Snacks – All our local tips

Struik is a typical relaxed, ‘easy going’ café. The audience is a mix of locals, old & young, varying from hip to old fashioned.

At Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays dj’s are playing their music: hiphop/soul/classics. Popular but original at the same time. Once in a while special events take place.

The graffiti on the brick wall changes every now and then, made by several artists. Struik has a small lunch and snack menu; and most days of the week you can enjoy a great dinner for a lousy €7.50! Check the website to see what’s on the menu! Every day another ‘theme’!

Great to start off your night, or to hang around all night. Guaranteed you meet some nice locals!

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Bar Struik | Bars, Music, Snacks | Beer € 2.00
Rozengracht 160 | Canals
Mon 17:00 – 01:00, Tue – Thu 10:00 – 01:00, Fri 10:00 – 03:00, Sat 11:00 – 03:00, Sun 11:00 – 01:00

One of the Albert Cuyp gems as it comes to exceptional venues and restaurants. Step into the magical world of the Middle-East.

Bazar is known for its beautiful interior, fine and warm atmosphere, and delightful kitchen. The colourful tables, prominent lamps, and happy music make you believe to be in a country far away from cheesy Holland. The only feeling that it may correspond to is that of the ‘cosy market atmosphere’ of the Albert Cuyp.

The dishes are originated from the North of Africa and the Middle East. Combined with a glass of wine or biological apple juice you’ll find yourself enjoying the overall atmosphere quite soon.

Whether you go for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the taste explosions are something special. Furthermore, vegetarians will be very satisfied with this menu. Think of couscous with dried fruits and raisins, steamed pumpkin and saffron sauce or the roasted Portobello mushroom filled with falafel and other special ingredients. Besides, all the meat is halal (ritually slaughtered).

An absolute recommendation is the shared (with two or more) large lunch. Ideal to try whatever they serve in small portions with bread, a combination of food of different cultures. And last but not least, don’t skip on the desserts as the cheesecake with dates and nuts leaves you begging for more.. Otherwise, a cup of fresh mint tea with traditional baklava will do just fine too.

The staff is polite and also apologizes when the food takes longer than expected.
Good quality for reasonable prices.
It is recommended to make reservations.

Don’t forget, this is not the kind of place to go for a quick bite…more an extended night full of experiences, taste explosions and that very unique atmosphere.

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Bazar | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Middle east) | Main dishes from € 8.50
Albert Cuypstraat 182 | De Pijp | +31206750544
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 01:00, Fri 10:00 – 02:00, Sat 09:00 – 02:00, Sun 09:00 – 00:00

I must say this is one of my favourite restaurants. I just had dinner here and I still love this place at the water. You come here to sit for a drink on the terrace, relax or to have dinner. They have a large terrace with lots of sun (when the sun shines of course) in a very nice neighborhood. It is in directly located at the water next to a small harbour. There are all cozy apartments and houses with small bridges and a perfect view over the water. Take a long walk before or after diner, and you will be surprised that this is a part of Amsterdam. I really love it here!

The restaurant is located in a cozy basement, but with more than enough daylight. It has a natural look with wooden tables and chairs. In the back they have tables with bar stools.

The open kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant and is in charge of the owner. His wife is the host of the restaurant. She is a very pleasant woman with knowledge about the food and wines. They both are exited to work there every day; they really have heart for their business.

The food is great, some common things on the menu like spare ribs and satay, but also more uncommon things as stingray and rabbit. The salad with beef is perfect, never had a dish which was so perfectly made and tasteful. All dishes are created with care and creativity.  Every dish is accompanied by a specifically chosen wine. A real must have are the desserts, especially the ice truffles are delicious.

I would say a great place with lovely staff and tasty food!

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Bickers aan de Werf | Snacks, Restaurants | Main course € 14.00
Bickerswerf 2 | Waterfront/North | +31203202951
Wed – Sun 12:00 – 22:30

Only recently I have discovered how great this place is. I’ve cycled past it for years but never had the urge to go in. This is because the shop doesn’t look very exciting from the outside. It is on a corner and is very small. It is not the sort of place to go if you want a romantic meal; it looks more like a snack bar.

But after hearing several good stories about their food I decided to give it a shot. And I found it’s a great place for lunch, especially if you are suffering from a hangover. Famous is the Broodje Bert. And I must say it is my favourite. It is a large piece of Turkish bread with freshly grilled lamb meatballs. Besides the meat the bread is filled with lettuce, tomato, peppers, and lot of sauce. It takes a bit of work to get down. But I always feel very satisfied after.

Besides the Broodje Bert they also serve several different sandwiches, burgers, and omelets.

