Tip: the wonderful terrace of Brasserie Vessel in Amsterdam’s Houthavens
Brasserie Vessel in Amsterdam’s Houthavens is a wonderful place for breakfast, brunch, drinks and dinner. The dishes that let the ingredients speak for themselves are especially delicious. Added bonuses: the beautiful view over the IJ and the friendly service.
Brasserie Vessel: striking building
Vessel is located in a beautiful building that also houses hotel Boat&Co. The imposing hotel on the water looks as if it has been standing here for centuries, but it is only a few years old. It was named after the timber merchants Boot & Co, who once occupied this site. Vessel’s guests are a mix of tourists and locals, as Vessel also wants to serve the local community.
Just before lockdown
The last time we visited Vessel was more than three years ago. It was our last restaurant visit before corona; a few hours after we left, the hospitality industry shut down, making it a memorable experience for several reasons. We also remember the wonderful tomato soup and hummus that top chef Ricardo van Ede made at Vessel at the time. Ricardo has since left Vessel, and that terrible lockdown already seems light-years away again (except for all the entrepreneurs who are still dealing with its bitter consequences… which also explains why so many businesses are listed for sale).
Spacious terrace
Although it is lovely inside—the space is colorful and cozy—the biggest draw is the spacious terrace right on the IJ and the sweeping view. You can choose from relaxed lounge sofas, picnic tables and round tables to sit at. And if it gets chilly, heaters keep the terrace pleasantly warm. In good weather, the jetties are occupied by sun worshippers, and people go swimming and paddleboarding. An instant holiday feeling!
Friendly service
We sit down at one of the tables at the beginning of the terrace. The service here is notably friendly and efficient. We order a cheerful Paloma, our favorite cocktail at the moment which—careful—goes down like water. We opt for the classic version with tequila (€12.50), but you can also order it with mezcal if you like smoky flavors (€15). The cocktail menu also includes a Frozen Pina Colada and various G&Ts.
Good bites
We start with several bites, including good grilled garlic pita with chili hummus and chive cream (€7.50), and incredibly tasty Korean fried cauliflower (€7): fried cauliflower florets covered in a sweet glaze and sesame seeds. The large, firm and juicy Spanish gordal olives (€6) are also very tasty.
Global influences
The cuisine at Brasserie Vessel is, as they put it themselves, modern French with influences from around the world. We do not entirely understand what modern French means, but there are certainly influences from all over the world. The menu features various meat, fish and vegan dishes, as Vessel wants to cater to every customer and happily mixes and matches. For example, the burrata is paired with red cabbage and a crumble of pistachio, crispy chicken skin and za’atar (€15). A slightly odd combination—with tomato instead of cabbage, this dish might not have been as creative, but it would have been tastier—and you only taste the different components once you know what the crumble is.
The kitchen team sometimes gets carried away in its enthusiasm, as is also evident from the starter of grilled cantaloupe melon with mustard seeds and sunflower seeds. The whole thing is generously covered with smoked vegan feta, an amount we would normally appreciate, if only the faux cheese did not have a terribly overpowering flavor that no one in our group enjoyed. A shame, because grilled cantaloupe melon sounds divine, but the combination of strongly flavored ingredients means you can barely taste the melon.
Less is more
Vessel’s strongest dishes are those where as little as possible happens on the plate. The dish of chicken thighs with coriander and yuzu-yogurt sauce (€15) is tasty and generous, while the rib-eye steak (€34 for 300 grams) is well prepared—the disk of herb butter is pushed aside with our knife, as this dish does not need it at all. The fries are listed separately on the menu (€5), as is the salad (€4.50)—the days when these came as standard with your dish seem to be over. But the fries are very tasty (French!). The salad comes with vegan feta, which you can of course leave out.
Sunday Brunch
All in all, Brasserie Vessel is a wonderful summery terrace spot and a great place to have in the neighborhood. Open weekdays from 07:00–23:00; on weekends, Vessel opens an hour later. Every first Sunday of the month, there is The Sunday Brunch.
Brasserie Vessel, Revaleiland 500, Amsterdam
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