Sama Sebo in Museumkwartier

Never had such bad Indonesian food. It started with the reservation, which they couldn't find. We were given a table anyway, but they told us we had to be ready in an hour. Very hospitable!!!! The food was so bad that we left before then. Everything tasted the same, like the green beans, tofu, and bean sprouts. The sajor, gado gado, and frikadel were okay, but the babi, daging, and satay were terrible. The food wasn't even warm enough. Note: I'm Indonesian myself!

I'm a little late to the party; we went a few weeks ago, tourists from France. Besides, I don't like giving 5 stars, nobody's perfect. But I highly recommend this place; honestly, we had a wonderful evening. Indonesian cuisine and a pleasant atmosphere. Be warned, it's packed, full of regulars, and if, like us, you're just passing through, it's best to make a reservation. But you can go without hesitation; you won't be disappointed. If you're not familiar with Indonesian cuisine, this is also a great opportunity to discover it. And contrary to what I've sometimes read, the waitresses are very friendly and the other customers were in good spirits.

Excellent Indonesian restaurant. Even with the tasting menu—and it is just one menu—you get the chance to sample a multitude of flavors and combinations. Although we hadn't made a reservation—highly recommended, as it was packed on a Tuesday night—they found us a spot at the bar and then seated us at a table when one became available. The staff was very friendly and attentive, and the service was quite fast. We were surprised by the great atmosphere among them, and we ended up talking about Johan Cruyff with the owner—I knew him and his family. We promised to return when we visit Amsterdam again; it's an excellent place.

Simply TOP! Delicious food and a great atmosphere.

Really good Indonesian food. Nice atmosphere.

Very nice place, great food and great service even though we didn't speak the language.

Great place! Had a wonderful meal with my daughter. Fond memories of dinner with my dad.

Great place! Cozy and good food!

Sama Sebo is the BEST and Oldest Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam… No matter what you order it will be an experience….the Rijsttafel is the dish to go for….you won’t regret it.

Delicious food, highly recommended. Service was super friendly, we'll definitely be back.

We made two visits – first for a small meal, second for the rice table. Investigating dinner options within walking distance of the Hotel Park Central, we stumbled across what turned out to be an Amsterdam culinary institution. Sama Sebo, established in 1969, is the oldest restaurant serving Indonesian food in the Netherlands. We reserved a table and returned to be seated at the bar – which itself dates to 1911. Our light meal comprised gado gado salad, beef rendang and some chicken satay skewers. The excellent flavours were a pleasant surprise and we mopped up with an IPA and a red wine. On a whim I booked dinner for the following night, requesting the rijsttafel. We were not disappointed and Daniel Sebo looked after us. A good table, and around 20 dishes came out to taste with the traditional rice to accompaniment. We enjoyed, prawns, meat dishes, salad, condiments and so much more. It was a very enjoyable experience. Highly recommended.

Excellent food and atmosphere. Heavly recommended.

Best Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam! The service is incredibly hospitable and very professional! We had a fantastic lunch!!

I'd describe this restaurant as trash. The food doesn't even resemble Indonesian food, not even a little bit. I'm a Chinese Indonesian who traveled to Europe for a couple of days to see the Van Gogh exhibition. I was looking for an Indonesian restaurant nearby, but I was caught. The biggest problem was that when I was unattended, I took out a bottle of water from my bag, and a woman gave me an unfriendly look and a low voice, immediately telling me not to drink. I thought I'd taken out a gun, she reacted so violently. The biggest problem was that their chicken was incredibly dry, and the pork smelled bad. Their signature Indonesian dish, the soy pancake, was also awful. Their rice was the worst part, it was just so repetitive and steamed.

Reserved a week later, but they still had a table for us. Food was tasty, and I’ve visited Indonesia and it the flavours are great, unlike some other reviews state. Very old school vibe in there. Loved it

Great server Food came super quickly and was delicious

Honestly, it's delicious and the service is very excellent 👍👍👍

A very good introduction to Indonesian cuisine. It's best to order a large or small rice plate. Note: We found the restaurant very busy, so reservations are recommended. Friendly and fast service, delicious food. Only the portion size could be improved. A lovely dinner in Amsterdam.

