NENI Amsterdam

Now an indispensable fixture in the capital's scene, NENI is housed in the former Citroën garage in Amsterdam-Zuid, where dining in a 'balagan' style (meaning friendly chaos) takes center stage. East-Mediterranean cuisine is served here, and the venue buzzes from early morning until late at night with guests of all ages and nationalities. The spacious interior is comfortably laid out with cozy nooks and intimate seating areas, high and low tables, and the large open kitchen at the center serves as the focal point. Founder Haya Molcho, born in Tel Aviv and later relocated to Germany, has, with her family's support, expanded the concept to over ten locations worldwide. Shared dining is the guiding principle, and the menu is specifically designed around it. We kick things off with mezze—small shared appetizers—and sample oven-roasted sweet potato with crème fraîche, sesame, lamb's lettuce, and pumpkin oil, alongside sea bass ceviche with grapes, red onion, chili, lime, and parsley. The spicy chicken is also a delight, served with hummus, red peppers, tahini, and a deliciously fiery mango sauce. Please note that English is the primary language, but the staff are always patient and happy to take their time with guests.

Haya Molcho, born in Israel and raised in Germany, opened her first restaurant in Vienna in 2009 together with her sons Nuriel, Elior, Nadiv, and Ilan (NENI). The Middle Eastern cuisine served has proven so successful that Haya now boasts more than ten locations worldwide, including one in Amsterdam. The location is the former Citroën garage on Stadionplein, decorated in a cosmopolitan style, with a cheerful atmosphere, and packed to the rafters with guests of all ages who come in groups of two or more to sample the extensive menu. The intention is to share dishes with your tablemates and carry this 'balagan' style through to a cozy chaos of countless plates, glasses, and dishes on the table. After a brief explanation in English about the dining concept, we start with an array of mezze, or small appetizers, such as labneh, hummus, baba ganoush, falafel with pita, roasted cauliflower, and continue with sabich, a vegetarian kebab. Kudos to the homemade focaccia, which is so delicious that we order another portion. One point of attention concerns the service. Due to the crowds, the staff work in a hurry, we have to wave several times to get attention for the next course, and there was no staff member speaking Dutch during our visit.

High ceilings, an industrial setting, varying levels, a massive open kitchen, and the murmur of foreign languages turn NENI, housed in the former Citroën garage, into a cosmopolitan space and a regular hangout for fans of Ottolenghi’s cuisine. Judging by the bustling crowd, there are plenty of them. Couples, small groups, colleagues celebrating a special occasion, and guests from both home and abroad—all cheerful and relaxed. NENI is part of an international chain with locations in Berlin, Paris, Vienna, and beyond. English is the primary language spoken by the friendly serving staff. Paired with a glass of fresh, herbaceous Rueda Verdejo Lías Finca Tresolmos, we choose from a menu featuring meat, fish, and plant-based dishes. The popcorn falafel, made with coriander, chili, ginger, lime, and Mediterranean herbs, is wonderfully juicy and served alongside a delicious, spiced tahini. Next comes an impressive dish of roasted, subtly seasoned cauliflower florets accompanied by romesco sauce, pomegranate, chimichurri, and almonds. The sauce adds an extra kick to the plate. During the wine recommendations, two options are always poured so you can decide which you prefer—a nice touch! For the 'Jerusalem Plate', we choose the fully vegetarian version featuring king oyster mushrooms, served with creamy hummus, red peppers, onions, a spicy mango sauce, and sesame paste. Shakshuka follows, and the little skillet of poached eggs simmered in a tomato, pointed pepper, and cumin sauce is completely wiped clean with crispy sourdough bread. NENI is a place you’ll want to return to again and again, certainly thanks to its very reasonable prices. A unique find in the capital.

NENI Amsterdam is the Dutch branch of an international restaurant chain with locations in Berlin, Paris, and Vienna. Do not expect an evening filled with delicate dishes and carefully paired wine recommendations. Instead, you will find a cosmopolitan atmosphere in a restaurant housed in the former Citroën showroom, right next to the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. The high ceilings and spacious layout create an industrial aesthetic, which remains warm thanks to the extensive use of light wood. This international vibe is also reflected in the service, where English is the primary language. Unfortunately, staff knowledge of the menu is somewhat limited: you can expect the waitstaff to be able to at least briefly explain what is on your plate. This is especially true given that most visitors seem to order set menus without knowing in advance what will be served. The flavors of what arrives at the table are perfectly fine. During our visit, for instance, we enjoyed the 'popcorn falafel', featuring corn with a spicy tahini-harissa sauce, alongside a salad of fried onions, chickpeas, spinach, and labneh, which can be described as pure comfort food. We also had beef kebab balls served with a smoked eggplant puree infused with lemon and chili. Everything tastes good, but almost all dishes lack refinement. Nevertheless, it remains a delightful international spot offering good food in a pleasant atmosphere.

