Chef Ottolenghi Returns to Amsterdam: A Culinary Homecoming at Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium
On 19 March 2026, celebrated chef, restaurateur, and bestselling cookbook author Yotam Ottolenghi will open Ottolenghi Amsterdam, his first restaurant in the Netherlands and only his second in mainland Europe. The restaurant, located inside the elegant Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium hotel in the city’s Museum District, marks a meaningful return for the chef—exactly thirty years after he first called Amsterdam home.
Before his global fame and award-winning cookbooks, Yotam Ottolenghi spent an important chapter of his life in Amsterdam. In 1995, the Israeli-born chef lived and studied in the Dutch capital before eventually moving to London, where he would go on to build one of the most influential restaurant brands of the modern era.
Three decades later, his return feels like a culinary homecoming.
“We’re finally ready,” Ottolenghi said ahead of the opening. “Our team has poured enormous care into creating a menu rooted in the brilliant Dutch produce available in and around Amsterdam, while staying true to the vibrant, generous flavors that define Ottolenghi. There’s something very special about bringing those two worlds together.”
Today, Ottolenghi’s restaurant group operates ten locations in the United Kingdom, including iconic venues such as ROVI and NOPI in London. In early 2025, the brand expanded to mainland Europe with a restaurant in Geneva at the Mandarin Oriental. The Amsterdam opening will become the twelfth Ottolenghi venue worldwide, strengthening the partnership with the luxury hospitality group.
A Restaurant in the Cultural Heart of Amsterdam
Ottolenghi Amsterdam sits inside the beautifully restored Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, one of the city’s most refined hotels. The location places guests in the middle of Amsterdam’s cultural epicenter.
Within a few minutes’ walk are some of the Netherlands’ most important institutions:
The Rijksmuseum, home to masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer
The Van Gogh Museum, housing the largest collection of the artist’s work\The Stedelijk Museum, dedicated to modern and contemporary art
The Concertgebouw, one of the world’s most renowned concert halls
For travelers exploring Amsterdam’s museums and galleries, Ottolenghi Amsterdam offers the perfect place to pause—whether for a late breakfast, a relaxed lunch, or an atmospheric dinner.
Susanne Hatje, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, believes the restaurant will quickly become a gathering place for both visitors and locals.
“With the opening of Ottolenghi Amsterdam just around the corner, we are proud to bring this vibrant culinary concept to life in the heart of the city,” she said. “From the bold seasonal dishes to the warm and welcoming atmosphere, it will be a place where hotel guests and locals come together to share memorable moments around the table.”
A Vegetable-Forward Menu with Dutch Ingredients
Ottolenghi restaurants are known worldwide for their vibrant flavors, colorful plates, and innovative vegetable-focused cooking. The Amsterdam kitchen will continue that tradition, placing vegetables, fermentation, and grilling at the center of the menu.
The concept takes inspiration from ROVI, Ottolenghi’s London restaurant celebrated for its vegetable-centric approach and creative use of fermentation.
Yet the Amsterdam version will be distinctly local. The team has partnered with regional producers to highlight seasonal Dutch ingredients throughout the menu.
Among them:
Dairy and cheeses from Over Amstel Boerderij
Fresh greens from TopKrop Farm in Molenlaan
Aubergines from Zwinkels, a fifth-generation family farm located about an hour outside the city
This focus on local sourcing ensures the dishes feel rooted in place while still carrying Ottolenghi’s signature bold flavors.
Signature Dishes and New Creations
The menu will blend beloved Ottolenghi classics with new dishes developed specifically for Amsterdam.
Fans of his cookbooks—including Plenty (2010), Simple (2018), and Comfort (2024)—will recognize familiar flavor combinations.
One standout dish is the celeriac shawarma with pita, bkeila, and fermented tomato, a perfect example of Ottolenghi’s vegetable-driven philosophy.
Desserts will bring Ottolenghi’s creative touch to classic flavors. Expect dishes such as squash and pear fritters with buckwheat and coconut sorbet, preserved lemon pavlova with mascarpone cream, and apple mille feuille with calvados butter.
Cocktails with a Twist
The drinks program will be just as inventive as the food.
Guests can explore a curated list of natural wines, alongside signature cocktails that reinterpret classic flavors with Ottolenghi flair.
For those who prefer alcohol-free options, the menu will also feature non-alcoholic wines, artisanal soft drinks, and crafted mocktails.
A Team Trained in the Ottolenghi Way
Behind the scenes, the restaurant will be led by a team with deep experience inside the Ottolenghi group. Executive Chef Neil Campbell and General Manager Marisha Wilson, who together bring 18 years of experiencerunning Ottolenghi restaurants in London, have trained the Amsterdam team in the brand’s distinctive style.
Wilson will relocate from London to serve as General Manager of Ottolenghi Amsterdam, ensuring the same warm, vibrant hospitality the brand is known for.
Dining Outdoors This Spring
Later in the spring, Ottolenghi Amsterdam will unveil an outdoor terrace, allowing guests to enjoy al fresco dining during the warmer months.
With its location in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city, the terrace promises to become a coveted spot for sunny lunches and long summer evenings.
Experience the Flavors of Ottolenghi in Amsterdam
With its mix of global flavors, Dutch ingredients, and Ottolenghi’s unmistakable style, the new restaurant is poised to become one of Amsterdam’s most talked-about dining destinations. For travelers seeking memorable food experiences—and for longtime fans of Ottolenghi’s cooking—the opening represents something special: the return of a chef to the city where part of his journey began. Reservations for Ottolenghi Amsterdam are now open online, with the first guests welcomed on 19 March 2026.
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