Wagyu Kanata — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Wagyu Kanata used to always be 5/5 stars. We have been guests there 3-4 times by now. The high price is initially off-putting but was previously justified by the good food and the excellent service. Unfortunately, our last visit was marred by numerous disappointments.

Food: While the dishes are generally well-balanced, they are naturally very meat-heavy due to the restaurant's theme. The quality of the meat used to be outstanding, but during our last visit, the Wagyu Tartare and sushi, previously highlights, were underwhelming. The Prichanja Wagyu was surprisingly tough, which was particularly disappointing as we had a first-time visitor with us. The menu changes slightly from time to time, but this time, it did not seem to improve the overall experience.

Service: The service, which was once impeccable, has significantly declined. In the past, we were given thorough introductions to Japanese cuisine and well-guided through the menu. The staff used to be attentive and discreet, noticing and addressing any needs promptly. However, this time, the waitress seemed inexperienced and indifferent. She did not ask if we were familiar with the menu and provided only brief explanations of the courses.

Additionally, the dishes came out in a rush, with some arriving while we were still eating others. This created a hectic atmosphere, preventing us from enjoying the meal at a relaxed pace. The attentive service that made us return repeatedly was completely absent. We frequently had to ask for things, which was never necessary during previous visits.

Ambience: The restaurant itself is quite unremarkable and doesn’t stand out for its ambiance. It looks like a small, charming place inside but is almost unrecognizable from the outside, which used to put the focus on the food and service. However, during our last visit, even this charm faded. The tables are large and well-prepared if you have a reservation, but the overall experience was overshadowed by the poor service and the rushed dining experience.

Overall, what was once a 5-star restaurant is now barely 4/5 stars. The service during our last visit was disappointing, to say the least. The relaxed atmosphere we cherished was missing, and the simultaneous serving of dishes made it impossible to fully appreciate each one. Given the high price, the decline in quality and service is unacceptable. I hope this improves in the future, but for now, it is hard to recommend...

One of my favorite restaurants in Amsterdam. I always bring my loved ones and friends here. This was my sixth visit, and I made a special effort to bring my parents when they came to visit me in Amsterdam. As always, the food was delicious, and there were no issues in terms of taste.

I was already aware that bread is not served here, and because of my mother’s dietary condition, she needed to bring and eat a slice of bread. However, the staff warned us that bringing bread from outside was not allowed. I immediately apologized and ordered bread, but I was told that we should have ordered it in advance. The real issue, though, was the way this was communicated, it was done in an extremely RUDE manner, which I found very disappointing, especially considering Japanese culture, which I deeply respect. I was not disrespectful, yet I was treated disrespectfully, and it made me feel really bad. What was supposed to be a wonderful meal with my family, at a place I love, turned into a situation that made me feel compelled to write this review.

To make matters worse, when we were paying the bill, my family wanted to pay in cash with a €200 banknote, but it was not accepted, and we were told to exchange it. This was also not communicated properly. Perhaps the staff was having a difficult day, I don’t know. But today, I left the restaurant feeling very upset. Experiencing this at one of my favorite places truly saddened me.

I just wanted to share my feelings. Maybe I will visit again, and maybe none of this will happen next time but it did...

I’ve been to Wagyu Kanata four times now, and each visit before this was a great experience, hence why I kept coming back. The food is definitely on the pricier side, but you’re paying for high-quality meat, and it’s always been worth it.

However, during my most recent visit on February 1st, I booked a table for three to treat a friend for her birthday. We opted for the premium course at €125 per person. As expected, the food was amazing, but the experience was dampened by how rushed we felt. We were given only 1 hour and 15 minutes to dine, and almost every time a new course was brought to our table, we were reminded that we had to leave by 7:15. It felt like a constant countdown rather than an enjoyable dining experience.

Of course, we understand that tables are reserved for other guests, and we would have respected the time limit. However, being repeatedly reminded made us feel pressured and took away from the experience. For a restaurant in this price range, where meals typically cost between €50-100 per person, I strongly believe that an hour and 15 minutes (even an hour and 30) is simply not enough to truly enjoy the meal.

In the end, we paid a total of €434, yet we couldn’t fully appreciate the incredible food because of how rushed we felt. I really hope the restaurant considers adjusting their time limits, especially for guests who are paying for their premium menu. I would love to return, but only if the experience allows for a more relaxed and...