What private dining options are there at the Westerdok in Amsterdam?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

Private dining on the Westerdok in Amsterdam is possible through a private dinner on the water, where you exclusively hire a boat for your group. Restaurants directly on the Westerdok with a fully private dining concept are rare, but a dinner cruise from Amsterdam offers a unique and completely private alternative that is becoming increasingly popular with companies and groups. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about private dining on the water around the Westerdok.

Which venues on the Westerdok offer private dining?

Established restaurants with a fully private dining concept directly on the Westerdok are hard to come by. Most dining establishments in this part of Amsterdam do not offer exclusive venue hire for private groups. The strongest alternative for private dining on the Westerdok is an exclusive dinner cruise: you hire a boat departing from Amsterdam, and the entire vessel is reserved for your group, with no other guests on board.

This effectively makes a boat a floating private dining venue. You eat, drink, and enjoy the canals or the IJ, while no one else joins your table. For companies and groups that truly value privacy, this is a more appealing option than a partitioned corner in a restaurant.

What makes a dinner cruise different from a restaurant on the Westerdok?

The biggest difference is exclusivity and movement. In a restaurant, you share the space with other guests, even if you are seated in a separate room. On a private boat, the entire vessel is exclusively reserved for your group, ensuring maximum privacy and a completely different atmosphere. On top of that, the view changes continuously throughout dinner as you cruise through Amsterdam’s canals or across the IJ.

Another difference lies in the social dynamic. On a boat, everyone is close together and there is no option to wander off to the bar or another room. This may sound like a limitation, but in practice it actually fosters more connection and conversation within the group. That is precisely why companies so often choose a dinner cruise in Amsterdam as an alternative to a traditional restaurant dinner.

In terms of catering, the options on the water are at least as extensive as in a restaurant. Think of a fully served three-course dinner, a walking dinner where dishes are rotated, or a buffet. You put together the menu based on your preferences and group size.

How many people can you accommodate with private dining on the water?

Private dining on the water in Amsterdam caters to groups of approximately 10 to more than 150 people. On Amsterdam’s canals, a maximum capacity of 60 people per boat applies due to the width of the waterways. For larger groups, multiple boats are combined so that everyone travels together, creating one cohesive event.

For groups of up to 60 people, one boat is sufficient and you have the entire space to yourselves. Larger parties of 100 to 400 people travel on two or more boats simultaneously, optionally sharing a common departure and arrival point. This makes private dining on the water a realistic option for large corporate dinners and MICE events as well.

What does private dining on the Westerdok cost?

The cost of private dining on the water in Amsterdam depends on the type of package, the group size, and the duration of the cruise. As a general guideline, based on a group of 50 people, you can expect the following price indications:

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

These prices include the boat, skipper, catering, and service staff. Prices per person vary for smaller or larger groups. For an accurate quote, it is always advisable to get in touch directly so that the price can be tailored to your specific wishes and group size.

When is the best time to book private dining on the water in Amsterdam?

The busiest periods for private dining on the water in Amsterdam are April through June, September and October, and December during the Amsterdam Light Festival. Demand is highest during these months, especially for corporate dinners and group events. Anyone looking to cruise during these periods would be wise to book at least six to eight weeks in advance.

During quieter months, such as November and January through March, availability is greater and there is sometimes more flexibility in pricing or scheduling. For a private dinner on the water outside of peak season, you are more likely to secure exactly the date and time you want.

Planning to cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival in December? Bear in mind that you will need to book even further in advance, as this is one of the most in-demand periods of the year for evening cruises through the city.

How do you book a private dinner on the water in Amsterdam?

You book a private dinner on the water by contacting a boat operator that offers exclusive private cruises directly. Make sure you choose a provider that exclusively serves private groups and does not sell individual tickets. Some operators combine tourist boat tours with group bookings, which means your dinner will not be fully private.

The booking process typically works as follows:

  1. Provide your group size, preferred date, and type of package
  2. Receive a tailored quote
  3. Discuss any adjustments to the menu, route, or timing
  4. Confirm the booking and pay a deposit
  5. Receive a final confirmation with all practical details

Always ask in advance what is included: skipper, service staff, catering, drinks, and any extras such as a host or sound system. A good boat operator handles all of this through a single point of contact, so you do not have to coordinate anything yourself on the day.

How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with private dining on the water

We are one of the few providers in Amsterdam where you can organize a fully private dinner on the water, with no other guests on board. The entire boat is always exclusively reserved for your group. This is our standard — not an exception.

What we offer for private dining in Amsterdam:

  • Fully private: we never sell individual tickets. The boat is always exclusively for your group
  • Multiple catering formats: from walking dinner and buffet to a fully served three-course dinner with a set menu
  • Groups of 10 to 400+ people: one boat for smaller groups, multiple boats combined for large events
  • Everything taken care of: skipper, host, catering, and service staff through a single point of contact
  • Fully customizable: menu, route, timing, and program tailored entirely to your wishes
  • Sailing area: Amsterdam’s canals, the IJ, and regions such as the Zaanse Schans or Volendam

Want to know more about who we are and how we work? Read more on our about us page. Ready to start planning? Request a no-obligation quote and we will discuss the options for your private dining experience on the water. You can also browse our packages directly or read more about our drinks boat in Amsterdam if you prefer to start with an informal dinner and drinks.

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