Went here with my sweetheart. We needed a place that had good food, was casual but still had ambience. Amsterdam fit the bill. We arrived early (5pm) and asked to be seated downstairs. I ordered the the Grouper and my sweetheart ordered a blackened chicken salad. Our server, Drew, recommended a J Lohr Chardonnay as a pairing. It was an excellent choice. The Grouper was prepared to perfection and also had a couple of very tasty grilled Jumbo shrimp. I've eaten here a number of times. I've never had a bad experience. Probably one of my top 3 restaurants in Auburn.
(4)
Janet L.
We went to dinner here last night for my brother's birthday. It was not very crowded but the meal was excellent. I had the crab cake sandwich which was very tasty. The calamari here is also very good and I would recommend the tuna entree.
(4)
Bob P.
Meal was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. Appetizers and entree were delicious and mac & cheese maybe the best I ever had. Bread pudding was more like a muffin than bread pudding but ok.
(4)
Kelly N.
Excellent choice for business meals especially now that they take reservations and open up the back room most of the time now. When alone and the weather is nice, good outside seating as well. Food is always fresh, excellent shrimp and grits.
(4)
J David H.
The strong reviews for the Amsterdam Cafe are for the most part warranted. However, I am holding back a little on my visit and will explain a few reasons why. The location of the restaurant is not far from downtown, but not walkable either. The parking in front is pretty sparse if busy, which was the case on the night dined in. I waited for a space to open up and was lucky enough to grab it at around 7:30 PM. This was my second time attempting to try them with another time it being just too busy inside that I elected to go else where rather than eat outside on a humid Alabama night. I thought the outside was appealing with it's green awning and clean front walk. But the surrounding area did not really seem to fit a high end restaurant. The strip itself has a tattoo parlor and a gas station is beside it. I went inside to check in and found it busy enough that I decided to dine outside on their patio this time. I was immediately shown a table on the patio adjacent to the building. Only one other table was occupied. They have done a nice job with giving the exterior space some ambiance with a vine arbor and greenery on the iron fence to block out their neighbors. The waitress arrived quickly and provided dinner specials. I did not hesitate to request the lamb special and if I find it on the menu it's my first choice and I did not even ask the price. My water arrived shorty after my waitress left and a basket of bread which was scrumptious. I found the timing of the meal coming out was very good, around 20 minutes. The dish visually was stunning on the plate. Grilled lamb w/ peas, green beans, tomatoes, pickled mustard seeds and chic peas. The meal had a lot of depth to it and I applaud the chef on his creativity. The waitress told me this may be something that is added to the regular menu. I found every morsel scrumptious and cleaned off my plate. I was also in the mood for desert and understood they had Creme Brulee. The turn around was also excellent and out within ten minutes. A dug right in my Blueberry delight and it was a very strong desert. I loved the balance and enjoyed the Blueberries very much. The check was delivered and I was a little surprised the special was $30+ for the entree. I thought the price was steep for the amount of lamb, just seven medallions and a ton of veggies and beans which cost almost nothing (see pic). It was very good and I am not disputing this. In my opinion the value did not hold up. I had a really great meal and experienced terrific service. The location to me for it being a higher end venue was not great. Also, the price of my dish was more than what I would have expected. The atmosphere was pleasant on their patio. I really can't comment on the interior. I would return.
(4)
Brian H.
Everyone loves the crab cake avocado sandwich... I don't really see why? It was OK, but hardly worth the rave reviews. I much preferred their Apple Brined Pork Chop. It was much better. The mac & cheese that came with it was a big letdown though. Overall, Amsterdam in nice. Good service, the food is good quality, the drinks are nice, and the decor is pleasant. I'm not sure it deserves the accolades it has been given, but is still a good overall experience. I wouldn't make it a go-to, but I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Jim S.
This is my go to spot in Auburn. Every time I've visited, the food and the service have been wonderful. I usually go for the famous crab cake and avocado sand which because it is remarkable. However this time I went with the Amsterdam Burger with sweet potato chips as the side. The burger was grilled to perfection and the chips were splendid. Service was a tad slow but I was there on a Sunday afternoon around 3:00 so I wasn't surprised nor was I in a hurry. As An added bonus the television was tuned to the SEC Network and they were replaying the 2013 Iron Bowl. I watched the kick 6 right before my meal arrived. Perfect timing / perfect lunch
(4)
Sara C.
Delicious! The seared tuna and the turkey roll up are both awesome! The sweet potato chips though - my gosh I eat too many.
I made this account solely to write this review because I feel so strongly about this place! My husband and I have only just recently moved to the Auburn/Opelika area, and we have been trying every local restaurant out -- that is, until we ate here! We may not want to try anywhere else out because we may have found our "place." Our server, Virginia, was extremely accommodating. My husband is very picky and only drinks Coke Zero, and this restaurant only carries Diet Coke. When we were informed that they did not carry it, we were disappointed, and our server personally ran to the gas station next door to grab him one!!! We have never had this type of treatment before, and we will be coming back not only because our server was just above-and-beyond, friendly, very funny, fast but never rushed us at all as we enjoy taking our time but whenever we asked for something it arrived promptly which was amazing for what a busy night we chose to dine on, but because the food and drinks was excellently prepared (we had the lobster egg rolls, I had the grilled scallops and my husband had the ribeye, which we were informed were both new dishes on their menu and our waitress answered all of our questions with ease and even knew where the ingredients came from individually, excellent wine pairings for both of our meals, cocktails after, and dessert! All recommended by our waitress! We have never had such an informed server at a restaurant before, and she described in detail why she enjoyed each thing that she was recommending, and even tailored some cocktails to our tastes and asked for our feedback on their new dishes that we enjoyed, which made us feel great! Overall, this was one of the best experiences we have ever had at a restaurant and we will be back and we will ask for Virginia again! All of the other waitstaff seemed very friendly, too. The chef is incredible and the bar tender's drinks were wonderful and even the hostess was nice and accommodating as well when we asked for a different table when we did not even have a reservation! It took her a moment to move reservations around for us, but she kept us informed while we were waiting, and got us a great table! If you haven't tried this restaurant, you should go! Only one bad thing, it appeared that the manager was yelling at one of the servers in the kitchen (which is open) when I went to the bathroom. Everything else about this establishment is so high-class, but he was very tacky and unprofessional and I don't have respect for the manager. This incredible staff deserves better.
(5)
McKenzie A.
Go and eat the crab cake sandwich. It is worth it along with everything else there. Lunch is affordable..dinner is a bit more pricey.
(5)
Mendy D.
Two words. Shrimp and grits! This place has been consistently good for at least the last 16 years that I have lived here. Also, can't go wrong with the crab cake and avocado or the turkey wrap.
(4)
R H.
Have been coming here since 2001, and it's always been a great experience. Fresh, local food, lovely setting, great drink menu!
(5)
Femi L.
A hidden gem in Auburn, AL!!! I came here for one thing and one thing only...the crab cake and avocado sandwich. It was well worth the visit. A juicy cake full of crab on a buttery soft toasted croissant topped with sliced avocado and mango pico de gallo. This has to be the reason crab cake sandwiches were invented!!!
(4)
Svetlana O.
This would be one of the better restaurants you can find in Auburn. I gave this place a try for lunch with my mother because so many people recommended it, but was not impressed. However, given the limited dining options in Auburn, I decided to come back for a dinner with my boyfriend and now favor that menu a thousand times more. The salmon dish was impressive; full of flavor. The ambiance for a date night is quite intimate due to the small space, elevated dining area away from the front door, dimmed lights, and a good wine menu. Would visit again- for dinner!
(4)
Edwin V.
Wow!! Some of the most amazing food I have ever had. I ordered the tuna and it was superb and the crab cakes were great as well.
(5)
Brian L.
(4)
Randy S.
(3)
Albert R.
(5)
Jo Ann G.
Very casual and we had a party of 10 next to the front door. The biggest problem was that we couldn't hear anything said by anyone as we were so close to the front and the bar. The food was good. I had the lobster roll and the avocado crab cake sandwich - both were delicious. One of our party did not receive their entire meal - the spaetzle and gravy were missing. The other problem was parking. The Lutheran church next door does not share their parking lot and towes until 8pm every night. Another large party was in the bs room and they had no problem with hearing. Food was good, service was by an inexperienced wait person, and parking was horrible. I won't go back.
(3)
Carter L.
A quaint, elegant restaurant...deliciously prepared menu...sat outside on a beautiful evening celebrating our 1 yr anniversary...highly recommend...we'll definitely be back
(5)
Val W.
