Selva is a Latin American restaurant on the 24th floor of the nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel, with a 360-degree view over Amsterdam, an Amazon-inspired interior and dishes from Mexico, Peru and Brazil cooked on an open charcoal grill. I’ve been, and the views alone make it worth the trip, though the food gives you a good reason to stay awhile.
Selva at a glance
| Address | Europaboulevard 2b, 1078 RV Amsterdam (24th floor, nhow Amsterdam RAI) |
| Cuisine | Latin American, focused on Mexico, Peru and Brazil |
| Signature cooking | Open charcoal grill for meat, fish and vegetables |
| Opening hours | Dinner daily from early evening until 22:30; the hotel lists 12:00–22:30 daily, so confirm lunch service before you go |
| Bar next door | Sonora cocktail bar, same floor, open daily 18:00–01:00 |
| Nearest stop | Europaplein (metro 52 and tram 4); Amsterdam RAI train station is about a 7-minute walk |
| Reservations | Recommended, especially Friday and Saturday evenings; book via the Selva website or call +31 (0)20 800 3200 |
| Dietary options | Vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu |
| Recognition | Best New Rooftop, Entree Awards 2024 |
Hours checked against the hotel and third-party listings in September 2026. Sources disagree on lunch, so check the official site before visiting.
What to expect at Selva
Selva opened in September 2023 on the top floor of nhow Amsterdam RAI, the stacked, angular hotel beside the RAI convention center. The name means “jungle” in Spanish, and the whole concept is a tribute to the Amazon rainforest.
Step out of the elevator and you’re greeted by a space designed by the Barcelona studio El Equipo Creativo, drawing on the colors and textures of the rainforest. There’s plenty of greenery and rich material, and it gives the room a sense of adventure without feeling overdone. The restaurant seats around 137 people, so it feels lively without being cramped.
Of course, the food is the main event. The menu is split into bites, starters and larger mains, and it balances fish, vegetables and meat. Past menus have included house-made guacamole, several ceviches (one of them a vegetarian version with portobello mushroom), oysters with a Peruvian twist, pan de yuca with cheese, and grilled pumpkin with mole. From the charcoal grill, expect whole fish such as a sharing-size sea bass, lamb and premium beef cuts. Menus change, so treat these as examples rather than guarantees.
And the view? It’s a full 360-degree panorama of Amsterdam, looking over the Zuidas skyline and back toward the historic center, with a different feel depending on the light and the time of day. Order a cocktail, settle in by the windows and enjoy the city from a height you don’t get at most Amsterdam restaurants.
Key features
- The height: On the 24th floor, Selva is one of the highest places to eat in Amsterdam. Dinner with a side of “wow” is a fair description.
- Amazon-inspired design: The interior makes you feel as if you’re dining in a tropical rainforest, minus the mosquitoes and humidity. A pretty good trade, if you ask me.
- Latin American cooking: Dishes draw mainly on Mexico, Peru and Brazil, with bold flavors throughout. The kitchen team brings together chefs from across Latin America and beyond.
- Charcoal grill: Meat, fish and vegetables come off an open charcoal grill, and the smoky flavors make a strong case for cooking this way.
- Cocktails with a story: Sonora, the cocktail bar on the same floor, builds its drinks around Latin American stories and legends. They look as good as they taste.
- Veggie-friendly menu: Vegetarian and vegan dishes are part of the menu proper, not just a token option or two.
- Award-winning rooftop: Selva won Best New Rooftop at the Entree Awards 2024, a Dutch hospitality industry prize.
- Lively atmosphere: Latin music sets the mood, making Selva a good fit for a date or a night out with friends.
- Attentive service: The staff know the menu and are happy to offer recommendations or share a little background on the dishes.
Best time to visit
Timing makes a difference at Selva, especially if you’re hoping to catch the sunset or have a quieter meal. A little planning helps.
For sunset, try to arrive about an hour before the sun goes down. The light through the floor-to-ceiling windows is lovely, and you can watch Amsterdam shift from day to evening over a cocktail. This works best from October to April, when the sun sets during normal dinner hours.
