Worth a visit or two.. restaurant The Golden Temple in Amsterdam!
The golden temple is a place I don’t mind visiting everyime I go to Amsterdam!
But this is a review so I’ll also mention the ‘less positive points’, which I find hard to do haha.
From their website:
”Our restaurant is named after the famous Sikh temple in Amritsar, North India. This temple has 4 doors, which symbolizes openess. This means that everyone, with whatever religion, is always welcome here. Moreover runs one here of the largest kitchens in the world, to serve the 100.000 daily visitors a free vegetarian meal.
The road from that Golden Temple in India to the conscious kitchen of the Golden Temple Vegetarian Restaurant in Amsterdam leads through yoga, meditation and food preparation which emphasizes natural and practical vegetarian food, to encourage a unity of body and mind.”
My number 1 reason for liking the golden temple so much is the vibe!
It’s laid back, peaceful, unrushed.. It feels like coming home.
Well, if it was fully vegan. They do use dairy and cheese in some dishes.
Yes the restaurant has an ‘alternative’ vibe to it, but I don’t think anyone would regret trying it out 🙂
Their dishes are very clearly labeled: V for vegan and GF for gluten free. It’s also mentioned when it’s possible to veganize a dish!
They have a varied menu which is inspired by different kitchens, but mostly the Indian kitchen.
Their menu is always the same, but they do have a daily changing soup, main course and vegan pie!
I went there about 5/6 times now and I still have problems choosing what I want to order. It all sounds so delicious!
Curious about their menu? It’s up on their website.
No it’s not the cheapest place out there and I feel like that’s the number 1 reason for many people not to go.
Yes they do have some ‘more expensive’ meals, but their servings are big and filling+every dish has so many vegetables in it!
Also, if you compare it to the prices from a ‘regular meat/fish’ restaurant.. the prices are about the same.
They make their food with fresh vegetables, spices and herbs. No excessive amounts of oil etc.
Here some ‘tips’:
-Don’t go if you’re in a rush, but make it your main evening ‘event’
-Ask if you can sit upstairs (to experience dining while launching on pillows and blankets. The BEST!)
-The restaurant is not open for lunch, the door opens at 5PM. 7 days a week
-ignore the neighbor restaurant with death animals hanging on the sealing..
-Ask for a can of water. They give you (free) water infused with fresh mint and lime, unlimited refills (I don’t do this at any restaurant if no one at the table ordered a ‘normal’ drink)
-Did you know that they are willing to give the recipe for every dish they have? Except for the pie recipes
-Interact with the staff, they are so friendly and helpful. I also like to interact with other guests ☻
Dishes/desserts/drinks I liked♥
-Thai coconut curry.
This curry took me back to Thailand from the first bite.. it’s a curry packed with veggies and tofu, served with red rice and sprouts.
-the peanut sauce!
One time I ordered a soup with red rice and peanut sauce on the side. I ate the rice with the peanut sauce which was sooo good!
-A daily soup I had.
It was indian and Thai inspired. I’m sure they have it often!
-The mexican inspired dish
My friends had this one and it was sooo tasty! So many vegetables and I think it’s the largest serving of food they have..
-Their raw chocolate pie and raw lime pie!
They are one of a kind.. (also make sure to try their raw, homemade vegan icecream, the chocolate one was so rich and tasty)
-Pot of chai tea with soymilk (ask for agave instead of honey).
I really liked their chai. Most of the the time when I order a chai it’s disappointing, but this one is the real deal.
-The tropical juice.
So fruity and refreshing!
What I liked less:
-The springrolls.
They were very.. raw? I don’t know the right word to describe them, but it was like eating a very raw boring salad.
-Coconut cream pie, which was the vegan dessert of the day
This pie had a ‘speculaas’ cookie base which was very tasty, but the top didn’t taste like anything to be honest.
I tried it without the base, but still no flavor.
-Tempeh salad
It was a plate with tempeh on one side(it’s tasty if you like tempeh, I like tempeh a lot) and a pile of raw leaves and vegetables on the other side. On the menu it sounds really delicious, but it’s pretty bland. It sounds like I dislike raw veggies(I don’t), but especially in a restaurant you expect some taste to it. Right? 😉 )
Think I mentioned everything there is to mention!
Hope this is helpful and let me know if you plan on going or went there too.
What was your experience? ♥