Orchid House, from the people behind SUPPER, nestles against the Oosterpark and breathes that rhythm: light, spacious and unhurried. During the day, local residents slide in for something-light; at night, the space sinks into warmth, with candlelight and a bar setting the tone. The homeliness is not in rugs, but in the feeling that you don't have to be anywhere else for a while.
The cuisine calls it "food with a Mediterranean soul": sunny acids, herbs, citrus and little kicks of fermentation. Think grilled vegetables with fresh dressings, tender fish with lime and salads that play with texture. Everything is meant to be shareable without losing elegance. It's comfort, but with precision.
What sets Orchid House apart is the transition in tempo. During the day, you hear cutlery and conversation; later, the voices drop lower, the glasses move toward the bar and the music gets just a notch fuller. That all-day nature isn't a trick - it's how the place works: moving back and forth between meeting, meal and a little celebration at the end.
"Orchid House is one of those places where the day has no boxes: you come for coffee, stay for dinner, and don't notice until late that it's long past cocktail time."
The space itself comes into play. Plants, tall windows and sight lines make light part of the menu. It feels like a city oasis where you can meet with friends, but just as easily sit down alone and let the hours slide by.