As I said the place is very small and it is not very cosy on the inside. Besides from that you will smell like a barbecue if you sit inside. They grill the meat freshly in front of you and this can get a bit smoky. Luckily they do have a very pleasant terrace so you can comfortably sit outside. Even when the weather isn’t that good they have a bit of the terrace which is covered.

So if you’ve had a rough night and you’re heading towards the city centre I would recommend you to give it a shot. There is no better way to start a (hung-over) day!

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Broodje Bert | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Sandwich (cash only) € 6.50
Singel 321 | Canals | +31206230382
08:00 – 17:00 daily

This is really is the place to be for a great juicy burger, forget about Mcdonalds or Burger King. This type of ’slow fastfood’ is becoming more and more popular as this is not the only burgerbar of this kind in Amsterdam, but I do think its the best.

You get to choose between different sizes of burgers, different kinds of bread, and all the toppings you could want. This does get a bit pricey if you don’t know when to stop so choose your toppings wisely. If you really want to go for the best of the best get the Kobe Beef Burger. The farmers that used to produce this beef in Japan are known to have hired geisha’s to massage the animals. Or so I heard. So you should definetely give this one a try!

Don’t come here for the atmosphere, as its quite light and the music isn’t that great either. But…. The burgers really are to die for. I promise!

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Burgerbar | Snacks, Restaurants (Snack bar) | Burger € 8.00
Reguliersbreestraat 9 | Canals | +310203305968
Sun – Thu 09:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 04:00

The Burgermeester is a tiny restaurant/take away next to the famous Albert Cuyp market. Across the street you can find McDonalds, but I’ll tell you now: Burgermeester is the best kept secret among the locals!

The translation for Burgermeester in Dutch can be either ´Burger Master´ or ´mayor/burgomaster´

You can choose from a great variety of proper burgers on fresh bread made with the best fish, lamb, beef or vegetarian options like falafel, whatever you wish for..
Add some delicious ingredients like grilled vegetables, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms and/or cheddar…et voila…You’ve just created the perfect burger!

Their homemade milkshakes of fresh fruits and ice are the best and the 3 mini burger menu is great to have all your favorites at the same time..
Side dishes vary from oven potatoes with basilic/garlic sour cream to exclusive salads. Small or large portion, to stay or take away; everything is possible. Although, take away is the best option as the place is really small, to go in for a quick bite is fine too.

Too many drinks last night? This is the best hangover food ever; goodbye McDonals, BurgerKing and KFC! And it´s healthy too…

Between 18:00 and 22:00 the place gets crowded: waiting up to 40min to take away is not unusual. I live just around the corner…which makes it no problem to come back later! And yes, waiting that long is totally worth it!!

Note: Burgermeester has another restaurant at the Elandsgracht 130, near the canals! And starting July also near the Artis Zoo, at Plantage Kerklaan 37.

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Burgermeester | Snacks | Hamburger € 6.00
Albert Cuypstraat 48 | De Pijp | +31206709339
12:00 – 23:00 daily

Café Katoen is a really popular place amongst students. (Katoen means ‘cotton’ but to be honest I don’t no why the cafe has this name.) It is located in the city centre very close to the University of Amsterdam. This is why lots of students find their way to it.

The cafe isn’t very big but it doesn’t seem cramped thanks to all the windows. The room isn’t packed full with tables and chairs. This is a good thing because this makes it feel spacious and relaxed.

On the other hand a lot of times there aren’t any places to sit. This can be a disappointment. There are also a couple of seats at the bar but for the rest it isn’t the kind of place where you can stand with your drink. So whenever I go there and spot an empty table I’m very happy.

As I said the place is mostly visited by students. It opens quite early so in the morning it is a good place for breakfast. As it gets later it gets busier and during the day it is often filled with girls chatting and drinking coffee or having lunch.

In the evening they don’t serve dinner but they do serve small snacks to accompany your drinks. The evening is the busiest time, and the later it gets you have to find yourself lucky to find a seat. At evening time the cafe is filled with guys as well as girls. And lots of groups of students having a drink after a whole day of studying!

I like this cafe very much. The interior is a bit outdated but I guess this has its charm. Also if you aren’t a student it is a nice place for a drink. Right in the city centre but filled with locals.

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Cafe Katoen | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Wine € 2.50
Oude Turfmarkt 153 | Old center | +310206262635
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 01:00, Sun 10:00 – 01:00

I don’t have lots of spectacular things to say about this spot so I’ll just keep it simple. It is simply a really good spot.

The good things are to begin with the location, right on the Nieuwmarkt with views of De Waag. Secondly the reading chairs by the window, very nice! Check out the lunch menu during the day which is tasty and affordable. And last but not least the different kinds of Belgian beers and the nice housewine are worth a try.