In early summer, sunset in Amsterdam comes close to 22:00, and the kitchen closes at 22:30. If you want golden hour between May and August, book an early-evening table, ask for a window seat, and plan to finish with a drink at Sonora, which stays open until 01:00.
Friday and Saturday nights tend to have the most energy, particularly during dinner. Book ahead, though; tables can go quickly.
Weekday evenings are usually calmer. The hotel lists Selva as open from midday, but other listings show dinner only, so check the official website before planning a lunch visit.
Selva also runs occasional special events, such as a Latin American Easter brunch with a DJ, so check what’s on before you book. It might be worth timing your visit around one.
How to get there
Selva is inside the nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel at Europaboulevard 2b, next to the RAI convention center at the edge of the Zuidas business district. It looks a little out of the way on a map, but it’s well connected. You’ll spot the hotel by its distinctive, twisted stack of glass blocks.
- Metro: From Amsterdam Centraal, take metro 52 (the North–South line) south to Europaplein, the hotel’s closest metro station. From Amsterdam Zuid station, it’s one stop on metro 52 toward Noord.
- Tram: Tram 4 runs from Centraal Station via Dam, Rembrandtplein and De Pijp to Europaplein and Station RAI. Either stop is a short walk from the hotel.
- Train: From Schiphol Airport, take the train to Amsterdam RAI station and walk about 7 minutes to the hotel.
- Bike: If you’ve rented a bike, cycling from the center is a pleasant option. Follow the signs to RAI and you’ll be there before long. You might even have room for dessert afterward.
- Taxi: A taxi or Uber costs more, of course, but can be handy if you’re dressed up for the evening.
Selva is in the south of the city, so it pairs easily with an afternoon in Amsterdam Zuid before dinner.
Tips for visiting
A few practical tips can make your visit to Selva go more smoothly.
- Reserve ahead: Selva gets busy, especially at weekends and when there’s a big event at the RAI next door. Book online through the Selva website or call the hotel.
- Dress smart casual: There’s no published dress code, but smart casual feels right. Leave the flip-flops and board shorts at home.
- Order to share: The bites-starters-mains format and the large grilled dishes suit groups who want to share. Ask the staff what they recommend; trying something unfamiliar is part of the fun.
- Pace the cocktails: They’re delicious, but some are stronger than they look.
- Be considerate with photos: The decor and views are tempting subjects, but you’re sharing the space with other diners.
- Save room for dessert: The sweet dishes are worth trying, and it’d be a shame to miss them because you ordered too much.
- Mention special occasions: If you’re celebrating, say so when you book. The team may be able to add a thoughtful touch.
Most of all, give yourself time to enjoy the meal, the views and the atmosphere. Selva works best when you don’t rush through it.
More high-up spots in Amsterdam
If you like eating and drinking with a view, try Twenty Third Bar on the 23rd floor of Hotel Okura, a short tram ride away in De Pijp, or cross the IJ to A’DAM Tower for the revolving Moon restaurant and the rooftop lookout. For more ideas, browse our Amsterdam restaurant listings or the romantic Amsterdam list for date-night picks.
Frequently asked questions
What floor is Selva Restaurant on?
Selva is on the 24th floor, the top floor, of the nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel at Europaboulevard 2b. Take the elevator from the hotel lobby.
Can you visit Selva just for drinks?
Yes. Sonora, the cocktail bar on the same floor, is open daily from 18:00 to 01:00, so you can have a drink with the view without booking a full meal.
Does Selva have vegetarian and vegan options?
Yes. The menu includes vegetarian and vegan dishes, such as a vegetarian ceviche and grilled vegetables. Tell the staff about allergies or dietary needs when you book.
Is Selva open for lunch?
Sources disagree. The hotel lists Selva as open daily from 12:00 to 22:30, while other listings show dinner service only. Check the official Selva website before planning a lunch visit.
