Restaurant Ambassade is the dining room of Amsterdam’s Ambassade Hotel at Herengracht 339, 1016 AZ Amsterdam, in the western Canal Ring, Netherlands. Set across historic 17th-century canal houses, it combines French-influenced seasonal cooking with one of the city’s most characterful hotel art-and-literature settings. Travelers come for refined breakfast, lunch or dinner beside the Herengracht, as well as the surrounding CoBrA art collection, signed-book library and easy walk to the Nine Streets and Westerkerk.
What to Expect at Restaurant Ambassade
The experience is inseparable from the building. Ambassade Hotel occupies a group of connected Golden Age canal houses, and the restaurant’s rooms retain the intimate scale of those residences: canal-facing windows, high ceilings, period details and a sequence of smaller spaces rather than one vast dining hall. Tables by the windows look onto the Herengracht; in warm weather, the canal-side terrace is the sought-after choice. The kitchen’s focus is polished, seasonal French-influenced cuisine, available across breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Art and books distinguish a meal here from a standard canal-view reservation. The hotel is known for its substantial CoBrA collection, with works associated with the post-war movement founded in 1948 by artists including Karel Appel, Corneille and Constant. Its Library Bar also holds a large collection of books signed by writers who have stayed or appeared at the hotel. Ask staff about the works visible in the public rooms, then allow time for a drink in the library before or after dining.
- 17th-century canal houses: Dine within the interconnected historic residences that form Ambassade Hotel.
- Herengracht outlook: Reserve a window or terrace table for direct views of one of Amsterdam’s principal canals.
- CoBrA art: Look for original works from the hotel’s major collection of Dutch and international post-war art.
- Literary Library Bar: Pair dinner with an aperitif among shelves of author-signed books.
- Seasonal French-influenced cooking: Expect a restaurant meal rather than a museum café, with lunch and dinner service alongside breakfast.
Restaurant Ambassade at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Herengracht 339, 1016 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Neighborhood / Area | Western Canal Ring (Grachtengordel), near the Nine Streets |
| Operating Hours | Daily: breakfast 7–11am, lunch 12–3pm, dinner 6–10pm |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission or tickets; food and drinks are charged separately. See the official website for current menus. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5–2 hours for lunch or dinner; allow longer with pre- or post-dinner drinks in the Library Bar. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Westermarkt tram stop is about a 7-minute walk; Rokin metro station is about 10 minutes on foot. Paid central-garage parking is preferable to canal-street parking. |
| Official Website / Phone | restaurantambassade.nl / +31 20 555 0255 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Book ahead for dinner, Friday and Saturday evenings, and terrace seating in late spring and summer; use the reservation page or call for requests. Lunch is a strong option for travelers who want daylight on the canal, while an early dinner gives more time to see the public art and Library Bar. Breakfast hours primarily suit hotel guests, so non-guests should confirm availability before making a special trip. There is no separate museum-style ticket or timed entry: a confirmed dining reservation is the practical way to visit.
From Westermarkt, walk east along Raadhuisstraat and turn right onto Herengracht; trams 13 and 17 stop there. The historic canal houses have changes in level, thresholds and narrow internal circulation, so wheelchair users and families with larger strollers should contact the restaurant before booking to arrange the most suitable table and confirm step-free access on the day. Combine a meal with the Anne Frank House, roughly 8 minutes away on foot, Westerkerk and its tower beside it, or the boutiques and cafés of the Nine Streets, about 5 minutes south. Dam Square and the Royal Palace are around a 10-minute walk east.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Restaurant Ambassade’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
It is listed daily for breakfast from 7–11am, lunch from 12–3pm and dinner from 6–10pm. Choose weekday lunch for canal views in daylight or reserve an early dinner for a calmer start; summer terrace tables and weekend dinners require the most advance planning.
Does Restaurant Ambassade charge admission or require tickets?
No. This is a restaurant, not a ticketed attraction, so there is no admission fee. Meals and drinks are paid separately. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner and can be made through the restaurant’s online reservation page.
How much time should I budget for a meal?
Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for lunch or dinner. Add 30–45 minutes if you plan to have an aperitif or digestif in the Library Bar and spend time viewing the CoBrA artworks and signed-book collection in the public spaces.
Is Restaurant Ambassade suitable for children and wheelchair users?
Children are welcome at a seated restaurant meal, though the setting is more formal than a casual family café. The venue occupies historic interconnected canal houses with level changes and tight circulation; call +31 20 555 0255 before booking to discuss wheelchair access, stroller space and the best table.
When planning your Amsterdam travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in Amsterdam, pair this stop with standout local spots including d'Vijff Vlieghen, Restaurant Black, Hoftuin, and Ambassade Hotel (nearby).
