The Netherlands, AmsterdamMarch 6, 2026, by flowererman

Living room vibes at Franzen restaurant in Amsterdam

Out and about, Eat & Drink, Restaurant
The Netherlands, Amsterdam, March 6, 2026, by flowererman

Living room vibes at Franzen restaurant in Amsterdam

The address at Johannes Verhulststraat 64 initially makes us feel a bit nostalgic. For years, the Oud-Zuid restaurant was located here, and we enjoyed the French cuisine and the warm, cozy atmosphere of the poppy wallpaper. Oud-Zuid made way for Franzen, and Franzen offers a completely different experience. Except for the cuisine, that is. That too is French.

The restaurant, named after owner Jesse Franzen (and therefore not a nod to France), has a bustling, cozy bar. A great place to simply settle in for a glass of wine. Because: the wine list is quite impressive. Fan of Italian wines? The Vietti winery from Piedmont has a good presence on the menu. Franzen himself is no stranger to the scene: he grew up in a hospitality family, is a big fan of eating out, and has experience with renowned establishments like Chapeau and Ron Gastrobar.

 

The restaurant's atmosphere, as they themselves put it: "Met Franzen" should feel like a modern living room for the city. Casual, professional yet relaxed, tasteful, classic, and recognizable. All words that warm our hearts.

And a promise is a promise, so here we go. The service is really good: attentive, but not in your face, a joke here and there, and just in time to refill your glass. Outside the (not overly large) restaurant, we counted about five—or maybe even six—happy colleagues on the floor. The tables were well-staffed with customers. A pleasant atmosphere prevailed. One point for improvement: you can hear it. Or rather: you can't quite hear each other.

The food was delicious, by the way. We started with steak tartare and raw tuna with horseradish, sorrel, and hazelnut. Then we both opted for the BBQ poussin (chicken), with morels stuffed with rillettes from the leg and a sherry-chicken jus. Of course, chicken doesn't come without fries, so fries were also included. And for a healthy touch, a salad. We complemented it with a delicious bottle of Chenin Blanc (Ladybird, Stellenbosch – the winery has been sold and closed down, so be quick to enjoy the last bottles).

Franzen

More tips