The Bottom Line
This family-owned, family-friendly restaurant has been serving local Amsterdammers and lucky visitors authentic Italian pizzas, pastas and main dishes since 1978. The food is delicious and uncomplicated, with fresh, homemade ingredients -- just as Italian cuisine should be. The large corner patio offers idyllic outdoor dining in nice weather, in an area where tourists are the minority.
Pros
- Delicious, authentic Italian food.
- Reasonable prices.
- Quaint, non-touristy location.
- Large, heated outdoor patio.
- Kitchen open late.
Cons
- Reservations only accepted for 4+ groups.
- Wait can be long.
- Tile walls mean noisy acoustics.
- Not open for lunch.
Description
- Address: Johannes Verhulststraat 32, Amsterdam
Phone: +31 (0)20 662 00 71 - Kitchen open:
Daily 5 - 11 p.m. - Location: Oud Zuid ("Old South") neighborhood, at the corner of Jacob Obrechtstraat.
- Tram lines: 2 or 16 to the Jacob Obrechtstraat stop (walk down this street to corner of Johannes Verhulststraat).
- Attire: Polished, upscale casual.
- Scene: Local families, groups of friends. A bit busy for a romantic couple's spot.
- Décor: Tile walls, former butcher-shop details make ambience unique. Large, red awning over sidewalk seating adds charm.
- Wines: Italian reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines at € 2.50 - 4.50/glass, € 15 - 55/bottle
- Good to know: If it's just too busy, order take-away (pizzas and pastas only), usually ready in 10 minutes.
- Payment: Accepts major credit cards.
Guide Review - Le 4 Stagioni - Amsterdam Restaurant Review
Le 4 Stagioni certainly doesn't need my suggestion to draw customers -- the Old South neighborhood favorite is full every night. The primarily Italian staff (who speak English, Dutch and Italian) will treat you like family, so much so that they might just point to your table when it's ready.Sit back and take in the distinctive décor; features like the koelkamer (Dutch for "cold room") and tiled walls hint at its former life as a neighborhood butcher shop. The quartet of tile paintings in the long, angled interior depict the quattro stagioni, Italian for "four seasons" and the restaurant's namesake.
Look around and you'll see that the traditional Roman-style pizzas (€ 7.50 - 12.50) are popular -- and for good reason. The thin, crispy base comes loaded with tasty toppings ranging from the familiar mozzarella, tomato and basil (Margherita) to the decadent Campagnola with Bresaola (spiced, air-cured beef), mushrooms and Pecorino cheese. Vegetarians will love the Pappy with grilled zucchini and eggplant, or the Anouk with gorgonzola and spinach. Choose a calzone smothered in sauce if you want more homemade crust.
My favorite pasta is the tagliatelle with fresh salmon and spinach (€ 11.50), but I always check the chalkboard of daily specials for dishes like penne with wild mushrooms.
Main dishes -- like Naples-style king prawns and filet of deer with polenta and shallot sauce -- often change with the seasons. Again, be sure to check the specials di giorno, which usually include fish and meat/poultry. The traditional antipasti, salads and soups are also delicious, but if you save room for anything, make it the homemade tiramisu.
The 50-seat sidewalk terrace is wildly popular in summer. If you have to wait a while, order a glass of wine inside and find a bench out in the adjacent residential square.