We'll give this 3.5 stars. And as a Bama fan, it is hard for me to give a good rating to a restaurant in Auburn, but Amsterdam Cafe did deserve it. They have interesting twists on Southern cooking. By far the most delicious part was all the dipping sauces (and I'm pretty sure at least every dish had at least one or two sauces included - awesome perk!). For instance, the calamari and oyster appetizers themselves were average, but the sauces made them great! Similarly, I tried the Crab Cake and Avocado sandwich (which was not nearly as great as they made it sound, croissant was tough, crab cake just decent, and avocado is, well, avocado) but the mango pico that came on the side was awesome. Prices are what they are, seem reasonable for being a nice place but also being in Alabama. Service was very good, and drink variety large. Tasty to try, can't say I'd ever become a regular (if I was somehow subjected to living in Auburn).
(3)
Donna M.
Wonderful food & cocktails. The tuna tartar appetizer was fresh and the serving size generous. The filet was cooked as ordered, tender and delicious. Definitely order the greens they were great.
(5)
Kayla W.
The waitress was super friendly and when my sister and I asked to split the 'duck duck cous cous' she brought it out on two separate plates, we didn't even have to ask! The duck was great but the cous cous was AMAZING. So delicious I ate every single bite.
(5)
Tracy C.
Really great experience! Went there on a Sunday evening for dinner. Place is small and cute. Service was excellent and people were nice. The lobster rolls appetizer was amazing! I had a Cobb salad which was delicious and my son had a burger. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)
Kristian C.
The service is excellent, but the food was blah. We had the duck, fried lobster roll, tomato bisque and peach sangria. I think the peaches were canned :( None of our dishes were tasty.
(2)
Hunter D.
My visit yesterday was uncharacteristically mediocre. Nothing was bad necessarily, but nothing was worth getting excited over either. Two of the sandwiches we ordered were downright bad. My lobster egg rolls were good but not great. All in all it was just a disappointing visit at what has always been a good restaurant in past visits.
This place used to be better. Now, with the Hound and Acre, it just seems over-priced with OK food. Let me add that if I order a pork-chop and the waiter asks me how I want it done, that's a red flag - it's pork! There's only one correct done-ness! The lobster egg roll things are freaking amazing, though.
(3)
Jules P.
-1 star for not having a better hostess. I bet HE was racist, seated us in the back of the cafe, didnt greet us at the door, instead just waited for us to say something. Cafe wasnt busy... Other reviews said there was a lot of segregation and I believe it
(4)
Christina S.
I have been to Amsterdam Cafe twice now, and both times the food and service have been consistent, which is a plus for a college town eatery. The atmosphere is nice, upscale bar(ish) but not too "bar". What confuses me about this place, though is that the front of the restaurant is, like I said, upscale bar(ish), very warm and comfy, but in the back there is an afterthought of space that looks like it came out of the Studio 54 era. Shiny, disco-ey, a little odd. I think that is an extra bar for flow-over or something - which I can understand, in light of the fact that this place is in downtown Auburn! You might have noticed from some of my other reviews that I'm quite the fan of crab cakes - Gotta try them everywhere I go. And in Amsterdam's case, theirs is served as a sandwich with avocado and I can tell you, it's one of the best I have had! Can't go wrong ordering this one. Their crab cake is not just crab meat and mayo with a little breadcrumb action going on - they have some red bells chopped up in there and some other tasty veggies, too. The spice on it is spot on, and the avocado was just the perfect touch. I also like the Fried Green Tomatoes, which are done really well - not greasy, and the tomatoes are fresh and crispy - as they should be. Also not to be missed on the appetizer menu are the Blue Crab Dip - I'm not a big seafood dip girl, this one is not too fishy, sooo good - and, of course, the Lobster Egg Rolls. For lunch, the Fried Green Tomato BLT, Black and Bleu Steak Sandwich and, as mentioned, the Crab Cake and Avocado sandwich are all good choices. Everything was fresh, and they even had some local ingredients listed in the menu items, which should be a given, considering Auburn has access to good local produce ... being on "THE PLAINS" and all.
(3)
Neal C.
Had the crab cake and avocado sandwich along with a side of seafood gumbo for $13.50 at lunch. The gumbo was very good... it had a pretty dark roux with lots of sausage, shrimp, and vegetable pieces in it. Very good portion. It costs $1.88 to add it as a side but I would certainly recommend it. The crab cake sandwich was a let down. The croissant was light and buttery, but the cake itself was quite small and lacked a good flavor. To me, it seemed like the filler (mayo, veggies) was a little too heavy compared to the actual crab meat within. The avocado was a nice addition to the sandwich though. I'd go for lunch, as I didn't feel most of their menu items were worth the $20+ dinner price tag.
(3)
Bev L.
Worst crab cake ever all bread might have been pulverized crab Others in my party had the boulibasse that made them sick
(1)
Ee Vonn Y.
I wanted to like this restaurant because many of my friends in Auburn recommend this, and expensive meals should feel like they're worth their value. It wasn't. However, the service and atmosphere make it a lovely little place meant to impress. We ordered an appetizer dish that contained literally three spoons of assorted fish with some wonton chips. I think you were supposed to use the wonton chips to eat with the fish but they didn't do more than leaving a mess. The cheapest thing here was the side of fries for $2 with an awful presentation. When your tab is above $50, you'd hope that the presentation would be something better than a couple pieces scattered on a plate. The sauces are the standout in all the dishes we ordered. The sauce and gravy rice sides stood out far more than the duck. I wanted to like the lobster rolls but I couldn't taste the lobster in the lobster roll. Again, the tangy sauces provided with the rolls were the best part. The best thing on their menu was the fresh crisp ales. It's strangely better than the other beers around the area.
(3)
Ashley S.
Lunch prices are affordable and dinner options are delicious! One of my favorites is the chicken Alfredo. Dinner can be pricey but worth it! The restaurant has a cool atmosphere.
(5)
D P.
Really enjoyed this find. The shrimp & grits, clam chowder, and the stuffed donut holes were great selections. Felt well attended to and really enjoyed the ambiance.
(4)
Ellen D.
Had the pesto plus chicken and it was excellent. Not overpowering at all. But my new favorite is the tomato soup with lobster I asked the server why I never knew about this. Apparently, it is a new item and delicious. Back room is so much better since remodel and was nice and cool on a very hot day. Also, the strawberry shortcake dessert was very good as well.
(5)
E H.
a bit pricey and a bit greasy but everything was so, so delicious!
(4)
Ken K.
Good for Auburn. I've had some great food here, but also some pretty mediocre stuff as well. The wait staff are typically very good. Crab cake and avocado sandwich is consistently good. Their burgers can be awesome, but sometimes dry. The black and bleu steak sandwich was difficult to eat. some parts were like chewing on a rawhide. The catfish po'boy was ok. i'd be sad if i got that in new orleans, but it satisfied my fix otherwise. The dinner entrees have all been solid.
(3)
Scott S.
Martini's were perfect and Seared Snapper was EXCELLENT! Seating outside is great for comfortable evening temperatures. Definitely will come back!
(5)
William B.
Good food. Great service. I enjoyed the atmosphere. Parking is a bit difficult. Overall good place to eat. Not my favorite, (Hamiltons) but definitely a great place to go eat in Auburn!
(4)
Sam A.
I spent five years in Auburn, and Amsterdam was always hit-or-miss. My biggest complaint is that they segregate their dining area into student (read: young people) and non-student blocks. Under the assumption that college-age kids tip less, my girlfriend and I were consistently seated in the worst spots. Our friends experienced this as well. Take it or leave it. The food was pretty good. On my first visit, I feel in love with their duck breast/risotto dish. And do believe the hype surrounding the crab cake/avocado sandwich. All in all, this is a pretty good place to go for a night out. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait about an hour or more for a table on Friday or Saturday.
(3)
Anita T.
Great food and atmosphere. Our waiter, Blake, was awesome and the lobster rolls were amazing. My husband, who is an extremely picky eater, even enjoyed his chicken carbonara with shrimp. For dessert, the bread pudding was a FABULOUS choice! If in the area again, we will definitely dine here.
Went here with my sweetheart. We needed a place that had good food, was casual but still had ambience. Amsterdam fit the bill. We arrived early (5pm) and asked to be seated downstairs. I ordered the the Grouper and my sweetheart ordered a blackened chicken salad. Our server, Drew, recommended a J Lohr Chardonnay as a pairing. It was an excellent choice. The Grouper was prepared to perfection and also had a couple of very tasty grilled Jumbo shrimp. I've eaten here a number of times. I've never had a bad experience. Probably one of my top 3 restaurants in Auburn.
(4)
Janet L.
We went to dinner here last night for my brother's birthday. It was not very crowded but the meal was excellent. I had the crab cake sandwich which was very tasty. The calamari here is also very good and I would recommend the tuna entree.
(4)
Bob P.
Meal was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. Appetizers and entree were delicious and mac & cheese maybe the best I ever had. Bread pudding was more like a muffin than bread pudding but ok.
(4)
Kelly N.
