Restaurant char.d Amsterdam: Barbecue on a New Level
A deliciously smoky breeze is drifting through the Utrechtsestraat. Two talented chefs, Dean Baker and Slava Nazaryan, have brought their culinary dream to life with the opening of restaurant char.d Amsterdam. This intimate spot blends modern barbecue techniques with seasonal ingredients and playful creativity, resulting in dishes where fire is the undisputed hero.
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A Fresh Take on Barbecue – restaurant char.d Amsterdam
The name char.d refers to the art of charring; the slow grilling of ingredients over charcoal or wood to create deep, layered flavors. Forget the predictable barbecue classics. Here you’ll find refined dishes shaped by craftsmanship and curiosity.
The kitchen centers around a Kopa Grill Oven, a powerhouse that brings meat, fish and vegetables to peak perfection. Expect melt-in-your-mouth brisket, a beautifully seared 600-gram steak or tender octopus with just the right amount of smoke.
Dean, who grew up in the rolling Cotswolds, loves experimenting with meat. Slava, raised on a Russian farm and trained in fermenting and bold flavor building, adds his own signature touches inspired by French and Asian cuisine.
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A Seasonal Menu With Stories to Tell – Restaurant char.d Amsterdam
At char.d, everything revolves around fresh products and intentional cooking. “Our dishes tell a story of craft and respect for the ingredient,” Dean explains. The menu changes every month, though a few signatures always remain.
Each dish has a soul of its own. The highlights? We loved the oysters with spicy strawberry sauce, the crispy cornbread with butter and anchovy and the delicious salmon with beet, ranch and a surprisingly flaky croissant on the side.
The showstopper is the succulent corn-fed chicken with miso and brown butter. And then there’s the pork belly, brined for 32 hours in ginger beer and served with ginger beer glaze and pear ketchup.
To complete the experience, char.d offers a curated wine list filled with beloved labels and hidden gems from boutique wineries. Cocktail fans can explore a menu where classics get a playful twist. The Spicy Margarita with jalapeño is a winner!
Warm, Low-Key and Full of Character – Restaurant char.d Amsterdam
The vibe at char.d reflects exactly what the chefs radiate; warm, relaxed and no fuss. Think darker tones, wooden tables and lots of candlelight. Downstairs you’ll find an intimate bar with twelve seats, upstairs there’s room for forty guests and there’s a small terrace perfect for summer evenings.
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Meet the Fire-Loving Duo
Dean Baker grew up in a family of chefs in the English Cotswolds. After working in London under Gordon Ramsay, he moved to Amsterdam in 2015. He brought his expertise to Mr. Porter, The Duchess and Nela, where he met Slava.
Slava Nazaryan, raised on a Russian farm, learned the magic of preserving and fermenting early on. After studying in San Sebastián, he worked at MOMO, Izakaya and The Entourage Group before becoming Head Chef at Nela. There he perfected his refined, bold signature.
Their shared love for fire, technique and pure ingredients brought them together at char.d. You’re in good hands here!
Why You’ll Want to Eat Here
Char.d is far more than a grill restaurant. It’s a place where smoke meets fine dining in the most delightful way. The flavors are creative and the atmosphere is relaxed. The perfect spot for a date… or any night when you want to treat yourself to something genuinely special!
char.d is open from Wednesday to Saturday for dinner from 17:30 to 00:00 (the kitchen closes at 22:30). On Sundays they are open from 12:00 to 22:00 (the kitchen closes at 20:00).
char.d, Utrechtsestraat 6, Amsterdam