Blauw

The rijsttafel, or rice table, is the Dutch colonial-era way of sampling Indonesian food: a long run of small dishes of meat, fish, vegetables, sambals and crunchy extras, all served with rice. Blauw has built its reputation on it, and its rice tables, which have won international recognition, are ordered for a minimum of two people. The restaurant has a sister branch in Utrecht, and both serve the same menu, designed by chef Hendra, who returns to Indonesia every year to taste new flavours and dishes.

The dining room is modern and relaxed rather than themed, with a lively atmosphere in the evenings. Dishes you may come across include daging sambal ijo, beef with green chilli sambal; ayam rica rica, spicy chicken; perkedel, Indonesian fritters; pangsit goreng, fried dumplings; and kue lumpur, a sweet cake to finish. The rice tables give the broadest picture, while the à la carte dishes suit smaller appetites. Blauw describes itself as vegetarian and vegan friendly, and it has published a cookbook of meat-free recipes.

In 2026 the restaurant was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which recognises good food at moderate prices, and it has also been listed by Gault & Millau. That combination makes it a sound choice for couples and groups wanting a sociable meal that is good value for the quality.

Blauw opens every evening from 5pm, closing at 10pm from Sunday to Thursday and 10.30pm on Friday and Saturday. Book online, especially at weekends, and tell the staff about spice preferences or allergies when you order, as some dishes are fiery. In Amsterdam the restaurant also offers takeaway and delivery, which is handy if you are staying nearby. Allow around two hours for a full rijsttafel.

The restaurant is on Amstelveenseweg, just beyond the south-western edge of Vondelpark, in a residential part of Oud-Zuid. Trams run along Amstelveenseweg, and the centre is about 15 minutes away. Combine dinner with an early-evening walk through Vondelpark, or with a visit to the museums on Museumplein, around 20 minutes on foot to the east. On warm evenings the walk back through the park is a pleasant way to end the meal.