Café Modern
A changing surprise menu of five to seven courses in Noord's former Twentsche Bank, where Sander van Melick has cooked since the start in 2012.
Café Modern has been in the former Twentsche Bank building since 2012, set up by the team behind Hotel de Goudfazant. Sander van Melick has cooked here from the start and is now co-owner; since 2021 he has run the place with co-owner Aranka. Dinner is a surprise menu that changes regularly: five, six or seven courses for €67.50, €75 or €80. There is lunch at weekends and a €45 theatre menu four nights a week. At the bar you can order single dishes, oysters or the full menu. Gault&Millau gives it 13.5 out of 20 and says it is still a fixture after more than a decade. In 2024 Mara Grimm gave it an 8+ in Het Parool, calling it one of the first restaurants in Noord and one of the best; she found the portions so generous that the smallest menu was a course too many. Guests praise the service and the wine pairing, and complain about long waits between courses and small portions at higher prices.
Closed on Tuesday, and the kitchen closes at 22:00; mention dietary requirements when you book. From Centraal, the free ferry across the IJ leaves you a five-minute walk away.
What to order
- Surprise menu (5 to 7 courses)€67.50 to €80
Five, six or seven courses that change regularly, at €67.50, €75 or €80.
- Three-course theatre menu€45
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, for anyone heading to a film, concert or show nearby.
- À la carte at the bar
Single dishes from the menu, oysters and snacks; the full menu is served at the bar too.
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