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I travelled to Amsterdam to try some of the best places to eat in Amsterdam and I was a little disappointed. I love social media, but sometimes I feel like people are not actually honest about what they do and what they eat. So today I am going to share my honest views on some of the most viral food places and spots to eat while in Amsterdam.
Steady because it might not be quite what you anticipated. It certainly wasn’t what I had anticipated. For me, I liked and loved the desserts but the actual food for like dinners and lunch weren’t that great. Let’s just say that I wasn’t blown away by everything I ate. Here are my honest views of the Amsterdam viral food spots with scoring out of 10. This is also a Amsterdam food guide for those looking to go Amsterdam for everything food and not just ‘cafe’s’. So to put it simply this is a alternative Amsterdam guide for you.
Things to Know Before Going to Amsterdam
- Getting from Amsterdam Airport to Amsterdam Central is very easy. The train takes about 15-20 minutes and runs regularly, so it’s probably your best option. You can also get an Uber or taxi, but the train is quick, simple and gets you straight into the city. However, I would recommend if you are coming from London that you should consider going via the Eurostar.
- Get travel insurance, I recommend anyone travelling should have travel insurance which you can get via SafetyWing here.
- I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279 for a discount.
- If you are looking for a detailed guide with where to stay and what to do in Amsterdam then read: Amsterdam Travel Guide: 3 Amazing Days in Amsterdam Where to Eat, Stay & Do
The Best Places to Eat in Amsterdam
1. ‘t Pareltje – 10/10
These are are a big Amsterdam food spot! ‘t Pareltje litreally does fries with all types of toppings. They were absolutely massive and properly the biggest chips I have ever ordered in my life, it could easily feed four to five people. The highlight was the curry sauce and mayonnaise, which were both incredibly tasty. If you enjoy Dutch-style fries, this Amsterdam food spot is definitely worth visiting because it’s just an experience.
2. Jerk Bay – 5/10
At Jerk Bay, I ordered the meal with rice and peas, jerk chicken and a ginger and apple juice. It also came with festival. My friend also ordered mac and cheese with jerk chicken, saltfish fritters and festival, which I now wish I also ordered because the mac and cheese was actually good. It was nice to see Caribbean food in Amsterdam, but unfortunately it didn’t completely hit the mark for me.
3. Van Stapele Koekmakerij – 10/10
Van Stapele Koekmakerij is litreally seen everywhere on my TikTok. It’s an Amsterdam food bakery and is famous for selling just one cookie, and honestly it lives up to the hype. The gooey white chocolate centre combined with the warm cookie made it absolutely delicious. If you only try one dessert in Amsterdam, make it this one.
4. Restaurant Nomi Vijzelstraat – 4/10
So theNomi Restaurant wasn’t my fave. The restaurant does Korean BBQ and sushi restaurant, I went because it is also know and seen as an Amsterdam food spot and saw that it was very popular on social media, but unfortunately the food didn’t live up to expectations for us. Personally, I would say this place is a bit overhyped.
5. Lagom Amsterdam – 2/10
Another Amsterdam spot that unfortunately didn’t quite deliver for us. My friend ordered the Korean Burger with chips and the burger wasn’t great.
6. Lourens – 10/10
Oh Lourens was great. I love anything pistachio and getting a pistachio croissant here was incredible. We also tried the orginal chocolate cookie, which was fresh and just soo good.
7. Chun – 8/10
Ok so I wasn’t sure what to think about Chun, but after seeing it a million times i knew it had to be on my Amsterdam food itinerary. It is a very popular sandwich spot. I ordered the ribeye sandwich, while my friend ordered the prawn and egg sandwich. Now despite being told to not order the ribeye I would say both were delicious and perfect for a quick lunch.
8. Canela -10/10
I’m not usually a big cinnamon bun fan, so was pretty hesitant with going to Canela. In the past I’ve never liked cinnamon buns in the past, but I’ve only ever tried them in the UK (London). I’m glad I tried it though, because the pistachio cinnamon bun here because cinnamon buns are good when you leave the UK. This one completely changed my mind. The staff asked me if I wanted it warm and I did and it changed everything for me. It was soft, rich and absolutely delicious. I am actually thinking about it now! This definitely deserves being on the on the Amsterdam foods spots.
9. Van Wonderen Stroopwafels – 6/10
We tried a pistachio flavoured Stroopwafel at Van Wonderen Stroopwafels, (yes there is a pattern I love pistachio) which was nice but not particularly memorable. For me it was overpriced, but all the same it is still worth trying as it’s a classic Dutch snack/dessert.
10. Crema – 7/10
The pistachio white chocolate cookie at Crema Amsterdam was good and worth grabbing if you’re nearby. It’s not an Amsterdam food spot, but it certainly should be in my opinion. You can also get these warmed up which makes them taste even better.
11. The Lebanese Sajeria – 4/10
I was really craving a proper meal and saw a Lebanese restaurant and saw The Lebanese Sajeria. I ordered the salad with crackers which sounded nice at the time. However for me, it just didn’t impress me.
Other Restaurants to Visit
There are number of other Amsterdam food spots that I didn’t get to have the food or just got to the place and just wasn’t feeling the vibe or food.
- Jacob’s (this place was closed)
- Smash burgers if you like burgers (also went here but not a big burger fan)
- Loop 51 (did go here wasn’t feeling it though)
Where to Eat in Amsterdam by Neighbourhood
Amsterdam is very walkable, which I absolutely love, but knowing which neighbourhood to go to for these Amsterdam food spots are in can make planning so much easier.
Amsterdam City Centre
This is where many first-time visitors spend most of their time. This area is ideal if you want to walk between food stops while exploring the canals. You’ll find plenty of cafés, bakeries and famous dessert spots here. Food spots in this area include:
- Van Stapele Koekmakerij – famous for its gooey chocolate cookies
- Chun – known for its viral sandwiches
- Crema – great for cookies and sweet treats
De Pijp
De Pijp is one of Amsterdam’s most vibrant neighbourhoods and a great place for food lovers. You’ll find:
- trendy cafés
- international restaurants
- bakeries and brunch spots
It’s also home to the Albert Cuyp Market, one of the most famous street markets in Amsterdam where you can try fresh Amsterdam food stroopwafels and other Dutch snacks.
Jordaan
Jordaan is one of the most beautiful areas of Amsterdam with charming canals, boutique shops and cosy cafés.It’s a great neighbourhood to explore if you want a relaxed afternoon wandering between bakeries and coffee shops.
Map of the Best Food to Eat in Amsterdam
To make planning easier for you, here are the locations of the Amsterdam food spots mentioned in this Amsterdam food guide. This includes all the places I ate and mentioned earlier throughout this post.
Final Views on the Best Foods in Amsterdam
So how did you feel about the best places to eat in Amsterdam ratings? I think they were very honest and fair.
