Mata Hari — Restaurant in Amsterdam

After reading reviews, my boyfriend and I thought it sounded like this place was nice for dinner before our evening cruise. Once arriving at 6.45pm on a Monday night, it looked a little busy but very manageable (previous hospitality worker). Started off alright with only a 2 minute wait to be seated. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. Took 15 minutes for someone to come and take a drink order, which we then had to also request menus for a food order. We waited 20 minutes for someone to take our food order, which didn't happen, so i went to look for a waiter/waitess to take our order. The drinks that were ordered at 7pm still had finally 7.43pm with an apology from the waiter for the long wait. We expressed that if the wait would be similar for food, then we would have to leave as we had a canal cruise booked at 8.30pm. The waiter then put a rush on the food, and it was out by 8pm. We ordered the starter Burrata, ravioli, and ribeye steak. The buratta entrees was nice although it didn't really ooze out like we are used to with burrata, the steak unfortunately was very chewy with a slight defrosted taste and alot of gristel, pasta was slightly under cooked but to the chefs credit the sauce was nice. I had to go and find steak knives myself as they weren't given prior to the meal or with the steak. We ordered a 2nd round of drinks once the food came out and they arrived faster only 5minutes. The staff seemed a little flustered but helped where they could and seemed genuinely sympathetic. I would also like to mention the elderflower sour and espresso martini were very good! Perhaps the restaurant could benefit from some more section structure and staff so that it isn't as overwhelming for the waiters/waitresses. Also, I would like to mention that the first round of drinks was on the house due to...

My wife and I came to this gorgeous restaurant for our 12 year wedding anniversary. It's in a beautiful area off the canal in the red light district. Despite it being busy outside with tourist bustle, the interior is calm and a feast for the eyes. The interior is art deco and lovely making it quite romantic. The staff were all super friendly and we were even offered some complimentary prosecco to kick off our celebration. I ordered 3 french oysters the best I've ever had, and the fish dish. My wife ordered the grilled rib eye. We also ordered the dark chocolate fondent for dessert and every single bite was divine. The food was high quality and well portioned without being pretentious. We thanked the staff and the chefs for an amazing dinner. We returned for our last dinner in Amsterdam a week later when we arrived from our visit to Berlin. This time we ordered a bottle of sparkling water, 6 oysters, the pappardelle with porcine and a side of seasonal vegetables. Again, the food was amazing. Now I've read some reviews about the service being slow but I think they must be stuck up North Americans who rush through life. I found the staff friendly and attentive, but they also give you the time to enjoy and savour your meal. As we were leaving a couple were trying to come in for food but the kitchen was unfortunately closed. I told them if they are staying longer, to try again tomorrow because the food is really good and totally worth it. I would highly recommend to anyone and will absolutely be back again. Thank you for the well wishes and for...

Our group of eight visited Mata Hari to celebrate three birthdays, drawn in by the restaurant's stylish reputation. While the ambiance was undeniably beautiful—moody lighting, elegant decor, and a lively atmosphere—the dining experience itself left much to be desired, especially for the price.

The bread was excellent—warm, fresh, and delicious. The location itself is stunning, making it a great spot for a special occasion or drinks. Service was attentive, which we appreciated for a larger group.

The portions were shockingly small for the cost. A single lamb skewer (€26) came with just one small croquette, and the meat itself was overcooked and underseasoned—it lacked any distinct flavor. The fries (€7) were also overpriced for what felt like half a normal portion.

Flavor balance was inconsistent. The cuttlefish was overpowered by nduja, making it hard to appreciate the seafood itself. Other dishes felt like they were trying too hard to be refined but missed the mark in execution.

Value for Money? Given the high prices, we expected far better quality and more generous portions. For a group of eight, the meal felt like poor value—we left still hungry and disappointed.

Mata Hari is a beautiful restaurant with great ambiance, making it ideal for drinks or a light bite. But for a full dinner, especially with a larger group, the food doesn’t justify the cost. We wouldn’t recommend it for a celebratory meal unless you’re prepared for tiny portions and...