Excellent choice for business meals especially now that they take reservations and open up the back room most of the time now. When alone and the weather is nice, good outside seating as well. Food is always fresh, excellent shrimp and grits.
(4)
Jim S.
This is my go to spot in Auburn. Every time I've visited, the food and the service have been wonderful. I usually go for the famous crab cake and avocado sand which because it is remarkable. However this time I went with the Amsterdam Burger with sweet potato chips as the side. The burger was grilled to perfection and the chips were splendid. Service was a tad slow but I was there on a Sunday afternoon around 3:00 so I wasn't surprised nor was I in a hurry. As An added bonus the television was tuned to the SEC Network and they were replaying the 2013 Iron Bowl. I watched the kick 6 right before my meal arrived. Perfect timing / perfect lunch
(4)
Sara C.
Delicious! The seared tuna and the turkey roll up are both awesome! The sweet potato chips though - my gosh I eat too many.
(5)
J David H.
The strong reviews for the Amsterdam Cafe are for the most part warranted. However, I am holding back a little on my visit and will explain a few reasons why. The location of the restaurant is not far from downtown, but not walkable either. The parking in front is pretty sparse if busy, which was the case on the night dined in. I waited for a space to open up and was lucky enough to grab it at around 7:30 PM. This was my second time attempting to try them with another time it being just too busy inside that I elected to go else where rather than eat outside on a humid Alabama night. I thought the outside was appealing with it's green awning and clean front walk. But the surrounding area did not really seem to fit a high end restaurant. The strip itself has a tattoo parlor and a gas station is beside it. I went inside to check in and found it busy enough that I decided to dine outside on their patio this time. I was immediately shown a table on the patio adjacent to the building. Only one other table was occupied. They have done a nice job with giving the exterior space some ambiance with a vine arbor and greenery on the iron fence to block out their neighbors. The waitress arrived quickly and provided dinner specials. I did not hesitate to request the lamb special and if I find it on the menu it's my first choice and I did not even ask the price. My water arrived shorty after my waitress left and a basket of bread which was scrumptious. I found the timing of the meal coming out was very good, around 20 minutes. The dish visually was stunning on the plate. Grilled lamb w/ peas, green beans, tomatoes, pickled mustard seeds and chic peas. The meal had a lot of depth to it and I applaud the chef on his creativity. The waitress told me this may be something that is added to the regular menu. I found every morsel scrumptious and cleaned off my plate. I was also in the mood for desert and understood they had Creme Brulee. The turn around was also excellent and out within ten minutes. A dug right in my Blueberry delight and it was a very strong desert. I loved the balance and enjoyed the Blueberries very much. The check was delivered and I was a little surprised the special was $30+ for the entree. I thought the price was steep for the amount of lamb, just seven medallions and a ton of veggies and beans which cost almost nothing (see pic). It was very good and I am not disputing this. In my opinion the value did not hold up. I had a really great meal and experienced terrific service. The location to me for it being a higher end venue was not great. Also, the price of my dish was more than what I would have expected. The atmosphere was pleasant on their patio. I really can't comment on the interior. I would return.
(4)
Brian H.
Everyone loves the crab cake avocado sandwich... I don't really see why? It was OK, but hardly worth the rave reviews. I much preferred their Apple Brined Pork Chop. It was much better. The mac & cheese that came with it was a big letdown though. Overall, Amsterdam in nice. Good service, the food is good quality, the drinks are nice, and the decor is pleasant. I'm not sure it deserves the accolades it has been given, but is still a good overall experience. I wouldn't make it a go-to, but I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Patsy H.
I made this account solely to write this review because I feel so strongly about this place! My husband and I have only just recently moved to the Auburn/Opelika area, and we have been trying every local restaurant out -- that is, until we ate here! We may not want to try anywhere else out because we may have found our "place." Our server, Virginia, was extremely accommodating. My husband is very picky and only drinks Coke Zero, and this restaurant only carries Diet Coke. When we were informed that they did not carry it, we were disappointed, and our server personally ran to the gas station next door to grab him one!!! We have never had this type of treatment before, and we will be coming back not only because our server was just above-and-beyond, friendly, very funny, fast but never rushed us at all as we enjoy taking our time but whenever we asked for something it arrived promptly which was amazing for what a busy night we chose to dine on, but because the food and drinks was excellently prepared (we had the lobster egg rolls, I had the grilled scallops and my husband had the ribeye, which we were informed were both new dishes on their menu and our waitress answered all of our questions with ease and even knew where the ingredients came from individually, excellent wine pairings for both of our meals, cocktails after, and dessert! All recommended by our waitress! We have never had such an informed server at a restaurant before, and she described in detail why she enjoyed each thing that she was recommending, and even tailored some cocktails to our tastes and asked for our feedback on their new dishes that we enjoyed, which made us feel great! Overall, this was one of the best experiences we have ever had at a restaurant and we will be back and we will ask for Virginia again! All of the other waitstaff seemed very friendly, too. The chef is incredible and the bar tender's drinks were wonderful and even the hostess was nice and accommodating as well when we asked for a different table when we did not even have a reservation! It took her a moment to move reservations around for us, but she kept us informed while we were waiting, and got us a great table! If you haven't tried this restaurant, you should go! Only one bad thing, it appeared that the manager was yelling at one of the servers in the kitchen (which is open) when I went to the bathroom. Everything else about this establishment is so high-class, but he was very tacky and unprofessional and I don't have respect for the manager. This incredible staff deserves better.
(5)
McKenzie A.
Go and eat the crab cake sandwich. It is worth it along with everything else there. Lunch is affordable..dinner is a bit more pricey.
(5)
Mendy D.
Two words. Shrimp and grits! This place has been consistently good for at least the last 16 years that I have lived here. Also, can't go wrong with the crab cake and avocado or the turkey wrap.
(4)
R H.
Have been coming here since 2001, and it's always been a great experience. Fresh, local food, lovely setting, great drink menu!
(5)
Femi L.
A hidden gem in Auburn, AL!!! I came here for one thing and one thing only...the crab cake and avocado sandwich. It was well worth the visit. A juicy cake full of crab on a buttery soft toasted croissant topped with sliced avocado and mango pico de gallo. This has to be the reason crab cake sandwiches were invented!!!
(4)
Svetlana O.
This would be one of the better restaurants you can find in Auburn. I gave this place a try for lunch with my mother because so many people recommended it, but was not impressed. However, given the limited dining options in Auburn, I decided to come back for a dinner with my boyfriend and now favor that menu a thousand times more. The salmon dish was impressive; full of flavor. The ambiance for a date night is quite intimate due to the small space, elevated dining area away from the front door, dimmed lights, and a good wine menu. Would visit again- for dinner!
(4)
Edwin V.
Wow!! Some of the most amazing food I have ever had. I ordered the tuna and it was superb and the crab cakes were great as well.
(5)
Jo Ann G.
Very casual and we had a party of 10 next to the front door. The biggest problem was that we couldn't hear anything said by anyone as we were so close to the front and the bar. The food was good. I had the lobster roll and the avocado crab cake sandwich - both were delicious. One of our party did not receive their entire meal - the spaetzle and gravy were missing. The other problem was parking. The Lutheran church next door does not share their parking lot and towes until 8pm every night. Another large party was in the bs room and they had no problem with hearing. Food was good, service was by an inexperienced wait person, and parking was horrible. I won't go back.
(3)
Carter L.
A quaint, elegant restaurant...deliciously prepared menu...sat outside on a beautiful evening celebrating our 1 yr anniversary...highly recommend...we'll definitely be back
(5)
Val W.
We'll give this 3.5 stars. And as a Bama fan, it is hard for me to give a good rating to a restaurant in Auburn, but Amsterdam Cafe did deserve it. They have interesting twists on Southern cooking. By far the most delicious part was all the dipping sauces (and I'm pretty sure at least every dish had at least one or two sauces included - awesome perk!). For instance, the calamari and oyster appetizers themselves were average, but the sauces made them great! Similarly, I tried the Crab Cake and Avocado sandwich (which was not nearly as great as they made it sound, croissant was tough, crab cake just decent, and avocado is, well, avocado) but the mango pico that came on the side was awesome. Prices are what they are, seem reasonable for being a nice place but also being in Alabama. Service was very good, and drink variety large. Tasty to try, can't say I'd ever become a regular (if I was somehow subjected to living in Auburn).
(3)
Donna M.
Wonderful food & cocktails. The tuna tartar appetizer was fresh and the serving size generous. The filet was cooked as ordered, tender and delicious. Definitely order the greens they were great.
(5)
Kayla W.
The waitress was super friendly and when my sister and I asked to split the 'duck duck cous cous' she brought it out on two separate plates, we didn't even have to ask! The duck was great but the cous cous was AMAZING. So delicious I ate every single bite.
(5)
Tracy C.
