Cheap(er) food in Amsterdam: these are the best budget restaurants in Amsterdam
The wallet is a bit emptier and the bank account has been around for a while sad? Stupid. But that doesn't mean you can't do anything at all, of course. Plenty of places in Amsterdam where you can pick up a nice meal for a donnie (okay, a little more). There you have it: a list of restaurants in Amsterdam that are quite cheap (or at least: cheaper) than the majority.
Our best Amsterdam tips? We tell you about them in our Amsterdam guide!
Great fun spot on the Geldersekade in Amsterdam: restobar No NonsenseThe name says it all, really: the 'no frills, that saves money' principle reigns supreme here. No fuss, no over-the-top plates, just good food and a nice bar. The atmosphere: an Amsterdam pub. goes restaurant. A place where you can pull up a chair all day long for a hearty daily special, a generous slice of cake, or a shot of spirits. And that concept has been drawing full houses from day one. Read more
Old-fashioned Parisian bouillons – those simple and affordable places from the 19th century where you could eat healthy. Some still exist and have retained their charm and delicious comfort foodhave been able to preserve recipes for more than 100 years. At Amsterdam Bouillon They took that idea and gave it their own twist. Still French comfort food, but with a healthy dose of Amsterdam bravado. The beautiful building, in the heart of Amsterdam on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, has a rich history. It has always been an eatery – intended to bring people together. The founders of Bouillon d'Amsterdam want to keep this tradition alive. Seven days a week, you can drop in for a cozy breakfast until a (French-style) late dinner, and enjoy French wine (or a soft drink, that works too). And what a success it is! There is invariably a (small) queue, and it is entirely justified. So justified, in fact, that Bouillon d'Amsterdam number 2 is on its way: it will open soon on the Stadionweg.
A pub full of classics. That is actually what it always was, but since the takeover by, among others, former Spangas actor Jasper Gottlieb, De Reiger has a comeback Made to perfection. Since then, condensation has formed on the windows here, and Mara Grimm's 9 in Het Parool was the catalyst for a place where people are practically hanging out. What makes this place so immensely popular? The what-you-see-is-what-you-get-quality. No twigs, flowers, or other fuss, just a schnitzel with ravigote sauce, stewed fries, or pasta bolognese for a Dutch price. And people appreciate that – and so do we.
Recently taken over by the owners of De Reiger (because, well, that makes sense after such a success), but fortunately, Van Beeren has remained Van Beeren. An unpretentious eatery that we have loved for years. For example, 1) they are open every day of the week – and that is very nice if you want to eat out on a Monday or Tuesday and the entire Amsterdam hospitality industry is off for the weekend (except for these restaurants), 2) they have a magnificent hidden courtyard (perhaps the best secret of the city center, and with those lovely red-and-white checkered tablecloths), and 3) they have good food for an equally good price. For instance, you can easily eat a three-course meal here for around thirty euros.
The secret courtyard is the best place to dine in the summer, while in the winter (or when it rains) you might actually find it cozier inside. Top spot, Van Beeren: we are going to make a reservation again immediately (but that is not a black because they always leave room for walk-ins – which is nice for a change).
The Land is one of those places that makes you wonder: why didn't I know about this before? On the edge of Amsterdam, where the city slowly fades into greenery, lies this little paradise. A farm, a canteen, a place with great people and even better food. No fuss here, no hype, just fresh vegetables from the ground, wine in the glass, and a long table. The Land feels like a vacation within cycling distance.
So they have their own farm, where the food for the restaurant comes from—all delicious, of course—but is it affordable? Yes, it is! They are open every Wednesday through Friday and serve a three-course menu; you can make it as expensive as you like here.
Tucked away in a cozy side street off the Overtoom, around the corner from Vondelpark, you will find Café Conrad. A lovely neighborhood café in a beautiful corner building. During the sunny months, cheerfully colored retro chairs adorn the terrace. Inside, that pleasant atmosphere is continued with Dutch white tiles, vintage wooden bar stools, cast-iron lamps, and, of course, the games cabinet.
