Sahan
Osdorp's charcoal-grill palace where half of Amsterdam's Turkish families celebrate everything.
Sahan sits in the middle of Osdorp's shopping strip looking, from outside, like nothing much. Inside it's a full production: a giant aquarium, waiters gliding between long family tables, and a charcoal grill that runs like a metronome from noon to close. This is where Turkish Amsterdam comes for birthdays, promotions and Sunday reconciliations, and the food explains why. Cold and warm mezze arrive in waves, proper smoky ezme, sigara borek that actually crackles, before lamb chops and the house Sahan Kebap land still hissing. Order The Mix if your table can't decide; it settles arguments. Prices have crept toward centre-of-town levels, but portions haven't heard the news. Finish with kunefe, still molten, and watch three generations at the next table do exactly the same. Book on weekends; the whole neighbourhood has the same idea you do.
Get the lamb chops off the charcoal grill and the ezme to start; finish with the kunefe.
What to order
Full menu- Sahan Kebap€33
The namesake plate, Adana kebap plus lamb tenderloin and chops off the charcoal grill.
- Mixed grill
Lamb cutlet, lamb and chicken skewers, spiced lamb, reviewers call every piece succulent.
- Kunefe€10.50
Warm cheese pastry regulars order twice per visit; the non-negotiable finish.
- Chi kofte€11.50
Vegan bulgur kofte from the mezze spread that keeps getting name-checked with the hummus.
- Baby Beef Sahan€40
300g ribeye for when the table wants to go big.
More in Buiten de Ring
The whole chapter
Switie Poort (Deli Company)
The broodje bakkeljauw of Amsterdam lives here, on Bijlmerplein, for pocket change.
Toko Bandung
An Indonesian toko running since 1963; the rames here outclasses most restaurants.
Goldcoast Restaurant & Loungebar
Ghanaian institution near the Arena, serving jollof and waakye until deep night.