A touch of class in a tacky patch of town, providing a retreat from flashing neon lights, snack-bar queues, and the hordes around Central Station. Hip young things sit around the long black bar beside a glinting mosaic wall, and in leatherette tulip chairs. Around a corner is a quieter lounge area (designer chairs, art books on the shelves).

Conveniently located opposite Central Station, Amsterdam’s OG Portuguese fusion restaurant boasts a sleek fireplace, provocative sculptures by local artist Atelier van Lieshout and a large bar with creative cocktails. Guided by the well-known Portuguese Michelin-starred concept chef Henrique Sa Pessoa and his team, the menu here typically follows the Eastern trade routes of early Portuguese explorers. A six-course tasting menu (from €79) features the best of East and West, while à la carte offerings include both modern sharing plates and comforting classics such as bacalhau à brás with salted cod and fried string potatoes as well as Gault & Millau’s Dessert of the Year 2024: cauliflower tart with peanut butter and green curry sorbet.

One of those ‘hidden in plain sight’ spots you’ll want to tell everyone about, ARCA’s bar and restaurant are straight across from Amsterdam Centraal station, making it the perfect spot for pre- or post-Eurostar drinking and dining. While many restaurants this centrally-located veer into tourist trap territory, ARCA is a sincere exception. A collaboration between Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa (of double Michelin-starred Alma) and art’otel (which, conveniently, means you can wander upstairs into a gorgeous hotel room seconds after paying the bill), the menu at ARCA is packed full of sumptuous Lusitanian sharing plates with Asian influences – and a curated collection of unbelievable cocktails, to boot.

Arca is uitgegroeid tot een waar begrip en presenteert een bijzonder menu dat exclusief geserveerd wordt ter viering van Dia de Portugal (de nationale feestdag van Portugal). Samengesteld door niemand minder dan sterrenchef Henrique Sá Pessoa, brengt dit menu de rijke smaken, verhalen en gastvrijheid van zijn thuisland tot leven. Verfijnde gerechten vormen samen een culinaire reis langs Portugals meest iconische smaken.

Discover ARCA Bar, a laid-back haven in the heart of Amsterdam, perfect for after-work drinks, light bites, or a relaxed date night. Unwind with creative cocktails and delicious bar snacks inspired by Portuguese flavours and traditions, all with a contemporary twist. At ARCA Bar, art and mixology come together to create a symphony of sensory experiences.

Pretty much a new kid on the block and located inside the Art’Otel across Amsterdam Central Station. We want to add this restaurant to the list, because as soon as you sit down, you feel you are in a real restaurant in every sense of the word. Open kitchen, a cozy fireplace, tables have enough space between them, and wonderful staff.

De met twee Michelinsterren bekroonde Portugese chef-kok Henrique Sá Pessoa opende in 2021 restaurant ARCA Amsterdam aan de Martelaarsgracht, tegenover Station Amsterdam Centraal. Samen met zijn team zet hij een uniek concept neer waar de Portugese smaken samenkomen met zijn eigen favorieten. Uit eten in Amsterdam?

Dikke kans dat je al eens hebt gehoord van ARCA, de inmiddels niet meer zo verborgen parel aan de Martelaarsgracht. Denk je aan Portugese lekkernijen in eigen hoofdstad, dan denk je aan deze plek. Wat het menu extra bijzonder maakt, zijn de Aziatische invloeden die je proeft in het eten.

Whether you would like to keep it fast-paced with a buffet next to your meeting room or have a longer break in Carstens brasserie or ARCA Amsterdam. O, and everything in between. Share your thoughts and wishes, We are Amsterdam is listening.

ARCA - Located in the Art Hotel this restaurant is the Bomb!. Set In a large open space that is beautifully designed, you are surrounded by fun and out-of-the-box art artifacts contributing to a fun yet sophisticated ambiance.

De inspiratie voor ARCA vindt zijn oorsprong in de historische handelsroutes van Portugal, welke via deze weg ook sterke smaken en avontuurlijke kruiden naar het hart van Amsterdam heeft weten te brengen.