On the menu, you can taste the love for local produce during coffee, breakfast, drinks, or dinner. The menu isn't over the top, but it is good and full of character. Various homemade tartsFresh sourdough bread with jam from the neighbor or soup of the day? Moritz, the owner, sources everything served from the neighborhood, making the motto 'From the neighbors, for the neighbors' complete. The atmosphere? Relaxed enough to open a book, enjoy a friendly game with friends, or have a candlelit dinner. It truly feels like an unpretentious living room, where you are always welcome, whether for a quick coffee on the go or just for the whole evening.
A nice dinner can be had for as little as around €40. The daily special is €16,50 (Wed/Thu €13,50), starters are around €10, and two glasses of wine are about €14.
We love Mexican food, so Camino Taqueria is a favorite at Barts Boekje. Every Tuesday on Taco Tuesday, tacos are just €3, and this deal also applies on weekends during lunch (until 17:00 PM)! You can find Camino Taqueria on Kinkerstraat, among a whole host of other cozy spots like Bar Billie for drinks and Lot61 for your coffee. And to make it even more appealing, come back on Monday for Margarita Monday with margaritas for only €7. We mean it when we say these are really delicious tacos, so definitely stop by!
You can really tune in at Loop 51, on the corner of Dusartstraat in Amsterdam. The brunch bar is a resounding success, and that is hardly surprising, because the interior, the records being played, and the all-day brunch (so also cheap) are absolutely top-notch. The line-up of vinyl DJs changes weekly – and records from various genres are played. Dub, hip-hop, house, and everything in between – and those records go surprisingly well with the fresh salads, buttermilk chicken en egg dishesOh, and in the evening the chairs are moved aside, and everyone knows what that means…
Amidst the street noise of Amsterdam, you’ll find Esh Pita Bar. Middle Eastern flavors and incredibly friendly staff. On the menu, you’ll find falafel, veal kebab, chicken shawarma, or—if you want to splurge a bit—slow-cooked short ribs that practically fall off the bone. Everything comes with tahini, salad, some chickpeas, and a generous spoonful of hummus, and everything is made fresh from scratch.
Esh Pita Bar can be found at Van Baerlestraat 51, right in the heart of Amsterdam, just a stone's throw from Museumplein. It is definitely worth popping by if you are in the mood for a lunch with delicious flavors and good prices.
Authentic Chinese food, where else can you find it? Well, here. Xi'An Delicious Food is located on Lange Leidsedwarsstraat, serving authentic traditional Chinese food, and we're fans. Authentic hand-pulled noodles They're good at it! Or choose the dumplings or (which we'd never heard of) the Chinese hamburger. It's a kind of pita-like bread with well-seasoned meat.
To be honest, if we go, we still prefer the hand-pulled noodles. And they have quite a few, 45 types to be precise, so there is something for everyone.
At Mossel & Gin, you can—take a guess—eat mussels and drink gin. They have 6 types of mussels, but if your company isn't a mussel fan, you can also just have a cheeseburger here. And if that hasn't convinced you yet, perhaps this will; because every Friday during happy hour (17:00 PM - 19:00 PM), you can slurp oysters for €1 and score a Gin & Tonic Pitcher of your choice for €17,50.
But it's no secret that we at Barts Boekje love seafood, as we've written about before Mussel & GinWhere can they be found? On the Westergasterrein between the Westergasterras and Rainarai.
Mima has three locations in Amsterdam: West, De Pijp, and the Zuidas, so wherever you are, you can make a quick stop at Mima. The name says it all: Mima Fresh Mediterranean. Think hummus, falafel, pitas, mezze, and much more deliciousness.
So if you are looking for something affordable yet healthy in Amsterdam, Mima is the right place for you. You can eat here or take dishes home.
If we aren't going to Naples, then Naples will just come to us, right? At Pizza Beppe, you eat real Neapolitan pizzas: handmade dough, San Marzano tomatoes straight from the Vesuvius region, and Fior di Latte that is simply outstanding.
