Toscanini

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Jordaan Institution with Italian Soul

Toscanini has been one of Amsterdam's most enduring Italian restaurants since Maud Moody opened its doors in 1985, originally on the Goudsbloemstraat in the Jordaan neighbourhood. By 1990 the restaurant had settled into its current address on the Lindengracht, where it has remained ever since — a constant in a city that rarely stands still.

The kitchen has been in the hands of chef Leonardo Pacenti since 1999. South African by birth, Italian by heritage, Pacenti cooks from intuition rather than formula, working with whatever is best available at any given moment. The result is a menu rooted in Italy's regional traditions — sometimes classically rendered, sometimes given a personal turn — that changes regularly to reflect the seasons and the chef's instincts.

The Room and the Team

Front of house is led by Susan van der Sande (known to everyone as "Suus") and Bobby Oudshoorn, who share duties as hosts and sommeliers. Their presence gives Toscanini the kind of warmth that keeps regulars coming back year after year.

The wine list is almost entirely Italian, champagnes aside, and leans into small producers and lesser-known bottles — the kind of list that rewards curiosity.

Recognition and What to Expect

Gambero Rosso, Italy's most authoritative food and wine guide, awarded Toscanini 2 forks — a mark of genuine quality for Italian cuisine outside Italy, and a signal that the cooking here is taken seriously on an international level.

The menu rotates, with daily specials alongside the regular card, so repeat visits rarely feel repetitive. Groups of up to eight are welcome; the restaurant also opens one Sunday a month for private events — weddings included, as Toscanini holds official wedding venue status.

For those who want to bring a piece of it home, the Toscanini Deli offers fresh pasta, ravioli, sauces, cheeses, and salumi for cooking Italian at home.