NAZKA

Looking for an honest NAZKA Amsterdam review before you book a table? NAZKA is a Michelin-listed modern Peruvian and Nikkei restaurant in Amsterdam’s De Pijp neighbourhood, where chef Koosh Kothari blends bold South American flavours with refined Japanese precision across a theatrical multi-course tasting menu. Expect bright ceviche and tiradito built on punchy leche de tigre, some of the city’s best pisco cocktails, and plating that treats every dish as a canvas.

Whether you are a seasoned gourmand or a curious food lover hunting for your next great meal in the Dutch capital, NAZKA earns its place among Amsterdam’s most distinctive fine-dining destinations. Here is what to expect, what to order, and how to plan your visit.

At a glance

Cuisine	Modern Peruvian · Nikkei (Japanese–Peruvian fusion)
Neighbourhood	De Pijp (Nieuwe Pijp), Amsterdam
Address	Van Ostadestraat 352–354, 1073 TZ Amsterdam
Signature format	Four- or six-course tasting menu (fully vegetarian menu available)
Price	Roughly €80–100 per person for the tasting menu
Recognition	MICHELIN Guide · Gault&Millau · Star Wine List
Diner rating	4.7 / 5 (Restaurant Guru, 1,200+ reviews); 4.5 / 5 on Tripadvisor
Opening hours	Tuesday–Saturday, 18:00–00:00 (closed Sunday & Monday)

A culinary collision of continents

NAZKA is dedicated to the art of Nikkei cuisine — the historical, harmonious fusion of Peruvian ingredients and Japanese culinary technique that took root when Japanese immigrants settled in Peru more than a century ago. At NAZKA, that heritage is reinterpreted for Amsterdam: ceviche and tiradito sharpened with citrusy leche de tigre, fire-kissed seafood, Andean tubers and aji peppers, all plated with the restraint and symmetry of a Tokyo counter.

The result is a gastronomic journey that is as visually stunning as it is delicious, and one that consistently lands NAZKA on shortlists of the best Peruvian restaurants in Amsterdam.

The concept: a marriage of two culinary bibles

The philosophy of NAZKA is clear the moment you settle into its warm, blush-toned dining room. Displayed amid the elegant decor are two foundational culinary texts — De Bijbel van de Peruaanse Keuken (The Bible of Peruvian Cuisine) resting alongside Hokkai: De Smaak van Japan in IJmuiden. The pairing is the whole idea in miniature.

It also sets the stage for the restaurant’s signature NAZKA x HOKKAI tasting menu. By collaborating with one of Europe’s premier suppliers of premium Japanese seafood, NAZKA grounds each course in genuine quality, marrying pristine catches with earthy, robust Peruvian flavour profiles.

Driving the kitchen is chef Koosh Kothari, who was born in India and raised in Peru, and who trained under Virgilio Martínez of Lima’s Central — ranked the World’s Best Restaurant in 2023. That pedigree shows in the discipline of the cooking, while occasional, daring Indian nuances nod to the chef’s own roots. It is a genuinely personal take on Nikkei, not a copy-paste of the genre.

Sip and savour: masterful mixology

No Nikkei experience is complete without the right libation, and NAZKA’s beverage programme is built to awaken the palate from the first sip. Begin with the signature Yuzu de los Andes — a citrus-forward, complex blend of pisco, suze and yuzu sake, served over a single crystal-clear ice block with a delicate botanical garnish. For a classic, the perfectly frothed Pisco Sour (cleverly built with aquafaba rather than egg white) is a flawless choice and ranks among the best pisco cocktails in the city.

Dining with a conscience: NAZKA partners with the Made Blue initiative, so every bottle of table water you order helps fund 700 litres of clean drinking water in developing countries — a small detail that makes the evening feel impactful beyond the table.

The tasting menu: a theatrical journey

NAZKA’s curated tasting menu is a masterclass in texture, temperature and colour. Dishes will rotate with the seasons and the catch, but a recent NAZKA x HOKKAI menu captured the kitchen’s range beautifully.

A vibrant awakening — Play on White Asparagus

The meal opens with a touch of tableside theatre: a vivid green jalapeño aguachile poured over delicate white asparagus, green peas and shiitake. The herbaceous aromas and the balance of bright acidity and gentle heat snap the palate to attention.

The perfect catch — Sashimi Tiradito Cocktail

Presented in a rustic bronze bowl, premium cuts of buri, tuna and salmon are bathed in a zesty leche de tigre, then finished with microgreens and slivers of red onion. It is NAZKA’s ceviche-and-tiradito DNA in a single, refreshing course.

Art on a plate — Vinicunca Nikkei

A visual homage to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain, the Vinicunca Nikkei features a golden potato mille-feuille — intricately spiralled and dusted with furikake — served on a natural stone slab with yellow edible flowers and beautifully cooked seafood. It is the dish reviewers most often single out, and it lives up to the hype.

A decadent expedition — Amazonia dessert

The finale celebrates the rainforest: a rich, earthy Peruvian chocolate base cut by the tart bite of candied kumquats and a whisper of aji limo chili, crowned by an intricate geometric chocolate lattice almost too beautiful to break.

Curated pairings: sake and high-altitude wines

To match the transcontinental menu, NAZKA’s sommeliers step well beyond the standard European wine list — a strength reflected in the restaurant’s Star Wine List recognition. Diners travel from the high altitudes of Bolivia’s Cinti Valley to the springs of Kanagawa, Japan.

A standout pairing is the Afuri Mizumoto Junmai sake from the Kikkawa Jozo brewery, chosen to cut through the richness of the seafood and lift NAZKA’s complex Nikkei flavours. South American wines, often at reasonable prices, round out a genuinely thoughtful list.

Atmosphere and design

The dining room is intimate and chic without being stuffy — soft, blush tones, warm lighting and considered tableware that turns each course into a small piece of theatre. Service is attentive and knowledgeable, happy to walk you through the story behind every plate and pour. It is the kind of room that invites you to linger over a final glass.

Is NAZKA worth it? Our verdict

In a city with no shortage of good restaurants, NAZKA stands out for its point of view. The flawless plating, the depth of the cocktail and wine programmes, and chef Koosh Kothari’s confident, personal Nikkei cooking add up to one of Amsterdam’s most memorable fine-dining experiences in the €80–100 range.

It is a special-occasion restaurant that rewards curiosity — ideal for date nights, celebrations, and travellers who want a taste of Peru and Japan in equal measure. The fully vegetarian tasting menu means plant-based diners are looked after rather than tolerated. Our take: NAZKA is a must-visit, and well worth booking ahead.

How to visit NAZKA Amsterdam

NAZKA sits on Van Ostadestraat in De Pijp, one of Amsterdam’s most characterful neighbourhoods, an easy reach from both Amsterdam RAI and Amsterdam Centraal by tram or metro. Dinner is served Tuesday to Saturday from 18:00 until midnight, and the kitchen is closed Sunday and Monday.

The tasting menu runs roughly €80–100 per person, and because the dining room is intimate, reservations are strongly recommended — especially for Friday and Saturday evenings.

• Address: Van Ostadestraat 352–354, 1073 TZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Phone: +31 20 223 4901
• Website: nazka.nu
• Hours: Tue–Sat 18:00–00:00; closed Sun & Mon

Frequently asked questions