Brut de Mer — Restaurant in Amsterdam

If you don’t mind a lot of issues with service and you enjoy a good oyster - tapas bar I highly recommend trying Brut de Mer.

Pros - everything we ate was phenomenal. The 12 oyster tasting was well shucked and the six different oysters we got to try were all delicious and unique and their preparation of boquerones was fresh and well seasoned. Similarly, their foie gras tapas plate and sweetbreads with shrimp were beyond reproach. I can also say the Scrappinos to drink were really solid if not just a little runny.

However, the service was probably the worst I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Our original waiter came by pretty quick to take our order, however, he literally forgot to actually put in 1/2 of our order. It took +30 minutes to get a bottle of water for the table (we had to ask 2x after our cocktails and oysters arrived). Similarly, after multiple other tables who ordered after us received their entrees we found out our entire hot order had not been put in and so it took more than an hour after sitting to get something to eat after our oysters (which took around 30 minutes)

On that note, our first waiter essentially disappeared after taking our order and we had to grab another waiter who clearly wasn’t in our area to actually put our hot order in… On top of that, when our second waiter came by to ask for final calls we put in another food order, we put in one last thing (we had been hoping to try multiple tapas plates but given how long the first hot plates took we literally only had last call to try more). 45 minutes later as the servers began cleaning out the bar and turning chairs over it was incredibly clear they forgot to put our last call in. On the positive side of poor service, they also gave us another tables glass of cava at one point and we saw them flag the server around 15 minutes later with the same frustration in where their drink was.

Overall, I would probably eat here again so take that as you will about how amazing the food is. But I would definitely sit at the bar, order one thing at a time and make sure your orders are getting put into the POS system. We left hungry and wanting to try more and we felt frustrated that we were being ignored during our 1 1/2 hours at the...

We've been here several times before but not again. Even before we arrived: a €75 deposit and a window of 15 minutes to arrive? Really?

Once we did arrive, due to the weather, we asked if we could sit inside, but were told it was "fully booked", even though it remained completely empty for our entire visit. We were placed on two unsuitable round garden-type tables outside, despite a tall rectangular table sitting there also empty. We were told that it too was "fully booked". As I asked if we could sit at this table, I was rapidly approached by someone (the owner, perhaps?) who quite aggressively said that "he had booked that table and if we had a problem with that?" WTAF?

A solo, poorly trained waiter (not his fault, I know) knew not much about the menu, nor about the flow of offering service, nor much about keeping paying guests happy. We got our wine and sat and sat and sat! 50 minutes wait in fact when there was only one other active table in the restaurant. Interesting, given you only have a 1¾ hour slot.

At the prices charged, the food was barely OK. Bisque took 50 minutes to arrive; fries arrived and sat before any of the mains, and the €20 Lobster Roll ("burger") in particular lacked any finesse (over-cooked bread, iceberg and mayo); and would struggle to make the cut at Febo.

We brought one of our investors for lunch, based on previous experience, but were embarrassed by the arrogance and poor value for money Brut De Mer. Disappointing is an...

If you’re on the hunt for top-notch seafood in Amsterdam, Brut de Mer is a gem you don’t want to miss! Their oyster selection is truly impressive, with six different types to explore, each more delicate and fresh than the last. Pairing them with one of their many crisp white wines or a glass of cava is a must—it elevates the whole experience.

Moving on to the mains, the roasted razor clams and sautéed white clams were spot on. The flavors were bold but balanced, and the texture was just perfect. The calamari, though, might be the hidden hero—it’s probably the best I’ve had in Amsterdam. It’s got that tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality and comes with a sauce that’s so rich and flavorful that you’ll be wiping the plate clean.

Then came the egg with caviar, and wow—it’s a dish to remember. Luxurious, silky, and full of flavor, it felt like a little celebration of everything you could want in a seafood meal. The salad dishes were fresh and light, acting as the perfect counterbalance to the richness of the seafood.

The prices are admittedly on the steep side, but for a special occasion, Brut de Mer feels absolutely worth it. Plus, the friendly and attentive staff really add to the vibe, making the whole experience feel like a treat. If you’re looking to indulge, this spot will hit all the...