Fa. Speijkervet

Fa. Speijkervet is a surprising contrast of ideas: A groovy, progressive restaurant, that follows the “Top to Tail” principle (they use “every part of the beast”) and yet one where the chefs are also inspired by “forgotten” ingredients, dishes and culinary techniques from the North European kitchen.

An innovative mouth-watering menu of organic and locally sourced ingredients

Fa. Speijkervet is a restaurant that operates on the foundation of having the kitchen operating throughout the day, meaning that the stoves, ovens, pans , etc. are always at an ideal temperature to cook with. It also means that food is prepared and served as freshly as possible. The brothers Matthias and Lennard van der Nagel - also the owners of another one of our favourite restaurants, Fa. Pekelhaaring - pride themselves on sourcing the best quality, organic, seasonal products from (relatively) local suppliers. This combination results in some of the most succulent and mouth-watering dishes I have ever tried. The juices and flavours of the incredibly fresh ingredients appear to be locked in and then burst forward the minute you cut or bite into their tasty morsels.

Because of the Top to Tail principle, nothing gets wasted

Fa. Speijkervet is also one of the few restaurants in Amsterdam that follows the “Top to Tail” principle where they use every part of an animal (sometimes a locally sourced, free range, organic pig for example) in their dishes. This can mean that organs and offal appear on the ever changing menu; challenging diners to try something new. I must say, I used to be hesitant to eat offal, but after having a wonderful 5-course meal - which included a terribly tasty terrine with elements of the pigs head, and incredibly tasty, crispy pigs skin in another dish - I was completely sold on the idea. Of course the gelatine in the dessert also came from said pig. The fact that nothing is thrown away, nothing goes to waste, in their kitchen really appeals to me - even if it means I try things I may have previously, incorrectly thought to be quite ghastly!.

Large, yet cosy restaurant with incredibly friendly service

A rather large, spacious, and yet surprisingly cosy restaurant, the space is divided cleverly, which means you never feel like you are in a voluminous restaurant. The incredibly friendly, personable and professional service, makes you feel like you are the only diners in the place. Warm fabrics, lovely wooden curved back chairs, white tablecloths, an open kitchen and comfortable lounge area makes it an very welcoming place. They even cater, effortlessly, to groups. (Ask about their special “spit roast” where you can order and have on your table and entire spit roasted beast that you can slice and carve yourself! A really special experience.

Quite simply put, we cannot recommend Fa. Speijkervet enough.

Fa. Speijkervet

Address: Admiraal de Ruijterweg 79, 1057 JZ Amsterdam
Website: Fa. Speijkervet (NL - menu in EN)