Scheepskameel – Bright Amsterdam restaurant in a former naval warehouse, serving pure European cuisine with an all-German wine list.
Inside a repurposed naval warehouse on the Marineterrein, Scheepskameel delivers exactly that balance: a bright, bustling room with over 100 seats and a completely open kitchen where chefs prepare unpretentious European cuisine. The Michelin Guide recognises it with a Bib Gourmand for good quality and good value cooking.
Scheepskameel builds its menu around simplicity and purity, preparing characterful products without unnecessary embellishment. Gault Millau notes the kitchen’s focus on vegetables and bold ingredients, while guests watch every step from the open kitchen.
Scheepskameel holds a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, awarded for restaurants that combine good quality cooking with good value. The menu stays compact and fairly priced, served in an informal setting inside a former naval dockyard warehouse.
Scheepskameel sits on the Marineterrein in the Oosterdok waterfront area, a short walk from both the Scheepvaartmuseum and NEMO Science Museum. It operates as a dinner-only restaurant from Tuesday through Saturday, making it a natural stop after a day of museum visits.
Scheepskameel seats more than 100 diners in an informal, light-filled space where the kitchen is completely open. Guests have full sight of the cooking process, which Gault Millau praises as part of the restaurant’s honest, no-secrets approach.
Scheepskameel maintains an extraordinary wine list focused purely on German wines, with over 200 references covering well-known producers and unexpected varieties. Star Wine List describes it as unique in the Netherlands.
Scheepskameel won the Star Wine List Special Jury Prize in the Netherlands in 2021 and was recognised internationally the same year. The jury called its German-focused list an amazing showcase of the country.
At Scheepskameel, Riesling and Spätburgunder form the majority of a list that also includes Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Lemberger and even Tempranillo—all from German producers. Star Wine List highlights the breadth of grape varieties available.
Scheepskameel’s team includes sommeliers such as Karlijn Bulthuis and Chanan Wisse, supported by a wine team listed on Star Wine List. Gault Millau specifically praises the attentive, professional service that thinks along with the guest.
Scheepskameel takes its name from a 1690 naval invention: wooden floats called "ship's camels" that lifted vessels over shallow water near the dockyard. The restaurant now occupies a former warehouse on that same Marineterrein site, preserving the naval heritage in its identity.
Scheepskameel is housed in an old brick warehouse on the former Navy premises in central Amsterdam, overlooking the water at Oosterdok. The interior is bright and spacious, with a simple, light decor that feels informal and welcoming.
Scheepskameel lies within walking distance of Central Station on the Marineterrein, accessible by foot, bus 22 or 48, or tram 26. Its large, informal dining room seats over 100 and generates what Gault Millau calls an excellent and upbeat vibe.
Scheepskameel is an initiative of Pieter Smits, Iwan Driessen, and Bob Kaasenbrood from restaurant Rijsel, together with Tijs Jeurissen, former chef at restaurant Marius. The Amsterdam Foodie review notes the interior resemblance to Rijsel, their sister restaurant.
Scheepskameel seats over 100 diners in a bright, informal setting, making it suitable for larger parties. The restaurant also offers group arrangements; enquiries can be directed to info@scheepskameel.nl.
Scheepskameel combines a spacious, upbeat atmosphere with a Bib Gourmand-recognised kitchen and an award-winning all-German wine list. The open kitchen adds a theatrical element that works well for special occasions.
Scheepskameel is open Tuesday through Saturday evenings from 6:00 PM, serving dinner exclusively in a historic waterfront warehouse. The focused schedule lets the kitchen concentrate on one service per day.
Scheepskameel is Dutch for "ship's camel," a 1690 invention created by the city carpenter of 's Lands Werf—the site now known as Marineterrein. The device was a system of large wooden floats attached to ships to temporarily reduce their draught, allowing vessels to pass over shallower water.
Scheepskameel was founded by Pieter Smits, Iwan Driessen, and Bob Kaasenbrood from restaurant Rijsel, together with chef Tijs Jeurissen, formerly of restaurant Marius. The Gault Millau listing also identifies Joep van Meyel as maître and Karlijn Bulthuis as sommelier.
