Lumbini Restaurant sits along the Amstel river at number 32H, a short walk from Rembrandtplein, serving Indian and Nepalese cooking that has earned it a 4.8 rating from well over a thousand diners. The kitchen draws on recipes from both sides of the Himalayas, giving the menu range beyond the usual curry-house formula found elsewhere in the city center.
Expect a thali platter built for sharing, slow-cooked lamb and chicken curries, tandoori grills, and Nepalese momos alongside familiar North Indian staples like butter chicken and saag paneer. The dining room keeps things understated rather than showy, with warm lighting and unhurried service that lets conversation carry the evening. Weather permitting, tables spill onto the street facing the Amstel, putting diners within sight of the water while they eat. Portions run generous, and staff are quick to walk newcomers through spice levels and regional specialties rather than defaulting to the safest options.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Reservations are worth making on weekend evenings, when the riverside tables fill fast. A weekday dinner around 6:30pm offers quicker seating and a calmer room. The restaurant is a ten-minute walk from Rembrandtplein and well served by trams stopping near the Amstel, making it an easy add-on after a canal walk or a visit to the Hermitage Amsterdam nearby. Ask about the thali for a first visit—it gives a fair sample of both the Indian and Nepalese sides of the menu in one sitting.