Really great experience! Went there on a Sunday evening for dinner. Place is small and cute. Service was excellent and people were nice. The lobster rolls appetizer was amazing! I had a Cobb salad which was delicious and my son had a burger. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)
Kristian C.
The service is excellent, but the food was blah. We had the duck, fried lobster roll, tomato bisque and peach sangria. I think the peaches were canned :( None of our dishes were tasty.
(2)
Hunter D.
My visit yesterday was uncharacteristically mediocre. Nothing was bad necessarily, but nothing was worth getting excited over either. Two of the sandwiches we ordered were downright bad. My lobster egg rolls were good but not great. All in all it was just a disappointing visit at what has always been a good restaurant in past visits.
This place used to be better. Now, with the Hound and Acre, it just seems over-priced with OK food. Let me add that if I order a pork-chop and the waiter asks me how I want it done, that's a red flag - it's pork! There's only one correct done-ness! The lobster egg roll things are freaking amazing, though.
(3)
Ee Vonn Y.
I wanted to like this restaurant because many of my friends in Auburn recommend this, and expensive meals should feel like they're worth their value. It wasn't. However, the service and atmosphere make it a lovely little place meant to impress. We ordered an appetizer dish that contained literally three spoons of assorted fish with some wonton chips. I think you were supposed to use the wonton chips to eat with the fish but they didn't do more than leaving a mess. The cheapest thing here was the side of fries for $2 with an awful presentation. When your tab is above $50, you'd hope that the presentation would be something better than a couple pieces scattered on a plate. The sauces are the standout in all the dishes we ordered. The sauce and gravy rice sides stood out far more than the duck. I wanted to like the lobster rolls but I couldn't taste the lobster in the lobster roll. Again, the tangy sauces provided with the rolls were the best part. The best thing on their menu was the fresh crisp ales. It's strangely better than the other beers around the area.
(3)
Ashley S.
Lunch prices are affordable and dinner options are delicious! One of my favorites is the chicken Alfredo. Dinner can be pricey but worth it! The restaurant has a cool atmosphere.
(5)
D P.
Really enjoyed this find. The shrimp & grits, clam chowder, and the stuffed donut holes were great selections. Felt well attended to and really enjoyed the ambiance.
(4)
Ellen D.
Had the pesto plus chicken and it was excellent. Not overpowering at all. But my new favorite is the tomato soup with lobster I asked the server why I never knew about this. Apparently, it is a new item and delicious. Back room is so much better since remodel and was nice and cool on a very hot day. Also, the strawberry shortcake dessert was very good as well.
(5)
E H.
a bit pricey and a bit greasy but everything was so, so delicious!
(4)
Ken K.
Good for Auburn. I've had some great food here, but also some pretty mediocre stuff as well. The wait staff are typically very good. Crab cake and avocado sandwich is consistently good. Their burgers can be awesome, but sometimes dry. The black and bleu steak sandwich was difficult to eat. some parts were like chewing on a rawhide. The catfish po'boy was ok. i'd be sad if i got that in new orleans, but it satisfied my fix otherwise. The dinner entrees have all been solid.
(3)
Scott S.
Martini's were perfect and Seared Snapper was EXCELLENT! Seating outside is great for comfortable evening temperatures. Definitely will come back!
(5)
William B.
Good food. Great service. I enjoyed the atmosphere. Parking is a bit difficult. Overall good place to eat. Not my favorite, (Hamiltons) but definitely a great place to go eat in Auburn!
(4)
Sam A.
I spent five years in Auburn, and Amsterdam was always hit-or-miss. My biggest complaint is that they segregate their dining area into student (read: young people) and non-student blocks. Under the assumption that college-age kids tip less, my girlfriend and I were consistently seated in the worst spots. Our friends experienced this as well. Take it or leave it. The food was pretty good. On my first visit, I feel in love with their duck breast/risotto dish. And do believe the hype surrounding the crab cake/avocado sandwich. All in all, this is a pretty good place to go for a night out. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait about an hour or more for a table on Friday or Saturday.
(3)
Anita T.
Great food and atmosphere. Our waiter, Blake, was awesome and the lobster rolls were amazing. My husband, who is an extremely picky eater, even enjoyed his chicken carbonara with shrimp. For dessert, the bread pudding was a FABULOUS choice! If in the area again, we will definitely dine here.
(4)
Jules P.
-1 star for not having a better hostess. I bet HE was racist, seated us in the back of the cafe, didnt greet us at the door, instead just waited for us to say something. Cafe wasnt busy... Other reviews said there was a lot of segregation and I believe it
(4)
Christina S.
I have been to Amsterdam Cafe twice now, and both times the food and service have been consistent, which is a plus for a college town eatery. The atmosphere is nice, upscale bar(ish) but not too "bar". What confuses me about this place, though is that the front of the restaurant is, like I said, upscale bar(ish), very warm and comfy, but in the back there is an afterthought of space that looks like it came out of the Studio 54 era. Shiny, disco-ey, a little odd. I think that is an extra bar for flow-over or something - which I can understand, in light of the fact that this place is in downtown Auburn! You might have noticed from some of my other reviews that I'm quite the fan of crab cakes - Gotta try them everywhere I go. And in Amsterdam's case, theirs is served as a sandwich with avocado and I can tell you, it's one of the best I have had! Can't go wrong ordering this one. Their crab cake is not just crab meat and mayo with a little breadcrumb action going on - they have some red bells chopped up in there and some other tasty veggies, too. The spice on it is spot on, and the avocado was just the perfect touch. I also like the Fried Green Tomatoes, which are done really well - not greasy, and the tomatoes are fresh and crispy - as they should be. Also not to be missed on the appetizer menu are the Blue Crab Dip - I'm not a big seafood dip girl, this one is not too fishy, sooo good - and, of course, the Lobster Egg Rolls. For lunch, the Fried Green Tomato BLT, Black and Bleu Steak Sandwich and, as mentioned, the Crab Cake and Avocado sandwich are all good choices. Everything was fresh, and they even had some local ingredients listed in the menu items, which should be a given, considering Auburn has access to good local produce ... being on "THE PLAINS" and all.
(3)
Neal C.
Had the crab cake and avocado sandwich along with a side of seafood gumbo for $13.50 at lunch. The gumbo was very good... it had a pretty dark roux with lots of sausage, shrimp, and vegetable pieces in it. Very good portion. It costs $1.88 to add it as a side but I would certainly recommend it. The crab cake sandwich was a let down. The croissant was light and buttery, but the cake itself was quite small and lacked a good flavor. To me, it seemed like the filler (mayo, veggies) was a little too heavy compared to the actual crab meat within. The avocado was a nice addition to the sandwich though. I'd go for lunch, as I didn't feel most of their menu items were worth the $20+ dinner price tag.
(3)
Bev L.
Worst crab cake ever all bread might have been pulverized crab Others in my party had the boulibasse that made them sick
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Travis M.
(5)Thomas H.
(4)Tom D.
(3)Darci M.
(5)John L.
(4)Patrick L.
(5)Thomas H.
(4)Tom D.
(3)Darci M.
(5)Lisa G.
(1)Melanie G.
(5)Kevin B.
(5)Jamie K.
(3)Shanny B.
(3)Erika E.
(5)Melissa T.
(5)Rich D.
Went here with my sweetheart. We needed a place that had good food, was casual but still had ambience. Amsterdam fit the bill. We arrived early (5pm) and asked to be seated downstairs. I ordered the the Grouper and my sweetheart ordered a blackened chicken salad. Our server, Drew, recommended a J Lohr Chardonnay as a pairing. It was an excellent choice. The Grouper was prepared to perfection and also had a couple of very tasty grilled Jumbo shrimp. I've eaten here a number of times. I've never had a bad experience. Probably one of my top 3 restaurants in Auburn.
(4)Janet L.
We went to dinner here last night for my brother's birthday. It was not very crowded but the meal was excellent. I had the crab cake sandwich which was very tasty. The calamari here is also very good and I would recommend the tuna entree.
(4)Bob P.
Meal was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. Appetizers and entree were delicious and mac & cheese maybe the best I ever had. Bread pudding was more like a muffin than bread pudding but ok.
(4)Kelly N.
Excellent choice for business meals especially now that they take reservations and open up the back room most of the time now. When alone and the weather is nice, good outside seating as well. Food is always fresh, excellent shrimp and grits.
(4)J David H.