The food was delicious and the service was top notch.

Phenomenal food and reasonably priced. The rijstaffel here is stunning. Would definitely recommend!

Tourist trap. Overpriced and mediocre. To be fair it is in the museum area. Food was not made to order and came out in 5 minutes. 4 euro for a small water. 24 for the “special”. Not a traditional vibe as staff are Dutch. The reviews you see here are clearly marketing. Better and cheaper food at the stalls by the museum.

Authentic Indonesian food, so with a fork and spoon, but no knife. Here, Indonesian cuisine is still prepared and served as it should be! Delicious, and the service is VERY hospitable and attentive. It was our first visit, but before you know it, you'll feel like a regular.

What a wonderful evening the food was amazing & the staff was attentive friendly & helpful. A wonderful birthday evening could not have asked for better

Only one shrimp in a shrimp dish - tiny one-, servers indifferent, owner very agressive

I went there after seeing a review from a Korean, and it was the worst. The taste was so-so, the portions were for children, and above all, the service was the worst. I felt really bad after eating it as my first meal. Save your time and money.

Such a delicious dinner! A family friend had recommended this spot and it did not disappoint. Would recommend having a reservation, as they get very busy. The staff are so kind and were able to accommodate me (no reservation, but party of 1 and I came early before the dinner rush)

Great place, dog friendly and easy

Got the rice plate. Really enjoyed the experience and the atmosphere!

Its a Indonesian cousine restaurant in the heart of Amsterdam. You need to book a table before going there. Food is awesome and the owner and servers are helpful.

Fantastic food, the nicest staff, and an authentic atmosphere. These are the main reasons our family has been going here for over 15 years, and the quality remains just as great!

Great food for a reasonable price, friendly and helpful staff, menu only in English

We had a delicious Indonesian rice table at Sama Sebo on PC Hoofdstraat. Recommended by friends. So if you're in the area, Adam, definitely stop by. Tip: make a reservation in advance.

I loved it!!! The best meal I had in Amsterdam. 10/10 service, even though I was traveling alone and spoke poor English. The only thing worth mentioning is that the plates are small. Or at least the skewers I ordered. The very friendly waiter recommended the rice. And a 10/10. I'd definitely go back again. I was a tourist...

Top restaurant with good food and friendly staff.

The restaurant is not honest on Google. After booking on Google and arriving, it turned out to be closed.

Came here and there was a mix up with the reservation. We were treated in an incredibly rude fashion. Unbelievable

We came without having booked, instead of kindly explaining to us that they had no space, the owner said no very curtly without smiling or thanking us. We could clearly see that the tourists were bothering him because we were stared at by everyone. We didn't have time to taste the food, certainly good and it didn't make us want to come back

The lady serving is rude - she forces you to order large dishes, she did not want to accept an order for smaller dishes from the menu. The beer is good, the dishes I have, the taste is not great. The large dishes with a mix of everything look bad - everything on 1 plate - vegetables, a mix of meat and a fried banana. We went tempted by good reviews in the area of ​​the museum but unfortunately we were disappointed

Come for lunch, Staff told server give "makanan enak" Then i got stomach ache at night..

Indonesian food is not so light, the food I ate in Indonesia is sweeter, saltier, spicier and a little oilier. The food here has completely changed to the taste of Westerners.

I stumbled upon Sama Seba, a hidden gem in Amsterdam's Museum District, and I'm so glad I didn't read reviews beforehand - it was a delightful surprise! I was informed that this Indonesian restaurant has been a cultural hub for years, earning the nickname "the living room of Amsterdam" due to its cozy ambiance and special connection with its guests. As I walked in, I felt right at home, surrounded by the warm and inviting atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome. Kinda like the "Cheers" pub in the United States. The chicken satay with peanut sauce is an absolute must-try - it's a game-changer! Our waiter was fantastic, ordering for us and making recommendations that didn't disappoint. What struck me was his passion for the restaurant, having dined there so often that he decided to join the team. The rijsttafel is another highlight, with over 20 items to savor. Its was cool to learn about Sama Seba's rich history - the server informed us that it's the oldest Indonesian specialty restaurant in the Netherlands, and its guestbook is filled with autographs from international celebrities like Muhammad Ali, Johan Cruyff, and David Bowie. The location is perfect, just a stone's throw from the luxury shops and the Museum District. Whether you're a foodie or just looking for a unique dining experience, Sama Seba is a must-visit. With its affordable price range and generous portions, you'll leave feeling satisfied and already planning your next visit. So, come for the food, stay for the atmosphere, and leave with unforgettable memories! That being said, we were told that it is a very popular place, so either come experience this place during lunchtime or be prepared to wait a bit should you come for dinner and drinks.

