagna classic were both delicious—just what you'd expect from a good Italian restaurant. Rich flavors, generous portions, and everything perfectly prepared. The staff was super friendly and the service was fast and attentive. We felt truly welcome. Definitely a place we'd love to return to!

Total tourist trap. The arancini and the calamari were both dry and bland. The pasta was mediocre. We waited so long for our food, people who came after us got served first. Not worth it.

Really disappointing, the food was really bland and tasteless. It’s really not Italian. Toilets were even worse - terrible. Would definitely not return. Sorry, I didn’t take photo’s. I couldn’t wait to get out of the place.

Absolutely great! The Veil with Eggplant & Cheese is a standout (Just add a little salt :P)!!!

I Can sum this place up in one word Average Not worth the prices they Charge sadly I have to say I would not return to this restaurant

No service to have here .We was not seen in this restaurant. Thats too bad for the food tasted good.

Excellent place for pizza, excellent service from Cristian. 100% recommended.

I wanted to share my experience at Primo Ristorante, the food is excellent, the service is very welcoming and the atmosphere is fabulous, the guy who takes care of the reception, I think his name is Cristian, conveyed to me a great welcome and a lot of professionalism, as regards the amatriciana, excellent rating 🔝

We requested a Parmesan wheel pasta. The presentation was very nice and pasta was really good as well. Food was good overall. Service was a mix. In general polite, but the way one of them treated us was kind of off. It felt like we didn’t get the same warmth as other customers.

The restaurant is located on a side street that doesn't seem particularly inviting at first glance. However, the food is phenomenally good and the service is very friendly. The value for money is also good.

The food was delicious, especially the tiramisu, which was one of the best I've ever had. The staff was friendly and really went out of their way to see you and help you!

The food was delicious and the service was very good. We will visit again.

Rarely have I eaten such a good pizza

We (3 people) came here because of the good reviews. But I have to admit, we weren't convinced. One of our drink orders worked, but the coffee, which was supposed to be a cappuccino, and the non-alcoholic shandy, which was supposed to be a Sprite, were returned. We didn't think the reviews were accurate for the food either. Our clear recommendations here would be the pizzas, which were really good. Everything else on the menu wasn't really good... The service was friendly and attentive, but unfortunately lost out due to the incorrect menu items. Even with the food, we had to order a Hawaiian pizza instead of the vegetarian pizza. Unfortunately, we won't be back 🤷🏻‍♂️

I highly recommend this restaurant! The food is delicious and so are the drinks The service is quick and staff are so pleasant and polite The atmosphere and music makes you feel like you’re on vacation Special thanks to Carlos 🙏🏻

The restrooms weren't clean, and the service was poor. We waited a long time to order, for the pizza to arrive, and even the espresso took a long time. The pizza was okay.

Toilet with flies and the smell from the patio. Browned lettuce and stained plates. Friendly service but not very hygienic.

Visited on a Friday afternoon with two kids in tow. Good ambience and wasn’t too busy save for a large party on the other side of the restaurant and a few diners Al fresco. The kids enjoyed the Margherita pizza and ordered a second one. The carbonara didn’t taste fresh and the creamy sauce appeared clotted. I returned it and they offered to substitute it or remake it. It still didn’t taste right the second time and I declined it after 2 forkfuls. Dining area was clean but the toilet could do with a freshening up and being kept clean. Price is fair for what is a touristy area €16.50 for the carbonara and €11:50 for the carbonara. I was charged for the carbonara. Unfortunately not for me.

Bad food. The staff are friendly, but the service was chaotic and not good. We received dirty glasses twice. The restrooms weren't clean either. But the food, in particular, was disappointing.

: “I had pasta at El Primo in Amsterdam and it was amazing! The food was delicious, the atmosphere was cozy, and the service was excellent. Highly recommended!”❤️❤️

Located on lively Reguliersdwarsstraat. Very helpful staff, nice heated terrace. We felt welcome from start to finish.

Loved the vegetarian options I'm vegetarian and i really liked the vegetarian options there, Staff were knowledgeable about gluten‑free and vegan offerings, very fun place absolutely recommended

Despite the restaurant being busy (especially with this location), our server stayed friendly, plates arrived promptly, and the ambiance stayed lively yet cozy.

Do not eat here. Bugs found in the food & they didn't seem to care. Avoid at all costs and

Delicious food, friendly service

Best Italian Food ever !!! Zach is the Best 10/10 You Need to Go There 💕

Don‘t do it as a tourist! Maybe they are not cheating on Dutch people. We got a regular menu to choose from. We ordered big beers for 7€. They brought us beers but in the end, the big beers cost 14€. And they added a dish to the bill we didn‘t have. After complaining they refunded us the extra dish but we have really regretted giving a generous tip when paying. It‘s very disappointing when honest people are exploited by fraudsters. And yes, it was fraud! The food was ok, nothing special. The service apart from being cheated was ok too.

