Amsterdam is renowned for its rich artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with iconic gabled facades. This culinary capital has also become home to a variety of world-class dining experiences, including that of Ciel Bleu, a two Michelin-star restaurant with panoramic views from its stunning location on the 23rd floor of Hotel Okura. For over twenty years it has served up fantastic international cuisine of the highest quality, and its menu continues to experiment with the finest ingredients around, aiming for perfection in every dish.

Dining at Ciel Bleu is an event in itself, and visitors will want to set aside an evening to focus their senses on the heavenly experience of four to six exquisite dishes, cooked with upmost attention to the intricate details of each flavour by the restaurant’s accomplished chefs. For a fully immersive experience, guests may choose to sit at the chef’s table, giving them a rare glimpse into the workings of a two Michelin-starred team. While seated at a grand marble countertop, elevated on plush leather chairs, diners have full view of their meal being prepared before them with excellent professionalism. Alternatively, guests may choose to dine privately or in the relaxed ambience of the main dining area. Nonmatter where you are seated, you are guaranteed unobstructed views of the stunning views of Amsterdam’s twinkling evening lights through the great windows covering each wall.

Ciel Bleu is led by chefs Onno Kokmeijer and Arjan Speelman, whose culinary chemistry dates back to their college years, meaning together they have been able to develop dishes that fuse and complement each other’s’ unique talents. At the front of house, an elegant team of waiters, led by Pasquinel Kolk, believes in ‘Guestronomy’; gastronomy, with a strong focus towards their guests. The attentive and amiable staff made sure that everyone was served swiftly and gave their own personal recommendations of wines and dishes.

The choice of food at Ciel Bleu is highly impressive, and you are offered choices from two extensive menus and an exclusive caviar menu. They continually change from season to season to ensure ingredients are fresh and complementary to natural farming cycles. The restaurant’s fresh fish and shellfish are caught from the surrounding seas and lakes, with the scallops in a blood orange sauce topped with carrot shavings being particularly pleasing to the taste buds.

Also integral to the restaurant’s ethos is its focus on sourcing top quality ingredients. With salty, creamy oysters from Brittany, the purest cacao from the ‘Amsterdam chocolate makers’, and cheese from Fromagerie Kef, it searches far and wide for the finest foods to serve its guests. At the same time, though, they are sure to use organic herbs, flowers and vegetables from the region’s suppliers. Onno and Arjan’s dishes are inspired by Amsterdam’s historic global connections, especially the Golden Age with shiploads of spices, and the county’s centuries long relationship with Japan. This fusion of cuisines makes Ciel Bleu an authentic Dutch, yet undoubtedly global, experience.

As the saying goes: a meal without wine is called breakfast, and at Ciel Bleu one will never be short of choice for the perfect beverage to complement their gourmet meal. Expert sommeliers are on hand to give much welcomed advice on which wines to choose. Noel Vanwittenbergh has selected superb classics from major wine regions, alongside a wide range of innovative wines, especially from the New World. The red wine from Domaine Andron in Bordeaux gives a full-bodied flavour which goes perfectly with red meat, while the chardonnay from the Hemel-en-Aarde valley of South Africa went wonderfully with the delicate taste of scallops. Ciel Bleu’s exquisite wine list even received the ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ by Wine Spectator, showing the degree of thought and quality it provides.

A trip to Amsterdam would be wasted without immersing oneself in the culinary excellence it has to offer, and there is no place better to make an event of this than at Ciel Bleu. Its 23rd floor location offers outstanding views of the magnificent city where flavours from across the globe combine to create an evening of dazzling dishes and artistic culinary preparation, all in an atmosphere of tranquillity above the bustle of the streets of Amsterdam.