L’Osteria isn’t necessarily a place that immediately grabs your attention as you pass by – at least, not for me. Tucked away along the riverside, it’s easy to miss. Thankfully, a friend’s recommendation finally got me through the door, and what I found was more than worth the stop. With promises of “the best pizza, pasta d’amore, and an atmosphere like no other,” I was ready to see if it lived up to the hype.
What I knew about L’Osteria before I went
Honestly, absolutely nothing. I pass by the area on an almost daily basis but didn’t even realise this “Riverside Oasis” was there. Lucky my friend invited me, otherwise I may have missed out on some serious Italian cuisine.
On their website, they describe themselves as having “the best, best pizza, pasta d’amore and a unique atmosphere – a recipe that cannot be beaten”, which is high (self) praise indeed. So, obviously I was ready to put that to the test.
First impressions
From when you walk in, you are immediately hugged by an ambiance that blends urban chic with Italian warmth: from the cozy interior to the rather stunning views of the Amstel River. It’s comfortable, it’s warm, it’s very gezellig indeed. The staff are also super lovely – and not just because we were rather late (hey, it can happen to anyone!) and they didn’t mind at all – they made us immediately feel like home.
Buon cibo. Buon vino. Buon amici
We came in with a big hunger so the fact their portion sizes are so very generous. The bruschetta? Fresh and delicious. The pasta? Perfectly al dente and delectable. I’d been craving for a pasta carbonara for a while now and this one was exactly what I needed – simple and indulgent at the same time.
It may have something to do with the fact that since 2015, they have been making their own macaroni, strozzapreti, tortellini and all the other sorts in their own pasta factory in Nuremberg, so they know what they’re doing.
And the wine. When a house white is a sublime mixture of peaches and apples and goes down so well it’s almost dangerous – you’re on to a good thing.
What’s the verdict?
L’Osteria has gone from a place I didn’t know existed until yesterday evening to a place I am putting on my radar for future visits for sure. I really liked the vibe and the food – I even enjoyed the additional bonus of getting a Duolingo style Italian lesson from speakers when you visit the restroom. I now know how to ask for extra pepper on my pasta… or I did yesterday, but in my defence, we did get through a few bottles of wine so I may have to go back for a refresher lesson soon.
You can find L’Osteria on Korte Ouderkerkerdijk 16 – so why not head on over there already!
Find L’Osteria online:
Eat Drink Amsterdam 
What’s your flavor? Drop your thoughts below!