Don’t forget to order some bitterballen to go with your drinks and just enjoy!

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Cafe Stevens | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants | lunch € 5.00
Geldersekade 123 | Old center
10:00 – 01:00 daily

In the Dapperstraat in the Eastern part of Amsterdam you will find the Dapper market. The Dapper market is one of my favourite markets. It is one of the busiest and biggest markets of Amsterdam.

During the week and especially on a Saturday it is always crowded with people from all over the city, and also with people that come from outside of Amsterdam, to do their shopping or to just look around and meet up with friends.

I have been living in Amsterdam Oost since last summer and I am really happy to live so close to the market. Unfortunately I can only go if I have lots of time because shopping at the market does take me longer than shopping at the supermarket. This is because I always see so many different things I want to get that I easily wander around the market for an hour at least…

The market sells a great diversity of food like fruit and vegetables. Besides food you will also find flowers, clothes, shoes and anything else you might need. I usually go there for flowers and fruit and vegetables and am always amazed at how cheap it is!

I also love the fact that at the market all different cultures come together to do their shopping. It is a really multicultural place and it represents Amsterdam really well. It is also worth it to check out the different shops just off the market where you will find little supermarkets hat sell different foreign products. Also the market offers a diversity of different ready to eat snacks from lots of different cuisines. Another favourite of mine are the freshly squeezed fruit juices.

If you are planning to check out Amsterdam Oost, which I can really recommend you to do as it is a very lively area where lots of different cultures and kinds of people come together, you really can’t miss the Dapper Market.

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Dappermarkt | Shopping, Snacks
Dapperstraat | Plantage/Oost
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 17:00

I never knew you were able to get good scones in Holland until I went to the Bakkerswinkel. Me and my friends met for lunch and started of having different kinds of savoury sandwiches which were all delicious. There is plenty of choice here and the ingredients used are tasty and fresh. The bread is nice and heavy so you are sure to be satisfied for the rest of the day after you get lunch here.

I have to admit that we were definitely satisfied, but we still couldn’t resist the temptation of ordering a scone as dessert. This was absolutely delicious. They have different kinds of scones, for instant with raisins, chocolate or cherries. They also have a wide range of different sorts of freshly made jam to go with it. Its really very good. And of course the clotted cream just makes it perfect!

De Bakkerwinkel also does high teas for which I think you have to make a reservation in advance. If you’re not that hungry you can of course also drop in for just a cup of coffee although I doubt if you can resist the temptation of all the cakes pies and scones around you!

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De Bakkerswinkel | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Scone (jam&cream) € 3.50
Warmoesstraat 69 | Old center | +310204898000
Tue – Fri 08:00 – 18:00, Sat 08:00 – 17:00, Sun 10:00 – 17:00

I can’t repeat enough how much I like cheese. This is why visiting De Kaaskamer is a treat for me. Looking at (and smelling) all the different sorts of cheese makes my mouth water…

I usually go here to get a delicious baguette for lunch. You can pick any sort of cheese or meat and other toppings and the baguette will definitely fill your stomach for the rest of the day.

The shop is hard to miss, you can smell it meters away. When you go inside you won’t know where to start! Luckily the personel is really friendly and they let you taste different cheeses too.

My tip would be to get yourself a baguette, and to eat it somewhere beside one of the beautiful canals. Then on your last day in Amsterdam head to the shop again and fill your whole suitcase with CHEESE!!! Enjoy!

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De Kaaskamer | Shopping, Snacks | Baguette € 5.00
Runstraat 7 | Canals | +310206233483
Mon 12:00 – 18:00, Tue – Fri 09:00 – 18:00, Sat 09:00 – 17:00, Sun 12:00 – 17:00

De Ysbreker is a bar and a restaurant and also a great place to sit during the day. It used to be a theatre as well but those activities had to be moved elsewhere. The Ysbreker is situated at the Amstel River, which must be one of the most beautiful places of Amsterdam. In the summertime the big terrace in the front is great to sit by the water and to watch all the people cycling by…

The café has a vast history. The building used to be a guesthouse where in wintertime the people who broke the ice of the frozen Amstel River used to stay. That building burnt down but the new building kept the original name and is now a place where people go for a drink or something to eat while enjoying the great view of the Amstel River which in present times isn’t frozen over as often as it used to be a couple of hundred years ago.

If the weather isn’t that great it is also very nice to sit inside. I love to sit in the part at the front with the big windows. The view here is as good as when you’re sitting outside. During the day the place is very peaceful with people reading the newspaper and drinking a cup of coffee. Later on it gets a bit more buzzing. When you come in the place doesn’t seem that big bit there is also a large area in the back where you can sit. As I said they have a lot of newspapers to read which is a great way to spend a couple of hours of spare time during the week or on a Sunday afternoon.

