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Imagine stumbling upon a restaurant that brings an entire country to your table. ARCA is exactly that kind of discovery. Amsterdam ranks 10th globally in the culinary world—pretty remarkable for a city of cyclists and canals!—and now it has gained another culinary hotspot with ARCA, a Portuguese restaurant & bar led by the award-winning chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. Yes, the same Henrique who earned 2 Michelin stars with his Lisbon restaurant, Alma. You don’t need to book a flight to Portugal to taste what he’s creating. At ARCA in Amsterdam, you’ll find traditional Portuguese dishes alongside innovative creations with Asian influences. Come along as I explore what makes this restaurant so special.
Meet Henrique Sá Pessoa
A Chef on the Global Map
Henrique Sá Pessoa owns the lauded 2 Michelin star restaurant Alma in Lisbon. At the Best Chef Awards 2021, he was voted the highest newcomer, landing at number 38 in the world’s top 100 chefs—a recognition that put him firmly on the global culinary map.
ARCA Amsterdam
Henrique chose Amsterdam as the location for introducing his vision of culinary Portugal to a broader audience. Unlike Alma, which carries fine-dining formality, ARCA is approachable, trendy, and casual. Housed in the Art’otel, it has its own main entrance, distinct interior, and independent identity. It’s Henrique’s way of saying: come explore Portuguese cuisine without the pretense.
The Kitchen Team
Henrique devised the concept—a contemporary, accessible Portuguese share-dining experience—but he knew the day-to-day magic needed trusted hands. He brought Ricardo Pereira (chef) and Rodrigo Silva (sous chef) from Lisbon to lead the kitchen. These aren’t new collaborators; they’ve worked alongside him for nearly a decade. Henrique visits every two months to check in, discuss strategy, and yes, spend time in the kitchen. It’s the kind of personal oversight that shows in every plate.
Where the Portuguese-Asian Fusion Comes From
Where does this fusion style originate? Henrique has traveled the world extensively. While working in Australia, he fell in love with Asian gastronomy. When he returned to Portugal 15 years ago, he began weaving ginger, coriander, and lemongrass into his cooking—at a time when few Portuguese chefs were thinking this way. He was ahead of the curve. Now it feels natural; then, it was revolutionary. His deep knowledge of traditional Portuguese cuisine and his life in Lisbon inform every creation. The result is what he calls refined cuisine: layered with technique, built on exceptional ingredients, and guided by genuine flavor.
Why ARCA?
The name is Henrique’s choice. “Arca is Portuguese for ark,” he explains. “It’s a ship where you keep all your treasures. Portuguese explorers filled their ships with valuables—gold, jewels, spices—encountered on trade routes 600 years ago.” He sees the restaurant the same way: a vessel full of hidden treasures inspired by those historic voyages. It’s a poetic framing that shapes everything about the place.
The Atmosphere
The space feels luxe without being stuffy. Black and white tones, brass, gold, and stainless steel dominate, punctuated by warm ocher accents. The open kitchen is a theater—you watch the team work with precision and cleanliness. Yet somehow, the space avoids feeling cold. A fireplace adds coziness, and dimmed lighting creates an intimate, atmospheric glow. It’s refined without pretension.
The Food, Wines & Cocktails
Traditional Portuguese dishes often come heavy and rich, served in rustic pots and pans. Here, every plate is beautifully composed, light enough to savor without weighing you down. You’ll encounter both authentic Portuguese classics and those innovative dishes with Asian touches. It’s Portuguese cuisine dressed up and lightened—without losing its soul.
Cocktails & Portuguese Wine
ARCA offers signature cocktails that are as beautiful as they are tasty—colorful, creative, and perfectly balanced. They also keep a curated selection of Portuguese wines. I tried the Quinta de Santiago vinho verde: light, dry, refreshing, with a hint of stone fruit. The kind of wine that makes you want another sip.
The Tasting Menu: “With a Touch of Asia”
Beyond à la carte, ARCA offers two tasting menus: “Discover Portugal” and “With a Touch of Asia.” I chose the latter, with a small adjustment for my pork allergy. The team accommodated without hesitation, swapping in octopus salad and bacalhau marinado. It’s the kind of care that sets a restaurant apart.
Sopa de Abóbora e Caril (Pumpkin Soup with Curry)
The first course was a Portuguese pumpkin soup infused with Thai red curry and coconut milk—a perfect bridge between two cuisines. The Thai spice warmed the palate, the coconut brought creaminess, and chunks of pumpkin offered a satisfying bite. Plump scallops on top tasted buttery and tender. The whole thing sang.
Tuna Tataki
Next came the tuna tataki—a stunner to look at, with finely sliced tuna arranged on a bed of shaved cabbage and vegetables, two dressings artfully placed around the plate. The tuna was pink inside, seared outside, and utterly tender. Tasting it as a whole—tuna, vegetables, dressings together—everything clicked into place.
Octopus Salad
After the tuna came the octopus salad. This was a revelation. I expected chewy octopus, but these pieces were tender as butter, dressed in a vibrant red sauce with smoked paprika bringing depth and spice. It was surprising, complex, and genuinely one of the best octopus salads I’ve ever tasted.
Bacalhau Marinado (Marinated Cod)
Bacalhau marinado arrived next: lightly salted cod topped with olive caviar, resting on a bed of pickled onions, tomatoes, and olives. It was as pleasing to the eye as to the palate. The salt was gentle, not aggressive. Each element—the tender fish, the tangy pickles, the briny olives—played its part perfectly. Tasted together, they created a symphony.
Caldeirada de Peixe e Marisco (Portuguese Fish Stew)
Then came the showstopper: a Portuguese fish stew with an Asian twist, served in a metal bowl. Lifting the lid, the aroma hit me first—fragrant with ginger, lemongrass, and curry. Inside were chunks of skin-fried fish, mussels, plump shrimp, and bok choy, all swimming in a rich, spiced broth with red pepper, potato, and tomato. It was warming, complex, and utterly satisfying. This is the kind of dish that makes you forget everything else.
Desserts
Dessert brought two creations: Leite Crème (lemongrass and raspberry custard with coconut tuile) and Pudim Abade de Priscos (caramel and port flan with almond and mandarin sorbet). The custard was bright and slightly tart, lovely against the crispy tuile. The flan was rich and complex, balanced by the citrus sorbet. Both felt like a proper ending—refined but never fussy.
To finish, ginger tea arrived with a small bowl of sweets and savory bites. A perfect note to close on.
Honest Reflection
I genuinely loved ARCA. The team welcomed me warmly, accommodated my dietary needs without fuss, and treated every moment with care. Yes, the staff is Portuguese, but that authenticity is part of the charm. Dining there felt less like visiting a restaurant and more like being invited into someone’s world. With my friend beside me, the share-dining concept added another dimension—conversation, laughter, passing plates back and forth.
The beautiful, colorful cocktails brought an element of celebration. The Portuguese wines deepened the journey. The atmospheric lighting and fireplace warmth made it feel less like a night out and more like a small escape. That’s the magic of a thoughtfully crafted dining experience.
The service was exceptional in a way that often goes unnoticed until you experience it elsewhere. Each course arrived when you were ready. The moment your plate was empty, it was whisked away and the table gently cleaned. Fresh cutlery appeared for each dish—not rushed, not fussy, just perfectly timed. It’s the kind of service born from care and experience.
If you’re in Amsterdam and hungry for an adventure, ARCA is an absolute must-visit.
Martelaarsgracht 5, 1012 TM in Amsterdam
Website: ARCA Amsterdam
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