You now have restaurants for almost everything in this city, but there was no full-fledged cevicheria until Sjefietshe. Seger Abels, also the man behind food platform Foodini.nl, started with a pop-up and then decided to just keep going. You'll understand that once you've eaten there. The Van Ostadestraat in De Pijp has become the regular spot, and has been for several years.
The menu revolves around ceviche and seafood with a South American slant, but Abels keeps it seasonal and is guided by what is available at the time. What is listed online as the menu is indicative; the actual menu may vary on the night. That may sound uncertain, but it actually feels like a sign that someone here is thinking about what they are serving. The salmon ceviche is a regular, and the Hotdoctopus, grilled octopus with sauces, does the job a signature dish is supposed to do.
The property is a corner building, the decor relaxed and not too busy. On certain nights, the restaurant is fully rentable as a private venue for events or larger parties. No room behind a curtain, just the whole place. That suits Abels' approach: Sjefietshe is not an average restaurant trying to be something for everyone.
Sjefietshe is open Wednesday through Saturday, doors open at 5:30. The Pijp has gained plenty of restaurants in recent years, but a place so clearly dedicated to ceviche and the broader South American seafood scene simply wasn't there yet. The city's only cevicheria is here, and that doesn't feel like a coincidence.