Any Amsterdammer will know the iconic facade of Sea Palace well. It’s been around since 1984, just minutes from Amsterdam Centraal. You might think that its central location and massive capacity would make it one of Amsterdam’s many tourist traps, but you’d be wrong. This food is just as bold and vibrant as the architecture!
Neon signs and fairy lights line the outside of this huge restaurant, which floats and glitters on the water, and the interior is just as appearling. Golden, decorative tiles line the ceiling and there are Chinese lanterns everywhere you look, but its location on the water means that you’ll probably be gazing out of the vast windows most of the time.
As you watch the boats go by Sea Palace you can enjoy excellent, friendly service from the waiting staff who will be more than happy to guide you through the menu. Between 12 noon and 4 pm, you can enjoy the dim sum menu which includes a selection of steamed dumplings with different fillings, spare ribs with different sauces and stuffed lotus leaves amongst many other options. Just the thought of the dumplings filled with scallops and salty egg has our mouths watering already.
The dim sum menu is served as a kind of communal experience but from 3 pm you can also order from the dinner menu, which includes a selection of delicious specialties. In particular, the whole, roast Peking duck is unbelievably appealing. The duck arrives at the table roasted to perfection with a stunning golden glaze.
Don’t worry, veggies, there are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from at Sea Palace too, such as tofu with chilli sauce. Yum! For €41.50 per person, you can even order the set menu, but we’d recommend that you arrived hungry if you’re going to do that because it’s a massive amount of food (we’re not complaining).
Intrigued? Check out the full (extensive) menu and book a table on the website. Sea Palace is open from 12 noon until 10 pm every day and you’ll find it at Oosterdokskade 8, 1011 AE.