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De Ysbreker | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants
Weesperzijde 23 | Plantage/Oost | +310204681808
Sun – Thu 09:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 09:00 – 02:00

I had never heard of Feduzzi Mercado Italiano until a friend took me there to get some lunch. She had been there before and assured me that their ciabatta’s were delicious. And she is right! Their ciabatta’s are mouth watering.

I’ve made it my personal project to try out all of the different kinds. Until now all the ciabatta’s I have tasted were great but one of my favourites must be the ‘Cortina’. This one is with mozzarella and salami. They give you a choice between ordinary salami and spicy salami. I’ve tried them both and like the spicy salami the best. But be aware because it really is very spicy. That combined with the creamy buffalo mozzarella is an absolute treat!

Another of my favourites is the ‘Feduzzi’. This ciabatta is filled with creamy mozzarella, grilled aubergine, and delicious pesto. Writing about it makes me hungry!

Besides ciabatta’s they also sell loads of different ready to eat food like cheeses, meats, pasta salads, and other things. Also the shop has a wall with shelves full of different sorts of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried and fresh pasta, coffee and all different kinds of wine. The area the shop is in is quiet. There isn’t much happening there. People mostly just live there and there are a couple of shops and a few more bars and restaurants.

Still I would recommend you to go there because Feduzzi’s is really worth a try. I’m sure you will not be disappointed!

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Feduzzi | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Ciabatta sandwich € 4.00
Scheldestraat 63 | Oud-Zuid | +310206646365
Mon 12:00 – 19:00, Tue – Fri 10:30 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Gartine is one of my favorites for an unique breakfast, excellent lunch and English high tea. I visited the place several times and mostly for breakfast. All raw products come from the owner’s vegetable garden. I experienced the dishes always as super fresh and of good quality!

The atmosphere is easy and pleasant. Recently I tried to get a grab there, but the place is always packed with people, well that means the business goes very well. Maybe they have to think of a bigger place?

The dishes are served on antique chinaware, which is collected by the owners with tender loving care during the past years. If you like antique chinaware only this is a reason to visit the place!

On top of that Gartine adopted 58 chickens at the foundation ‘Adopt a Chicken’ and these chickens provide the farm fresh eggs. Next to that the staff works with products of the ‘Ark van Smaak’ from Slow Food Netherlands. So when you eat there, you eat ‘eco and green’!

Gartine is in a small alley called ‘Takstee

g’ in the old centre of Amsterdam, between Rokin and Spui.

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Gartine | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Big breakfast € 10.95
Taksteeg 7 | Old center | +31203204132
Tue – Sun 08:00 – 18:00

Right at the canals on the Singel you will have to look carefully not to miss this lovely breakfast & lunch spot. You will recognize it by the little white tables and chairs that stand outside which give you a lovely view of one of the most beautiful parts of the city centre.

Greenwoods is a tiny place is and is owned by an English woman. This woman among other thins surely knows how to bake! The carrot cake, lemon meringue pie and cheesecake are absolutely delicious. I really couldn’t believe it. At one point my boyfriend got so addicted to the carrot cake that he got a slice almost daily. He went out of his way for it, you could say he was out of control!

If you’re not in a hurry you can also try the high tea. You will be spoiled with Great tea and lots of little sandwiches and scones with fresh cream and jam will keep you busy for hours.

Besides for the cakes this is also a great place for a savoury lunch or breakfast. The homemade soda bread is heavy but delicious. The club sandwiches are also a meal in itself. Accompany your food by a big cup of coffee and some fresh orange juice and there is no better way to start of your day.

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Greenwoods | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (breakfast) | Sandwich € 6.00
Singel 103 | Canals | +31206237071
09:30 – 19:00 daily

Hartogs Bakery is an institution in Amsterdam. Lots of people swear by this bakery and don’t get their bread anywhere else.

The bakery exists since 1896 and what makes it special is that exclusively wholemeal flour and no preservatives are used. Their fresh bread tastes so great that you don’t even have to put anything on it! They bake new bread a couple of times a day so you will never leave empty handed.

I’ve recently moved near to the bakery, and while I was cycling to work really early I noticed the bakery was already open, I found out it opens at seven in the morning! I know bakers always start really early but I couldn’t believe this.

So many people love the shop and that makes it always very busy. People usually queue up all day long and the queue usually goes till outside. But it is worth it.

Since less than a year the bakery has opened another shop just a couple of meters around the corner. In this shop (Hartogs sandwiches) they sell sandwiches made of their own delicious bread. The sandwiches are no nonsense, ham cheese, peanut butter etc. sandwiches. It is great for lunch or breakfast.

