Hotspot: Karaat – a golden spot on the IJ
The gold theme is clearly a trend in the restaurant world. After Goud in Rotterdam, we now also have Karaat in Amsterdam, in the new fashion district on the IJ.
We arrived and…
Immediately turned around. Not because we didn’t like the chic-industrial interior of this golden giant, but because a sunny table was waiting for us outside, with a fantastic view of the IJ, from a terrace edged with giant yellow-concrete Lego blocks.
Where is it?
Right in the middle of Houthaven, the baby of Amsterdam’s neighbourhoods. All around you, you see homes and buildings in the making, and it gives you energy. Okay, when the wind picked up, we got thoroughly sandblasted for a moment, but we still toughed it out outside, because we were overwhelmed by an ultimate holiday feeling.
What is it?
Karaat is a huge crowd-pleaser: an all-day venue with different corners and atmospheres, and an amount of staff that many establishments will be jealous of. Upstairs, companies can use a cool space for creative sessions and private dining. The name comes from the gold-clad building in which Karaat is located.
What does the menu inspire?
In the evening, you can choose from Raw, Herbivore or Omnivore. In the mood for omnivore food turned out to mean a juicy steak tartare, a slightly briny fregola vongole and an exceptionally tender dry-aged entrecôte. Because we always have room for dessert, we finished with a rich and photogenic Triple Choc Brownie with raspberry ice cream and nut praline.
Why will we come back?
Houthavens is a great spot in an up-and-coming area, where you’ll soon also be able to moor your boat.
Karaat
Houthavenkade 103, Amsterdam
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