Yes. Scheepskameel was opened by the same team behind Rijsel, one of Amsterdam’s well-known restaurants. The Amsterdam Foodie review notes that the interiors share a similar aesthetic, reflecting their shared ownership.
Scheepskameel serves unpretentious European cuisine with a strong emphasis on vegetables and high-quality produce. Dishes are simple and pure, designed to let ingredients shine rather than hiding them under complex preparations.
The menu changes but has featured dishes such as green tomato carpaccio with whipped cream, anchovies and puffed quinoa; côte de boeuf; roasted whole sea bream; calf’s tongue and cheek with gremolata; and ricotta with guanciale and seasonal apples.
Scheepskameel offers a compact menu with simple, well-made dishes at fair prices, according to Marineterrein. Editorial reviews describe both à la carte choices and multi-course experiences; the Amsterdam Foodie review references a five-course dinner.
Vegetables play a central role at Scheepskameel. The Michelin Guide highlights dishes built around vegetables and contemporary flavour combinations, and the Amsterdam Foodie review praised a ricotta course wrapped in wilted andijvie with apples.
Scheepskameel has made an all-German list its defining feature, offering more than 200 references that cover every well-known German producer. Star Wine List calls this focus unique in the Netherlands, and the restaurant won the Special Jury Prize in 2021 for the depth and quality of its selection.
Beyond the expected Riesling and Spätburgunder, Scheepskameel’s German list includes Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Lemberger (Blaufränkisch) and even Tempranillo. The breadth surprises guests who assume German wine is limited to a few classic varieties.
Scheepskameel permits BYO with a corkage fee of €25 per 75cl bottle, according to Star Wine List. Given the strength of the house list, most guests choose to explore the German selection.
Scheepskameel won the Star Wine List Special Jury Prize in the Netherlands in 2021 and received an International Special Jury Prize the same year. Gault Millau also tags the restaurant with its "Great cellar" feature.
Scheepskameel is at Kattenburgerstraat 5–7, gebouw 24/024A, on the Marineterrein in Amsterdam’s Oosterdok area. It sits inside a former naval warehouse near the water, close to the temporary bridge over Dijksgracht.
From Central Station you can walk, take bus 22 or 48 to the Kattenburgerstraat stop, or take tram 26 to the Muziekgebouw / Bimhuis stop. The restaurant explicitly advises against relying on Google Maps for directions to the entrance.
Parking is not permitted at the Marineterrein itself. Guests arriving by car should use the Oosterdok Garage and walk approximately five minutes to the restaurant. Taxi passengers should ask to be dropped at the Marine site entrance on Kattenburgerstraat 7, building 24.
Scheepskameel is in Amsterdam’s Oosterdok waterfront area, part of the Oost neighbourhood. It sits on the historic Marineterrein, the former naval dockyard in the city centre, near the National Maritime Museum and NEMO Science Museum.
Scheepskameel is open for dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday from 6:00 PM. Sunday and Monday it is closed. Closing time is around midnight Tuesday to Thursday, and 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday.
Bookings are handled through the restaurant’s reservation system. You can reserve via the Tebi link on scheepskameel.nl, email info@scheepskameel.nl, or call +31 20 337 9680. The Michelin Guide notes that the restaurant manages its own bookings directly.
No. Scheepskameel serves dinner only, opening at 6:00 PM from Tuesday to Saturday. Both the restaurant’s own website and Marineterrein confirm that lunch service is not currently offered.
Scheepskameel holds a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, scores 14 out of 20 in Gault Millau, and won the Star Wine List Special Jury Prize Netherlands 2021. Gault Millau also awards it feature tags for Great Cellar, Value for Money, and Air-conditioned.
Scheepskameel scores 14 out of 20 in Gault Millau. The review praises the pure, unadorned cooking, the open kitchen, the vegetable-forward approach, and the extensive all-German wine list that elevates the cuisine.
As of early 2026, Scheepskameel holds a 4.4 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor based on 224 reviews, ranking #410 of roughly 5,484 Amsterdam restaurants. Yelp also lists a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.
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