Chapter 02 · Jordaan & Westerpark · Jordaan

Pesca

8.2 /10

A theatre of fish: pick your catch at the market, eat it minutes later.

Pesca calls itself a 'theatre of fish' and for once the branding undersells it. You walk into an actual fish market on the Rozengracht: whole sea bass, langoustines and oysters on ice, prices chalked by the day's catch. A guide talks you through what's good, you point, you pick a wine from the cellar wall, and by the time you've found your table the open kitchen is already grilling your choice. No menu, no printed prices padded for atmosphere, just whatever the boats landed, cooked simply and fast. It's brilliant with a group, because everyone gets invested in the ordering, and the shared-table energy keeps it loud in the right way. Start with a plateau of oysters while you deliberate. Yes, it's a concept; it's also the most fun way to eat seafood in the Jordaan, and the fish is genuinely pristine.

Take the guide's advice on the whole fish of the day, but always add half a dozen oysters up front.

What to order

Catch of the day, whole fish
No menu: you pick your fish off the ice at the market counter, priced dynamically by the day's supply.
Oysters
First stop at the market before your fish hits the grill.
Shared sides
Chosen at the counter with your fish; the table ends up looking like a haul, not an order.