The strong reviews for the Amsterdam Cafe are for the most part warranted. However, I am holding back a little on my visit and will explain a few reasons why. The location of the restaurant is not far from downtown, but not walkable either. The parking in front is pretty sparse if busy, which was the case on the night dined in. I waited for a space to open up and was lucky enough to grab it at around 7:30 PM. This was my second time attempting to try them with another time it being just too busy inside that I elected to go else where rather than eat outside on a humid Alabama night. I thought the outside was appealing with it's green awning and clean front walk. But the surrounding area did not really seem to fit a high end restaurant. The strip itself has a tattoo parlor and a gas station is beside it. I went inside to check in and found it busy enough that I decided to dine outside on their patio this time. I was immediately shown a table on the patio adjacent to the building. Only one other table was occupied. They have done a nice job with giving the exterior space some ambiance with a vine arbor and greenery on the iron fence to block out their neighbors. The waitress arrived quickly and provided dinner specials. I did not hesitate to request the lamb special and if I find it on the menu it's my first choice and I did not even ask the price. My water arrived shorty after my waitress left and a basket of bread which was scrumptious. I found the timing of the meal coming out was very good, around 20 minutes. The dish visually was stunning on the plate. Grilled lamb w/ peas, green beans, tomatoes, pickled mustard seeds and chic peas. The meal had a lot of depth to it and I applaud the chef on his creativity. The waitress told me this may be something that is added to the regular menu. I found every morsel scrumptious and cleaned off my plate. I was also in the mood for desert and understood they had Creme Brulee. The turn around was also excellent and out within ten minutes. A dug right in my Blueberry delight and it was a very strong desert. I loved the balance and enjoyed the Blueberries very much. The check was delivered and I was a little surprised the special was $30+ for the entree. I thought the price was steep for the amount of lamb, just seven medallions and a ton of veggies and beans which cost almost nothing (see pic). It was very good and I am not disputing this. In my opinion the value did not hold up. I had a really great meal and experienced terrific service. The location to me for it being a higher end venue was not great. Also, the price of my dish was more than what I would have expected. The atmosphere was pleasant on their patio. I really can't comment on the interior. I would return.
(4)Brian H.
Everyone loves the crab cake avocado sandwich... I don't really see why? It was OK, but hardly worth the rave reviews. I much preferred their Apple Brined Pork Chop. It was much better. The mac & cheese that came with it was a big letdown though. Overall, Amsterdam in nice. Good service, the food is good quality, the drinks are nice, and the decor is pleasant. I'm not sure it deserves the accolades it has been given, but is still a good overall experience. I wouldn't make it a go-to, but I'd definitely come back.
(4)Jim S.
This is my go to spot in Auburn. Every time I've visited, the food and the service have been wonderful. I usually go for the famous crab cake and avocado sand which because it is remarkable. However this time I went with the Amsterdam Burger with sweet potato chips as the side. The burger was grilled to perfection and the chips were splendid. Service was a tad slow but I was there on a Sunday afternoon around 3:00 so I wasn't surprised nor was I in a hurry. As An added bonus the television was tuned to the SEC Network and they were replaying the 2013 Iron Bowl. I watched the kick 6 right before my meal arrived. Perfect timing / perfect lunch
(4)Sara C.
Delicious! The seared tuna and the turkey roll up are both awesome! The sweet potato chips though - my gosh I eat too many.
(5)Sandra K.
My favorite place in Auburn. I went twice during our visit to AL and loved it both times. The service was phenomenal; our waitress went above and beyond to accommodate my fiancé's love of sugar-free Red Bull and vodka by actually sending someone to the corner store to buy some. The first time we had the lobster rolls as appetizers and they were great. My fiancé's filet was one of the best he's had and my lamb burger stuffed with goat cheese was delicious. The second time, however, was extraordinary. He loved our tuna tartare appetizer while I loved the guacamole and crab salad that it came with. As entrées, he stuck with the great filet-- it came with white asparagus spears, which we've missed since we left Germany and truly pleased us. As for me, I got a truly phenomenal pork chop bursting with apple flavor, and the sweet potato chips were addictive. The only downside was the mac and cheese- rather strange and sour tasting with odd bits of smoky meat (perhaps bacon?), but it doesn't bring down the pork chop. I could rave about that pork chop for days- buttery, and yet apple-y, with a stewed slice of plum on top. If this all sounds amazing, the highlight was still yet to come- dessert. The chocolate pot de crème was truly to die for. I won't describe it further because I might never stop. I get it every time and never have enough. Do not miss this place if you're in Auburn.
(5)Patsy H.
I made this account solely to write this review because I feel so strongly about this place! My husband and I have only just recently moved to the Auburn/Opelika area, and we have been trying every local restaurant out -- that is, until we ate here! We may not want to try anywhere else out because we may have found our "place." Our server, Virginia, was extremely accommodating. My husband is very picky and only drinks Coke Zero, and this restaurant only carries Diet Coke. When we were informed that they did not carry it, we were disappointed, and our server personally ran to the gas station next door to grab him one!!! We have never had this type of treatment before, and we will be coming back not only because our server was just above-and-beyond, friendly, very funny, fast but never rushed us at all as we enjoy taking our time but whenever we asked for something it arrived promptly which was amazing for what a busy night we chose to dine on, but because the food and drinks was excellently prepared (we had the lobster egg rolls, I had the grilled scallops and my husband had the ribeye, which we were informed were both new dishes on their menu and our waitress answered all of our questions with ease and even knew where the ingredients came from individually, excellent wine pairings for both of our meals, cocktails after, and dessert! All recommended by our waitress! We have never had such an informed server at a restaurant before, and she described in detail why she enjoyed each thing that she was recommending, and even tailored some cocktails to our tastes and asked for our feedback on their new dishes that we enjoyed, which made us feel great! Overall, this was one of the best experiences we have ever had at a restaurant and we will be back and we will ask for Virginia again! All of the other waitstaff seemed very friendly, too. The chef is incredible and the bar tender's drinks were wonderful and even the hostess was nice and accommodating as well when we asked for a different table when we did not even have a reservation! It took her a moment to move reservations around for us, but she kept us informed while we were waiting, and got us a great table! If you haven't tried this restaurant, you should go! Only one bad thing, it appeared that the manager was yelling at one of the servers in the kitchen (which is open) when I went to the bathroom. Everything else about this establishment is so high-class, but he was very tacky and unprofessional and I don't have respect for the manager. This incredible staff deserves better.
(5)McKenzie A.
Go and eat the crab cake sandwich. It is worth it along with everything else there. Lunch is affordable..dinner is a bit more pricey.
(5)Mendy D.
Two words. Shrimp and grits! This place has been consistently good for at least the last 16 years that I have lived here. Also, can't go wrong with the crab cake and avocado or the turkey wrap.
(4)R H.
Have been coming here since 2001, and it's always been a great experience. Fresh, local food, lovely setting, great drink menu!
(5)Femi L.
A hidden gem in Auburn, AL!!! I came here for one thing and one thing only...the crab cake and avocado sandwich. It was well worth the visit. A juicy cake full of crab on a buttery soft toasted croissant topped with sliced avocado and mango pico de gallo. This has to be the reason crab cake sandwiches were invented!!!
(4)Svetlana O.
This would be one of the better restaurants you can find in Auburn. I gave this place a try for lunch with my mother because so many people recommended it, but was not impressed. However, given the limited dining options in Auburn, I decided to come back for a dinner with my boyfriend and now favor that menu a thousand times more. The salmon dish was impressive; full of flavor. The ambiance for a date night is quite intimate due to the small space, elevated dining area away from the front door, dimmed lights, and a good wine menu. Would visit again- for dinner!
(4)Edwin V.
Wow!! Some of the most amazing food I have ever had. I ordered the tuna and it was superb and the crab cakes were great as well.
(5)Brian L.
(4)Randy S.
(3)Albert R.
(5)Jo Ann G.
Very casual and we had a party of 10 next to the front door. The biggest problem was that we couldn't hear anything said by anyone as we were so close to the front and the bar. The food was good. I had the lobster roll and the avocado crab cake sandwich - both were delicious. One of our party did not receive their entire meal - the spaetzle and gravy were missing. The other problem was parking. The Lutheran church next door does not share their parking lot and towes until 8pm every night. Another large party was in the bs room and they had no problem with hearing. Food was good, service was by an inexperienced wait person, and parking was horrible. I won't go back.
(3)Carter L.
A quaint, elegant restaurant...deliciously prepared menu...sat outside on a beautiful evening celebrating our 1 yr anniversary...highly recommend...we'll definitely be back
(5)Val W.
We'll give this 3.5 stars. And as a Bama fan, it is hard for me to give a good rating to a restaurant in Auburn, but Amsterdam Cafe did deserve it. They have interesting twists on Southern cooking. By far the most delicious part was all the dipping sauces (and I'm pretty sure at least every dish had at least one or two sauces included - awesome perk!). For instance, the calamari and oyster appetizers themselves were average, but the sauces made them great! Similarly, I tried the Crab Cake and Avocado sandwich (which was not nearly as great as they made it sound, croissant was tough, crab cake just decent, and avocado is, well, avocado) but the mango pico that came on the side was awesome. Prices are what they are, seem reasonable for being a nice place but also being in Alabama. Service was very good, and drink variety large. Tasty to try, can't say I'd ever become a regular (if I was somehow subjected to living in Auburn).
