Restaurant Zaza’s is a 12-table dinner-only restaurant at Daniël Stalpertstraat 103 in Amsterdam’s De Pijp, opened in May 2003 by Irish-born owner Susie Roche. It serves Monday through Saturday from 18:00, closes Sunday, and takes bookings directly rather than through OpenTable. Here is what to expect, how to get a table, and who the room actually suits.
Restaurant Zaza’s at a glance
| Address | Daniël Stalpertstraat 103, 1072 XD Amsterdam |
| Neighborhood | Oude Pijp, Amsterdam-Zuid |
| Opened | May 2003 |
| Owner | Susie Roche |
| Size | 12 tables |
| Hours | Monday–Saturday from 18:00; closed Sunday |
| Phone | +31 20 673 6333 |
| [email protected] | |
| Booking | Direct via zazas.nl or phone; not listed on OpenTable |
| Service | Dinner only |
A 12-table room, and what that actually means
Twelve tables is genuinely small for a restaurant that has traded for more than two decades. In practical terms it changes three things about your evening.
- Availability is the constraint, not the price. A full room is roughly 30 to 40 covers across a single evening service, so weekend slots go early.
- Walk-ins are a gamble. With no second seating buffer and no OpenTable inventory, turning up unbooked on a Friday is unlikely to work.
- Noise carries. A small room is intimate but not soundproof. It suits conversation between two to four people better than a boisterous group.
The “Absolutely Fabulous” theme, explained
The restaurant describes itself as the “Ab Fab” spot for people who want a good evening in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with a little extra. The name references the English comedy series, and the restaurant frames the theme as enjoying life to the full and above all having fun.
Read that as tone rather than décor gimmick. It signals a relaxed, unstuffy service style rather than a formal fine-dining ritual, which matters if you are choosing between Zaza’s and a tasting-menu restaurant elsewhere in the city.
The food: what sources agree on
Directory listings classify Zaza’s inconsistently, some as French and others as European or casual dining, so treat any rigid cuisine label with caution. The menu changes, and the restaurant does not publish a fixed permanent card, so check the current menu on zazas.nl before you go if you have specific dietary needs.
Dishes that recur in guest reviews include scallops, feta ravioli, and a bread pudding served with cream and citrus sauce. Reviewers consistently describe both meat and seafood options on the card and an attentive front of house.
How Zaza’s is rated
Zaza’s holds a 4.7 rating from more than 2,170 Tripadvisor reviews and ranks around #50 of roughly 4,240 Amsterdam restaurants on that platform. That is a strong, long-accumulated score rather than a short burst of recent hype, which is consistent with a small restaurant that has been operating since 2003.
How to book a table
Zaza’s is not on the OpenTable booking network, so the aggregator route does not work here.
- Book online through the restaurant’s own website at zazas.nl, or call +31 20 673 6333 during evening service.
- Email [email protected] for larger parties, dietary requirements, or anything that needs confirming in writing.
- Confirm the closing time for your date. Listings differ on how late the kitchen runs, and a late booking is worth verifying directly.
- Aim for a weekday if you are booking close to the date. Friday and Saturday fill first in a 12-table room.
Getting there in De Pijp
Daniël Stalpertstraat sits in Oude Pijp, one street layer back from the Albert Cuypmarkt, in Amsterdam-Zuid. The location is residential rather than touristic, which is part of the appeal.
- Metro: De Pijp station on the Noord/Zuidlijn (line 52) is a short walk away.
- Tram: Several lines serve the Ferdinand Bolstraat and Stadhouderskade corridors bordering the neighborhood.
- Bike: Street bike parking is the norm in De Pijp; expect to lock up on the street rather than in a rack.
- Car: Paid on-street parking only, and it is expensive in Zuid. Public transport or a bike is the better call.
Because service starts at 18:00, the Albert Cuypmarkt will already be packing up if you arrive for an early table. Come mid-afternoon if you want the market first, then dinner.
Who Zaza’s suits, and who it does not
Being direct about fit is more useful than calling every restaurant perfect for everything.
- Good fit: couples, anniversaries and birthdays, small groups of two to four, and visitors who want a neighborhood restaurant rather than a city-center tourist room.
- Workable with notice: larger parties and specific dietary requirements, if you email ahead rather than assuming on the night.
- Poor fit: lunch plans, Sunday dining, spontaneous walk-ins on a weekend, and anyone who needs a quiet private corner for confidential business talk.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Restaurant Zaza’s in Amsterdam?
Restaurant Zaza’s is at Daniël Stalpertstraat 103, 1072 XD Amsterdam, in the Oude Pijp part of De Pijp in Amsterdam-Zuid, a short walk from De Pijp metro station.
Is Restaurant Zaza’s open on Sunday?
No. Zaza’s serves dinner Monday through Saturday from 18:00 and is closed on Sunday. It does not serve lunch.
How do you book a table at Zaza’s?
Book directly through zazas.nl, call +31 20 673 6333, or email [email protected]. Zaza’s is not on the OpenTable booking network.
How big is Restaurant Zaza’s?
Zaza’s has just 12 tables, which is roughly 30 to 40 covers per evening service. Weekend tables are limited, so book ahead.
Who owns Restaurant Zaza’s?
Irish-born owner Susie Roche opened Restaurant Zaza’s in May 2003 and has run it in De Pijp since then.
What does the Absolutely Fabulous theme mean at Zaza’s?
The theme references the English comedy series and, in the restaurant’s own words, is about enjoying life to the full and having fun. In practice it means a relaxed, friendly service style rather than formal fine dining.
