Ventuno Amsterdam: a glamorous rooftop full of Italian classics
Let’s get straight to the point: Ventuno is one of the best Italian restaurants in Amsterdam. Not just some standard restaurant, but a place where food, atmosphere and entertainment come together. On the 21st floor of the Amstelvlietstraat, you can enjoy classic Italian dishes with a New York diner vibe, while taking in a 360-degree view of the city. It costs a pretty penny, but you get plenty in return.
Reaching the top within two years
We were there when Ventuno opened almost two years ago. And honestly? The quality of the dishes immediately blew us away. After a new hotspot opens, you never know whether it can maintain that standard. The answer here? YES. Everything that comes out of the kitchen is simply excellent.
A night out
But Ventuno is about more than just food. The dishes are served as part of an entire experience: a cosmopolitan vibe, a rooftop with a view and plenty of seeing and being seen. Yes, it costs a pretty penny. And yes, you have to be into that kind of place. Maybe you’ll find it a bit much—that’s possible. And honestly: it is a touch tacky. Also honestly: I like that. You’re genuinely in for a night out. And when the food is also incredibly good…
Italian glamour high above Amsterdam
Ventuno exudes old-school glamour, inspired by the Italian-American eateries of the early 20th century. The interior, designed by Forsite Creative, combines modern Art Deco elements with deep red tones, a mirrored wall and a central bar that forms the heart of the space. The host remembers your name, the lighting feels warm and stylish, and the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows complete the picture. I had a view of Praxis. Not exactly sexy, but I was more focused on what was on my plate and what was happening around me.
Because Ventuno is all about seeing and being seen: flashy bottles of wine in the shiny wine room, a tender rib-eye that awakens your taste buds, and the kind of energy you’d expect from a rooftop in Manhattan.
Wagyu carpaccio
That certainly doesn’t mean the food plays second fiddle. At Ventuno, it’s all about classic Italian dishes, but with a slight twist. Take the focaccia (€9), served with balsamic butter and tomato concassé (peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped tomatoes); so delicious! The A5 wagyu carpaccio that melts on your tongue (€49). Burrata with Coeur de Boeuf tomato and 20-year-old balsamic vinegar (€21), grilled sea bass (€35) with saffron sauce…
Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Everything on the menu is truly outstanding. The lemon crisp calamari (€18) is crispy and fresh, and you’d need to be quite the handsome guy (there are plenty of those here) to resist it. The truffle steak tartare (€25) is creamy and intense, while the lobster spaghetti is served generously and luxuriously (€49). The Bistecca alla Fiorentina (a hefty dish weighing 1.4 kg, €189) is everything you’d expect from an iconic steak, with the perfect balance between juiciness and an explosion of flavour. And yes, it is seasoned and sliced at the table, because that’s the kind of place this is.
Entertainment with your meal
What makes Ventuno unique is the way food and entertainment come together. As the evening progresses, the rooftop transforms from a restaurant into a lively lounge. DJs spin records, musicians and dancers bring the space to life, a magician comes to your table and special jazz nights ensure that no two visits are the same.
Ventuno opening hours and reservations
Ventuno is open from Wednesday through Sunday from 18:00. On Fridays and Saturdays, the doors stay open until 01:00; on other days, until midnight. Reservations are recommended.
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