Secret Garden

A Hidden Culinary Paradise on the Reguliersdwarsstraat

Behind an unassuming plant-covered entrance on Amsterdam’s vibrant Reguliersdwarsstraat lies Secret Garden, a restaurant that transports guests from the Dutch capital to a tropical botanical paradise. Since opening in August 2022, this establishment has earned consecutive Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for its inventive Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine and immersive atmosphere.

Secret Garden occupies hallowed ground in Amsterdam’s dining history. From 1980 to 2017, this same address housed Rose’s Cantina, one of the city’s first and most beloved Mexican restaurants. When Roy and Mike Poppes—two Amsterdam nightlife entrepreneurs—transformed the space, they enlisted Belgian architect Will Erens of Too Many Agencies to create something entirely new. The result is a nature-inspired design featuring organic shapes, dark greens and blues, floral motifs cascading across exotic wallpaper, and a golden peacock suspended in an ornate cage.

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The Art of Nikkei: Where Japan Meets Peru

Nikkei cuisine traces its roots to 1899, when the ship Sakura Maru carried 790 Japanese workers from Yokohama to Peru’s port of Callao. These immigrants brought their culinary traditions but adapted them using local Peruvian ingredients—lime, corn, chili peppers, and the country’s extraordinary variety of fresh seafood. Over generations, their descendants created an entirely new culinary language: Japanese precision and technique married to Peru’s bold, bright flavors.

Today, Nikkei stands as one of the world’s most celebrated fusion cuisines. The marriage works because the core ingredients complement each other naturally: the clean umami of soy sauce with the acidity of Peruvian lime, the delicate art of sashimi with the fire of ají amarillo peppers. At Secret Garden, this heritage informs every plate.

The kitchen sources fresh fish daily, filleting and preparing it with the precision of a Tokyo sushi bar while adding distinctly South American flourishes. Signature preparations include black miso cod with its caramelized exterior, crab cakes encrusted in crispy quinoa, and tuna tamago served in a bowl with quail egg and caviar. The grilled edamame—prepared on open flame rather than steamed—arrives with a smoky depth that surprises first-time visitors. Tableside guacamole service adds theatrical flair to the dining experience.

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Four Distinct Spaces for Every Mood

Secret Garden functions as several venues within one address. The Green Room welcomes guests with pre-dinner cocktails amid the restaurant’s signature cascading plants. The drink menu draws inspiration from Nikkei traditions, featuring pisco-based creations and flavor combinations that mirror the kitchen’s East-meets-West philosophy.

The Garden Restaurant offers the most refined dining experience, with formal table service and dishes presented with artistic precision. This is where the Nikkei tasting menus shine, guiding guests through the cuisine’s range from delicate ceviche to rich wagyu preparations.

In the Bar & Lounge, the atmosphere shifts. Resident DJs provide soundtracks while guests settle into oversized suede chairs and sofas. This space embraces Secret Garden’s dual identity as restaurant and nightlife destination—a reflection of the Poppes brothers’ background in Amsterdam’s club scene.

For private gatherings, the Garden Room accommodates up to 46 seated guests or 60 standing, complete with its own bar and cocktail station. Beyond these interior spaces lies the venue’s namesake: an Italian-style courtyard featuring wrought-iron seating beneath a pergola, with mirrored trellis walls creating the illusion of a forest canopy.

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The Setting: Design as Experience

The interior represents Will Erens’s most ambitious Amsterdam project. Upon entering, guests encounter walls strewn with flowers and plants layered over exotic wallpaper in dark green and blue tones. The golden caged peacock—positioned beyond the bar—serves as both landmark and symbol of the venue’s theatrical approach.

The main bar showcases cut-metal leaf designs and hanging plants beneath a glass-and-metal canopy reminiscent of an aquarium. Contemporary art pieces punctuate the botanical backdrop, adding galleries-worthy sophistication to the jungle atmosphere. Ceilings throughout demand their own attention, with intricate details that reward guests who take time to look up.

