Bar TWLV — Restaurant in Amsterdam

In my opinion, Sorel’s Bar in Amsterdam is a standout spot, especially if you’re someone who appreciates a blend of local charm and modern sophistication. The bar does an amazing job of bringing in a Dutch influence—especially through their selection of local gins, beers, and snack options—while still offering a trendy, cosmopolitan feel that’s appealing to locals and travelers alike.

The cocktails here are thoughtfully crafted, and the focus on quality ingredients makes a real difference. I love that they highlight Dutch elements without overdoing it; it feels authentic, not gimmicky. The ambiance strikes a great balance, too: it’s stylish yet unpretentious, making it a comfortable place to sit back and relax, whether you’re out with friends or just stopping by on your own for business.

Service-wise, they’re efficient and friendly, which adds to the whole experience. Plus, the bartenders know their stuff and are genuinely enthusiastic, which makes for a nice interaction when ordering. All in all, I’d say Sorel’s is one of those bars that’s ideal for a memorable night out—cool enough for a special occasion but relaxed enough to visit anytime. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Amsterdam and want a taste of the local bar scene with a twist of...

This restaraunt/lounge is located inside the Marriott hotel. We were staying at the Marriott and went for dinner twice. Food is fine; service is horrendous. A 15-20 minute wait for a menu, running down the waiter to order and having to take out glasses to the bar to get a refill was our experience. Food didn’t show up for 45 minutes - tables that came in after us were served their meals before we were. I tracked down the waiter and asked him about it... twice. The manager finally served our meals (three hamburgers) about an hour after ordering. Ridiculous.

At the end of the meal the manager presented (with great fanfare) two brownies and two pieces of cake with apologies for the substandard service. Nice, right? Notsomuch...

Side note: We had been staying at the hotel for a week and in the evening they serve all guests complimentary ‘desserts’ in the hotel courtesy lounge... those poor quality baked goods in all chain hotels that are purchased prebaked and served straight out of the box. Same thing every single night.

Our ‘consolation’ desserts were the free brownies and cake from the courtesy lounge. Totally bizarre...

Sorel's is in a great location, with average food, and poor service. Simply, the staff is not quick or attentive. When engaged actively by a customer, they will respond, but I walked in, sat down, and had to wait 20 minutes for a waitress to ask me whether I wanted something. I asked for a menu and eventually got one and ordered. I have watched other tables do the same. I came back again today since I have been staying at the Marriott, and the service was the same. They would easily be twice as profitable if they would train their staff to quickly engage customers, make sure people have menus, and look for empty glasses and ask about refills....