Best Food Amsterdam: Top Local Eats & Must-Try Spots

Best Food Amsterdam, honestly, wasn’t something I was expecting to care about. I just thought, “Okay, cheese and maybe some waffles?” But once I actually started walking around, I ended up eating way more than I planned. Like, those stroopwafels? I thought people were exaggerating, but no—they’re basically caramel crack. And the fries here come in these giant cones with sauces you didn’t even know existed. I’m not even a fries person, and I still destroyed an entire cone while standing next to a canal trying not to get run over by a bike. Then there were these little places serving bitterballen, which look suspicious but taste amazing, and a random Indonesian spot someone dragged me into that ended up being one of the best meals of the trip.

The thing about the best food Amsterdam has is that it’s not fancy — it’s more like, “Oh hey, this hole-in-the-wall smells good, let’s try it.” And somehow it always worked out. I feel like the whole city just feeds you without you really planning anything. You kind of just follow your nose and hope for the best, and half the time, the best actually happens.

Best Food Amsterdam

Here are Top 40+ Best Food in Amsterdam:

1. Stroopwafels at Albert Cuyp Market
2. Fries from Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx
3. Indonesian rijsttafel at Restaurant Blauw
4. Pancakes at Pancakes Amsterdam
5. Bitterballen at Café de Tuin
6. Apple pie at Winkel 43
7. Dutch pancakes at The Pancake Bakery
8. Herring from Frens Haringhandel
9. Surinamese dishes at Warung Spang Makandra
10. Burgers at The Butcher
11. Street food at Foodhallen Amsterdam
12. Fresh stroopwafels at Van Wonderen Stroopwafels
13. Poffertjes at Poffertjes Albert Cuyp
14. Craft beer + snacks at Brouwerij ’t IJ
15. Cheese tasting at Henri Willig Cheese
16. Dim sum at Oriental City
17. Brunch at Dignita Hoftuin
18. Vegan comfort food at Vegan Junk Food Bar
19. Seafood at The Seafood Bar
20. Canal-side dining at Café George
21. Coffee + pastries at Bocca Coffee Roasters
22. Dutch stamppot at Moeders
23. Steak at Loetje Amsterdam
24. Sandwiches at Broodje Bert
25. Falafel at Maoz
26. Pizza at La Perla
27. Desserts at Cut Throat Amsterdam
28. Turkish street food at Döner Company
29. Thai food at Bird Thai
30. Brunch at Coffee & Coconuts
31. Croissants at Le Fournil de Sébastien
32. Rotisserie chicken at Café de Klos
33. Ramen at Ramen-Ya
34. Sushi at SUSHISAMBA Amsterdam
35. Tacos at Carmelita
36. Lebanese food at Cedars
37. Pasta at Spaghetteria
38. International eats at World of Food Amsterdam-Zuidoost
39. Chocolate tasting at Puccini Bomboni
40. High tea at The Duchess
41. Small plates at Breda

Best Food in Amsterdam:

1. Stroopwafels at Albert Cuyp Market

• Honestly, the second you walk into the market, you smell these things before you even see them.
• They hand you the stroopwafel warm, and the caramel is basically trying to escape.
• I took one bite and immediately understood why people hype it up.
• You kind of have to eat it standing there because it gets messy fast.
• It’s simple, but somehow feels like the most “Amsterdam” thing I ate.

2. Fries from Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx

• There’s always a line, which is annoying, but also means it’s legit.
• The fries come out super crispy, not sad and soggy like some places.
• Picking a sauce is the real challenge—I panicked and got mayo, no regrets.
• You end up eating them on the sidewalk like everyone else.
• Easily one of the best quick snacks I had in the city.

3. Indonesian Rijsttafel at Restaurant Blauw

• It’s basically a table covered in little dishes, and you just go for it.
• Every plate tastes completely different—spicy, sweet, smoky, whatever.
• I kept saying “okay, last bite,” and then kept eating anyway.
• It’s fun because you don’t have to choose just one thing.
• Definitely the most satisfying meal I had in Amsterdam.

4. Pancakes at Pancakes Amsterdam

• These pancakes are huge—like, one plate and you’re done for the day.
• I got the Apple One and felt like I’d accidentally ordered dessert for breakfast.
• The place is always buzzing with people doing the exact same thing.
• Not fancy at all, just cosy and reliable.
• Great stop when you just want something warm and comforting.

5. Bitterballen at Café de Tuin

• They come out so hot you basically burn your mouth every time.
• Crispy on the outside, soft and creamy inside—super addictive.
• You dip them in mustard, and somehow that tiny step makes them perfect.
• It’s the kind of thing you eat with a beer without thinking too much.
• Feels very local, very chill, very “Amsterdam bar vibe.”