Along the IJ, you’ll find a handful of established private dining venues, including restaurants and event spaces in former warehouses and industrial buildings right on the water. But the most popular option for a private group is a private boat on the IJ itself: you charter the vessel exclusively, cruise the water, and dine on board without any other guests. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions about private dining on the IJ, from choosing a venue to setting a budget.
What makes a venue on the IJ suitable for private dining?
A venue on the IJ is suitable for private dining when it is completely separated from other guests, has its own entrance or private mooring, and offers enough space for your group size. The IJ atmosphere, the open water views, and the industrial character of the surroundings set it apart from a standard restaurant or meeting room.
Specific factors to consider when choosing a private dining venue on the IJ:
- Exclusivity: is the space reserved entirely for your group, or will you be sharing the evening with other guests?
- Views: an unobstructed view of the IJ or the Amsterdam skyline significantly enhances the experience
- Accessibility: for larger groups, a private mooring or nearby parking is a real advantage
- Catering: does the venue have its own kitchen, or do you work with an external caterer?
- Flexibility: can you customize the layout, menu, and timing to suit your needs?
For corporate groups and business dinners, exclusivity is the most important factor. A shared restaurant rarely feels like a private dinner, even if you book a separate room.
Which established private dining venues are located on the IJ?
Several established venues along the IJ offer private dining, including restaurants at the Scheepvaartmuseum, event spaces on the NDSM Wharf, and hospitality venues near the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. Most operate on a request basis for private groups.
A few well-known types of venues you can find along the IJ:
- Industrial event spaces on the NDSM Wharf, suitable for large groups and combinable with catering of your choice
- Restaurants with waterfront terraces in Amsterdam North and around Central Station, which rent out a private room for exclusive dinners
- Museum venues such as the Scheepvaartmuseum, available for hire outside opening hours for exclusive evenings
- Hotel venues on the IJ, such as the Mövenpick Hotel or the Sir Adam Hotel in the A’DAM Tower, with private dining facilities
The range of established venues is extensive, but availability is something to keep in mind. Popular periods such as September, October, and December fill up quickly. Book well in advance, especially for groups of more than fifty people.
Is a private boat on the IJ an alternative to a fixed venue?
Yes, a private boat on the IJ is a fully-fledged alternative to a fixed venue — and many companies actually prefer it over a restaurant or event space. You dine exclusively with your group, cruise the IJ, and enjoy a unique view that no fixed venue can offer. The boat is reserved entirely for your party, with no other guests on board.
We exclusively provide private dining on the water for closed groups. We never sell individual tickets or shared cruises. That means the boat is always entirely yours, from the moment you step on board until the end of the evening.
What sets a private boat apart from a fixed venue:
- You are literally in motion: the IJ and the Amsterdam skyline glide past you
- There is no risk of unwanted onlookers or other guests nearby
- The atmosphere is more relaxed and intimate than a hall in an event venue
- You combine dining and an activity in one, giving the evening an extra dimension
A dinner cruise in Amsterdam is therefore not just a meal, but a complete evening that people will remember.
How many people can attend a private dining event on the IJ?
Private dining on the IJ accommodates groups of around ten people up to several hundred guests, depending on the venue or type of boat. Fixed venues such as event spaces on the NDSM Wharf can host groups of hundreds of people. On a private boat, capacity typically ranges from twenty to one hundred and fifty people per vessel.
For larger groups, combining multiple boats is an option. Groups of more than a thousand people, spread across several vessels, can cruise simultaneously — each with its own catering and service on board. This makes a cruise on the IJ suitable for conferences, staff parties, and large corporate events as well.
When choosing a venue, keep the following in mind:
- Minimum group size: many private dining venues require a minimum, often between twenty and forty people
- Maximum capacity: check that the venue is comfortable for your group size, not just technically feasible
- Seating arrangements: a plated dinner requires more space per person than a walking dinner or buffet
What does private dining on the IJ in Amsterdam cost?
Private dining on the IJ costs on average between fifty and one hundred and fifty euros per person, depending on the venue, the type of catering, and the length of the evening. A drinks cruise on a private boat starts at around fifty to sixty euros per person. A full three-course dinner on board comes to approximately one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty euros per person.
A general overview of the price ranges:
- 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 on board (3 hours): approximately €110 to €120 per person
- Three-course dinner on board (3 to 4 hours): approximately €120 to €130 per person
The prices above are indicative and based on a group of fifty people. For smaller groups, the cost per person is generally slightly higher. Fixed venues on the IJ often charge a room hire fee plus a minimum catering spend, which can add up quickly for smaller groups.
When is private dining on the IJ most impressive?
Private dining on the IJ is most impressive in the evening hours, when the city is lit up and the water reflects the lights. The period from September through December scores highest: the light is softer, traffic on the water decreases, and during the Amsterdam Light Festival in November and December you cruise past illuminated artworks on and along the IJ.
Other moments that enhance the experience:
- Summer evenings (June to August): long daylight hours, a warm deck terrace, and sunset over the IJ
- Autumn (September and October): calm waters, beautiful colors, popular for corporate dinners
- Amsterdam Light Festival (November to January): a unique combination of dining and light art on the water
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve: festive lighting throughout the city, a celebratory atmosphere on board
Keep in mind that the most popular periods book up early. If you want to dine on the IJ in December, it is worth reserving as early as the summer.
How Rederij De Nederlanden helps with private dining on the IJ
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. Whether you choose a walking dinner, a plated three-course menu, or a buffet: we tailor the catering entirely to your wishes and group size. The boat is always exclusively yours.
What we offer for private dining on the IJ:
- Private boats for groups of ten to more than a thousand people (across multiple vessels)
- Multiple catering formats: drinks reception, walking dinner, buffet, or plated dinner
- Sailing routes across the IJ, Amsterdam’s canals, or into the surrounding region
- All-inclusive packages with a fixed price per person
- Your own skipper, host, and bar on board, so you don’t have to worry about a thing
- Bespoke arrangements for companies, MICE groups, anniversaries, and special occasions
Want to know more about who we are and what we do? Read more on our about us page. Or browse our packages and options directly and discover what suits your evening. Prefer to discuss the possibilities right away? Request a no-obligation quote and we’ll be happy to think along with you.