Staring at Jacob — Restaurant in Amsterdam

For a proper brunch in Amsterdam, Staring at Jacob is rather good - beloved breakfast spots, serving up hearty comfort food although we did find the food better than the vibes.

Tucked away on the rather lovely Jacob van Lennepkade in Amsterdam's Oud West, this brunch spot provides a welcome respite from the touristy hustle and bustle. The restaurant sits rather conveniently between Leidseplein and Vondelpark, making it ideal for a leisurely meal whilst exploring the area.

The interior has a relaxed, café-style atmosphere, though it's rather understated and lacks the vibrant character you might expect from such a beloved spot. The pleasant sunny terrace with its colourful exterior is certainly the highlight of the space - it's particularly lovely on fine days and where the restaurant truly comes alive. Inside, the atmosphere feels somewhat plain and could do with more personality to match the bold flavours coming from the kitchen. Despite being quite popular, it maintains an intimate, local feel, though weekends can get rather hectic.

The standout dishes include their signature Chicken and Waffles, which draws repeat customers, and Jacob's Benny, a well-executed eggs Benedict with toast, bacon, and perfectly poached eggs served with roasted potatoes. The All Around Carnivore offers a generous plate combining sausages, bacon, and sweet pancakes, whilst the Banana Bread French Toast provides an indulgent sweet option that consistently impresses.

The kitchen does a brilliant job with satisfying comfort food, particularly excelling at breakfast and brunch classics. Quality is consistently high across the menu, from the house-made granola with yogurt to the fluffy pancakes. Unfortunately, the interior atmosphere is rather bland and doesn't quite live up to the exciting food being served. Portions are big and reasonably priced.

However, there are several things to bear in mind. The restaurant is frightfully popular, requiring advance booking often 1-2 weeks ahead, and can become quite busy and lively during peak brunch hours. The interior atmosphere is rather plain and lacks the personality of the vibrant food being served. Pricing reflects the quality, though some may find it a bit steep, and limited seating means potential waits despite having booked ahead.

Booking is absolutely essential, particularly for weekends, and should be done 1-2 weeks ahead. The restaurant is open daily from 9:30-16:30, with Thursday hours extending to 17:00. Budget around €20-30 per person for a proper brunch experience, and do consider visiting on weekday mornings for a more peaceful atmosphere.

Recommendation: Highly recommended for anyone seeking a proper brunch in Amsterdam. Simply remember to book well ahead - word has certainly got round about this...

Once upon a sunny day in the bustling city, there stood a legendary lunch spot called Staring at Jacob. With its charming terrace always brimming with eager diners and a line of hopefuls stretching down the street, it seemed like a culinary paradise.

Intrigued by the buzz, I decided to brave the line, drawn by whispers of the best chicken and waffles in town. As I finally snagged a seat, I felt like I had won a golden ticket. Little did I know, my adventure was just beginning.

The waiter placed the menu before me, and my eyes widened at the prices. “Surely, it must be worth it,” I thought, ignoring the ominous signs. I ordered the famed chicken and waffles, expecting a dish that would be the stuff of dreams.

When my plate arrived, reality hit hard. The chicken, as dry as a summer day in the Sahara, sat atop the waffle like a culinary mirage. Each bite required a gulp of water, or perhaps a prayer for moisture. The waffle was decent, but at that price, I wondered if it was sprinkled with gold dust.

Feeling parched, I decided an iced coffee would be the perfect remedy. But wait—a euro for ice cubes? Surely, they jest! Alas, no. Ice was a luxury item here, much like the sauce, which came with an additional charge. I chuckled at the absurdity, realizing I was in a gastronomic theater of the absurd.

Despite the high prices and the dry chicken, there was something almost endearing about the whole experience. The bustling crowd, the high-priced condiments, and the coveted ice cubes—it was a story I’d share for years to come.

So, if you ever find yourself tempted by the allure of Staring at Jacob, bring a hefty wallet and a hearty sense of humor. You might not leave with the best meal, but you’ll certainly leave with a...

I had a reservation at STARING AT JACOB for 9 AM today, but I arrived slightly early at 8:52. Upon peeking inside the restaurant, I saw that the staff was already there. I asked if they were open, and they informed me they start service at 9. I kindly said I would wait outside.

There were tables and chairs right by the entrance, so I decided to sit at one of them. However, within moments, a waitress rushed out and told me that I wasn't allowed to sit there. She pointed towards the canal by the restaurant, indicating that I should wait over there instead.

Curious, I politely asked why I couldn’t just sit quietly at the table. She explained that the owner doesn’t allow it because other passersby might see someone sitting there and decide to do the same. I asked why this would be a bad thing, considering it could bring in extra customers. She simply repeated that the owner doesn’t permit it. When I inquired about how I could provide feedback to the owner, perhaps through an email, she suggested I leave a review on Google or any other platform.

This experience left me with three major impressions:

The restaurant displays a very customer-unfriendly attitude. They seem uninterested in attracting new customers, especially passersby, as this was the primary reason I wasn't allowed to sit outside. Rather than resolving issues internally, they essentially invite customers to write negative reviews on public platforms.

After my conversation, which lasted about 3 minutes, I stood by the canal for another 3 minutes and returned to my seat at exactly 9 AM.

Quite the peculiar experience. Big shout-out to the owner of this...