Restaurant Mappa in the Amsterdam Nes: no-nonsense Italian food and drinks
Italian comfort food for the Dutch bon vivant, that is Mappa in the Nes. Amsterdammers who embrace Italy, as they say, and there is no way to get in between that. The clear menu includes handmade raviolis, fresh fish from the Nieuwmarkt, home-made pizzas and ditto sweets. Nice and central too, Mappa, in the Nes. That alone is a top plan!
The location is of course not the only reason why you want to join Mappa. It is mainly the tasty, yet no-nonsense food, the interesting wine list and also the lovely staff. That it is literally two meters from Dam Square, and yet none tourist trap, only makes Mappa more special. Oh, and suitable for vegetarians as well as meat and fish eaters. The menu is quite half/half, so there is something for everyone.
Dat Maps in the Amsterdam Nes with rightful one hidden gems is evident from the fact that they have been around since 2001. A hidden gem in the middle of the city center, which we would really like to remain hidden somewhere. On the other hand, Mappa deserves to be known by everyone. For when you want to have an extensive dinner, fill the entire table with antipasti to share and have a drink, or when you want to have a quick meal before catching a show in the Tabaco Theater. Sitting down alone for a (tray full of) sgroppino is also a good idea.
Chef Bob helms the kitchen and travels all over Italy for inspiration. Various Italian provinces, cities and techniques find their way onto the map. The menu at Mappa changes regularly, although certain classics always remain (such as the Margherita pizza, fortunately!). Also consider authentic dishes such as linguine agio e olio, but with chicken thighs, bruschetta with figs and goat cheese marinated in grappa or an Italian-style salmon tartare.
An evening meal naturally calls for good wine. Mappa now employs no fewer than two wine sommeliers – Sterre and Nirvana – who can recommend the right wine for every dish. An open shot: many of the wines they serve at Mappa are Italian, but you will also find natural and 'old' world wines, such as from Slovenia, for example. Oh, by the way, they serve a damn good sgroppino too! These are among the dolci, but why not just start the evening with them?
In addition to wine and sgroppino, there is beer on tap and Mappa also makes very excellent cocktails, such as a classic negroni or espresso martini.
Because the menu is so small and nice, there is often something happening outside the menu, such as Chef Bob's vongole evenings: Vongole Galore. You can come in every Thursday evening for this!
Useful to know: at Mappa you can only pay by card and they are closed on Sundays and Mondays.