Neni has opened its first location in the Netherlands in the former Citroën garage on Stadionplein. Israeli cuisine takes center stage in this cosmopolitan establishment, drawing many guests from both home and abroad. After a somewhat distant welcome, the experience quickly improves thanks to the warm attention of a skilled dining room team. The white Verdejo served as an aperitif, paired with a dip of yogurt, herbs, olives, and fresh sourdough bread, lifts the festive mood. From the vegan menu, we order stone-oven-grilled broccoli with fresh yogurt, garlic, and almonds with black pepper, alongside a flawlessly executed sabich featuring hummus, crispy eggplant, tomato salsa, and ambá (spicy mango sauce). A taste sensation that masterfully balances sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami notes. Next, from the impressive open kitchen comes sea bass in a Moroccan tomato salsa, which unfortunately proves far spicier than the word implies. We regularly cool our palates with ice water. Fortunately, the Ras el Neni hits the mark, featuring tender chicken breast seasoned with ras el hanout, spinach, tomatoes, marinated onions, and a creamy curry. Delicious! We wrap up the evening with a lime pavlova and an excellent New York cheesecake. The wine list is highly recommended, offering wonderfully versatile and affordably priced selections. A fine global address!

Added new last year and once again featured in the pages of this guide this year. This cosmopolitan establishment, which centers on Israeli cuisine, is part of an international chain that is conquering the food market. Founder and owner Haya Molcho, born and raised in Tel Aviv, started out as a home cook, later wrote cookbooks, and subsequently opened her first restaurant on Vienna's famous Naschmarkt, the city where she now resides. The chain quickly grew to include more than ten restaurants worldwide. NENI, named after the first letters of her four sons' names, is located in the former Citroën garage. General Manager Michael Buitenhuis: "Since the pandemic, we have primarily noticed the team becoming even more creative and adept at handling the implemented changes, as well as effectively utilizing takeaway and delivery options; we will continue to actively build on this." In this vast complex, beautifully decorated in a contemporary style that still feels intimate, Eastern Mediterranean cuisine takes center stage, and anyone who has ever had the pleasure of visiting Tel Aviv will unmistakably taste the rich flavors of Israeli cuisine here. Head Chef Boaz Peled works with the finest Dutch produce, with seasonal vegetables playing a key role in the vegetarian offerings. The young waitstaff is attentive, and you are served quickly and accurately. Above the restaurant is a cocktail bar where you can enjoy a nice drink before your dinner or to finish off the evening. Finally, it is advisable to book in advance. NENI is popular.

The former Citroën garage at Stadionplein in Amsterdam-Zuid has been transformed into a gigantic cosmopolitan paradise where Israeli cuisine takes center stage. Founder and owner Haya Molcho, born and raised in Tel Aviv, started out as a home cook, wrote cookbooks about Middle Eastern cuisines, and opened her first restaurant in her hometown of Vienna. The name was quickly conceived: it consists of the first letters of her sons' names, Nuriel, Elior, Nadiv, and Ilan. The concept now boasts five locations, with the newest one in Amsterdam. A cheerful chaos fills the fully booked restaurant. The young staff, uniformly dressed in black jeans and beige linen blouses, are bustling about nonstop. 'Sharing' is the key word. Share dishes and happily indulge in the aromatic and flavorful cuisine of Israel. Alongside the aperitif comes a bowl of creamy labneh with za'atar, sumac, and marinated olives, served with crisp sourdough bread. We sample delicious sabich (grilled eggplant with tomato, green herbs, egg, and tahini) on light, crispy focaccia, spicy hummus, grilled octopus on potato salad, pickled artichokes, and a Jerusalem plate featuring cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric-spiced chicken served over hummus with a fiery oil. We wash it all down with generous glasses of Portuguese Alejento Reserve. To finish, we share a bowl of knafeh: fried angel hair pastry over light melted cheese, topped with a scoop of yogurt ice cream. If you want to taste what places like Tel Aviv have to offer in terms of food and drink, you've come to the right spot. Welcome to Lekker!