LJ’s ALKALINE — Local services in Amsterdam

LJ’s Alkaline has potential as a place to shop and eat alkaline foods, and I appreciate the owner’s kindness and willingness to educate. However, the unprofessionalism I’ve experienced over the past year has been unacceptable.

On several occasions, I’ve traveled to the store during posted hours only to find it closed. Additionally, there have been multiple times when I came for food, only to be told the kitchen was closed and only open on Saturdays now. This level of inconsistency has made it difficult to trust the business, to the point where I stopped visiting altogether.

This week, I decided to give it another chance. After speaking with the owner, I was assured they would be serving food the following day at 12 PM which is on a weekday. I rearranged my schedule and returned the next day, only to find they still weren’t “open” because of a consultation. This was not only frustrating but completely disrespectful of my time.

As someone who follows an alkaline diet, I want to support this business, especially since Black-owned businesses with this concept are rare in the Netherlands. However, the constant lack of reliability is disappointing and unprofessional. I am writing this not to tear down LJ’s Alkaline, but to provide clear, constructive criticism: if you want to retain customers, your operations need to be consistent and respectful of the time and trust people...

More than 12 years living in Amsterdam and I have struggled to find great flavoured food of any cuisine, let alone plant based. Then this place crosses my radar…and then Surinamese on top of that.

Ally’s bowls are amazing, healthy, packed with flavour.

Then the juices…wow!

The folks here are super knowledgeable, helpful and give good service. In other words they treat you like a human being…a far cry from most Dutch restaurant and cafés!

Now that I’ve found this place I will making up excuses to come back over and over.

6 out of 5...

Just had lunch here with a friend who has Surinamese roots. He had a sandwich with impressive pork substitute (+ blistering sambal hot sauce 😂), my vegan jerk chicken was SO delicious (not just salty like so many meat substitutes).

The owner is the most positive, beautiful soul I've met in a while and the place itself is spacious & clean.

Next time I'm going to check out their homemade sauces... because there DEFINITELY will be a...