Restaurant JA — Restaurant in Amsterdam

It felt like having dinner hosted in the privacy of their own home. Restaurant Ja in Amsterdam is an adorable and charming spot, open exclusively 3 nights a week with just 8 tables for 20 guests. Run by a loving and beautiful couple without additional staff, it offers a chef's menu that's perfect for those who appreciate fine food in an intimate, homey atmosphere. Great experience within this price range.

🍞Food 5/5 Every dish was a delight. Chef's classical French training shines, ✨ but you’ll get hints of his love for Japanese cuisine peeking through.

👉🏽His ingredient choices feature fresh North Sea fish, dutch wasabi and many other locally sourced (Dutch) ingredients. 🇳🇱

😍But the highlights were definitely the Saffron brioche feuilletée and the dry-aged turbot. Wow.

✨This Saffron brioche feuilletée with crème crue, was a punch of flavor: still warm from the oven, beautiful yellow color and bursting with flavor coming from the saffron and butter.

✨...but my perfect bite came from the 5 days “dry-aged turbot”: SO RICH in flavor and the hints of the Konro Grill with the Sambaizu beurre blanc made this dish one I will remember.

😳Minor points of feedback: ‼️I noticed the nigiri rice was pre-formed, which is different from traditional Japanese sushi preparation. Guests familiar with authentic Japanese cuisine might appreciate nigiri made fresh to order for a more authentic experience. It's a small detail that could elevate your already outstanding dishes.🥰

‼️Despite enjoying every dish, we found ourselves still a bit hungry after the meal. Perhaps offering optional supplemental dishes could cater to guests with bigger appetites? 🤲🏽

🤗Service 5/5 Your service was warm, attentive and personal. I appreciated being served by BOTH the chef, and wife maître.

The pace of serving started quite brisk (felt a tiny bit rushed - but understandable given just you 2 are serving 20 people). Fortunately, as the night progressed it slowed down.

I appreciate the attention to detail, such as folding the napkins back when leaving the table for the restroom —a sign of more formal hospitality and dining etiquette, which I LOVE.

🤩Ambiance 5/5 Fine dining in a calm, homey setting. The ambiance at Restaurant Ja was cosy yet refined, with soft, tranquil color palette (beige, white, woods) reminiscent of Japandi interior style. 

And with just 8 tables, it felt exclusive and personal, perfect for an intimate dining experience. 

The open kitchen added a touch of theater, allowing us glimpses of your culinary magic. 😍

Conclusion: For those who appreciate fine food chefs menu’s (French with hints of Japanese), but in a more intimate, homey setting, Restaurant Ja is a must-visit.

A 5/5 Google stars reflect my overall feeling...

Restaurant Ja in Amsterdam is an intimate living room restaurant with a maximum of 20 seats, located on Tweede Jan Steenstraat in the heart of De Pijp. The setting is cozy and romantic, with an open kitchen and nine round wooden tables that give off a true “at-home” vibe. You sit right in the open kitchen and get to watch the chef prepare each dish of the tasting menu—a wonderful, immersive experience!

The menu is full of delightful surprises—from the Sake Panna Cotta, which is a silky, slightly sweet starter, to the Saffron Brioche Feuilletée that feels indulgent yet light. A standout dish has to be the North Sea Crab, which you can elevate with a supplement of Perle Imperial Caviar. It’s seafood perfection, but at a price! The Nigiri Langoustine keeps things playful and interesting, and the Dry Aged Turbot with Sambelzu has incredible depth of flavor. Even the Seaweed Dessert is a conversation starter—something unexpected but totally fitting with the meal.

For €77.50, this creative menu offers great value for its unique ingredients and intimate experience. Restaurant Ja is the perfect spot for a special night out or if you’re craving something a bit different in Amsterdam’s...

My partner and I happened upon JA on our first night visiting Amsterdam. It had to be fate! It was reservation only, and there was one table open for two. Because we got there when the second dinner time started, they accommodated us. We are vegetarians, and we had no idea that they specialize in vegetarian dishes. Every course was tremendous! Including the sourdough bread and cheeses. My partner is a cheese monger, and I'm an artisan bread baker, so we were delighted! The ambiance, music, and decor were lovely, and there was love and positivity in the air. We were impressed with the two person team running the show, a sweet couple who were so attentive and kind. The combination of flavors and textures of the meal were spectacular, and given that each course was above the bar, this was our favorite set menu meal we've experienced. We hope to return in the future for a special occasion and try the wines next time. We had an excellent pale ale that still paired well with everything, good flavor but did not overpower. Price of our meal was reasonable given the high quality and...