Amsterdam is a vibrant, colourful city which is bursting at the seams with places to visit and things to do. But not only is it a cultural gem, it’s also a bit of a culinary one too. With so many different influences in its cuisine, you shouldn’t be found wanting for anything. Whether it’s traditional Dutch fare you’re after, or something more far flung and exotic, you won’t be disappointed.
Of course, with fine cuisine comes similarly fine prices, or so you’d think. However, the city has plenty of great places to eat at prices that are very friendly towards your wallet. And with airlines offering low-cost flights to Amsterdam, it’s a great place to visit for a city break for less. Below we list a few of the best budget-friendly bites you can find whilst travelling in the Dutch capital.
Going Dutch
If you want to sample some classic Dutch cooking, then look no further than La Falote, which can be found on Roelof Hartstraat 26 IV, not far from the museum quarter. Whilst it’s very modest looking from the outside (with optional outdoor seating which can be enjoyed on sunnier days), the folksy interior and multi talented chef (who can prepare a mean North Sea Prawn Cocktail and play the accordion!) are both charming and friendly. The portions are generous, and you should be able to enjoy a 2 course meal and wine for two for under €50.
If the Chips are down…
Then there’s no better place to visit than Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx which can be found on Voetboogstraat 31-33. The Fiteshuis sells only one thing, and that’s Belgium fries (or chips to you and me), with a choice of 25 different sauces ranging from simple mayo or ketchup, to a traditional Dutch Joppiesaus. The only drawback is that because the place is so popular, you’re always going to have to queue, but the fast, friendly service means the time will fly by, and of course, the wait is more than worth it. At around €3 for a cone of chips and selected sauce, they might not be the cheapest chips in the city, but they certainly won’t break the bank.
Use your Noodle
If you want to try some tasty Chinese food whilst in Amsterdam, then it’s hard not to recommend Yu’s Family kitchen on Kolksteeg 1A (formerly Semmy’s Lunchroom) where you can grab some freshly prepared and tasty Chinese food including Tofu, Prawn and Beef dishes all for very modest prices. A family run business (as implied by the name), your food will be prepared before your eyes, which is a very nice touch. You can get a tasty meal for two for less than €20 from Wu’s, which is a very fair price to pay given the quantity and quality of food on offer.
Eating Italian
If you’re a fan of pizza or Prosecco (or both), then De Pizzabakkers is somewhere you must visit. Whilst Pizzabakkers is part of a chain of restaurants (with three restaurants alone in Amsterdam), if you’re looking for reasonably priced, tasty pizza, then you need look no further than here. You also have the option of ordering takeaway or eating in, and there’s a very reasonable lunch menu available too. Pizzas from De Pizzabakkers cost between €9 and €11 each, and a glass of fizz will set you back around €3, meaning you can dine out as a couple for less than €30.
Made in Japan
For value for money Japanese food, then visiting the Japan Inn located on Leidsekruisstraat 4 is a must. They have a tempting range of budget friendly meal boxes and set menu, and the numbers of Japanese students that frequent it is a testament to its authenticity. A meal for two will cost somewhere in the region of €50.
So, there you have it, a handful of great budget options for eating out in Amsterdam. But there’s plenty more to choose from if look around!
