THE DUCHESS

A Belle Époque brasserie where culinary artistry meets architectural grandeur

Step through the grand entrance on Spuistraat and leave modern Amsterdam behind. The Duchess occupies the former main hall of the KAS Bank, a 1908 architectural landmark designed by F.W.M. Poggenbeek that represents one of the Netherlands’ first reinforced concrete constructions. Today, this Rijksmonument (national heritage building) serves an entirely different kind of currency: exquisite Nouveau-Niçoise cuisine beneath soaring stained-glass ceilings.

The building’s transformation

The KAS Bank operated from this location from 1908 until 2014, expanding in phases through 1932 to include the distinctive sandstone façade visible from both Spuistraat and the Singel canal. When The Entourage Group founders Yossi Eliyahoo and Liran Wizman acquired the property, they enlisted Tel Aviv-based architects Baranowitz + Kronenberg to reimagine the historic banking hall as a dining destination.

The result preserves the Belle Époque grandeur while adding contemporary drama. Chandeliers hang deliberately low from the towering ceilings, creating intimate pockets of warmth within the expansive space. Dark marble tabletops reflect light from ornate fixtures, antique clocks punctuate the walls, and a striking black marble bar with a cubist broken-mirror backdrop anchors the cocktail lounge. The original stained-glass ceiling, installed when the building served Amsterdam’s financial elite, now crowns diners enjoying Mediterranean-inspired plates below.

Nouveau-Niçoise cuisine

The Duchess describes its culinary philosophy as “Nouveau-Niçoise”—a contemporary interpretation of Southern French and Italian coastal traditions. Under the direction of Canadian-born chef Jeffrey Graf, the kitchen delivers dishes that honour Mediterranean roots while incorporating modern techniques and presentation.

The menu reads like a love letter to the Côte d’Azur and Italian Riviera. Fruits de Mer platters arrive laden with pristine shellfish. Beef Wellington, a signature since opening in 2015, features Italian beef wrapped in mushroom duxelles and golden puff pastry. Lobster risotto demonstrates the kitchen’s skill with both classic French technique and Italian comfort. Tagliolini cacio e pepe arrives in generous, unfussy portions.

A custom-made Molteni kitchen—the French brand synonymous with haute cuisine—serves as the culinary centrepiece, visible to diners who can watch the brigade at work.

From 2018 through 2024, The Duchess held a Michelin star, and GaultMillau awarded the restaurant 14 points in 2019. The focus on generous portions and accessible elegance over molecular gastronomy reflects founder Eliyahoo’s philosophy of creating restaurants that attract both international travellers and Amsterdam’s own discerning diners.

The Tea Room

Beyond the main dining hall, The Duchess Tea Room offers one of Amsterdam’s most celebrated afternoon tea experiences. The setting channels a whimsical “Alice in Wonderland” aesthetic with tiered cake stands, fine Mariage Frères tea blends, and tables overlooking the ornate banking hall below.

The seasonal afternoon tea menu (from €79 per person) rotates regularly but typically includes delicate finger sandwiches, house-made scones with clotted cream and preserves, handcrafted macarons, and miniature pastries that blur the line between confection and edible art. A champagne upgrade with Ruinart Brut (€99 total) elevates the experience further. Afternoon tea runs Friday through Sunday, generally from 12:30 to 16:30.

Note that The Duchess cannot accommodate vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, or nut-allergy dietary requirements for afternoon tea due to the nature of the preparations.

The cocktail bar

The Duchess earned “Best Cocktail Bar” recognition at the Entrée Hospitality & Style Awards within six months of opening in 2015, followed by “Best Luxury Restaurant Bar of Europe” at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards in 2017.

The cocktail programme draws inspiration from classic punch traditions and the French and Savoy Apéritif styles of the 1920s and 1930s—fitting companions to the building’s heritage. The bar menu features creative riffs on forgotten classics, drinks incorporating Absinthe and Pastis, and signature creations that match the theatrical surroundings. The black marble bar itself, backed by fractured mirrors, provides a dramatic stage for the mixologists’ craft.

Practical information

Address: Spuistraat 172, 1012 VT Amsterdam (within the W Amsterdam hotel’s Bank building)

Getting there:

• By tram: Spui stop (lines 2, 11, 12), two-minute walk
• By metro: Rokin station, five-minute walk
• On foot: Five minutes from Dam Square and the Royal Palace
• By bike: Bicycle parking available nearby
• W Amsterdam hotel guests can access The Duchess directly via the lobby

Hours:

• Dinner: Monday–Sunday from 18:00
• Lunch: Friday–Sunday from 12:30
• Afternoon tea: Friday–Sunday, 12:30–16:30
• Cocktail bar: Opens at 18:00 daily, extending to 01:00 (02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)

Reservations: Essential, particularly for weekend dinner service and afternoon tea. Book through the-duchess.com or SevenRooms.

Price range: €€€€ (Michelin Guide classification). Main courses typically €35–65. Afternoon tea from €79 per person.

Private dining: Available for special occasions in dedicated spaces within the former bank building.

Part of a larger story

The Duchess operates under The Entourage Group, the hospitality company founded by Eliyahoo and Wizman that has reshaped Amsterdam’s dining landscape since launching MOMO in 2008. Within the same W Amsterdam complex, you’ll find MR PORTER steakhouse on the rooftop, The Butcher burger bar, and the AWAY Spa. Across the street in the W Amsterdam Exchange building (the former Royal Dutch Post communications centre), additional accommodations and the WET Deck rooftop pool continue the experience.

The X BANK creative incubator, also within the former KAS Bank building, showcases Dutch fashion, art, and design labels—a nod to Amsterdam’s position at the intersection of heritage and innovation that The Duchess itself embodies.

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The Duchess transforms a meal into an occasion. The architecture demands attention; the service aims to make you feel like the most important guest in the room; and the kitchen delivers flavours that reward both adventurous palates and those seeking refined comfort. Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere—and consider booking that afternoon tea as a separate visit entirely.

Website: the-duchess.com
Phone: +31 20 811 3322
Reservations: Book a table