REM Restaurant
Coenhaven/Mercuriushaven, Amsterdam
Restaurant in Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
REM Restaurant sits in Amsterdam's western harbour with a Vegetarian Chef menu and a wine list recognised by Star Wine List in 2026. The kitchen shows clear ambition with original plant-forward dishes, though reviewers note it is still developing the finesse to match its better-established peers. Book for the setting and the wine programme; arrive with calibrated expectations on the food.
About REM Restaurant
Should You Book REM Restaurant?
Getting a table at REM Restaurant is not the challenge here; booking is direct, which makes it an accessible option when you want something more considered than a neighbourhood bistro without the stress of a competitive reservation window. The harder question is whether the experience matches the effort of getting to Haparandadam 45-2, a waterfront address in Amsterdam's western harbour that is not on the way to anything else. For the right diner, it is. For others, there are easier options closer to the centre.
The short answer: REM is worth booking if you are curious about plant-forward cooking in Amsterdam and want a kitchen that is clearly working toward something, even if it has not fully arrived yet. Star Wine List recognised the restaurant in 2026, which signals a wine programme worth paying attention to. The food, built around a Vegetarian Chef menu, shows genuine ambition; original dishes, a clear direction, but reviewers have noted it needs more finesse to compete with Amsterdam's stronger plant-based and ingredient-led rooms. Come with appropriate expectations and you will eat well.
The Case for Going
The location alone is a reason to make the trip. REM sits on the water in one of Amsterdam's post-industrial harbour zones, the setting is the kind that adds something to a meal before a dish arrives. For a special occasion dinner where the backdrop matters as much as the plate, that counts. It is a genuinely different experience from booking a table in the Jordaan or on a canal-facing terrace in the city centre.
Vegetarian Chef menu is the primary draw on the food side. Plant-forward menus in Amsterdam tend to fall into two camps: the kind that treat vegetables as a concession to dietary preference, the kind that treat them as the actual subject of the cooking. REM sits closer to the second camp, though the kitchen has not yet committed fully to an all-plant approach. That tension, the will to go plant-based without the full follow-through, is noted by Star Wine List, who describe the food as original but point to finesse as the area requiring development. That is honest feedback, it is useful for setting expectations: this is a kitchen with a clear identity still being sharpened, not a finished product.
Wine programme is a genuine strength. A Star Wine List recognition in 2026 is a verifiable credential that puts REM's list above most neighbourhood restaurants in the city. If wine matters to your evening, this is not a venue where the list was assembled as an afterthought.
Who Should Book
REM works well for a date or a two-person special occasion dinner where the combination of setting, a tasting-format vegetarian menu, a serious wine list adds up to a full evening. It is less suited to groups looking for a high-energy room or diners who want the most technically polished tasting menu in Amsterdam, for that, Ciel Bleu or Vinkeles are the stronger bets at the €€€€ level. Solo diners can absolutely eat here, though the harbour location and tasting-menu format lean toward a shared experience.
If you are travelling from outside Amsterdam and building an itinerary around the leading the Netherlands has to offer, REM sits in a different tier from De Librije in Zwolle or 't Nonnetje in Harderwijk. But within Amsterdam, it fills a specific gap: ingredient-led, vegetable-forward cooking in a setting that most of the city's restaurants cannot offer.
Practical Details
| Venue | Price Tier | Booking Difficulty | Format | Leading For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REM Restaurant | Not confirmed | Easy | Vegetarian Chef Menu | Date night, wine focus, harbour setting |
| De Kas | €€€ | Moderate | Set menu, organic | Garden setting, seasonal produce |
| BAK | €€€ | Moderate | Farm to table | Waterfront, ingredient-led |
| Wils | €€€ | Moderate | Set menu | Creative, world cuisine influences |
| Ciel Bleu | €€€€ | Hard | Tasting menu, à la carte | Special occasion, top-tier finish |
REM's address at Haparandadam 45-2 in the western harbour requires a deliberate trip, factor in travel time from the city centre. No confirmed hours or booking platform are available in our current data; check directly via the venue before planning an occasion around it.
