You’ve arrived in Amsterdam, settled into your hotel and are hungry for Dutch culinary delights. But where and how do locals dine, and how do they do it on a limited budget?
Amsterdam locals know the ins and outs of cheap restaurants in Amsterdam. Here are our top tips for a budget-friendly dinner in Amsterdam.
Excerpt from our Amsterdam budget guide:
• The best budget hotels in Amsterdam
• Hotel Tips: Read This First
• How to avoid crowds at Amsterdam’s biggest attractions
Tips for budget-friendly meals in Amsterdam
1. When and where to eat
First of all, lunch in Amsterdam usually takes place from noon to 4 p.m.. and dinner starts around 6 p.m. Between lunch and dinner, many cafes offer small fried snacks, nuts or cheese, as well as plates of meat to nibble on. And late at night, you’ll see plenty of snacks for bar patrons.
When it comes to finding the best local dishes, the more you hunt off the beaten path, the better. If your accommodation is outside the city center, that’s perfect: check nearby restaurants first before heading to the central tourist areas. And if you eat in the center, keep your eyes (and ears!) open for the locals. Do you find a place full of Dutch diners? Check out the menu and try your luck, even if it’s not in your guide!
Related: 8 Affordable Restaurants Amsterdam Locals Love
2. Lunch is cheaper than dinner. Always.
Firstly, there are many typical Dutch “brown cafes” that double as gastropubs. Just ask to see their list of inexpensive lunch sandwiches. It’s usually a hearty, open affair with fresh, melted or grilled toppings. Sandwiches vary between 4€ to 6€but in the evening, the menu changes to dinner with plates twice as expensive.
Advice: To save big, consider eating a larger lunch and a smaller dinner to end your day. It’s probably healthier too!
Related: A coffee? Coffee? Understanding Coffee in Amsterdam
3. Lunch at upscale restaurants
If you want to immerse yourself in a plate of French, Mediterranean, and Euro-fusion decadence on a budget, check out the lunch menu at your dream restaurant. There are many Michelin-starred restaurants, high-end menus and white-tablecloth dining establishments that offer a delicious gourmet meal during lunch for a third of the price of dinneror sometimes even cheaper.
Dutch bakeries offer flaky treats for €1-2 each. Photo: Uncle Leo
4. Consider skipping hotel breakfast
If breakfast is not included in your stay, do not pay more than €5 for this – anything more expensive would be too expensive, unless it was a huge assortment of hot and cold items. There is always a bakery nearby to buy flaky croissants, savory and whole grain rolls, quiches and inexpensive coffees.
Related: Where to have a traditional Dutch breakfast | The 10 Best Budget Hotels in Amsterdam
5. Avoid Argentinian Steakhouses in the Tourist Center
Sure, they may seem like a good deal with their “lunch specials” of steak, fries and salad. Plus, they are all over the city center. However, be wary of the Argentinian steakhouses around the nightlife areas of Dam Square, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein: these places simply serve thawed and packaged dinners to rooms full of tourists. If you’re looking for steak, it’s best to splurge at a real steakhouse.
6. Take yourself to the grocery store
Amsterdam is full of Albert Heijn grocery stores, and they are very convenient for anyone looking for a “grab and go” lunch or to eat in. costs in the park. Check the fridges around the produce sections for sandwiches, salads and fruit smoothies, as well as the cheese and meat counters for tapas-sized portions of delicious grab-and-go snacks, including dips like guacamole, hummus, tapenade and pesto.
Top it off with a bottle of chilled white wine or a Belgian beer sold by the bottle, and you’re ready for the perfect Dutch picnic!
7. Snack on the markets
The Albert Cuypmarkt (open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Sunday), the weekend markets of Noordermarkt and Nieuwmarkt, and neighborhood markets like Dappermarkt and Ten Katemarkt are all great places to shop fresh snacks and cheap street food. . The markets have everything from healthy kebabs (yes, they exist) to fresh (or fried) fish, homemade pastries and exotic dishes.
And take a look at the cafes lining the open-air markets: you’ll see plenty of inexpensive Indonesian, Surinamese, Turkish or Chinese dishes.
Related: Our favorite street markets in Amsterdam
8. Thirst? It never hurts to ask.
Yes, Amsterdam is one of those European cities where restaurant waiters refuse tap water to customers. But not always. When you sit down, ask for “water van de tap” or tap water. If the waiter tells you it’s “not possible”, don’t take it personally: he’s been saying it all day to disappointed customers.
When you’re forced to order a bottle of water, you should first take a quick look at the drinks menu and make sure it’s worth it. Very often, a beer, house wine or coffee costs the same price… or even less!
Waiters and waitresses in Amsterdam earn well, so you don’t have to worry about leaving too big a tip. Photo: FH
9. Tipping is NOT a big thing here
Being a very generous tipper in Amsterdam is not considered impressive, kind or flattering. It’s actually more likely to be seen as ridiculous and flashy.
For what? Because waiters, baristas, bartenders and others in the hospitality industry receive a normal, healthy salary that doesn’t rely heavily on tips. So bartenders who serve beers don’t expect tips, and when paying for a round of drinks for table service, just leave small change if the service was exceptional. For dining, 10% is the norm unless the service was out of this world.
Related: How much should you tip in Amsterdam?
10. Becoming Dutch East a big thing here
Anyone going out to dinner with a local should know that splitting the bill and “going Dutch” is the norm. It’s definitely not rude to share the bill with your date (especially if your date is Dutch). If they are not Dutch, you may want to ignore this advice and trust your own instincts.
Your low-budget gastronomic advice in Amsterdam
Do you have any tips, advice or questions about a cheap restaurant in Amsterdam? Share with us in the comments section below!
