I was super impressed that on a trip to Amsterdam for my birthday (click here for my blog post on Amsterdam’s hidden gems) Sharps had secretly organised some hidden gems for us to go to. Clearly my blog’s been rubbing off on him!  Our role reversal felt quite unnatural. I promised I wouldn’t google too much to spoil his surprise so I didn’t have as much in-depth knowledge about a place as I would normally.

On route to REM Eiland Amsterdam

For someone that usually leaves all of the research to me I have to say Sharps pulled out all the stops. On our first night in Amsterdam he took me to a one of the city’s hidden gems, so hidden in fact that the bus driver even questioned our decision to get off the bus in what he described as ‘the middle of nowhere’ (I was so proud). As it turned out, after walking through what looked like wasteland, we were in fact in the Amsterdam’s port area to go to a restaurant called REM Eiland (which means island in Dutch). I was gobsmacked that this former pirate radio and TV station that had also been an old oil rig in a former incarnation was now a restaurant.

REM Eiland Amsterdam restaurant, a former oil rig

I’ve got to be honest and say the food at REM Eiland wasn’t great, especially if you don’t eat meat. Having had massive Dutch pancakes earlier in the day I couldn’t really face them again (they were the only vegetarian option), so I just had an appetiser of sardines. Luckily it came with a bread basket so I could fill up on carbs, while Sharps tucked into a chewy and fatty piece of meat, which meant for once, I didn’t have food envy.

View from REM Eiland Amsterdam

But what really makes REM Eiland a hidden gem are the views, we were there for sunset and as far as romantic settings go, this was definitely up there.

Amsterdam sunset REM Eiland

We dined (well mainly drank) alfresco so that we could make the most of our surroundings. We were  so busy soaking in the scenery it was dark before we knew it. But you can also dine inside if you prefer.

REM Eiland Amsterdam at night

If you’re looking for top-notch food then REM Eiland isn’t the place for you. But if you’re after an evening that’s quirky and fun with friends, or want to go for a romantic drink, then this hidden gem in Amsterdam is just perfect. It’s one hidden gem I hope ‘oil’ be back to again some day!