(3)Donna M.
Wonderful food & cocktails. The tuna tartar appetizer was fresh and the serving size generous. The filet was cooked as ordered, tender and delicious. Definitely order the greens they were great.
(5)Kayla W.
The waitress was super friendly and when my sister and I asked to split the 'duck duck cous cous' she brought it out on two separate plates, we didn't even have to ask! The duck was great but the cous cous was AMAZING. So delicious I ate every single bite.
(5)Tracy C.
Really great experience! Went there on a Sunday evening for dinner. Place is small and cute. Service was excellent and people were nice. The lobster rolls appetizer was amazing! I had a Cobb salad which was delicious and my son had a burger. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)Kristian C.
The service is excellent, but the food was blah. We had the duck, fried lobster roll, tomato bisque and peach sangria. I think the peaches were canned :( None of our dishes were tasty.
(2)Hunter D.
My visit yesterday was uncharacteristically mediocre. Nothing was bad necessarily, but nothing was worth getting excited over either. Two of the sandwiches we ordered were downright bad. My lobster egg rolls were good but not great. All in all it was just a disappointing visit at what has always been a good restaurant in past visits.
(3)Adam F.
All the other "nice" establishments were closed on Sunday (it is Alabama, after all,) so the girlfriend and I ended up dining at Amsterdam for her 21st birthday. We have eaten here multiple times before, but the food was especially good this visit. New chef maybe? The girlfriend had the best pork chop I have ever tasted, and I had the carbonara pasta. Each of us had a cocktail, and finished the night with the pumpkin creme brûlée. Great seasonal menu, great staff, and just a great place to eat.
(4)Chris H.
This place used to be better. Now, with the Hound and Acre, it just seems over-priced with OK food. Let me add that if I order a pork-chop and the waiter asks me how I want it done, that's a red flag - it's pork! There's only one correct done-ness! The lobster egg roll things are freaking amazing, though.
(3)Jules P.
-1 star for not having a better hostess. I bet HE was racist, seated us in the back of the cafe, didnt greet us at the door, instead just waited for us to say something. Cafe wasnt busy... Other reviews said there was a lot of segregation and I believe it
(4)Christina S.
I have been to Amsterdam Cafe twice now, and both times the food and service have been consistent, which is a plus for a college town eatery. The atmosphere is nice, upscale bar(ish) but not too "bar". What confuses me about this place, though is that the front of the restaurant is, like I said, upscale bar(ish), very warm and comfy, but in the back there is an afterthought of space that looks like it came out of the Studio 54 era. Shiny, disco-ey, a little odd. I think that is an extra bar for flow-over or something - which I can understand, in light of the fact that this place is in downtown Auburn! You might have noticed from some of my other reviews that I'm quite the fan of crab cakes - Gotta try them everywhere I go. And in Amsterdam's case, theirs is served as a sandwich with avocado and I can tell you, it's one of the best I have had! Can't go wrong ordering this one. Their crab cake is not just crab meat and mayo with a little breadcrumb action going on - they have some red bells chopped up in there and some other tasty veggies, too. The spice on it is spot on, and the avocado was just the perfect touch. I also like the Fried Green Tomatoes, which are done really well - not greasy, and the tomatoes are fresh and crispy - as they should be. Also not to be missed on the appetizer menu are the Blue Crab Dip - I'm not a big seafood dip girl, this one is not too fishy, sooo good - and, of course, the Lobster Egg Rolls. For lunch, the Fried Green Tomato BLT, Black and Bleu Steak Sandwich and, as mentioned, the Crab Cake and Avocado sandwich are all good choices. Everything was fresh, and they even had some local ingredients listed in the menu items, which should be a given, considering Auburn has access to good local produce ... being on "THE PLAINS" and all.
(3)Neal C.
Had the crab cake and avocado sandwich along with a side of seafood gumbo for $13.50 at lunch. The gumbo was very good... it had a pretty dark roux with lots of sausage, shrimp, and vegetable pieces in it. Very good portion. It costs $1.88 to add it as a side but I would certainly recommend it. The crab cake sandwich was a let down. The croissant was light and buttery, but the cake itself was quite small and lacked a good flavor. To me, it seemed like the filler (mayo, veggies) was a little too heavy compared to the actual crab meat within. The avocado was a nice addition to the sandwich though. I'd go for lunch, as I didn't feel most of their menu items were worth the $20+ dinner price tag.
(3)Bev L.
Worst crab cake ever all bread might have been pulverized crab Others in my party had the boulibasse that made them sick
(1)Ee Vonn Y.
I wanted to like this restaurant because many of my friends in Auburn recommend this, and expensive meals should feel like they're worth their value. It wasn't. However, the service and atmosphere make it a lovely little place meant to impress. We ordered an appetizer dish that contained literally three spoons of assorted fish with some wonton chips. I think you were supposed to use the wonton chips to eat with the fish but they didn't do more than leaving a mess. The cheapest thing here was the side of fries for $2 with an awful presentation. When your tab is above $50, you'd hope that the presentation would be something better than a couple pieces scattered on a plate. The sauces are the standout in all the dishes we ordered. The sauce and gravy rice sides stood out far more than the duck. I wanted to like the lobster rolls but I couldn't taste the lobster in the lobster roll. Again, the tangy sauces provided with the rolls were the best part. The best thing on their menu was the fresh crisp ales. It's strangely better than the other beers around the area.
(3)Ashley S.
Lunch prices are affordable and dinner options are delicious! One of my favorites is the chicken Alfredo. Dinner can be pricey but worth it! The restaurant has a cool atmosphere.
(5)D P.
Really enjoyed this find. The shrimp & grits, clam chowder, and the stuffed donut holes were great selections. Felt well attended to and really enjoyed the ambiance.
(4)Ellen D.
Had the pesto plus chicken and it was excellent. Not overpowering at all. But my new favorite is the tomato soup with lobster I asked the server why I never knew about this. Apparently, it is a new item and delicious. Back room is so much better since remodel and was nice and cool on a very hot day. Also, the strawberry shortcake dessert was very good as well.
(5)E H.
a bit pricey and a bit greasy but everything was so, so delicious!
(4)Ken K.
Good for Auburn. I've had some great food here, but also some pretty mediocre stuff as well. The wait staff are typically very good. Crab cake and avocado sandwich is consistently good. Their burgers can be awesome, but sometimes dry. The black and bleu steak sandwich was difficult to eat. some parts were like chewing on a rawhide. The catfish po'boy was ok. i'd be sad if i got that in new orleans, but it satisfied my fix otherwise. The dinner entrees have all been solid.
(3)Scott S.
Martini's were perfect and Seared Snapper was EXCELLENT! Seating outside is great for comfortable evening temperatures. Definitely will come back!
(5)William B.
Good food. Great service. I enjoyed the atmosphere. Parking is a bit difficult. Overall good place to eat. Not my favorite, (Hamiltons) but definitely a great place to go eat in Auburn!
(4)Sam A.
I spent five years in Auburn, and Amsterdam was always hit-or-miss. My biggest complaint is that they segregate their dining area into student (read: young people) and non-student blocks. Under the assumption that college-age kids tip less, my girlfriend and I were consistently seated in the worst spots. Our friends experienced this as well. Take it or leave it. The food was pretty good. On my first visit, I feel in love with their duck breast/risotto dish. And do believe the hype surrounding the crab cake/avocado sandwich. All in all, this is a pretty good place to go for a night out. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait about an hour or more for a table on Friday or Saturday.
(3)Anita T.
Great food and atmosphere. Our waiter, Blake, was awesome and the lobster rolls were amazing. My husband, who is an extremely picky eater, even enjoyed his chicken carbonara with shrimp. For dessert, the bread pudding was a FABULOUS choice! If in the area again, we will definitely dine here.
(4)Marie S.
(5)Steven S.
(4)Lyn C.
(2)Steven S.
(4)John C.
(4)Christy H.
(5)John C.
(4)Christy H.
(5)Don S.
(5)Jason L.
(1)Adam P.
(4)John L.
(4)Patrick L.
(5)Lisa G.
(1)Melanie G.
(5)Adam P.
(4)Don S.
(5)Jason L.
(1)Sandra K.