Unfortunately, our visit was disappointing. The food had little to no seasoning, which severely affected the taste. The prices were disproportionate to the quality offered. The bill was particularly annoying – we were charged for dishes we never ordered or consumed. When we asked about it, we received no satisfactory explanation. Overall, a visit I would not recommend.

Some of the food was good, some less so. What bothered us most was that a small beer cost €7 and a large beer €14. According to the menu, they should have been half the price. On top of that, we were charged for a dish we didn't eat. In our opinion, it was a rip-off!

Good, classic Italian food in a fun location. We sat outside and really enjoyed the environment. Excellent service, too!

We had Calamari Friti, Rosito, Tagliatelle, and Lasagna. All were just fantastic. Absolutely would recommend!

There are many food options in Amsterdam, almost everywhere is full of examples of world cuisine. We came to Il Primo, one of the affordable and central Italian restaurants. Almost everywhere is full, pizza is ordered heavily. The boss is in charge, he is constantly giving directions. Since we had a new pizza, we ordered classic lasagna and salad with smoked salmon and Bavarian beer. Lasagna is quite filling, delicious, minced meat is good; smoked salmon is delicious with olive oil bread, portions are average. We paid 45 euros in total. The toilets are a bit small, the tables are close so you may be exposed to noise if you are close to a large group, other than that I did not see any problems.

We had bruschetta, an appetizer plate, and tonno alla griglia. The appetizer plate tasted good, but the tomatoes in the bruschetta were diced too large, and the tuna was well done and completely dry; it could have been sold as a schnitzel. Perhaps we were wrong not to order it medium rare. The atmosphere is fine, with outdoor seating (in a pedestrian zone), and the price/performance ratio is also good. However, the service was very attentive, and there was appropriate Italian music playing.

Food was pretty bad. The pesto pasta was like eating pesto out of the jar with a spoon and the carbonara was nothing special. Nothing against the service, they were nice, but the food was expensive and awful. Please do avoid it!

Fantastic pizza. Like Italy. And on top of that the staff was very cool, friendly and sassy. Highly recommend. Great price too.

Great service, delicious food. Friendly people. Top, thank you for the attention for my friend's birthday!

The owner will ask people to give 5 stars in return for free lemoncello shots, don’t fall for this tourist trap. Wouldn’t be suprised if he lets his own employees write one. Even tho i did take the shots, the food and service was not worth 5 stars.

A restaurant we came across by chance, the food was incredibly delicious and we drank a very nice Italian beer, it is recommended and everything, including the beer, is gluten-free.

Perfect, we ate very well, very good and generous pizzas. Offers vegan and vegetarian options and gluten-free pâté.

Poor value for money. Pizzas far too expensive for the quality they are. Very disappointed, tasteless cheese and ham, dry dough. Long and unfriendly service. Would not recommend

Definite Tourist Trap! I thought this place was rather pretentious. However, I did really appreciate the service, our waiter was a gem! but the food wasn't worth the price for quality or portion. This place is trying to be something it is not. I would give it 1 star but I did enjoy the service so I decided to give it an extra star.

Not recommended. We waited over an hour, and then the wrong food arrived. Ten minutes later, a waiter came and said they were starting to make the food. No attempt to make it up to us. Nothing at all. They could have asked if we wanted another drink, but our empty glasses were simply ignored... Pizza, gluten-free, and regular weren't worth the long wait.

We went to Il Primo in Amsterdam with the expectation of finding an authentic corner of Italy, but the experience quickly slipped into the territory of annoyance and disappointment. The service proved to be intrusive right from the start. I had simply asked for a bottle of water to leave on the table, and instead it was opened and poured directly into my glass without any consent. The icing on the cake: the cap fell to the floor and no one bothered to pick it up. A small gesture, but indicative of a careless and superficial approach. The order arrived wrong, the pizza requested was spicy salami and mushrooms, but it arrived with completely different ingredients. Replaced, yes, but in the meantime we had to put up with unprofessional comments from the open kitchen, which transformed a simple mistake into an uncomfortable and embarrassing moment. The pizzas, in the end, were good... but nothing more. From a restaurant that leverages the Italian and Neapolitan identity, you expect at least that the basics of customer care, precision, respect for time and space are respected. A place that focuses a lot on friendliness, but when the substance is missing, the result is only a clumsy and unpleasant service. Maybe I will return, but only if the staff learns to be welcoming without being intrusive, and professional without having to hide behind the usual "Italian smile".

I ordered pasta arrabiata. I think the sauce was ketchup diluted with water.

Gluten-free pizza and pasta are available. The gluten-free pizza was very tasty, but we didn't like the pasta (regular and gluten-free) as much. The service was very friendly and quick.

Large portions, tasty food, nice waiters, atmosphere is okay, but wallpaper reaaaally puts down the whole vibe to cafeteria style. Plain colored wallpaper would be better than this current one, let alone some stylish pattern. The rest is alright.

Absolutely perfect...from the service to the food. Outdoor heaters...friendly service...highly recommended.

Very nice shop, good prices and delicious food

Great food tastes just like in italy. Pizza was really good and loved the lasagne for sure gonna come again when i visit the city. Great prices!

