RIJKS is the restaurant of the Rijksmuseum. The similarity between them is that both are connected to the Netherlands; the museum through art and the restaurant through food. The difference is that while the museum is a wonderful historic view, the restaurant serves a more delicious contemporary array of dishes.

Joris Bijdendijk is since 2014 Executive Chef of RIJKS and is the driving force together with his kitchen chef Ivan Beusink. The focus is seasonal and local produce with global influences and ingredients. The plates are wellbalanced and there is a genuine focus on the ingredients and the approach is creative which leads to interesting and delicious dishes. There is an à la carte menu but recommended is to go with the signature menu which they also can make vegetarian for those who wish.

Joris discovered his passion for cooking already at the age of sixteen in 2000, when he set out a plan to cook for great chefs. It was a plan he realised, as before he became executive chef at RIJKS he had already cooked in several star restaurants in the Netherlands and France and is now himself becoming a great chef!

The wine menu is unique in that all the wines have a connection to the Netherlands. Either the wine is from the Netherlands, or made by people in more well-known wine producing nations but then by persons who are connected to the Netherlands in some way. Service at the RIJKS is attentive and relaxed as is the restaurant itself in design and atmosphere.

A perfect visit starts with getting a taste of the Netherlands by admiring unique art at the Rijksmuseum like the famous Night Watch by Rembrandt. Then afterwards the best part comes with a visit to RIJKS where you not only can admire but actually taste what the Netherlands has to offer currently in delicious unique cooking.

Written by Joakim