nNea Pizza — Restaurant in Amsterdam

One day when reading some articles online, I have found a rank with the top 50 pizzas in Europe.

For my surprise, or not, the 8th place was occupied by a place called nNea and was close by, in Amsterdam.

This information got lost in my memories… Until one day, when I was enjoying a nice evening and tasting some excellent wines.

Meanwhile we were talking about different cultures and cooking styles, I have remembered of the article I have read and thought: Why not paying a visit to the 8th best pizza place in Europe?

So, I went straight away to their website for a reservation. However, as expected, the restaurant was already fully booked one year upfront. I would not give up, I really had to taste that pizza! So, I was persistent and made a reservation, not forgetting to include a notification on my phone to remember.

After one year, the date finally arrived!

We head out to a nice bar for some drinks and to wait for our reservation that was only at 9:30PM. And, when the time arrived, we head out to nNea! I must say that from outside it looked like anything as a “normal pizzeria”. After going through some heavy blue curtains by the door, we were finally in there. Surprisingly, inside was still not looking like a “normal pizzeria”.

We were assisted by a very kind Italian gentleman that brought us to our small table. The place was small and the tables were quite close to each other. So, I would say it is not the kind of place for a long dining experience. It is made to be fast and efficient.

The menu had few options, showing us that it was not the kind of place where “everything is our specialty” which was great. The environment was noisy and busy, but to be expected. I was surprised to seeing passers-by getting some take away pizza and walk-ins sitting on some high chairs by the entrance. If I knew that upfront, I would definitely had paid a visit earlier.

When our pizzas arrived, we were surprised by the fun fact of receiving scissors, in addition to the normal knifes to help us out with the cutting.

The pizza was indeed delicious! The dough was thin and perfectly cooked in a wood oven, with noticeably fresh ingredients.

What I understood later is that after some time on the plate, the pizza gets cold, soggy and chewy. So, the environment encourages you to eat fast, otherwise, your experience will not be the same.

We had an overall great experience!

My praise to the great service of the Italian gentleman that helped us out. The one year waiting made the experience and the pizza even tastier. I...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this pizzeria, attracted by its claim to be the best in the Netherlands and one of the best in Europe. While the pizza itself was undoubtedly delicious, I regret to say that the overall experience was marred by one significant flaw.

Let’s start with the positive aspects. I opted for the Capocollo pizza, and it was truly a treat for my taste buds. The flavors were rich and well-balanced, and the dough had a delightful texture. The ingredients used were of high quality and the staff provided good service as well, being attentive and prompt in their assistance.

However, there was one major drawback that overshadowed the positive aspects: the noise. The restaurant was excessively loud, to the point where it became unpleasant and hindered conversation. The constant chatter, clattering of dishes, and echoing voices created a chaotic and disruptive atmosphere. It was to such an extent that it made it difficult to fully enjoy the relaxed meal. Conversations with my bf were frequently interrupted, and we found ourselves speaking louder just to be heard.

Given the quality of the pizza, my recommendation would be to opt for takeout instead. By doing so, you can savor the flavors of the pizzas without the unwelcome and overwhelming noisy atmosphere.

In summary, this pizzeria truly lives up to its reputation of serving delicious pizza. The Capocollo pizza was versus good with its delectable flavors and delightful dough. However, the excessive noise level inside the restaurant takes away from the overall dining experience. I would recommend indulging in their pizza through the convenient takeout option, ensuring that you fully appreciate the pizzas without the disruptions caused by the noisy atmosphere.

Please note that the noise issue might be subjective, and some people might not find it bothersome. Nevertheless, for those seeking a more serene experience, I would advise considering the takeout option. I hope this review helps future visitors make an informed decision about their dining...

12 months ago, I could have easily continued saying the same about nNea - superb pizza. Having visited yesterday, my experience was more mixed. The reputation of the pizzeria (Europe and World 50 Best) has understandably led to a desire to turn tables quickly given the queues outside the door - checking if I was happy to be served starter and pizza at the same time - but also a drop in quality.

Some of the basics are missing - being provided dirty menus, one diner saying their napkin was oily, a salad where another appeared to note an absence of dressing, someone else who was served a pizza they hadn't ordered - but the main problem itself was the pizza. Where previously the balance between char, and blistering, and fluffy, and airy pizza dough had been perfect, it was notable that in some places the pizza of mine and others just seemed burnt and unevenly baked. Growing pains affect restaurants, as does a city crying out for good staff - being reasonably regular there was no sign of the staff I'd previously been used to - but with the restaurant now set to expand into premises next door, there's a question of whether increased volume is further going to compromise standards.

(Review below from 4 years ago) Can easily say this is overall the best pizza in Amsterdam. Let's start with the dough: the mix of slightly sour tang and airy, fluffy, chewy and crisp crust is pretty much perfection (something La Perla doesn't get right). Mix of toppings - fresh and high quality - rivalled only by the unbookable La Zoccola del Pacioccone, and although it's a perennial favourite of mine, Mangiancora sits in a slightly different category. Add in great service, decent drinks, and a burrata which is just divine, and what more...