Explore More in Amsterdam
- Our full Amsterdam restaurants guide
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- Our full Amsterdam bars guide
- Our full Amsterdam experiences guide
- Our full Amsterdam wineries guide
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- Aan de Poel in Amstelveen
- De Bokkedoorns in Overveen
- Brut172 in Reijmerstok
- De Groene Lantaarn in Staphorst
FAQs: REM Restaurant Amsterdam
- What should I order at REM Restaurant? The Vegetarian Chef menu is the format the kitchen is built around, ordering à la carte, if available, means missing the point of what REM is trying to do. Pair the menu with something from the wine list, which holds a Star Wine List recognition for 2026 and is clearly a priority for the team.
- Does REM Restaurant handle dietary restrictions? The menu is already vegetable-forward and includes a dedicated Vegetarian Chef menu, which makes it one of the more naturally accommodating options in Amsterdam for non-meat eaters. For specific allergen or vegan requirements, contact the venue directly before booking, no confirmed contact details are available in our current data.
- Is REM Restaurant good for solo dining? It can work for solo dining, but the harbour location and tasting-menu format are better suited to two people. If you are eating alone in Amsterdam and want a strong food-and-wine experience, BAK or Wils may offer a more comfortable solo setup at a similar price point.
- Is REM Restaurant good for a special occasion? Yes, with one caveat. The setting, waterfront, away from the tourist core, the wine programme make it a genuine occasion choice. The food is original and the direction is clear, but Star Wine List's own assessment notes it needs more finesse. If technical polish matters more than atmosphere for your occasion, Ciel Bleu or Vinkeles are safer bets.
- What are alternatives to REM Restaurant in Amsterdam? For plant-forward and ingredient-led cooking at a similar tier, De Kas is the most direct comparison, organic sourcing, a striking greenhouse setting, a set menu format. BAK overlaps on waterfront atmosphere and farm-to-table sourcing. For a step up in technical ambition and kitchen finish, Bolenius brings a Modern Dutch approach at €€€€. If you are prioritising the most polished tasting menu experience in the city, Ciel Bleu remains the benchmark.
Planning details
- Location
- Haparandadam 45-2, 1013 AK Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Website
- rem.amsterdam
- Phone
- +31 20 227 9828
The take
The Take
The Vibe
REM Restaurant occupies an unmistakable maritime setting: a repurposed offshore broadcasting platform perched on the IJ. The architecture is the point of arrival, and the venue reads like an installation as much as a restaurant. Water surrounds the structure and the low Amsterdam skyline sits on the horizon, so the sense of place is integral to the experience. Culinary intent mirrors that considered setting — the kitchen aligns with Amsterdam’s plant-forward, sustainability-oriented conversation — so dining here feels purposeful, refined and architecturally charged rather than merely scenic.
Best For
This is a go-to spot for elevated evenings that hinge on setting as much as on food. The platform’s waterfront location and arresting industrial-to-cultural conversion make it especially well suited to date nights and special occasions where the approach and views are part of the program. The restaurant’s alignment with plant-forward, sustainability-minded cooking means guests are experiencing a dining perspective that pairs aesthetic deliberation with ingredient-focused cuisine — a destination choice for memorable, thoughtful meals.
Ordering Tips
Expect a menu that prioritizes plant-forward and sustainability-minded approaches rather than conventional comfort classics; the write-up explicitly situates REM within Amsterdam’s produce-driven, sustainability-oriented dining scene. Treat the arrival and setting as part of the meal — the approach via Haparandadam and the water-framed vantage points are called out as part of the experience. Ask staff about the kitchen’s sourcing and seasonal focus if you want context for dishes, since the restaurant is presented as aligning its purpose with its place.
