What are exclusive private dining options in the Jordaan Amsterdam?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

In the Jordaan, you’ll find a mix of private dining options: from small restaurant rooms and historic buildings to exclusive private dinners on the water. The Jordaan is an especially popular neighborhood for intimate group dinners thanks to its atmospheric surroundings, but the most exclusive option is a fully private dinner on a salon boat sailing through Amsterdam’s canals. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about private dining in and around the Jordaan.

What types of venues offer private dining in the Jordaan?

In the Jordaan, there are three main types of venues for private dining: restaurants with a separate private room, historic buildings or houses that you rent exclusively, and boats sailing through the canals. Each type has its own atmosphere and suits a different occasion or group size.

Restaurants in the Jordaan sometimes offer an enclosed space for groups, but this doesn’t always mean you’ll be the only guests on the premises. A private dinner on the water is different: the boat is exclusively reserved for your group. No other guests, no shared spaces. That makes it a fundamentally different experience from a reserved room in a busy restaurant.

Historic canal houses in the Jordaan are also popular, but availability is limited and the logistics around catering and staffing are often more complex. Boats combine the atmosphere of Amsterdam’s canals with the flexibility of a fully equipped event space.

How many people can be accommodated in a private dining arrangement?

Capacity for private dining in the Jordaan varies greatly by venue. Restaurant rooms typically accommodate groups of 10 to 40 people. On the water, groups of 10 to 60 people can be hosted on a single boat, and for larger parties, multiple boats can be combined.

For corporate groups, capacity is an important point to discuss early on. A group of 80 people won’t fit in most private dining rooms in the Jordaan, but fits perfectly across two boats sailing together. That way, everyone enjoys the same experience while the atmosphere remains intimate on each boat.

When planning, also consider the purpose of the dinner. A small executive dinner for 12 people calls for a different setup and catering approach than a team dinner for 60. Group size is one of the key factors in determining which venue or boat is the best fit.

What makes a private dining experience truly exclusive?

A private dining experience is only truly exclusive when the group has the venue entirely to themselves, the catering is tailored to their wishes, and no other guests are present. Exclusivity isn’t just about price — it’s about the combination of privacy, personalized service, and a unique setting.

On a private boat through the Jordaan and Amsterdam’s canals, all of these elements come together. You choose the menu, the route, and the timing. A host and skipper take care of everything on board, from service to atmosphere. And because the boat sails exclusively for your group, you have complete freedom over how the evening unfolds.

Catering also plays a major role in creating an exclusive experience. A plated three-course dinner is one option, but a walking dinner or buffet on board are equally possible. That flexibility in catering format makes it easier to tailor the experience to the atmosphere you want to create.

Are there private dining options on the water in Amsterdam?

Yes, private dining on the water is available in Amsterdam through a number of boat operators that offer private dinners on board. It’s important to pay attention to the difference: many operators sell individual tickets for shared dinner cruises, where you sit on board alongside other guests. That is something entirely different from a fully private dinner on the water.

We are one of the few providers in Amsterdam where you can organize a completely private dinner on the water, with no other guests on board. The dinner cruise is always exclusively reserved for your group. We don’t sell individual tickets and we don’t run public sailings. That means the program, catering, and timing are arranged entirely according to your wishes.

The route takes you through Amsterdam’s canals, past the Jordaan, the Canal Ring, and other beautiful parts of the city. Thanks to the quiet electric motors, there’s no engine noise to interrupt conversation — which makes for a much more pleasant dining experience.

How do you plan an exclusive private dinner for a corporate group?

The best way to plan an exclusive private dinner for a corporate group is in three steps: first determine the group size and budget, then choose a venue or vessel that matches the atmosphere you’re looking for, and finally put together the program, including catering, timing, and any extras.

Start planning early. The most popular periods for corporate dinners — April through June, September and October, and December — fill up quickly. Especially for larger groups, it’s wise to book three to six months in advance.

Also think about the purpose of the dinner. Do you want to reward team members, impress clients, or celebrate a milestone? That helps determine which catering format and program works best. A walking dinner works well for networking and informal interaction. A plated three-course menu is better suited to a more formal or celebratory occasion.

What does private dining in the Jordaan cost?

The cost of private dining in the Jordaan varies widely depending on the type of venue, group size, and level of catering. As a general guideline: a private dinner in a restaurant room typically costs between €60 and €120 per person, while an exclusive private dinner on the water comes to €120 to €130 per person for a three-course menu.

On the water, the following price indications apply (based on a group of 50 people):

  • Drinks cruise: from €50 to €60 per person (1.5 to 2 hours)
  • High tea cruise: from €75 to €80 per person (2 hours)
  • Walking dinner: from €110 to €120 per person (3 hours)
  • Three-course dinner: from €120 to €130 per person (3 to 4 hours)

The exact price always depends on group size, the chosen arrangement, and any additional requests. Always request a custom quote so you can make a fair comparison between venues.

How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with private dining in Amsterdam

We organize exclusive private dinners on the water for businesses, groups, and special occasions. The boat is always fully reserved for your group, with no other guests on board. That is precisely what makes private dining truly exclusive.

  • Completely private: the boat is exclusively yours — no shared sailings or individual tickets
  • Flexible catering: choose from a walking dinner, buffet, plated three-course menu, or drinks with appetizers
  • Groups of 10 to 1,000+ people: one boat for smaller groups, multiple boats for larger parties
  • Everything taken care of: skipper, host, bar, and catering are all included in the arrangement
  • Fully tailored: timing, route, menu, and program are arranged entirely around your wishes

Want to find out what we can do for your group? Read more about us or request a no-obligation quote. We’d love to help you plan the perfect private dinner on the water.

Also explore our corporate outing arrangements or discover the possibilities of a lunch cruise in Amsterdam as an alternative to an evening dinner. And for a complete overview of everything we offer, visit Rederij De Nederlanden.

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