The Netherlands, AmsterdamSeptember 19, 2025, by Isa de Laat

Char.d opens on Utrechtsestraat in Amsterdam, a modern barbecue restaurant

The Netherlands, Amsterdam, September 19, 2025, by Isa de Laat

Char.d opens on Utrechtsestraat in Amsterdam, a modern barbecue restaurant

It takes a little while to find the entrance, but when you follow the smell of charcoal and barbecue, you will automatically end up there char.dThe aroma of the new restaurant on Utrechtsestraat evokes those long summer evenings at the barbecue or those drinks by a campfire in winter. Lucky us, because at char.d the barbecue is on all year round

No strangers opened the doors in the dark, warm building: former Entourage chefs Dean Baker en Slava Nazaryan join forces. With fire, smoke, and craftsmanship, they bring a modern take on barbecue to Amsterdam.

Char.d, Amsterdam

Char.d, Amsterdam

The name char.d refers to CharringSlow-grilling over charcoal or wood and cooking at high temperatures. Aha, hence the wonderful aroma upon arrival and during dinner. And with all that grilling, they conjure up a whole host of delicious dishes.

Don't expect an overload of dishes, but a modest menu that has been carefully crafted. Simple, but tasty (douze points (For the tender chicken in miso, man, that's delicious.) The chicken, 600-gram steak, fish, and leek come rolled out of Kopa's ovens, where they play with techniques like smoking, low-and-slow cooking, and high-heat grilling. Take the steak, for example: it's first seared over coals for a crispy crust and then slowly cooked over wood for that deep, smoky flavor.

Dean focuses on meat (his English roots are evident in his dishes), while Slava specializes in fish, often with Asian and French influences. Together, they form the duo you see working in the kitchen.

And don't take being in the kitchen with a grain of salt, because if you're at the chef's table downstairs, you can just walk into the kitchen. The interior is completely in line with all things Barbecue: rugged, earthy, dark tones, lots of wood and stone. Downstairs seats twelve, upstairs for forty. Oh, and there's a small patio.

The menu changes regularly (can you please keep that chicken?) using fresh ingredients (so you always have a different fish on the menu), often straight from the Albert Cuyp Market. There's also an extensive wine list with bottles from around the world and a cocktail menu. Bring on those barbecue nights!

Char.d is open from Wednesday to Sunday for dinner and on Sundays also for lunch.