The atmosphere is loud and the service is just ok. The food is not really delicious, to my personal tastes! Also, on the menu, it says the dish comes with potatoes and vegetables with my main dish, misto di mare, but in the end, I only got three slices of breads with some splashing olive oil on them, which is deceiving and looks horrible. Another serious thing they are also deceiving their customers is they told me they don’t do any businesses with TheFork app, while still allowing people from both google map and the fork app to make reservations with them. If you’re actually booking for using the discounts from thefork app, DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM!!!! I still got my receipts with that I had to pay for the full price!

Il Primo is THE place to go for traditional Italian food, drinks, fun & ambiance - the team (and owner) are so professional, friendly and fun, they add to the overall experience - both pasta and pizza are delicious - thx Il Primo team for another fab evening. And if you fancy a steak or fish, try Big Apple next door - same owner, so you already know it’s going to be good 👍)

Loved the service - Mirco and Bishoy were lovely. Food was fabulous with generously sized portions. We enjoyed bruschetta pomodora, calamari, insalata mista, penne Quattro formaggio and veal milanese.

Terrible service in this tourist trap. Food is good.

I am Italian and I found typical Italian cuisine. Classic style and good taste and smell. Classic recipes and cooked properly. Also good wine. The staff is fast and helpful. We were a group of 10, room full. All the dishes came out at the same time in 30 minutes. Incredible!

I'm giving 1 star because I can't give 0, very poor ability to communicate and does nothing to improve customer satisfaction. Hangs up on the phone when asked questions. For groups, they refuse to split the bill, so one person will have to pay for everyone.

We waited a long time before we kept getting cards...then everything dragged on. We ordered a foaccacia as a starter and we received everything at the same time. The older waiter was very nice but the younger one was really not helpful… The pizzas are good but nothing more. What irritated me the most were the “false” prices on the menu… during the bill you discover all the prices are a little higher… in short, I don’t really recommend.

They tried to overcharge me €30, and when he saw me looking at the bill, the waiter quickly changed my receipt. The waiter knew this perfectly well and tried to scam me.

You suddenly want to go out for an Italian meal in the middle of Amsterdam... then choose RISTORANTE IL PRIMO... original Italian cuisine at its finest... also first class 🍕 🍕 🍕... and wonderful service... here you are in the best hands between wonderful wines and the best grappa... the food is excellent... mille grazie ragazzi

Visiting from Denver, CO! It was a wonderful meal. We enjoyed the lasagna and tagliatelle bolognese and of course the Tiramisu. Great Italian atmosphere.

We ordered pizza, ravioli, penne arabiatta, lasagna. All of them were delicious. Staff is very kind and friendly. I added to my restaurant list for Amsterdam!

Everything perfect, friendly, tasty and fast

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!! Very clearly a tourist trap, me and my boyfriend chose this restaurant for my birthday dinner. Nothing says happy birthday like borderline food poisoning. The service was appalling, the food over priced and cold. We had to leave half of our pasta as it was under cooked and the sauce tasted like out of a jar. Do not recommend to anyone, avoid this shocking restaurant

Quick and amazing food. Beautiful spot to sit down for a beer and have a good meal.

Food was good but service was extremely poor, the staff came across quite rude to us.

Ate here today. Unfortunately, we found the food below average. The 'fresh' pasta was not fresh, but rather tough in structure. We sat on the terrace, which was fine. One of the waiters (dark blond, blue eyes, short haircut) served everyone in a hurry. To our surprise, he even went to smoke right in front of the terrace and then came back without washing his hands, after which he immediately picked up dishes. Very unsanitary. The starter plates were left on the table for over half an hour and were not cleared. When the main courses arrived, they were unceremoniously pushed into our hands, instead of first making room by clearing the dirty plates. We ate here today. Unfortunately, we found the food below average. The so-called “fresh” pasta wasn't fresh at all—it was rather tough in texture. We sat on the terrace, which was fine. One of the waiters (dark blonde, blue eyes, short hair) was rushing around serving everyone. Shockingly, he went for a smoke break right in front of the terrace, then came back and handled dishes without washing his hands. Very unhygienic. The starter plates were left on our table for over half an hour without being cleared. When the main courses arrived, they were handed to us instead of first clearing the dirty dishes and making space.

Tourist trap!! We had lunch, sat outside. Food was ok, at the best. The Ceasar salad had barely any chicken and no parmesan. More like an ordinary salad with croutons. Sloppy bolognese. Our food did not arrive at the same time, 2 of us had to wait 30 mins, in the meantime the others had finished theirs. No excuse from the waiter. Had to wait a long time to pay, they just stayed inside, so I went inside and as I payed, the waiter informed me that tip/service charge was not included! None was given.

Beautiful evening with friends, really tasty and plentiful food, recommended for dinners with many friends.....we will definitely return

I thought I was going to be in a restaurant where I could eat an excellent pizza and instead I ate a very low quality pizza. It does not reflect Italian pizza. Very low service. I ate at the table outside and all the waiters were inside. During the meal the waiters were totally absent.