About Brasserie De Luwte
Brasserie De Luwte is a canal-side restaurant at Leliegracht 26-28 in Amsterdam’s western canal ring, a few minutes’ walk from the Jordaan and the Anne Frank House. It opens from noon for brunch, lunch and dinner, and the menu leans on European brasserie classics such as steak tartare, sole meunière and rib-eye, alongside lighter plates like yellowfin tuna crudo and salmon tartare with yuzu.
For 27 years this address was known as Restaurant De Luwte. It later became Brasserie De Luwte, with longer opening hours and a more relaxed, all-day format, according to I amsterdam.
I’ve eaten here a few times, and the appeal is easy to see. The dining room is warm and cosy, with soft lighting, elegant décor and white candles on every table. It feels polished without being stuffy. The food is still the main reason to come.
I first found the place on a chilly autumn evening while wandering around the Jordaan and starting to feel peckish. The lights in the window caught my eye, so I went in. I hadn’t booked, which was a rookie mistake, but the staff found me a seat at the bar. It turned into a very good decision.
De Luwte at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Address | Leliegracht 26-28, 1015 DG Amsterdam |
| Opening hours | The restaurant’s own site lists daily opening from 12:00 to 23:00. Some third-party listings show shorter weekday hours, so check before a weekday lunch. |
| Reservations | Book through the official website or call +31 20 625 8548 |
| Price | TheFork lists an average price of about €55 per person |
| Seating | Indoor dining room, bar and a terrace on the Leliegracht |
| Nearest tram stop | Westermarkt (trams 13 and 17) |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair-accessible seating is listed. Call ahead about the entrance and toilets. |
| Payment | Debit cards, credit cards and contactless mobile payments |
What makes De Luwte stand out
- Location: the restaurant sits right on the Leliegracht, one of the small cross canals linking the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, with canal houses across the water. Get an outdoor table if you can.
- Menu range: meat eaters, fish lovers and vegetarians all have proper choices. Meat-free dishes include lemon ravioli, truffle ravioli and roasted eggplant with muhamarra and pomegranate. On my visits the gluten-free options were genuinely good, but mention any dietary needs when you book, as the menu changes.
- Wine: the list runs from lighter whites such as a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a Chablis Premier Cru to fuller reds like Gigondas and a Napa Valley Cabernet blend. Ask the staff for a pairing. They know their stuff.
- Cocktails: alongside an espresso martini and Aperol spritz, the bar mixes seasonal drinks. The current list includes a pumpkin pie whiskey sour.
- Seasonal cooking: De Luwte says it updates the menu with the seasons. I had a pumpkin risotto one autumn that I still think about.
- Atmosphere: the room balances cosy and chic. It’s the sort of place where you’ll want to linger over dinner.
- Service: in my experience the staff are attentive without hovering, and they have a good sense of humour.
De Luwte isn’t the cheapest place in town. Still, I think the food and the whole experience justify the price, and the portions are generous, so you won’t leave hungry.
What to order
The current menu is split into lunch and dinner. Dishes change with the seasons, so treat these as a guide rather than a guarantee.
- Starters to share: oysters with mignonette, steak tartare with quail egg, scallops with cauliflower cream and truffle vinaigrette, or burrata with roasted datterini tomatoes.
- Mains: the 600-gram rib-eye for two, sole meunière, crispy duck breast or sesame-crusted tuna steak. Steaks come with béarnaise or jus de veau.
- Lunch: eggs Norwegian royale with smoked salmon, a Black Angus burger, a club sandwich or the Caesar salad.
- Dessert: a warm half-baked chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream, coconut crème brûlée, lemon cheesecake or homemade tiramisu.
Save room for dessert. On an earlier visit I had a chocolate lava cake so good that I watched a couple nearly argue over the last bite. It isn’t on the current menu, but the warm chocolate chip cookie scratches the same itch.
When to go: seasons and timing
Timing matters here. The busiest window in our crowd data is Saturday afternoon around 3 pm, while Monday evenings are usually not too busy. Weekday lunch is the most relaxed time overall. You might find a table without booking then, though I wouldn’t count on it.
Summer evenings are lovely. The sun sets late, and sipping wine on the terrace while boats pass along the canal is hard to beat. It gets busy, so book ahead.
Autumn is a great time to visit, too. The trees along the canal turn, and the menu shifts towards heartier dishes. If you’re in town for the leaves, pair dinner with our guide to the best spots for fall colours in Amsterdam.
In winter, the candlelit room is a cosy escape from the cold. Watching snow fall on the canal from inside sounds romantic, though snow in Amsterdam isn’t exactly guaranteed. Spring brings the first chances to sit outside and lighter dishes on the menu. For what each season is like across the city, see our local’s guide to Amsterdam’s seasons.
How to get there
De Luwte is easy to reach from anywhere in the centre, and the walk through the canal ring is part of the fun.
- On foot: from Dam Square, head west past the Royal Palace towards the Westerkerk, then turn onto the Leliegracht. Allow roughly 10 to 15 minutes, plus a little extra to wander.
- By tram: take tram 13 or 17 to Westermarkt, the same stop used for the Anne Frank House, then walk a few minutes north to the Leliegracht. Tap in and out with a contactless bank card using OVpay.
- By bike: this is Amsterdam, after all. Lock your bike to a proper rack, not to canal railings or bridges.
Tram routes can change, so check the GVB website or a journey planner on the day. Our Amsterdam transportation guide covers fares, day caps and every other way to get around.
Tips for visiting De Luwte
- Book ahead, especially for weekend dinners, summer evenings and terrace tables.
- Dress smart casual. It isn’t formal, but flip-flops and shorts might feel out of place at dinner.
- Ask about the specials. The seasonal dishes are usually worth a look.
- Share the starters. It’s the easiest way to try more of the menu.
- Don’t rush. Meals here are meant to be unhurried, so take your time over the wine and the view.
- Request canal-side seating when you book if the weather looks good.
- Budget for the bill. De Luwte isn’t a budget option, but the quality matches the price. Tipping isn’t as expected in the Netherlands as it is in some other countries.
- Check the hours before a weekday lunch, because listings don’t always agree.
- Make an afternoon of it. Explore the Jordaan next door, or look for its hidden hofjes before dinner. Most hofjes close to visitors on Sundays.
- Bring a camera. The plates look great, and so does the view along the canals.
Frequently asked questions
Is De Luwte in the Jordaan?
Not quite. The Leliegracht is part of Amsterdam’s western canal ring, between the Herengracht and the Prinsengracht. The Jordaan begins just west of the Prinsengracht, a few minutes’ walk away.
Is De Luwte good for vegetarians?
Yes. The current menu includes several meat-free dishes, such as lemon ravioli, truffle ravioli, burrata and roasted eggplant. If you eat vegan or gluten-free, mention it when you book, because the menu changes with the seasons.
Can I go to De Luwte just for drinks?
Yes. De Luwte has a bar and a canal-side terrace, and the drinks list covers cocktails, wine, beer and coffee. Terrace seats fill quickly on warm evenings.
How far is De Luwte from the Anne Frank House?
It’s a few minutes on foot. Both are near the Westermarkt tram stop, served by trams 13 and 17, so the restaurant works well for lunch or dinner after a museum visit.
Is De Luwte wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair-accessible seating is listed for the restaurant. Canal houses often have steps and narrow spaces, so call +31 20 625 8548 before your visit to check the entrance and toilets.
