Zotte, Amsterdamback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Another excellent bar in Amsterdam, De Zotte stocks a very comprehensive Belgian beer menu. There were a number of tables for 6 reserved when I went, so I'd advise booking ahead if you are a large group. Instead, we just snuck onto the end of another couples table (after asking, of course!). Good beer, friendly staff.
We didn't eat a meal in De Zotte, but the food we saw being brought out looked very good. The cheese board was pretty good though!
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On our many trips to Amsterdam, this has become a 'must visit' kind of establishment. Atmosphere superbly cosmopolitan and chic but still earthy and honest.
The staff work the bar like seasoned professionals with customer service of the highest order.
Always something interesting on tap and lovely food to boot.
Possibly one of the best bars of its type in our humble opinion.
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They must be doing something right here. Pub was absolutely heaving when I popped in at 2230 on 21/02/09 for a couple of beers and a cheese platter. I eventually got a seat but it was a tight squeeze. Note the smaller quantity of cheese, but also the lower price of 5 euros (was seven in 2003).
Staff remain friendly and the pub continues to attract a youngish lively clientele, cheered on by mixed music at a pleasant volume.
A few changes to note on my recent call:
Beer:
A completely Belgian range is offered, little if any Dutch local beer available. Not a criticism, merely an observation, if you are looking specifically for Netherlands brews there are other pubs nearby. That said if you fancy a pure Belgian session you will not be disappointed in any way.
Lighting:
Pub appeared to be much darker than two years ago; there appeared to be fewer lights on the ceiling.
Smoking: Entire pub non-smoking, you will need to go outside to smoke.
All in all a very enjoyable session here again, and most of the pub itself is unchanged.
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Paid a tmely pilgrimage to Zotte on Friday 23/03/07 after visiting adjoining premises. My extended stop at Onder de Ooievaar meant the kitchen was closed when I arrived, but a hearty cheeseboard made up for that!
Enjoyed a Westmalle trippel and an Amstel pils the latter of which simply helped to wash down all the bread and cheese.
The locals have a great sense of humour. When my cheeseboard arrived, the girl next to me asked me if I liked Dutch and Belgian cheeses, to which I replied in the affirmative, thus striking up a conversation. She somehow got the idea that I'd been served four cheeses from the same block. Despite protesting that they were all different and I was enjoying them, she summoned the barman to my table demanding he gave me "4 different cheeses". He angrily (rare in Amsterdam) brought out the cheese container, thrust it before the girl and pointed to the four different blocks from which my portion had been cut. I made it quite clear I had nothing to do with all this, and the girl and I collapsed laughing.
Some 30 minutes later I pointed out that the couple seated opposite us had pate and I jokingly suggested she summon the barman once again lest there only be one type on their plate. With a mischievous grin she obliged forthwith, and back came the barman with the pate container! When he saw our faces he, too, ended up consumed with laughter!
All's well that ends well, and a fantastic evening was had in Zotte!
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Visited last night (23/03/06) and supped superb beers with a guy called "Tygmar" originally from Norway. This has not changed since last time I visited and if anything has improved yet further.
The food continues to excel - they have mouthwatering steaks available on the menu, with HUGE portions of chips and salad.
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Update:
There is now a full food menu available in the evenings, which is good. Try the fish stew. Also, note the pub fills up in the early evening, so arrive early to be sure of getting a seat.
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A 65' by 15'-0" narrow Dutch bar serving an enterprising range of Dutch and Belgian beers. About half a dozen are on tap whilst the pub boasts a glittering array of bottled beers from Belgium. For just seven euros you can get a huge plate of bread and cheese, with more substantial fare available during the day. This pub is quite hidden away behind the Leidseplein in a little backstreet off Marnixstraat. Very handy for users of the Thermos Day sauna next door. An impressive range of CDs, featuring rock, folk and soft pop tracks from UK US and Europe, is DJ'd by the efficient bar staff, and on my two or three visits in the last couple of years I have found both the staff and the locals very friendly. I would recommend this pub as part of any "crawl" in the Leidseplein/Leidsestraat area.
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