First lunch in Amsterdam, 6 star staff, exotic food, good and recommended

The service was very nice and the food was very tasted, highly recommend if you go to Amsterdam and would like to try Indonesian food.

Wonderful food. Eating alone and a nice selection of dishes. Would be better with more people to share as is the custom.

Old Amsterdam, be quick it's dying out

Came on a recommendation from my hotel and was not disappointed. The staff were tons of fun, chatting and giving me recommendations on the food and where to go on my trip. The rice “plate” was an enormous spread of food fit for an entire family rather than one person, and every dish was delicious. I ate it all. No regrets. Reasonable prices considering the amount of food provided. I will 100% be coming back!

Never got a chance to eat the food because they gave our reserved time to someone else. First claimed we never made a reservation (made it on The Fork), and then accused us of canceling our reservation (why would we be there if we had?). We had proof of our confirmed reservation and received an email the next day asking how our meal was. No apologies, no effort to accommodate us other than to come back later when they weren't so busy. Glad for them that they are so popular they can ignore simple courtesy.

I had made a reservation for 6 people through The Fork website and received two different confirmation emails, however when we went to the restaurant they told us I had cancelled. I was able to show them my confirmation email, but they were never able to show me a cancellation request other than our name hand written and crossed out of a book. They were not able to accommodate us until 2 hours later and we were already hungry when we arrived. Even more frustrating was the follow up email from The Fork the following day asking how our dinner was the previous night. Make sure to confirm your reservation in person and not trust their website booking service! The restaurant smelled great and looked like a nice atmosphere, but it was very frustrating that our reservation was not honored even though I had a confirmation email, especially since we were a larger party.

What a culinary highlight. I stumbled upon this restaurant quite by chance. Make a reservation in advance, as it's always full. The Indonesian rice table is a DREAM. The quality and authenticity of the dishes are top-notch. If I/we come back to Amsterdam, I/we will definitely go there again. We went there as a family, and the service was very attentive, explained things well, and consistently friendly.

Great food, very nice people, cute little restaurant. Really recommended!

The food was fine, we ordered the rijsttafels. We have had better quality price ratio elsewhere but it wasn't bad. It did take quite a long time though even if most tables were empty. The drink options were good. The most annoying and irritating part to an otherwise ok experience (and the reason for this review), was the staff explicitly asking - pressuring - for a tip. Tipping is something done spontaneously and voluntarily when you actually appreciate a good experience, and we are normally generous tippers when the latter is the case. Here we felt pressured, so we said ok let's do 10%, and the staff said "oh only 10%, why not 20%?". Who says that!? Ridiculous also given that it's not like the US where salaries are tip dependent. Pity that we would otherwise come back only for the food if that, but not anymore.

This is a popular place it seems. The food is OK, but nothing special. What is worthy of mention though is the arrogance and rudeness of the staff, to the point where they seem to take pride in it. Perhaps it’s because they have a constant stream of customers that they feel they don’t have to be pleasant to anyone. If I was not in the company of someone else, I’m certain that I would have given in to my baser instincts and punched one or more of them in the mouth.

I used to frequent this great Indonesian Restaurant 35+ years ago and it still has great food, great service and atmosphere. Truly Amsterdam.

Wonderful food and service! The owner was super kind! A thousand points for you! Terima kasih!

Good location. Food is not very yummy. The last run the business does not communicate well and is rude. The other waiters are nice but are not familiar with their menu. Will not recommend 抱好吃 快跑

I recently went to Sama Sebo in Amsterdam with two friends. The service was just okay—not the friendliest or most attentive, but it wasn’t terrible either. We tried the mixed platter, but honestly, everything felt kind of jumbled together on the plate and it was hard to tell what was what. The food was edible but definitely didn’t feel worth the price. Also, there was only one type of wine available, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, it wasn’t the best experience, and I don’t think we’ll be going back anytime soon.

