Golden Temple Amsterdam

In the Indian city of Amritsar, you can find the impressive Golden Temple: the center of the Sikh religion. Besides it being beautiful, this place is the pinnacle of hospitality. It houses a gigantic kitchen that welcomes any weary traveler in need of a (free) proper meal – about 35,000 a day. They believe that eating together is a true form of equality and therefore, everybody is welcome here. If you’re thinking “hold up, I thought this article was about Amsterdam?!” You’re right. I’m talking about the restaurant named after this holy building: Golden Temple Amsterdam.

Walking into this small restaurant on the Utrechtsestraat is like entering a parallel Indian mini-universe with its brightly colored cushions, string lights, colorful wall art and the smell of spices wading out of the kitchen. It has that same hospitality and friendly vibe I imagine there is in Amritsar. The menu features mainly vegan, but fully vegetarian dishes. And besides flavorful Indian dishes, you can even find a delicious taco with jackfruit, vegan mushroom pizza or Japanese avocado and nori tempura. Everything is as colorful as its interior and the plating makes you want to fill up your Instagram feed with every angle possible. And, do me – and yourself - a favor, do not miss out on the raw desserts. I repeat: do not miss the dessert. The raw coconut pie is the stuff your dreams are made of. Trust me.