Where to eat in Amsterdam: what to order and where
Amsterdam eats simple Dutch food well: herring, apple pie, bitterballen and stroopwafels. Eat at brown cafes and market stalls by day, and book for dinner, since the best tables go early. Prices are higher than in southern Europe.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- Jordaan for apple pie and brown cafes, De Pijp for the market.
- Order this
- Herring, apple pie with cream, and bitterballen.
- When to eat
- Dinner from 18:00. Kitchens close by 22:00.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner. Cafes and stands take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Round up by about 5 to 10 percent.
What to eat in Amsterdam
- HaringRaw herring with onion and pickle, from a street stand.
- AppeltaartDutch apple pie, tall and spiced, served with cream.
- BitterballenFried meat croquettes served with mustard.
- StroopwafelTwo thin waffles with caramel syrup.
- PannenkoekenLarge Dutch pancakes, sweet or savory.
- ErwtensoepThick pea soup, a winter dish.
Where to eat in Amsterdam, by neighborhood
Jordaan
Brown cafes, apple pie and the Noordermarkt.
De Pijp
The Albert Cuyp market and a varied range of restaurants.
Canal ring
Historic cafes and restaurants. Pick with care.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Winkel 43
€Cafe · Jordaan
OrderAppeltaart with cream
The apple pie most often named as the city's best. It sits on the Noordermarkt.
- Book
- Walk in; no reservations
Confirmed open: iamsterdam.com
-
Stubbe's Haring
€Herring stand · Singel
OrderHerring in a bun with onions
A herring stand by the Singel canal, in business since 1903.
- Book
- Walk in; order at the window
- Closed
- Sunday and Monday
Confirmed open: holland-explorer.com
-
Café Papeneiland
€€Brown cafe · Jordaan
OrderApple pie and a beer
A canal-side brown cafe from the 1640s. It makes its own pie.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: papeneiland.nl
-
Albert Cuyp Market
€Street market · De Pijp
OrderStroopwafel, cheese and fish
The city's largest street market, with food stalls along the street.
- Book
- Walk in
- Closed
- Sunday
Confirmed open: albertcuyp-markt.amsterdam
Food markets in Amsterdam
- Albert Cuyp MarketA long street market with fruit, cheese, fish and snack stalls.Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 17:00Source: albertcuyp-markt.amsterdam
How Amsterdam eats
- Meal timesDinner is early, from 18:00, and kitchens close by 22:00.
- TippingRound up by about 5 to 10 percent.
- ReservationsBook dinner. Cafes and stands take walk-ins.
- Cash and cardsMost places take cards, but herring stands may be cash only.
Signs of a place to walk past
Restaurants on Damrak with large photo menus.
Stands selling pre-cut herring all day.
Pancake places with no locals.
Eating in Amsterdam: questions people ask
What food is Amsterdam known for?
Herring, apple pie, bitterballen and stroopwafels. Indonesian rijsttafel is also popular.
Where can I find the best apple pie in Amsterdam?
Winkel 43 in the Jordaan is the best known. Café Papeneiland also makes its own.
Do you need to book restaurants in Amsterdam?
For dinner, yes. Cafes, stands and markets take walk-ins.
How much do you tip in Amsterdam?
Round up by 5 to 10 percent.
Is Amsterdam expensive for food?
Dinner costs more than in southern Europe. Markets and cafes are cheaper.