They also sell cold drinks and coffee but every thing is very simple and basic. Traditional sandwiches which taste so good because the bread is fresh, the sandwich filling is simple but good, and as I said it is all no nonsense. This makes it all very affordable as well.

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Hartogs Bakery | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Loaf of bread € 2.00
Ruyschstraat 56 | Plantage/Oost | +310206651295
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 18:00, Sat 06:30 – 16:30

In a colorful little street that connects Westerstraat and Egelantiersgracht you will find a little sandwich shop called “Kaasboer”.

There is usually a big line, but you will be served quickly and with attention. The people behind the counter always seem to be in a good mood and while you’re waiting they stuff you with for example an asparagus ham that arrived this morning.

I myself am originally from the south of The Netherlands, and when I am in places like this one, I am reminded of the love and attention that you will find in Catholic Belgium or France for all the pleasures in life, but most importantly for food. The sandwiches that you get are rich and delicious, and the people that are running the shop seem to have a lot of care for the products that they are selling.

Inside the shop there is no opportunity to sit down, but when it’s sunny, you can sit back in front of the shop. Nobody is rushing in the heart of the Jordaan, but there is plenty to see in the cozy streets of this beautiful neighborhood.

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Kaasboer | Snacks | Big sandwich € 2.75
Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 3/W | Jordaan | +31206248802
Daily

There’s not much to say about this spot except that it is the ideal place to get something to get a ‘broodje’ (dutch for sandwich or bread roll) with anything you can imagine!

You can choose the sandwich filling of your choice which can be a difficult choice to make. They have about all sorts of cheese and meats you can imagine and since they’re really not expensive its the ideal quick lunch.

My absolute favorite is the ‘vitello tonato’: veal, tuna salad, capers and tomatoes all on one roll. Delicious!

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Kaassie Kaassie | Shopping, Snacks | Roll € 3.00
Eerste Sweelinckstraat 14 | De Pijp
Mon – Sat 08:30 – 17:00

Great supermarket with health and eco food, and much more! They have a lot of take away goodies! Nice spot!

The “Overtoom”, the name of the street, is getting more attractive. It used to be a traffic – jammed road. Now you can go there for fun, food and shopping.

A real good new Marqt for Amsterdam.

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Marqt | Shopping, Snacks
Overtoom 21 – 25 | Oud-West | +31204226311
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 21:00

P.King used to be a Chinese restaurant but as you walk by there is not much that will remind you of that except the name and the dinner menu. For the rest the style is quite different. It has a sixties style retro feel to it, especially the dining room upstairs which you should really take a look at if you get the chance.

The cafe is open the whole day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. No matter what time I go, I always enjoy the laid back chill vibe. The menu during the day is quite standard but with a couple of real good choices like for instance the typical Dutch bread with ‘kroketten’.

At dinnertime the menu is Cantonese with lots of different kinds of rice and noodles with chicken and meat to choose from. I really like the sweet and sour chicken. You can choose to have small portions so you can share and try different things.

I like to go here before or after I go to the cinema, for instance the Tuschinski Movie Theatre is really close.

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P.King | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Cantonese) | Main meal € 10,00
Herengracht 515 | Canals | +310203208175
Sun – Thu 09:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 09:00 – 03:00

This is the ultimate place for lovers of excellent and fine patisserie. This price winning place is worth the détour. Fine strawberry tarts with creamy underlay is one of their best. A great selection of home baked cookies and chocolates is also part of their assortment.

It is an experience to have a cup of coffee or tea and to choose one of the nice tarts or cakes.

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Patisserie Kuyt | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Coffee or teatime from € 5.00
Utrechtsestraat 109a | Canals | +31206234833
Mon 08:00 – 17:00, Tue – Sat 08:00 – 17:30

The Maasstraat in the south part of Amsterdam is originally a very local street with a bakery, grocery shop and florist for the neighbourhood. But this suddenly changed when Patisserie Tout opened: a fashionable shop with gorgeous cakes & cookies.

They organize small tasting & courses to make desserts or to try out cakes. Herman den Blijker, one of our famous TV chefs, loves the place and passes it on his way from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, to buy his beloved macaroons. And I must admit, the macaroons are worth a detour. Especially the raspberry flavour.

They make a small but attractive apple pie & the red fruit tartlets look divine. So if you are a sweet loving taster, don’t miss on patisserie Tout.

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Patisserie Tout | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cakes from € 8.00
Maasstraat 105 | Oud-Zuid | +31206762620
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 18:00, Sat 09:30 – 17:30

THIS IS A SECRET, and you are not allowed to tell everybody!

