SOL EL LUNA — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Sol el Luna may have just opened its doors, but it’s already making waves in the local food scene with its exceptional tapas. From the moment you step inside, the vibrant atmosphere and welcoming décor instantly transport you to a warm, Mediterranean escape. The attention to detail in both the design and service is impeccable, making it a delightful spot for a casual meal or a special evening out.

The tapas menu is the star of the show, offering a wide variety of small plates that are perfect for sharing. Each dish is packed with bold flavors, showcasing a beautiful blend of traditional Spanish techniques with a fresh, modern twist. Standout dishes include the Patatas Bravas, perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, paired with a smoky, slightly spicy sauce that leaves you wanting more. The Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp) are another must-try, bursting with garlicky goodness and a hint of chili heat.

One of the surprises of the menu is the creative approach to seasonal ingredients. Their Grilled Octopus is tender and beautifully charred, accompanied by a tangy citrus sauce that complements the natural sweetness of the octopus. For something heartier, the Chorizo in Red Wine is rich, comforting, and the perfect pairing for a glass of their house Rioja.

Beyond the food, the staff at Sol el Luna go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels at home. The service is attentive yet unobtrusive, with knowledgeable servers happy to offer recommendations or explain the intricacies of certain dishes. It’s clear that the team is passionate about delivering a memorable dining experience.

Overall, Sol el Luna has hit the ground running, offering an authentic and exciting tapas experience that’s sure to become a favorite for locals and visitors alike. If you’re looking for a place with vibrant flavors, great ambiance, and outstanding service, this is it.

Rating: 5/5 Must-try dish: Gambas al Ajillo &...

The meal we never had!!! What a pity we had such a bad experience. My husband and I went for a delayed Valentine's Dinner. We had reserved a table for 8pm and got there on time. After about 20mns, someone came to take our drinks order. We ordered food 10mns later. After an hour of waiting, and no sign of food coming out, we started getting a bit concerned. Then a table got served even though they had arrived after us. One of the dishes we had ordered was manchego with truffles.....given this is a tapas restaurant, this would have taken seconds to prepare and get out...it requires no cooking!! A couple who had arrived after us and were seated realised no one was coming to take any orders for drinks so they left after 20-30 mns of being ignored. Don't blame them. After 1h10 mns of waiting, I told the manager that if the food didn't arrive in 2 mns, there would be no point and we would leave. He told me it would take another 10 mns. We therefore had no choice but to leave as we were starving! At no point in time did anyone come over to apologise for the delay and offer us some bread or olives...nothing at all. So at 21:30, we were left with no dinner options and had to head home, stopping off at Jumbo to get a pizza. Definitely not the Valentine meal we had planned. At least the manager offered us the drinks we had on the house. This was the least they could do. I'm sure the food would have been nice had we actually had a chance to taste it. But given this experience, I can't say I would ever be tempted to try it again. A real shame. I'd suggest you consider either getting a new chef or a new manager if you want to last more than 6 months in Amsterdam! There are certainly plenty of other amazing options out there. I sincerely hope you can make the necessary changes so this never happens...

Our experience was very disappointing. I made a reservation for 9pm and came 5 mins early. Walked in to be ignored by the server passing by the door. No matter, we found several tables open so we asked the server if we can just sit anywhere. He said they're actually booked up for the night, so I clarified that I do have a reservation. They made space for us. Around 5 mins later, another server came to our table and said kitchen will be closed and last call was at 9:15pm. We look around and no other parties even showed up for their "fully booked night". We felt like we were first of all not welcome and secondly being rushed out.

We ordered 2 tapas anyway, hoping we'd eat quickly and go. Gambas were served first. At that point we didn't have plates and cutlery so they had to go back and get it. Gambas were not even hot enough but were overcooked so it was already dry and "crumbly". We finished eating gambas and then waited for the next one - meatballs. Photos looked like there were fresh fries sprinkled on top but the dish came with the very small and thin fries already covered in the sauce and tossed in haphazardly. The meatballs themselves were really tough and dry. For the quality and quantity the cost doesn't seem justified. We were also charged for tap water (without being informed, though idk if maybe that's just customary and we didn't know better).

Nothing about this experience honestly was especially positive. I don't know if we missed something. Did we just catch them on a really bad night? Were they supposed to be closed earlier than what was posted which was 11pm? I hope it was just an off night because all the other...