Savoring
Nela Restaurant
Beethovenstraat 515, 1083 HK Amsterdam, Netherlands
October 22, 2025
Our second night in Amsterdam called for something a little different , a proper fine dining experience. We ended up at Nela, a sleek, modern restaurant known for its open-fire kitchen and beautifully plated dishes. The restaurant was both high-end and approachable.
We started with what turned out to be my favorite dish of the night: charred Padrón peppers. Simple, and smoky, they came with a zesty lime aioli that could be paired with just about anything. I’m not sure what kind of magic they put in that sauce, but it was good enough to make us order another round.
Next came the tempura shrimp, crispy and light, and yes — it came with that same incredible sauce. If Nela sold it by the bottle, I’d have left with a case, airplane liquid limit be damned.
Then came the mains, ranked strictly by personal preference. First up, octopus with butter beans, cooked to perfection; tender, not chewy, and paired with a rich, tomato-based sauce. You know me, if octopus is on the menu, I’m getting it. Interesting enough, I would have octopus again a few days later in Lugano.
Next was the open-flame sea bream, coated in a green rub that reminded me of pesto. The flavor was bold yet balanced, and it complemented the fish perfectly. Ever since my trip to Japan, I’ve had a soft spot for sea bream, so I couldn’t pass it up.
The sea bass followed, simply dressed with olive oil and sea salt to let the natural flavor speak for itself. It was clean, straightforward, and delicious in its own quiet way.
Like most fine dining experiences, though, it wasn’t exactly filling. My boss, still hungry, confessed he was craving ramyun of all things. So we wandered into a nearby grocery store and grabbed some Shin Red instant noodles. I skipped the ramyun and went for something more my speed — a late-night döner kebab from a shop near my hotel.
There’s something I love about nights like that. Nights where fine dining and street food coexist in the same story. You start with charred peppers and octopus under soft lighting, and end with a kebab wrapper in hand. I like to remind myself that travel isn’t about choosing between the elegant and the everyday. You’ re meant to be tasting both and finding joy in between.