This attention to environment serves the food. Natural light during lunch hours transforms the plant-filled spaces into a genuine greenhouse experience, while evening lighting shifts the mood to something more intimate and dramatic.

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Practical Information

Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 38-40, 1017 BM Amsterdam
Phone: +31 20 247 4060
Website: secretgardenamsterdam.com

Opening Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 18:00–01:00
Friday–Saturday: 12:30–15:00 (lunch), 18:00–02:00 (dinner)
Sunday: 12:30–15:00 (lunch), 18:00–01:00 (dinner)

Price Range: €€€€ (expect €40–50+ per person)

Dress Code: Smart casual. Sportswear, beachwear, shorts, caps, and open-toed shoes for gentlemen are not permitted.

Reservations: Strongly recommended, particularly for weekend evenings. Book through the website or by phone.

Getting There:

• Tram: Lines 2 and 12 from Central Station to Koningsplein (3-minute walk)
• Metro: Rokin station (5-minute walk)
• Walking: 15–20 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, heading south through the historic center
• Parking: Q-Park The Bank at Rembrandtplein sits 7 minutes away on foot

Dining Style: Shared plates. Dishes arrive throughout the meal for the table to enjoy together. The kitchen recommends ordering several courses to experience the menu’s range.

Private Events: The Garden Room accommodates groups up to 46 seated or 60 standing, with dedicated bar service.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What type of cuisine does Secret Garden serve?

Secret Garden specializes in Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions. This style combines Japanese techniques—precise knife work, raw fish preparation, and clean presentations—with bold Peruvian flavors including lime, chili peppers, and local ingredients. Expect dishes like ceviche with Japanese seasonings, sushi incorporating South American elements, and grilled preparations featuring chimichurri alongside miso glazes.

Is Secret Garden suitable for special occasions?

The restaurant regularly hosts birthday celebrations, anniversaries, and corporate events. The main dining areas provide sophisticated settings for romantic dinners, while the private Garden Room serves groups seeking exclusivity. Staff can accommodate special requests with advance notice.

What is the best time to visit Secret Garden?

For a relaxed experience with natural light filtering through the plants, lunch service on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday offers a calmer atmosphere. Evening visits—particularly Thursday through Saturday—bring the full Secret Garden experience: DJ sets, cocktail culture, and an energetic crowd. Weekday dinners balance ambiance with a more intimate pace.

Do I need to make a reservation?

Reservations are strongly encouraged for all visits. Weekend evenings and special occasions fill quickly. Book through the website or call directly. Walk-ins may be accommodated at the bar depending on availability.

Does Secret Garden have outdoor seating?

The venue’s namesake Secret Garden courtyard provides outdoor seating in an Italian-style setting with wrought-iron furniture, a pergola, and mirrored walls that create an enclosed garden atmosphere. This space offers an escape from the busier interior areas while maintaining the venue’s distinctive ambiance.

What are the signature cocktails?

The cocktail program draws inspiration from Nikkei flavors, featuring pisco-based drinks alongside creations incorporating Japanese ingredients. The bar team can recommend pairings that complement your meal. Cocktails in the Green Room before dinner have become part of the established Secret Garden ritual.

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A Culinary Journey Worth Taking

Secret Garden succeeds by understanding that dining extends beyond the plate. The Poppes brothers and their team have created an environment where Japanese-Peruvian cuisine finds its natural home among tropical plants, contemporary art, and the buzz of one of Amsterdam’s most famous nightlife streets.

The restaurant sits on a location steeped in Amsterdam hospitality history, carrying forward a tradition of bringing international flavors to the Reguliersdwarsstraat. What Rose’s Cantina accomplished for Mexican cuisine in the 1980s, Secret Garden now achieves for Nikkei—introducing visitors to a culinary tradition they may have never encountered while providing a setting memorable enough to match the food.

Visit for the grilled edamame and stay for the atmosphere. Arrive early for the cocktails and leave late after the DJ has the bar dancing. Secret Garden offers multiple experiences within a single evening, each as carefully composed as the dishes emerging from the kitchen.