La Oliva

Cantabrian-Basque pintxos and serious Spanish wine on a pretty Jordaan street.

Deep in the Egelantiersstraat, La Oliva has spent years doing something Amsterdam is weirdly bad at: proper northern-Spanish cooking. The counter is lined with pintxos from noon, little Basque constructions on bread that make a better lunch than anything else within ten blocks, and the evening menu digs into the Cantabrian repertoire: whole fish, well-sourced ham, sturdy meat dishes that taste like San Sebastián rather than a Dutch idea of tapas. The wine list is the real argument for booking: page after page of Spanish bottles, from crisp txakoli to old-school Rioja, poured by staff who visibly care. The corner room glows at night and tables spill toward the street in summer. It's not cheap and it's not trying to be; it's the Jordaan's Spanish anchor, and the neighbourhood books it out accordingly. Reserve, they set your table properly.

Come at noon when the fresh pintxos land on the bar, and drink txakoli with them.

What to order

Full menu

Pulpo a la plancha€23.50
Grilled octopus with citrus, billed as a starter, portioned like a main; the most-mentioned plate.
Chef's pintxos selection€6 each
How every table starts; nearly a full dish per skewer, Basque-style.
Jamón Ibérico de Bellota€24.50
Pata negra with bread and tomato, order it for the table and defend your share.
Tuna brochette with duck liver and PX reduction
The odd-sounding house signature that reviewers keep vouching for.
Tortilla with goat cheese and truffle€12.50
The lunch-menu sleeper alongside the bocadillos.