Amsterdam offers various excellent steakhouses that serve fresh seafood alongside premium steaks. From classic surf & turf combinations to modern interpretations with oysters and prawns, you’ll find these restaurants scattered throughout the city, from the center to Amsterdam North. These establishments combine the best of both worlds: perfectly cooked steaks and freshly caught seafood, making them ideal for groups with different preferences.
What Are the Most Popular Steakhouses with Seafood in Amsterdam?
The most popular steakhouses with seafood in Amsterdam are mainly located in the center, De Pijp, and Amsterdam North. These restaurants distinguish themselves through their extensive menu that offers both premium steaks and daily fresh fish and shellfish. They attract a diverse audience, from business diners to romantic evenings.
In the center, you’ll find various establishments known for their combination of meat and fish. These restaurants often collaborate with local fish suppliers and importers of exclusive seafood. They usually offer a selection of at least five to ten different fish dishes alongside their steak assortment.
Amsterdam North has emerged as a culinary hotspot in recent years. Here you’ll find modern steakhouses that respond to the demand for varied menus. These restaurants often combine industrial architecture with a warm ambiance and serve both classic steaks and seasonal fish specialties.
De Pijp and Oud-Zuid house several established names that have been known for their quality for years. These steakhouses often have a regular clientele who come specifically for the possibility of ordering both meat and fish within one group.
What Surf & Turf Combinations Can You Expect in Amsterdam Steakhouses?
Surf & turf combinations in Amsterdam range from classic steak with lobster to modern creations with prawns, scallops, and oysters. Most steakhouses offer at least three different surf & turf options, where you can often compose your own combination from different meat types and seafood.
The classic combination remains ribeye with half lobster, usually prepared with garlic butter and fresh herbs. This traditional preparation is often complemented with seasonal vegetables and a choice of different sauces. Combinations of tournedos with prawns or entrecote with scallops are also popular.
We increasingly see modern interpretations appearing on menus. Think of dry-aged steaks combined with grilled octopus, or wagyu beef with fresh oysters as an appetizer. Some restaurants even offer a surf & turf tasting menu, where you can try different small portions of meat and seafood.
Preparation methods vary by restaurant, but most quality steakhouses grill both the meat and seafood on charcoal or a Josper grill. This gives a characteristic smoky flavor that perfectly complements the natural flavors of both ingredients.
How Do You Recognize a Good Steakhouse That Also Serves Quality Seafood?
You can recognize a good steakhouse that also excels in seafood by various characteristics. The most important is the daily fresh supply of fish, often visibly indicated on the menu with “market price” or a separate fish board. You also often see a separate display case or showcase with the fresh catch of the day.
Pay attention to the balance in the menu between meat and fish dishes. A restaurant that takes both categories seriously usually dedicates at least 30% of the menu to fish and seafood. The presence of a specialized fish chef alongside the grill master is also a good sign.
The preparation methods tell you a lot about quality. Good restaurants offer different preparation methods for their fish: grilled, pan-fried, steamed, or en papillote. They also have specific equipment for fish, such as a separate grill or plancha alongside the meat grills.
Don’t hesitate to ask about the origin of the products. Quality restaurants work with established suppliers and can tell you exactly where their lobster, oysters, or wild fish come from. Seasonal changes in the fish offering also indicate freshness and quality.
What Does a Surf & Turf Dinner Cost on Average in Amsterdam?
A surf & turf dinner in Amsterdam costs on average between 45 and 85 euros per person, depending on the restaurant and chosen combination. In the mid-range segment, you pay approximately 45-60 euros for a standard combination of steak with prawns or a small portion of lobster.
High-end steakhouses charge higher prices, especially when you choose premium ingredients. A combination of dry-aged beef with whole lobster can run up to 75-85 euros. Exclusive options like wagyu beef with king crab can even exceed 100 euros.
The price is mainly determined by the type of seafood you choose. Prawns and scallops are relatively affordable, while lobster, king crab, or fresh oysters can significantly drive up the price. Portion size also plays a role: half a lobster often saves 15-20 euros compared to a whole lobster.
The restaurant’s location also influences prices. Steakhouses in the center or along the canals often charge 10-20% more than comparable restaurants in, for example, North or East. Lunch offerings are usually more affordable, with surf & turf combos starting from 35 euros.
Why Are More and More Steakhouses Choosing an Extensive Seafood Offering?
Steakhouses are expanding their menus with seafood because groups increasingly consist of people with different eating preferences. Where previously everyone in the group ate meat, you now often see that one or more guests prefer fish. Restaurants respond to this by offering a complete fish selection alongside their steaks.
The culinary synergy between premium meat and fresh fish also offers restaurants new possibilities. Chefs can express creativity in surf & turf creations and seasonal menus. This variety attracts a broader audience and increases the visit frequency of regular guests.
It’s also interesting for restaurants from a business perspective. Seafood often has higher margins than meat, especially with exclusive products like lobster or oysters. Additionally, restaurants can distinguish themselves from the competition by offering unique fish combinations.
You can also see this trend with us in Amsterdam North. We embrace the demand for variety by offering seasonal fish specialties alongside our renowned steaks. Our guests appreciate the possibility of ordering both perfectly grilled meat and fresh seafood within one group. At our restaurant, you’ll regularly find changing fish dishes that perfectly complement our premium meat assortment.