The Lowdown
Craving an evening at a proper British pub? Amsterdam Zuid’s newest arrival, ’t Lemmeke, is bringing a taste of London to the neighbourhood. Although, when we say pub, forget muddy wellies, a pint of Guinness and a packet of crisps. Think upscale gastropub, with a dash of Mayfair polish. Judging by the full house on a Friday night, this new kid on the block has wasted no time making its mark. Clearly, a little British pub charm goes a long way in Amsterdam Zuid.
The Vibe
At ’t Lemmeke, the idea is clearly eat, drink and be merry. Small plates made for sharing only add to the convivial atmosphere and lively buzz. There's a sense of occasion here, even if you're only popping in for a bite.
As for the interiors, the bones are unmistakably Amsterdam, but the warm, elegant furnishings bring a distinctly British feel. Think polished rather than pretentious, with just the right amount of swagger.
What are we Eating?
The menu sees refined small plates like anchovy toast, steak tartare and baked Camembert rubbing shoulders with a few British pub classics. Think Bangers & Mash and a Guinness Beef Pie that would make Gordon Ramsay proud.
It's perfectly designed for mixing, matching and sharing, and we're certainly not complaining — all the more reason to work your way through the rather tempting menu.
And no proper pub dinner is complete without a hearty, homely pudding. Thankfully, ’t Lemmeke has that covered, with amongst others, two British heavyweights going head-to-head: Apple & Pear Crumble and Sticky Toffee Pudding. The latter won our vote this time, but we'll be back for the crumble.
And don't let the pub credentials fool you — there's an impressive wine list and a selection of classic cocktails to keep things suitably civilised.
Worth the Hype?
A resounding yes. ’t Lemmeke has taken the best bits of a British pub, given them a distinctly Amsterdam twist and created somewhere that's as much about the atmosphere as what's on your plate. It's buzzing, smartly turned out, but still very much a pub at heart. The only thing missing is a black cab waiting outside.
