Where to eat in Amsterdam when you’ve got the munchies

Whether you need some snacks from general hunger, or from enjoying one of Amsterdam’s other famous tourist draws, there are better and worse places to find amazing edibles in The Netherlands’ capital. We’re not talking about fine dining here, though the city has plenty of opportunities for that kind of culinary adventuring.

No. We’re talking about epic snacking of the sort that may only be truly appreciated in a city with Amsterdam’s…attributes. Here is your expert-researched, Cheapflights-approved list of the where to eat in Amsterdam when you want to get your munch on.

Bite of Bitterballen at Café Luxembourg

Admit it. When you imagine going to Amsterdam, a part of you thought about sitting at a café with a view of the street, eating local fare and sipping a tiny cup of strong coffee. Café Luxembourg, located at Spui 24, is the café you were imagining while you were imagining that. The Art Deco feel, view of the bustling crowds, and cosmopolitan atmosphere makes it one of the experiences you came to this city for. Order the Bitterballen: deep-fried meatballs served with a side of mustard. They’re the best in the city.

Plough Through Pomme Frittes at High Snack

Remember that scene in Pulp Fiction where Vincent tells Jules about how they put mayonnaise on their fries in Amsterdam? This is the place to get those fries, curing both your Amsterdam munchies and your cult classic fandom fix. It’s a small shop dedicated to giving tourists and locals a quick in-and-out experience, found near The Old Church just off Warnoestraat. The prices aren’t even bad by Northern Europe standards.

Snack on Stroopwafel Everywhere

Stroopwafel Stroopwafel are thin, crispy waffles topped with any manner of sweet (and even savory) options. They are a quintessential Amsterdam treat, and are served from stalls throughout the city. The best are rumoured to be offered at the Lindenmarkt on Lindengracht between Prinsengracht and Lijnbaansgracht, but you’ll be hard put to avoid opportunities to nosh on this particular treat during any stay in Amsterdam. And did you know that ice cream cones were invented at a World’s Fair when a stroopwafel vendor who wasn’t selling well teamed up with an ice cream vendor who had run out of paper cups?

Snarf Down Sausages at Noordermarkt

If you’re in town on a Saturday, come to the farmer’s market to end all farmer’s markets in the square of Norodermarkt where Noordermarkt street meets the Prinsengracht Canal. Come with an empty stomach to sample what many consider the best sausages in Amsterdam, if not the Netherlands, but keep that stomach far from full to sample everything from fresh oysters to organic fruits and veg.

Consume Coffee at the Old Church

You’ll find it in the shadow of De Oude Kerk, one of the oldest and most famous structures in the city (which happens to border on the city’s infamous red-light district). The coffee here is among the best in Amsterdam, and the juice drinks are on the same level. It’s smoker-friendly and open to 1 in the morning, making it a perfect pit stop for those enjoying Amsterdam to its fullest.

Pop Poffertjes at Pancake Corner

A poffertjes is a tiny, puffy pancake serves with a drizzling of sugar and butter, sometimes called an “ableskeeber” in parts of the United States. Noshing on a plate of these while you stroll past canals, or sitting with a cup of coffee, is an experience you shouldn’t even try to avoid during your time in the city. You can find them anywhere, but experts say the best are at Pancake Corner at Kleine Gartmanplantsoen 51.

Consume Cheese at the Reypanaer Cheese Tasting Room

Although cannabis is one of the big draws for people traveling to the Venice of the North, cheese is where the real artisan work goes down. Go to the Reypanaer Cheese Tasting Room at Singel 182 and do exactly what the name says, mousing your way through six fine and varied cheeses paired with perfect wines. Or book the same deal while touring the city’s canals by boat. Tickets are available online, or for walk-ins.

Pick Pickled Herring at Vishuisje Herengracht

Okay…pickled herring may be the most acquired taste on this list, but Amsterdam is the place to acquire it. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a Frankenstein cross between whitefish and sauerkraut, and it’s only delicious when done exactly right. Vishuisje Herengracht, located on the canal at the corner of Herengracht and Utrechtsestraat, does it exactly right.

Don’t let this list restrict your options during your visit. The city has myriad holes-in-the-wall serving up perfect traveller tummy tucker. One bite, and you’ll be saying Amsterdaaaaaaaaamn.