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Restaurant context
At the €€€ tier, REM's closest Amsterdam comparisons are De Kas and BAK. De Kas has the stronger reputation for ingredient-led cooking; it sources produce from its own greenhouse and has been doing so for years, which gives the menu a sourcing story REM is still building toward. BAK shares the waterfront positioning and farm-to-table approach, has more consistent reviews for kitchen execution. If originality and a serious wine list matter more than a polished finish, REM makes a reasonable case for itself. If you want a more proven experience at a comparable price, De Kas is the safer choice.
Step up to €€€€ and the comparison shifts. Bolenius brings a Modern Dutch and creative approach with greater technical consistency than REM currently offers. Ciel Bleu is the benchmark for special occasion dining in Amsterdam at this tier; harder to book, more expensive, considerably more finished. If the occasion demands the best available kitchen in the city, Ciel Bleu is not a close call. REM sits below this tier on current evidence, but the Star Wine List 2026 recognition and the ambition behind the vegetarian menu suggest it is a restaurant to revisit as it develops.
The practical framing: book REM if you want a waterfront setting, a wine-forward evening, plant-led cooking in Amsterdam without competing for a reservation. Book De Kas if ingredient sourcing and kitchen consistency matter more than location. Book Ciel Bleu if the occasion requires the most technically accomplished tasting menu in the city.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full REM Restaurant guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare REM Restaurant
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REM Restaurant | Easy | Star Wine Lists 2026We're Smart World Top Restaurants 2025 | ||
| Ciel Bleu | €€€€ · Creative | €€€€ | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #12026 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #662026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #58We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 Michelin 2 Stars |
| Bolenius | Modern Dutch, Creative | €€€€ | Unknown | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #611We're Smart World Top 100 2025We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Top New Restaurants in Europe Recommended |
| De Kas | €€€ · Organic | €€€ | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 20262026 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended2025 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #378We're Smart World Top Restaurants 2025We're Smart World Top 100 20252025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #2502024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Casual in Europe Highly Recommended |
| Wils | €€€ · World Cuisine | €€€ | Unknown | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #612We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star |
| BAK | €€€ · Farm to table | €€€ | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #597We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended |
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How REM Restaurant stacks up against the competition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at REM Restaurant?
The vegetarian chef menu is the format to go with here; it is the main event and the reason Star Wine List recognised REM in 2026. Ordering à la carte is possible but misses the point of what the kitchen is building toward. Pair the chef menu with a wine pairing given the programme's recognised credentials.
Does REM Restaurant handle dietary restrictions?
The chef menu is vegetarian-led, so plant-based diners are well accommodated in principle. That said, Star Wine List's 2026 write-up noted the kitchen has not yet gone fully plant-based, so confirm vegan requirements directly before booking. For strictly vegan tasting menus, De Kas is a more established bet.
Is REM Restaurant good for solo dining?
It is a workable solo option given the harbour setting and tasting-menu format, but nothing in the available information suggests a dedicated counter or solo-friendly seating arrangement. For solo dining with a more interactive counter experience, BAK on the waterfront is worth considering alongside it.
Is REM Restaurant good for a special occasion?
Yes, particularly for a two-person dinner; the combination of the post-industrial harbour location at Haparandadam 45-2 and the vegetarian chef menu makes it a considered choice for a date or anniversary. Star Wine List's 2026 recognition adds confidence on the wine side. It is not yet in the same league as Ciel Bleu for a full-scale celebration, but the setting does a lot of work.
What are alternatives to REM Restaurant in Amsterdam?
For vegetarian-forward cooking with more established credentials, De Kas is the clearer reference point in Amsterdam. Wils holds a Michelin Green Star for sustainable cooking and is a direct peer. If the waterfront setting is the draw but you want more culinary polish, BAK on the IJ is worth comparing. Bolenius sits in a similar bracket for creative, produce-led menus.
