The Seafood Bar van Baerlestraat

Fons De Visscher, a fishmonger from Helmond, took the leap in 2012 to open a seafood restaurant in Amsterdam-Zuid, aiming for an accessible vibe and 'a place where you can eat lobster at a regular price'. His son Pepijn and daughter Fleur have since joined, and the empire now spans five restaurants, including one in Soho, London. The Seafood Bar features a long counter where cold dishes are prepared, with a view into the hot kitchen at the back. The decor is dominated by white tones, raw industrial walls, thick wooden tabletops, cloth napkins, and meticulously polished cutlery. A constant stream of food enthusiasts comes and goes, some laden with shopping bags, creating a lively atmosphere. The acoustics aren't perfect, but that doesn't seem to bother the guests. Fresh fish is exactly what they come for. The extensive menu showcases everything the sea has to offer, and we start with generously filled Dutch shrimp croquettes and a glass of crisp Albariño. Next comes 'The Combination', consisting of fruits de mer, the seafood bar selection, and a mixed grill. Creamy salmon sashimi, fresh mussels, cockles, plump razor clams, vongole, North Sea crab legs, tiger prawns, crab salad, oysters, half a lobster, and langoustines make their appearance. Every single item is equally fresh and delicious. The staff pours generous glasses. Equipped with handy bibs around our necks, we tackle the shellfish and crustaceans before moving on to baked fish and shellfish such as sea bream, large gambas, excellent mussels in tomato sauce, scampi, squid, salmon, langoustine, and sea bass fillet pan-seared skin-side up. Pure indulgence. An appealing dessert menu offers items like sgroppino and lemon crème brûlée, but we stick to a cup of piping hot coffee from sustainable roaster Peeze. All this comes at a very reasonable price. You'll understand: making a reservation here is a must. Welcome to Lekker!