Ashoka — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Ashoka, can be easily called “A-Shock-A”. Since high google maps reviews I was looking forward to experience this Indian - Nepal restaurant. We went there with 3 of us and warm welcome we got. Latterly warm since heating was pretty high. We also where lucky with good professional and friendly waiter. After ordering our food and getting our ginger honey lemon (not on menu but was no problem to make) we where welcomed by cockroach climbing on the wall next to our table. Well, old houses, this can happen right? Our friendly waiter got promptly rid off it. Food was ok. Not exceptional but ok. We did love the naans. Super baked, delicious. Butter chicken nothing special and biriyani well, can’t compare to real deal. In the end of dinner drinking our coffee restaurant got empty. Just 3 of us sitting finishing our conversation. Two ladies entered restaurant and asked the other waiter if they can sit at two person table near the window. Guy said well hmm difficult difficult and asked them to take different table because IF there would come 6 people he would need thus table to facilitate it. Restaurant was totally empty at that moment. So firstly with uncomfortable feeling they sit at the table waiter gave them but decided to change to desirable window table. Rude waiter came with annoyed attitude they should change because the table he can offer them (in EMPTY restaurant) was the other one.. they asked them if the window table was reserved he said no but what IF there will come 6 people???? So I just said: you know ladies I would just choose another restaurant because you are the guest and you are being treated badly. You make choice to come to this restaurant and you are being treated this way... And I addressed rude waiter telling him he is disrespectful and his behavior was not acceptable. Next to that his drama about table was total nonsense in totally empty restaurant demanding literally demanding to sit at particular table... The ladies changed their minds and they left whispering “thank you”. I am wondering if this exact situation was happening but with two man would the rude waiter do the same? Or was it just because those two ladies where wearing headscarf?? I also felt sorry for our waiter since he was super nice and welcoming and had to deal with his rude colleague in uncomfortable situation. Dear visitors make...

Ashoka in Amsterdam is a well-regarded Indian and Nepalese restaurant, and judging by how packed it was on a Monday night, it’s clear that it has a strong reputation. Our experience confirmed why—it delivers flavorful dishes, efficient service, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it a fantastic choice for Indian cuisine in the city. First Impressions & Ambience The entrance was a little confusing at first, as there are two doors, and one seemed stuck—but a firmer push got us inside. Once inside, the restaurant had a warm and inviting vibe, with a modern take on traditional Indian decor. The dim lighting adds a cozy feel, making it an intimate yet relaxed dining space. Service & Ordering Process From the moment we arrived, the service was smooth and efficient. The staff was attentive, making sure we were comfortable and guiding us through the menu. A standout touch was the ability to customize the spice levels of the curries, allowing for a more tailored dining experience. Food & Taste We opted for two classic dishes: Butter Chicken – A well-executed version of this beloved dish, rich and creamy with deep flavors. While delicious, I felt that I could have chosen a higher spice level for a more authentic kick. Paneer Butter Masala – This was the highlight of the meal! My wife regarded it as one of the best she’s ever had, and I’d have to agree that the flavors were spot on. The balance of spices, creaminess, and paneer texture was perfect. Instead of starters, we paired our curries with tandoori roti and rice, which come with the main dishes. The portions were generous, and the food arrived promptly without feeling rushed. Overall Experience Ashoka is a great spot for a casual yet flavorful Indian dining experience in Amsterdam. The bustling atmosphere, efficient service, and well-balanced dishes make it stand out. It’s a relaxed venue, so there’s no need for formal attire—perfect for a laid-back yet high-quality meal. Would we return? Absolutely! Next time, I’d experiment with a spicier level for the butter chicken to get that extra depth of heat. If you’re in the mood for excellent Indian food in Amsterdam, Ashoka is well...

We are so glad we left the Indian restaurant a couple of doors down the street to come here instead. The host at Ashoka was able to seat us without reservations (because we were relatively early) although suggest booking if possible as the restaurant was pretty full - especially by the time we left. The decor was rustic with a classy vibe. The service from the host and our server was professional. Plenty of vegetarian options, and vegan options were clearly marked on the menu. The restaurant is expensive but the food (in my opinion) was worth it. Service started with complementary popadoms with 2 types of chutneys. The popadoms were soft and were changed immediately. Next starters. The vegetarian momos were out of this world. Probably the best I’ve tasted anywhere. The Gobi 65 was full of flavour too. The starters got 10/10. Highly recommend both. They arrived fairly quickly which was super given we were really hungry. There was quite a long wait between the starters and main course but that suited us fine. It gave us an opportunity to use the bathroom which was sadly very dirty. My daughter nipped back to our hotel (kimpton) which was across the road to use the toilet there. By the time she came back, the food still hadn’t arrived! Again not a problem for us but worth bearing in mind if you are in a hurry. We ordered a daal, jeera aloo and a tandoori roti (all vegan). The rice was included with the daal. Once again, the food was faultless. The spice level was perfect for our taste. The price for the main course is rather expensive but overall we felt we ate good quality food and left with full bellies. The bill came as soon as we requested it. I would definitely come back here again. It would have been 5 stars from me if the bathrooms were useable - expect better hygiene standards from a fine dining establishment in that regard. Other than that...