My favorite place in Auburn. I went twice during our visit to AL and loved it both times. The service was phenomenal; our waitress went above and beyond to accommodate my fiancé's love of sugar-free Red Bull and vodka by actually sending someone to the corner store to buy some. The first time we had the lobster rolls as appetizers and they were great. My fiancé's filet was one of the best he's had and my lamb burger stuffed with goat cheese was delicious. The second time, however, was extraordinary. He loved our tuna tartare appetizer while I loved the guacamole and crab salad that it came with. As entrées, he stuck with the great filet-- it came with white asparagus spears, which we've missed since we left Germany and truly pleased us. As for me, I got a truly phenomenal pork chop bursting with apple flavor, and the sweet potato chips were addictive. The only downside was the mac and cheese- rather strange and sour tasting with odd bits of smoky meat (perhaps bacon?), but it doesn't bring down the pork chop. I could rave about that pork chop for days- buttery, and yet apple-y, with a stewed slice of plum on top. If this all sounds amazing, the highlight was still yet to come- dessert. The chocolate pot de crème was truly to die for. I won't describe it further because I might never stop. I get it every time and never have enough. Do not miss this place if you're in Auburn.
(5)Rich D.
Went here with my sweetheart. We needed a place that had good food, was casual but still had ambience. Amsterdam fit the bill. We arrived early (5pm) and asked to be seated downstairs. I ordered the the Grouper and my sweetheart ordered a blackened chicken salad. Our server, Drew, recommended a J Lohr Chardonnay as a pairing. It was an excellent choice. The Grouper was prepared to perfection and also had a couple of very tasty grilled Jumbo shrimp. I've eaten here a number of times. I've never had a bad experience. Probably one of my top 3 restaurants in Auburn.
(4)Janet L.
We went to dinner here last night for my brother's birthday. It was not very crowded but the meal was excellent. I had the crab cake sandwich which was very tasty. The calamari here is also very good and I would recommend the tuna entree.
(4)Bob P.
Meal was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. Appetizers and entree were delicious and mac & cheese maybe the best I ever had. Bread pudding was more like a muffin than bread pudding but ok.
(4)Kelly N.
Excellent choice for business meals especially now that they take reservations and open up the back room most of the time now. When alone and the weather is nice, good outside seating as well. Food is always fresh, excellent shrimp and grits.
(4)Jim S.
This is my go to spot in Auburn. Every time I've visited, the food and the service have been wonderful. I usually go for the famous crab cake and avocado sand which because it is remarkable. However this time I went with the Amsterdam Burger with sweet potato chips as the side. The burger was grilled to perfection and the chips were splendid. Service was a tad slow but I was there on a Sunday afternoon around 3:00 so I wasn't surprised nor was I in a hurry. As An added bonus the television was tuned to the SEC Network and they were replaying the 2013 Iron Bowl. I watched the kick 6 right before my meal arrived. Perfect timing / perfect lunch
(4)Sara C.
Delicious! The seared tuna and the turkey roll up are both awesome! The sweet potato chips though - my gosh I eat too many.
(5)J David H.
The strong reviews for the Amsterdam Cafe are for the most part warranted. However, I am holding back a little on my visit and will explain a few reasons why. The location of the restaurant is not far from downtown, but not walkable either. The parking in front is pretty sparse if busy, which was the case on the night dined in. I waited for a space to open up and was lucky enough to grab it at around 7:30 PM. This was my second time attempting to try them with another time it being just too busy inside that I elected to go else where rather than eat outside on a humid Alabama night. I thought the outside was appealing with it's green awning and clean front walk. But the surrounding area did not really seem to fit a high end restaurant. The strip itself has a tattoo parlor and a gas station is beside it. I went inside to check in and found it busy enough that I decided to dine outside on their patio this time. I was immediately shown a table on the patio adjacent to the building. Only one other table was occupied. They have done a nice job with giving the exterior space some ambiance with a vine arbor and greenery on the iron fence to block out their neighbors. The waitress arrived quickly and provided dinner specials. I did not hesitate to request the lamb special and if I find it on the menu it's my first choice and I did not even ask the price. My water arrived shorty after my waitress left and a basket of bread which was scrumptious. I found the timing of the meal coming out was very good, around 20 minutes. The dish visually was stunning on the plate. Grilled lamb w/ peas, green beans, tomatoes, pickled mustard seeds and chic peas. The meal had a lot of depth to it and I applaud the chef on his creativity. The waitress told me this may be something that is added to the regular menu. I found every morsel scrumptious and cleaned off my plate. I was also in the mood for desert and understood they had Creme Brulee. The turn around was also excellent and out within ten minutes. A dug right in my Blueberry delight and it was a very strong desert. I loved the balance and enjoyed the Blueberries very much. The check was delivered and I was a little surprised the special was $30+ for the entree. I thought the price was steep for the amount of lamb, just seven medallions and a ton of veggies and beans which cost almost nothing (see pic). It was very good and I am not disputing this. In my opinion the value did not hold up. I had a really great meal and experienced terrific service. The location to me for it being a higher end venue was not great. Also, the price of my dish was more than what I would have expected. The atmosphere was pleasant on their patio. I really can't comment on the interior. I would return.
(4)Brian H.
Everyone loves the crab cake avocado sandwich... I don't really see why? It was OK, but hardly worth the rave reviews. I much preferred their Apple Brined Pork Chop. It was much better. The mac & cheese that came with it was a big letdown though. Overall, Amsterdam in nice. Good service, the food is good quality, the drinks are nice, and the decor is pleasant. I'm not sure it deserves the accolades it has been given, but is still a good overall experience. I wouldn't make it a go-to, but I'd definitely come back.
(4)Patsy H.
I made this account solely to write this review because I feel so strongly about this place! My husband and I have only just recently moved to the Auburn/Opelika area, and we have been trying every local restaurant out -- that is, until we ate here! We may not want to try anywhere else out because we may have found our "place." Our server, Virginia, was extremely accommodating. My husband is very picky and only drinks Coke Zero, and this restaurant only carries Diet Coke. When we were informed that they did not carry it, we were disappointed, and our server personally ran to the gas station next door to grab him one!!! We have never had this type of treatment before, and we will be coming back not only because our server was just above-and-beyond, friendly, very funny, fast but never rushed us at all as we enjoy taking our time but whenever we asked for something it arrived promptly which was amazing for what a busy night we chose to dine on, but because the food and drinks was excellently prepared (we had the lobster egg rolls, I had the grilled scallops and my husband had the ribeye, which we were informed were both new dishes on their menu and our waitress answered all of our questions with ease and even knew where the ingredients came from individually, excellent wine pairings for both of our meals, cocktails after, and dessert! All recommended by our waitress! We have never had such an informed server at a restaurant before, and she described in detail why she enjoyed each thing that she was recommending, and even tailored some cocktails to our tastes and asked for our feedback on their new dishes that we enjoyed, which made us feel great! Overall, this was one of the best experiences we have ever had at a restaurant and we will be back and we will ask for Virginia again! All of the other waitstaff seemed very friendly, too. The chef is incredible and the bar tender's drinks were wonderful and even the hostess was nice and accommodating as well when we asked for a different table when we did not even have a reservation! It took her a moment to move reservations around for us, but she kept us informed while we were waiting, and got us a great table! If you haven't tried this restaurant, you should go! Only one bad thing, it appeared that the manager was yelling at one of the servers in the kitchen (which is open) when I went to the bathroom. Everything else about this establishment is so high-class, but he was very tacky and unprofessional and I don't have respect for the manager. This incredible staff deserves better.
(5)McKenzie A.
Go and eat the crab cake sandwich. It is worth it along with everything else there. Lunch is affordable..dinner is a bit more pricey.
(5)Mendy D.
Two words. Shrimp and grits! This place has been consistently good for at least the last 16 years that I have lived here. Also, can't go wrong with the crab cake and avocado or the turkey wrap.
(4)R H.
Have been coming here since 2001, and it's always been a great experience. Fresh, local food, lovely setting, great drink menu!
(5)Femi L.
A hidden gem in Auburn, AL!!! I came here for one thing and one thing only...the crab cake and avocado sandwich. It was well worth the visit. A juicy cake full of crab on a buttery soft toasted croissant topped with sliced avocado and mango pico de gallo. This has to be the reason crab cake sandwiches were invented!!!
(4)Svetlana O.
This would be one of the better restaurants you can find in Auburn. I gave this place a try for lunch with my mother because so many people recommended it, but was not impressed. However, given the limited dining options in Auburn, I decided to come back for a dinner with my boyfriend and now favor that menu a thousand times more. The salmon dish was impressive; full of flavor. The ambiance for a date night is quite intimate due to the small space, elevated dining area away from the front door, dimmed lights, and a good wine menu. Would visit again- for dinner!
(4)Edwin V.
Wow!! Some of the most amazing food I have ever had. I ordered the tuna and it was superb and the crab cakes were great as well.
(5)Jo Ann G.
Very casual and we had a party of 10 next to the front door. The biggest problem was that we couldn't hear anything said by anyone as we were so close to the front and the bar. The food was good. I had the lobster roll and the avocado crab cake sandwich - both were delicious. One of our party did not receive their entire meal - the spaetzle and gravy were missing. The other problem was parking. The Lutheran church next door does not share their parking lot and towes until 8pm every night. Another large party was in the bs room and they had no problem with hearing. Food was good, service was by an inexperienced wait person, and parking was horrible. I won't go back.