You can have take away, but not order by phone; you have to go there yourself. You can sit on a small and simple table, where you get your own plates and glasses, and than when it is ready, you get your ultimate thin crusted pizza!!!!!!!

They are heaven and more, they are all good and delicious, simple choices with good and fresh ingredients, for the fish, veggie, meet and hot and spicy lover, this is really FINE DINING for little money!

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Portare Via | Snacks, Restaurants (Pizza) | Pizza € 5.50
Leliegracht 34 | Canals
17:00 – 22:00 daily

Singel 404 is an old time favorite of me and most of my friends. It’s a great place for breakfast or lunch mainly because you have loads of choice and in general everything on the menu is fresh and very affordable. They have lots of different kinds of bread and almost every filling you can think of.

Because there is so much to choose from I often get confused and just stick to my favorite: warm goat cheese and chicken. But obviously it is best to just try loads of different things!Besides sandwiches you can also order soups and salads. And of course a wide range of shakes, fruit juices, coffees, or even a glass of wine!

Because Singel 404 is very close to the University of Amsterdam it gets very busy, lots of (female) students take a long lunchbreak here and catch up with their friends. So be prepared to wait a while before you get your table.

It’s best to sit upstairs where it is a bit quieter and you don’t notice all the other hungry people waiting for you to finish! If you go early in the morning or a bit later in the afternoon you can enjoy your food in a more relaxed atmosphere.

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Singel 404 | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Sandwich € 5.00
Singel 404 | Canals | +310204280154
10:30 – 18:00 daily

“Here you buy a dishcloth, trousers or a nice roll”, says Maaike, one of the saleswoman of Sissy-Boy Homeland.

The furniture is partly new and partly ‘brocante’. The department ‘Daily’ has fresh biological bread and cheeses. There is Brandmeesters coffee (famous old Dutch brand) and various olive oils of Amsterdam known olive oil supplier Meeuwig (His slogan: Check your oil levels!). Last but not least you find clothing of Sissy Boy. I love the shop and her attitude to today’s lifestyle.

It is a visit worthwhile, also to see the this rapidly developing area of Amsterdam with modern architecture on the water-shores of Amsterdam.

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Sissy-Boy Homeland | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Espressso € 1.70
KNSM-laan 19 | Waterfront/North | +31204181559
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 19:00, Sun 11:00 – 18:00

Snack Bar Bird is on the busy Zeedijk, this is the China Town of Amsterdam. By far the best place to eat here is Snack bar Bird.

This tiny place serves the best Thai food one can imagine. Unfortunately the place is also very small and cramped, so often you have to wait outside before there is a table available. But luckily they are really quick so the wait is never too long. Sit at the window if you get the chance. You’ll see some interesting people…Once you’ve managed to squeeze yourself into a seat you wonder how you will ever get out. Don’t worry, you’ll manage.

I always have the beef in oyster sauce and I’ve never tasted it better than here! To get you started the spring rolls are delicious too. This is really the place for a quick bite that isn’t junk food. The portions are big and will keep you going for the rest of the evening.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed dinner there is also the option of Bird restaurant just across the street. It has the same owner as the snack bar but it is a real restaurant with more tables and more space. For any group bigger then 4 people the restaurant is a better option than the snack bar. Unfortunately it does lack the snack bars atmosphere. So if it’s in any way possible, go for the snack bar!

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Snack Bar Bird | Snacks, Restaurants (Thai) | Main meal € 12.50
Zeedijk 77 | Old center
14:00 – 22:00 daily

I really love the Javanese Surinamese cuisine. This is why I love the Pijp so much. This area is filled with these kinds of restaurants. Most of them don’t look very nice on the inside. It’s all about the food and not about atmosphere. Usually it is not the ideal place for a romantic evening out. But in the case of Spang Makandra it is slightly different.

In a little street just a couple of minutes away from the famous Albert Cuijp Market you will find a little restaurant called Spang Makandra. This place is different than your usual Surinamese restaurant and this is mostly thanks to the interior of the restaurant and the presentation of the food. Now it would be too much to say that the restaurant is perfect for a romantic evening out. This is due to the giant television screen that fills one entire wall of the restaurant. This isn’t exactly romantic but it is nice for people that are waiting for their take out or for the people that are eating alone. But still despite the television the place has quite a nice atmosphere. The lights are dimmed and the interior looks really nice and is very comfortable.

The guy that owns the place is really friendly and all in all the atmosphere is very relaxed. And I haven’t even mentioned the food! This is in one word DELICIOUS! The menu is big and you can choose from lots of different main meals with rice or noodles, snacks, and sandwiches. The food is served nicely on big plates which makes the presentation much nicer than in most of the other Surinamese restaurants.