A plus across the board! Staff welcomed us and we ate like royalty!

Where you can eat the most delicious satay in Amsterdam

A brown pub but as an Indonesian restaurant. Time stood still! Delicious, old-fashioned gnawing on a rice table. And then just order extra satay. Loose egg and prawn crackers. Ge.Wel.Dig.

Good food but unfriendly service

Experience is poor. The restaurant manager was rude and unfriendly. Will not recommend

Lovey place, they made a spot for me even though it was almost full. Id love some salt or other condiments at the table except for that its great

The restaurant staffs and owner are super friendly and very helpful. Came there with my brother and parents after sightseeing in Amsterdam. Will definitely come again. One of my favourite places to visit when coming to Amsterdam.

Sama Sebo is the place to be if you are looking for a wonderful evening of enjoyment. The atmosphere is what a good brown Amsterdam café should be. Many regular guests come and go. The employees are all very hard workers. The food is delicious whether you come for a plate, full rice waffle or just a satay with a beer and some prawn crackers at the bar. Sama Sebo will always be number 1 for me and will always continue to come here. Marcello you are great ❤️

An authentic Indonesian restaurant, with a lovely café feeling with bar upon entering, to enjoy a drink before you go and eat. Then an atmospheric space with a classic atmosphere. Delicious food and friendly served by the staff. All in all a great restaurant to come back to. Many thanks and keep up the good work!

As always, we had a delicious and enjoyable meal.

I came here for dinner and mixed up my reservation dates, but the staff was so understanding and accommodating. They were able to sit my partner and me in just a few minutes despite the mixup. We were treated very well by the staff throughout our meal. They explained the dining experience and offered recommendations for us. We tried the Sama Sebo Special and it was absolutely delicious. Hands down one of the best meals we’ve ever had. The desserts were delicious as well and a great way to end a wonderful meal. My only regret is not going with the larger portion so that we could try more of the food. I’m sad to be leaving the country soon because I will be craving this over the next few weeks! This restaurant is a must try!

The food was not even ok. The vegetables dish was too salty- we couldn’t eat it. I told the place manager, he did a face and fully charged me the dish. The stews were fin.

The food tasted otherworldly well.

Visited with my folks, had the best time, from arrival to departure, extremely courteous reception as well as service, authentic, genuine and friendly people, the food was in such an amount that we had more than enough of everything, the rice table was tasty, colorful and fresh, finished off with spekkoek and coffee, all good. If I could give 6 stars I would. Will be back.

There was actually no room. But a nice waiter with a beautiful white beard helped us. Because we indicated that we would be leaving before 7 p.m. Super tasty rice table and great service by the same man. Highly recommended. Acoustics also fine

Just great, everything. The food, the atmosphere, the service - a super fun, feel-good evening with fantastic food. Absolutely great.

Very good food and quality- prices are absolutely okay for downtown Amsterdam. Fast and nice service.

Had a wonderful rijsttafel here today, was a pleasant experience through and through. The quality and variety fit the price and the service was friendly and fast. Can definitely recommend.

Delicious food. Hadn't been here in years but I won't let that happen again, I'll be back soon!

I took the rice table: so much food that is so tasty for such a good price: fantastic. Add to that the very nice service and you realize: you should definitely come here!

A wonderful experience! The variety and choices of dishes is unparalleled. We enjoyed trying so many different flavours and aromas. The service is super friendly and attentive. I was not blown away by the food, which was pretty average.

One of the best restaurants in Amsterdam to taste Indonesian cuisine, little known in France, this cuisine is unlike other Asian cuisines. Don't hesitate to grab a table of rice.

Didn't the Dutch invade Indonesia for their spices? Someone should tell this place that. My wife and I were in a pinch and went here. The service was kind and attentive but that is unfortunately the only good thing about this meal and the reason for the two stars. The food is bland and oily, we ordered the small rice plate and all the items on it tasted the same. The only stand out flavor was the pickled veg. The rice plate is served all together which is not how Indonesian food should be eaten. All dishes should remain separate so you can taste each one. Skip this place it's not worth it. Over priced too.

