Celebrity chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, awarded with two Michelin stars, brought to Amsterdam an unforgettable experience with the best of Portuguese cuisine with Asian influences. Located in the most central Amsterdam’s Art’otel, ARCA had its grand opening a year ago and it’s only getting more popular.

Here is Timotej Letonja’s, editor-in-chief of Numéro NL, inside view and experience at ARCA.

“ARCA is a new beautiful hotspot in the center of Amsterdam opposite to the central station, located at Art’otel. 

The chef Henrique Sá Pessoa is very friendly, he came to greet us at the table which made me feel welcome and sense a great atmosphere. The food is progressive, modern, delicious, very fresh and served beautifully. The space has a stunning interior design.

It is a beautiful restaurant overall and I had an incredible experience, I left thinking that it’s definitely a place I would like to go back very soon. I’m curious to how ARCA will grow as a restaurant and I’m here to see it.”

The ARCA menu is created around typical Portuguese Petiscos, generously portioned plates designed to share, and larger plates, which can be enjoyed on your own or shared. Signatures include a fresh Octopus Salad, Tuna Tataki, Bacalhau à Brás finished tableside, Braised Alentejano pork cheeks that fall apart at the touch of a knife, as well as a generous Arroz de Marisco piled high with the freshest seafood.

Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, recently named 38th Best Chef in the World, opened ARCA in November 2021 as his first restaurant in Europe outside of Lisbon. Henrique Sá Pessoa is the third chef in Portuguese history to get two Michelin stars for his restaurant Alma and was GQ Chef of the year in 2017, he has also been named the 38th Best Chef in the World at the Best Chef Awards this September in Amsterdam as well as Best New Entry 2021.

Henrique brought together the relaxed and approachable typical Portuguese sharing plates concept with a touch of modern Asian flavours and influences and created a show stopping seasonal menu. From Tapas and Petiscos, to larger plates, not forgetting incredible desserts and impressive cocktails ARCA is the ideal pick for relaxed evenings or any occasion. 

With Henrique as ARCA’s concept chef, his long-serving protégé Ricardo Bastos Pereira as Head Chef & Sous Chef Rodrigo Silva will be leading the ARCA kitchen, both having worked with Henrique for nearly 10 years.

If the choice is too much, Henrique and Head Chef Ricardo, have put together two tasting menus that focus on the two sides of the menu. A Portuguese Discovery and A Touch of Asia tasting experience menus are designed to showcase some of the best highlights ARCA has to offer and take each guest on a gastronomic journey.

The perfect relationship between food and drinks can be found connected to the restaurant at the ARCA Bar. The Bar offers a unique and innovative cocktail menu with homemade infused spirits and bitters. With DJs & live music every Friday and Saturday, this is the place to unwind and enjoy relaxed evenings, cosy date nights and weekly hangouts with great food and drinks suited to any palette.

ARCA is also the ideal place for casual meetings or a after-work hang out during their special “5 @ 7”. “5 @ 7” takes place every Wednesday and Thursday between 5-7pm and allows you to pick from a selection of 5 of their favorite drinks & 5 tasty petiscos for a special price.