Last but not least: the portions are big so don’t order too much. Even if it is very tempting…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Spang Makandra | Snacks, Restaurants (Javanese/Surinamese) | Main meal € 8.00
Gerard Doustraat 39 | De Pijp | +310206705081
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 22:00, Sun 13:00 – 22:00

The moment IJscuypje opened its doors it has been a great success and popular even since. The stall is located next to the Albert Cuyp market, and this is also where it gets its name from.

IJscuypje is the place to be for your ideal summer desert: Icecream! Home made, natural ingredients, real cream instead of butter, no colourings and artificial preservatives and daily made!
Also, it’s sold in a perfect balance: good prices for great quality!
Don’t expect hundreds sorts of flavours. A set of 8 flavours is what you see and get. And that is absolutely not disappointing.

Mostly when you think of good icecream, you think: Italian icecream. But here’s something new: IJscuypje makes its icecream according to an old Dutch pastrycook’s shop recipe.

Actually, this may have been the first time I thought eating icecream was healthy! The yogurt ice tastes like fresh creamy yoghurt and the raspberry ice is refreshing and still holds its pure vitamin seeds. Basically: the sorbet ice is solely made of fresh fruit and juice, without the use of milk products.

A surprising fact:
In winters (November – April), ‘IJscuypje’ is transformed into ‘Stamppotje’. This name refers to a typically Dutch winterly potatodish with vegetables served with meat and gravy on the side. The most traditional are ‘Boerenkool’ with coal, ‘Hutspot’ with carrots or ask for their specials.

Above all, a very friendly service will welcome you and always let you (ask them!) try some if you can’t make your decision.

Do be aware of the fact that IJscuypje / Stamppotje has no seating area. Just take place on one of the wooden benches nearby or take away.

Enjoy!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Stamppotje | Snacks, Restaurants (Dutch) | Winterpotato dish € 7.00
1e van der Helststraat 27 | De Pijp | +31204795565
11:00 – 23:00 daily

Don’t you feel like eating healthy today? Try The Taart van m’n Tante. Translation for: The Pie of my Aunt. Think of your grandmother’s Apple pie, but then better.

This small, cosy, cute place in the area of the Museum Quarter and famous Albert Cuyp market, is always packed with people enjoying a relaxing mid-afternoon tea with one of the homemade cakes on the side.

The fairytale decor of unique, special cakes (think: Disney, Ballet, Flamingo’s, Weddings) makes you even want to try more! I almost tried them all, and I can assure you, they are all extremely delicious!

Varying from chunky chocolate to creamy caramel, topped with whipped cream…Nothing is impossible! Do ask the staff which ones are available as the menu divers every day..

The place to be for sugar-addicts!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Taart van m’n Tante | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cakes from € 3.00
Ferdinand Bolstraat 10 | De Pijp | +31207764600
10:00 – 18:00 daily

I love burritos and usually make them myself. It has actually become one of my cooking specialities. So who would have thought that one day I would find a place where they make such tasty burritos that are maybe even better than my own!!??

The first time me and my friends visited the taco shop we didn’t know what to choose, we asked which burrito was the best and got served the smothered beef and beans burrito which was absolutely heavenly and a gigantic portion too. Guacamole, nacho’s, salad, a really nice red sauce on the side and to finish it off lots of melted cheese. Wow!! I’m a cheese lover but the other day I decided to try my favorite without the cheese and this was also great! And a healthier choice I suppose…

You will find the Taco shop beside the Amstel river. There are a couple of places to sit but you can also take your food out. The small shop is owned by a very friendly guy who spends a lot of time in the shop. The other people working in the shop are also very friendly and the atmosphere is very relaxed and pleasant. You will find me there almost once a week!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Taco Shop | Snacks, Restaurants (Mexican) | main meal € 8.00
Tolstraat 200 | De Pijp | +310204703657
12:00 – 22:00 daily

Approximately 50 meters from the “Nederlandsche Bank” and the attractive “Utrechtsestraat” (check the Utrechtsestraat article) you will find the Weteringschans, where also the just newly opened Hotel V is located. This place is located in a bit of a deserted location, as far as you can talk about a deserted location in energetic Amsterdam…

Here you’ll find a very charming spot called Uliveto. It’s an Italian franchise concept, which is hardly known. Fresh ingredients & good looking food is the credo here. Recently two staff members took over the place from the first owner Conny. It is even better than before, opening times changed and longer.

For lunch I would recommend to ask her to make your choice: probably a great plate with antipasti and a nice salad, and maybe just a small warm dish on the side for mouth-watering moments. Served with nice wine or delicious water, a very healthy utterly light sparkling water from the Uliveto brand.