Lovely Indian Restaurant with nice and good staff.

The food has good portion, but bland. This is my first time to see a Nasi Goreng without proteins (a separate order). Their hospitality felt un-welcoming. As a fan of authentic Indonesian cuisine, I am disappointed.

We loved our dinner at Sama Sebo! We ordered small menus and it was enough to feel full, definitely couldn’t have eaten the bigger menu. Our waiters (the young guy and older, grey haired man) were really nice and easygoing. The food was very tasty, although it could have been a bit spicier. The only thing that ruined our experience a bit was a big group sitting in front of us with one very loud American, at times it was impossible for us to hear each other speak. Not a fault of the restaurant of course.

The fact that this restaurant has not changed makes it authentic. Delicious relaxed food and nice staff with Amsterdam humor.

Didn't know the lady waitress is quiet famous for being unfriendly on this review guide! Yup! Thats the reason of my review. While food is mediocre. Service is worst! I had lunch in a very bad atmosphere. If you only have few days in Amsterdam. Totally can skip this place. Waiter were much more nicer than their waitress.

Excellent restaurant with a nice atmosphere :) The service is perfect!

The landlord was unfriendly towards us. We don't even know why. Food was far too little and overpriced. Tourism rip-off

Friendly staff. Great experience

Spicy shrimp with green beans is really string beans with micro-shrimp for flavoring, too small to see. The taste was fine. Separate serving of white rice was below average. Maybe if I had a picture of the dish before ordering, I wouldn't be surprised at what was served. I really wanted shrimp as the primary ingredient.

Have been coming there for 40 years. Always good and cozy

Heavy atmosphere, terrible service by the waitress, not even a goodbye when we left Average dish nothing more

Kitchen more than adequate. But wow the atmosphere... I had the impression of being punished or of having done something stupid at home and that I had to accept the disappointed look from my parents. Well… heavy. The waitress: not an ounce of politeness, eyes brimming with contempt and a mood that would make a truck smile. Basically, eating well but in difficult conditions.

A nice rice table with different flavors. More than enough as expected. Karl served us well and responded nicely to someone who was here 42 years ago. Attention for people and not just for serving the dishes. You step back in time when you eat here with chairs that remind you of 50 years ago and a brown pub appearance.

Delicious food Good service A bit old-fashioned appearance

We went there with a 3 year old kid and must say the most rude, insensitive and disrespectful restaurant we came across in Amsterdam…the lady server (in the picture) kept on asking us to put my kids toys inside our bags, did not even come once after serving the food to ask if we needed something..everywhere we went in the past 3 days in Amsterdam were so friendly specially towards my little kid. I had to wait for 10 mins to get a high chair for my kid..but before that they kept on asking us to remove my kids toys, jackets etc etc.. The food was pretty average too Racist to the core!! Maybe we are brown that’s why the reaction..but please avoid if you have kids. This restaurant clearly does not entertain family!!!!

Ordinary- as defined in the film American Beauty- as in the red cocktail sauce for the shrimp on a stick- as in the tough mackerel (onion sauce awesome)- as in Tahoe Goreng (fried tofu, soja sauce, onions y bean sprouts). Pair the mackerel sauce with the Tahoe possibly. Sambal good, I dropped it on everything including the shrimp.

Ordered 4 x rice table, but there was very little. And 5x extra satay and meatballs. Absolutely does not match the photo. Used to be very good, but lost due to their success. Was the last time for us!

Came on the recommendation of our hotel receptionist and not at all disappointed with the discovery! The staff is very friendly and offers good recommendations. The food is very good and plentiful. I highly recommend!

Food was not what I expected from what supposed to be one of the greatest Indonesian restaurants in the Netherlands. The food was seasoned very bland, which Indonesian food is not. Catering to a broader audience would justify such a decision, but it comes at the expense of authenticity.

The rice table is an experience. Traditional Indonesian restaurant with friendly service. Highly recommended

They say it is Amsterdam's oldest Indonesian restaurant, and in some ways it looks like it is. Obviously, we ordered the rijstafel, and there was a LOT of food to eat. It was all pretty good..