An All-You-Can-Eat I'd Actually Go Back To
I'm usually the last person to get excited about an all-you-can-eat restaurant. Too often it's quantity over quality, and you walk out remembering the food coma more than the food. One right next to Leidseplein, one of the busiest squares in the city? Even less.
Most of my days are spent at market stalls and small family places with the people on my food tours, so a place like this isn't my usual tip. But I love meat, and I love the idea of a Brazilian rodizio, so when Barraca opened in Amsterdam I had to try it. I've been twice now, once with friends shortly after they opened and once on a double date. Both times I left surprised. And very full.
Barraca isn't completely new. Their first restaurant is in Hoofddorp, near Schiphol, and I'd been there before. Driving 30 minutes each way for dinner just never worked for me, so I was happy to see them open in the city.
How a rodizio works
You don't order dishes at a rodizio. You pay one price, and guys with long skewers of grilled meat (passadores) keep walking around the room, carving slices straight onto your plate. On your table there's a small card, green on one side and red on the other. Green means "keep it coming," red means "I need a break." You can flip it as often as you like.
There's also a market table you go to yourself, with salads, dips, vegetables and warm dishes.
I expected sausages. I got picanha.
At all-you-can-eat places I usually expect them to fill you up with sausages and chicken. There was chicken, and honestly it was really good, but it was one thing among many. Lots of different cuts, all grilled just right, and they kept coming to the table nonstop.
The picanha was the star, as it should be at any rodizio. The pork loin with warm honey was a great one too.
I only went to the market table once. I knew I was there for the meat and shouldn't go crazy on salads, but I have to say it was surprisingly fresh, with lots of variety.
One thing I always look at in a restaurant is who's eating there. When people who grew up with that food choose to eat there, it's a good sign. Both times at Barraca, there were Brazilian tables all around us.
You know those big holiday dinners where there's so much food that you keep going long after you're full? Your stomach says stop, your brain doesn't listen, and you just hope you won't regret it later. That was me, both times.
Why I wouldn't take a date there
To be honest, it's not the perfect vibe. It's a big restaurant, it's busy, and the service is fine but nothing special. I have nothing bad to say about it. It's just more of a practical dinner than a special night out. If you're planning something romantic, I'd go somewhere smaller and quieter.
With a big group of friends, though, it's great. Everyone tastes lots of different things, nobody argues about what to order and you're guaranteed to leave full. I've eaten at rodizios in different places around the world, and for quality and variety of meat, this one nailed it. At €59.50 per person, I think it's very good value.
Pace yourself
The passadores come by every few minutes, and it's tempting to say yes every time. Do that and you'll be done in about an hour. If you want a longer night, flip your card to red for a while. They'll come back when you're ready.
You usually hear me talk about small family places and spots people walk straight past. This one's a different story, but good food is good food, and I always like telling you about places that surprise me. Our food tours are full of them.
Q&A
Is Barraca Amsterdam worth it?
For a group of friends who love meat, yes. The quality and variety of the cuts surprised me, and at €59.50 per person it's good value. For a quiet, romantic dinner, I'd go somewhere else.
What is a rodizio?
A Brazilian way of eating grilled meat. You pay one price, and waiters bring skewers of different cuts to your table and carve them for you until you tell them to stop.
How much does Barraca Amsterdam cost?
The rodizio dinner is €59.50 per adult. Drinks are extra. Kids 0-3 eat free, 4-7 pay €19.95 and 8-12 pay €27.50.
Do I need to book?
Yes, especially on weekends.
Is Barraca good for a date?
It's not where I'd go for a romantic night. It's big and busy, and it works best with a group of friends.
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