New hotspot in Amsterdam: everyone suddenly wants to go to The Marlin Bar
Amsterdam has a new hotspot — and what a hotspot it is. The Marlin Bar has officially opened its doors on Van Baerlestraat, literally around the corner from the Concertgebouw. With French brasserie vibes, seafood guilty pleasures and a bar that instantly makes you crave a glass of chilled champagne. It’s casual, it’s chic, and it feels like an international coastal brasserie in the heart of Oud-Zuid. Seafood lovers, this is about to become your new regular spot.
The Marlin Bar: casual-chic seafood restaurant in Oud-Zuid
The Marlin Bar was created as a place where you can drop in just as easily for a quick lunch as you can stay for an extensive dinner that effortlessly flows into the evening. The atmosphere is relaxed and stylish at the same time – exactly what Oud-Zuid, and plenty of people beyond it, has been craving.
50 seats indoors, 35 outdoors, and a menu that follows the seasons: from light seafood dishes to share to classic brasserie favourites with a luxurious Marlin twist.
Another hit from Wolves Hospitality Group
The restaurant is part of Wolves Hospitality Group, previously responsible for, among others, Café Garçon, Brasserie Margaux, Williams Farmhouse and Ludwig’s Deli. The Marlin Bar is their first luxury seafood concept – and we’ll eat our hats if this doesn’t become a hit, just like the aforementioned restaurants.
Interior: nautical and warm
The interior was designed by Investerior (also known for the other Wolves venues) and feels luxurious without ever being stiff. Mahogany, marble, warm tones: as if you’re stepping into an elegant coastal brasserie, but right in the middle of Amsterdam.
From the kitchen: seafood guilty pleasures & classic dishes
Executive Chef Philippe Schuring has developed a menu centred around exactly what you want to eat when you hear ‘seafood bar’: crab rolls, prawns, tuna, lobster, monkfish and a vegetarian option that is at least as delicious for the tablemate who doesn’t share your love of fish; roasted mushrooms with poached egg, celeriac and hollandaise.
Some lunch menu highlights
Personally, I absolutely love having an extensive lunch at a seafood restaurant. And these dishes… wow, so good!
Scrambled Eggs Spinach €18
Scrambled eggs on toast with spinach, lettuce and mustard mayonnaise. Supplement: Asetra caviar €15, hot-smoked salmon €6.
Crab Roll €24
Brioche with crab, butter lettuce, pickled onion, radish, cucumber and curry mayo. Supplement: Asetra caviar €15.
Marlin’s Burger €18
Crispy pollock fillet on brioche with ravigote sauce. Supplement: Asetra caviar €15.
Caesar Salad €24
With wild Argentine prawns, Parmesan, croutons and soft-boiled egg.
Perfect for concertgoers
Especially for guests of the Concertgebouw, there is a two-course pre-theatre menu that is guaranteed to be served on time.
Dinner menu: classics that make an impression
In the evening, it gets even better:
Dover Sole à la Meunière €54
Whole Dover sole in butter.
Yellowfin Tuna Steak €36
With green pepper cream sauce and crispy potato.
Lobster Linguine €49
With lobster tail and creamy lobster sauce.
Monkfish Fillet €34
Pan-fried monkfish with potato mousseline and beurre blanc.
Wine lovers, take note: a serious wine list
Sommelier Dwight Oldenhof has put together a wine list featuring a mix of well-known regions, small producers and surprising discoveries. The cellar is extensive and offers white wines that pair beautifully with the seafood-focused menu, with plenty of alternatives for guests who prefer rosé or red. By the glass, there are also three sparkling wines on the menu, because that really is the ultimate pairing with seafood: Cava Brut Bella Conchi €8, Champagne Brut ‘Cuvée Réserve’, Christopher Merret €16 and Champagne Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Christopher Merret €18.
Specials: live jazz & Fruits de Mer
Every Thursday evening, live jazz fills the restaurant; every Sunday, there is a generous Fruits de Mer platter to share: oysters, prawns, king crab… the whole seafood parade.
For events, the back room can be closed off for private dining for up to 25 people.
Everything at a glance: The Marlin Bar
Address: Van Baerlestraat 120, 1071 BD Amsterdam
Opening hours:
Mon: 17.30–23.00
Tue: 17.30–23.00
Wed: 12.00–23.00
Thu: 12.00–00.00
Fri: 12.00–01.00
Sat: 12.00–01.00
Sun: 12.00–23.00
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