(3)Carter L.
A quaint, elegant restaurant...deliciously prepared menu...sat outside on a beautiful evening celebrating our 1 yr anniversary...highly recommend...we'll definitely be back
(5)Val W.
We'll give this 3.5 stars. And as a Bama fan, it is hard for me to give a good rating to a restaurant in Auburn, but Amsterdam Cafe did deserve it. They have interesting twists on Southern cooking. By far the most delicious part was all the dipping sauces (and I'm pretty sure at least every dish had at least one or two sauces included - awesome perk!). For instance, the calamari and oyster appetizers themselves were average, but the sauces made them great! Similarly, I tried the Crab Cake and Avocado sandwich (which was not nearly as great as they made it sound, croissant was tough, crab cake just decent, and avocado is, well, avocado) but the mango pico that came on the side was awesome. Prices are what they are, seem reasonable for being a nice place but also being in Alabama. Service was very good, and drink variety large. Tasty to try, can't say I'd ever become a regular (if I was somehow subjected to living in Auburn).
(3)Donna M.
Wonderful food & cocktails. The tuna tartar appetizer was fresh and the serving size generous. The filet was cooked as ordered, tender and delicious. Definitely order the greens they were great.
(5)Kayla W.
The waitress was super friendly and when my sister and I asked to split the 'duck duck cous cous' she brought it out on two separate plates, we didn't even have to ask! The duck was great but the cous cous was AMAZING. So delicious I ate every single bite.
(5)Tracy C.
Really great experience! Went there on a Sunday evening for dinner. Place is small and cute. Service was excellent and people were nice. The lobster rolls appetizer was amazing! I had a Cobb salad which was delicious and my son had a burger. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)Kristian C.
The service is excellent, but the food was blah. We had the duck, fried lobster roll, tomato bisque and peach sangria. I think the peaches were canned :( None of our dishes were tasty.
(2)Hunter D.
My visit yesterday was uncharacteristically mediocre. Nothing was bad necessarily, but nothing was worth getting excited over either. Two of the sandwiches we ordered were downright bad. My lobster egg rolls were good but not great. All in all it was just a disappointing visit at what has always been a good restaurant in past visits.
(3)Adam F.
All the other "nice" establishments were closed on Sunday (it is Alabama, after all,) so the girlfriend and I ended up dining at Amsterdam for her 21st birthday. We have eaten here multiple times before, but the food was especially good this visit. New chef maybe? The girlfriend had the best pork chop I have ever tasted, and I had the carbonara pasta. Each of us had a cocktail, and finished the night with the pumpkin creme brûlée. Great seasonal menu, great staff, and just a great place to eat.
(4)Chris H.
This place used to be better. Now, with the Hound and Acre, it just seems over-priced with OK food. Let me add that if I order a pork-chop and the waiter asks me how I want it done, that's a red flag - it's pork! There's only one correct done-ness! The lobster egg roll things are freaking amazing, though.
(3)Ee Vonn Y.
I wanted to like this restaurant because many of my friends in Auburn recommend this, and expensive meals should feel like they're worth their value. It wasn't. However, the service and atmosphere make it a lovely little place meant to impress. We ordered an appetizer dish that contained literally three spoons of assorted fish with some wonton chips. I think you were supposed to use the wonton chips to eat with the fish but they didn't do more than leaving a mess. The cheapest thing here was the side of fries for $2 with an awful presentation. When your tab is above $50, you'd hope that the presentation would be something better than a couple pieces scattered on a plate. The sauces are the standout in all the dishes we ordered. The sauce and gravy rice sides stood out far more than the duck. I wanted to like the lobster rolls but I couldn't taste the lobster in the lobster roll. Again, the tangy sauces provided with the rolls were the best part. The best thing on their menu was the fresh crisp ales. It's strangely better than the other beers around the area.
(3)Ashley S.
Lunch prices are affordable and dinner options are delicious! One of my favorites is the chicken Alfredo. Dinner can be pricey but worth it! The restaurant has a cool atmosphere.
(5)D P.
Really enjoyed this find. The shrimp & grits, clam chowder, and the stuffed donut holes were great selections. Felt well attended to and really enjoyed the ambiance.
(4)Ellen D.
Had the pesto plus chicken and it was excellent. Not overpowering at all. But my new favorite is the tomato soup with lobster I asked the server why I never knew about this. Apparently, it is a new item and delicious. Back room is so much better since remodel and was nice and cool on a very hot day. Also, the strawberry shortcake dessert was very good as well.
(5)E H.
a bit pricey and a bit greasy but everything was so, so delicious!
(4)Ken K.
Good for Auburn. I've had some great food here, but also some pretty mediocre stuff as well. The wait staff are typically very good. Crab cake and avocado sandwich is consistently good. Their burgers can be awesome, but sometimes dry. The black and bleu steak sandwich was difficult to eat. some parts were like chewing on a rawhide. The catfish po'boy was ok. i'd be sad if i got that in new orleans, but it satisfied my fix otherwise. The dinner entrees have all been solid.
(3)Scott S.
Martini's were perfect and Seared Snapper was EXCELLENT! Seating outside is great for comfortable evening temperatures. Definitely will come back!
(5)William B.
Good food. Great service. I enjoyed the atmosphere. Parking is a bit difficult. Overall good place to eat. Not my favorite, (Hamiltons) but definitely a great place to go eat in Auburn!
(4)Sam A.
I spent five years in Auburn, and Amsterdam was always hit-or-miss. My biggest complaint is that they segregate their dining area into student (read: young people) and non-student blocks. Under the assumption that college-age kids tip less, my girlfriend and I were consistently seated in the worst spots. Our friends experienced this as well. Take it or leave it. The food was pretty good. On my first visit, I feel in love with their duck breast/risotto dish. And do believe the hype surrounding the crab cake/avocado sandwich. All in all, this is a pretty good place to go for a night out. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait about an hour or more for a table on Friday or Saturday.
(3)Anita T.
Great food and atmosphere. Our waiter, Blake, was awesome and the lobster rolls were amazing. My husband, who is an extremely picky eater, even enjoyed his chicken carbonara with shrimp. For dessert, the bread pudding was a FABULOUS choice! If in the area again, we will definitely dine here.
(4)Jules P.
-1 star for not having a better hostess. I bet HE was racist, seated us in the back of the cafe, didnt greet us at the door, instead just waited for us to say something. Cafe wasnt busy... Other reviews said there was a lot of segregation and I believe it
(4)Christina S.
I have been to Amsterdam Cafe twice now, and both times the food and service have been consistent, which is a plus for a college town eatery. The atmosphere is nice, upscale bar(ish) but not too "bar". What confuses me about this place, though is that the front of the restaurant is, like I said, upscale bar(ish), very warm and comfy, but in the back there is an afterthought of space that looks like it came out of the Studio 54 era. Shiny, disco-ey, a little odd. I think that is an extra bar for flow-over or something - which I can understand, in light of the fact that this place is in downtown Auburn! You might have noticed from some of my other reviews that I'm quite the fan of crab cakes - Gotta try them everywhere I go. And in Amsterdam's case, theirs is served as a sandwich with avocado and I can tell you, it's one of the best I have had! Can't go wrong ordering this one. Their crab cake is not just crab meat and mayo with a little breadcrumb action going on - they have some red bells chopped up in there and some other tasty veggies, too. The spice on it is spot on, and the avocado was just the perfect touch. I also like the Fried Green Tomatoes, which are done really well - not greasy, and the tomatoes are fresh and crispy - as they should be. Also not to be missed on the appetizer menu are the Blue Crab Dip - I'm not a big seafood dip girl, this one is not too fishy, sooo good - and, of course, the Lobster Egg Rolls. For lunch, the Fried Green Tomato BLT, Black and Bleu Steak Sandwich and, as mentioned, the Crab Cake and Avocado sandwich are all good choices. Everything was fresh, and they even had some local ingredients listed in the menu items, which should be a given, considering Auburn has access to good local produce ... being on "THE PLAINS" and all.
(3)Neal C.
Had the crab cake and avocado sandwich along with a side of seafood gumbo for $13.50 at lunch. The gumbo was very good... it had a pretty dark roux with lots of sausage, shrimp, and vegetable pieces in it. Very good portion. It costs $1.88 to add it as a side but I would certainly recommend it. The crab cake sandwich was a let down. The croissant was light and buttery, but the cake itself was quite small and lacked a good flavor. To me, it seemed like the filler (mayo, veggies) was a little too heavy compared to the actual crab meat within. The avocado was a nice addition to the sandwich though. I'd go for lunch, as I didn't feel most of their menu items were worth the $20+ dinner price tag.
(3)Bev L.
Worst crab cake ever all bread might have been pulverized crab Others in my party had the boulibasse that made them sick
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