Intimate table d'hôte dining at Watergang restaurant in Amsterdam
You'll want to take a seat at the table for the charming building at Weteringsstraat 41 alone. Restaurant WatergangYou haven't tasted a bite yet, haven't seen the menu, and yet you're already sold. Spread across three floors—two for guests, one for the kitchen—the restaurant exudes a warm, homey atmosphere. Our tip? Reserve a table on the ground floor, preferably by the window. That way, you'll immediately have the best view of the place.
At Watergang, everything revolves around host table: a chef's set menu, but at a high level. You let yourself be completely surprised by a five-course menu from the chef, guided by the seasons and with vegetables in the starring role. And yes, the devil is in the extras. Before you know it, you’ll effortlessly say yes to oysters as a starter, a cheese platter afterwards, and the matching wine pairing. Dangerous? Absolutely. But in the very best way.
The menu changes every month and follows the seasons. Expect a carefully crafted menu in which vegetables often take center stage. The fun part of a surprise menu is, of course, that you don't know what you're eating until the plate is placed in front of you. Unless you've already secretly peeked at the table next to you.
A staple on the menu is the homemade brioche bread. Still warm, buttery soft, and invariably the first to disappear. Down to the last crumb. We would actually come back for that alone. During our dinner, a gazpacho with melon sorbet and basil oil appeared on the table, among other things: fresh, refined, and a promising start to the rest of the menu. The kitchen draws inspiration from international influences, with a subtle French foundation.
Watergang is another word for 'wetering', both being waterways, and thus a nod to the Weteringbuurt where the restaurant is located. Inside, ochre-yellow walls, mosaic tiles in shades of green, wooden tables, white linen, and candlelight create a warm atmosphere. Looking inside from the street, it seems as if you are seeing a cozy dinner at a friend's house. And that is exactly the feeling here.
The wine list also deserves a mention. Here you will find mainly French, Italian, and German wines from small importers and renowned suppliers. The selection changes regularly and complements the menu beautifully. If you opt for the wine pairing, you can't really go wrong. Prefer to pick out a bottle yourself? Even then, there is more than enough deliciousness to discover on the wine list.
Watergang is not just for an extensive dinner. You can also come here during the day for a four-course lunch menu, served on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. A weekend well spentshall we say.