Her pasta with Ragu, is also not to miss. The place is nice, clean & in a way industrial. A real fat cat to accessorize and take care of the mice ? Enjoy Uliveto! Great place!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Uliveto | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Italian panini´s, meals and take away) | Italian panini € 5,00
Weteringschans 118 | Canals | +31204230099
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 20:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 18:00

Small and elegant at the corner of the Banstraat and Valeriusstraat; that’s Valerius.

A place to go to for breakfast, lunch and after work drinks. If you have something to celebrate, small parties are welcome, but please call a little in advance.

The interior is modern and elegant. Beautiful photos decorate the walls.

Breakfast is a feast with many choices. Lunch offers a range of nice salads, tosti’s, egg-dishes, slices of bread sandwiches with delicious fillings and toppings and interesting finishing sweets.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Valerius Eten & Drinken | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Breakfast € 8.00
Banstraat 14 | Oud-Zuid | +31204713976
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 18:00

Although you might as well go to Belgium to try the Flemish fries, it’s a lovely country after all, you can get a taste of them in Amsterdam as well.

At Vleminckx in the Voetboogstraat, near Spui, you can help yourself to a beautiful bag of light-golden fries; thick, crispy on the outside, perfectly textured, slightly crummy on the inside.

They sell no other snacks than these little golden wonders, but you can cover them with a wide variety of Dutch and Belgium sauces.

You do have to wade through a horde of shopping tourists and families to get there, but the reward will be worthwhile.

If you are shopping on the busiest shopping streets of the city, Leidsestraat or Kalverstraat, you can get a quick power boost at this always busy little snack bar.

Don’t be fooled by the line of people standing in front of it; you will be served quickly and efficiently. If you are not in the neighborhood, but happen to be fond of fries, take the trip to have them at Vleminckx.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Vleminckx | Snacks | Flemish fries (medium) € 2.70
Voetboogstraat 31 | Old center
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00, Sun 12:00 – 17:30

It is a (maybe even the most) culinary highlight in this neighbourhood. The clientele here is a little old, but everyone is lovely and so nice. I try to come here every two weeks, because I really love this place.

The entire atmosphere of this small shop/lunch room is great. Lots of wine bottles are stalled in the front of the lunch room. In the back there is the showcase with all kinds of sandwich filling. On the right there are small tables were you can sit nicely. Everybody joins, so if you need privacy, you better go somewhere else. Sometimes you have to shift tables, because the wine cellar is underneath your place.

The staff are the two owners, Hans and Trees, and other great people who really make your lunch unforgettable. They do not only take your order, they make it a pleasant memory. You can order highly qualitative sandwiches like wild salmon, Dutch shrimps, foie gras, paté, different kind of hams (serrano, parma) etc.

Furthermore they sell an excellent selection of wines in different price ranges. And of course, lunch does not come here without a glass of wine.

Were can you still find a perfect spot like this? Last week I was here; and again, perfect!!!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Warmolts | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Lunch) | Lunch from € 4.00
Maasstraat 72 | Oud-Zuid | +31206620448
Tue – Fri 09:00 – 18:00, Sat 09:00 – 17:00

In the middle of ‘The Pijp’ you will find Warung Marlon, a little Surinamese restaurant. There are lots of places like this in Amsterdam, and especially a lot in ‘The Pijp’. They cook the same things in almost all of the places but the food tastes slightly different everywhere. And I suppose it all depends on your personal taste which one you find the best.

In any case a lot of Surinamese people do go to Marlon so that must mean something.  Anyway this place is one of my favourites. The people who work here are very friendly and the food is served quickly when you sit in. There are a couple of tables to sit inside and eat which is okay if all you need is a quick meal. But the place does look very clinical with white tiles on the floor and on the wall and very bright lights.

You can sit in to eat but you can also take your food out.  Especially on a Sunday it gets very busy with people taking food. Sometimes you have to wait a while but you can also phone in your order and pick it up later. I often get a soup in the restaurant for lunch or I like to take some of their food home with me for dinner.

The great thing is also that they are not expensive at all. A main meal will cost you about € 7.50 which is very doable. A couple of my favourites are kip sate, saoto soup, ‘teloh bakkeljauw’ and roti. Also the bakabana is known to be great.

I would recommend everyone visiting Amsterdam to try the food from Suriname. It really is delicious and it is becoming such a part of Dutch cuisine that you really can’t do without.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Warung Marlon | Snacks, Restaurants (Surinam) | Main meal € 7.50
1e Van der Helststraat 55 | De Pijp | +31206711526
Wed – Mon 11:00 – 20:00