With nine locations spread across the city, each with its own atmosphere, you can always find a place to sit down. The atmosphere? 'Cool & fine dining'. Culture, music, lifestyle, and pizza from top-notch stone ovens. Add plenty of craftsmanship and passion to that, and you're all set. It is not without reason that they were the first in the Netherlands to have the official Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) quality mark – no concessions, only authentic.
Buon appetito!
A piece of Bali at Cornelis Krusemanstraat number 3! Truly one of the very best – if not *the* very best – tips for anyone looking for a genuine, contemporary, and above all, very good Balinese warung (that is, an authentic Balinese eatery) in Amsterdam: Made's Warung Amsterdam. Point out what you want (everything!), and if possible, take your plate to the small terrace in front. Taking it home is also a particularly good idea (you can probably eat it for two days).
Where Kop van Oost was previously located, Tête has moved in – the all-day dining A waterfront restaurant that focuses on accessible food at a reasonable price. For instance, between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, you can enjoy the 'patatas y Iberico' (chips with Iberico ham and crème fraîche) and a carafe of wine for €22,50. Incidentally, the carafes of wine, priced at a low €17,50, are flying off the shelves here anyway. In the summer, it is especially lovely sitting on the large terrace with a view of the windmill. Add the Amsterdam sunshine, and you could carry us away (from pure enjoyment, not from the carafes of wine – I promise!).
One of the cheapest 'restaurants' on this list is undoubtedly the lilac. At this community kitchen located in a warehouse within walking distance of Sloterdijk station, you can eat what the vegan pot has to offer and pay what you want (between €2,50 and €14,50 for a two-course dinner). The food is cooked and served by volunteers and you can have your empty plate refilled as often as you like. Don't forget to try the homemade bread with aioli, which is baked fresh every day.
Doing good and eating well? By dining at the TestTable, in the same warehouse, you help to offer affordable food at the community kitchen and to give local residents and like-minded people the opportunity to use the space for free. For seven courses you pay between €35 and €85, still relatively affordable.
De Sering is not the only kitchen in the city worth mentioning. A bit hidden, at the back of De Nieuwe Anita (a cozy bar, recommended for drinks) on the Frederik Hendrikstraat, you will find the Robin Food CollectiveEvery Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, you can enjoy a vegan three-course meal here for fifteen euros. The menu is usually shared shortly beforehand on Instagram and the website, but neither is always up to date. If you want to be guaranteed a spot, it is recommended to send an email or call.
Just a street off the Nieuwmarkt, you’ll find Captein & Co, a neighborhood pub through and through. The wine is served in those slightly-too-small glasses, but that actually adds to the charm here. On the snack menu? A generous slice of Cabrales with port and bread, for example, spicy meatballs, or a mixed platter for ten euros (the small one is more than enough for two people, by the way). The food is fine, exactly what you’d expect from a neighborhood pub with prices like these. Main courses are between 16 and 25 euros and are on the steep side.
The terrace does not get much sun, but it is quite large for a café on the corner, so you can (usually) find a spot.
You might know Toko Dun Yong better as that one delicious Asian supermarket on the corner of Zeedijk and Stormsteeg. If not, go take a look inside: they have everything here! If you come in for a jar of soy sauce, you'll walk out the door with a full bag. Anyway, That wasn't the point. It just so happens that there is also a ramen restaurant on the top floor of this supermarket. You have to know where to look, because it isn't very clearly signposted. Enough people do know about it, though, so sometimes you have to wait a bit. Large portions, good prices, not too much choice. The only downside is that they are only open from 12 to 16 pm, and closed on Sundays and Mondays.
You may call us crazy, but nothing beats a really tasty fries every now and then. Our favorites:
- Freddy Fryday (two locations in Amsterdam)
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Vleminckx (favorite of everyone in the Voetboogsteeg)
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Fries boutique (In Oud-Zuid)
And for more fries, check: best fries in Amsterdam.
focacceria at the Overtoom. The name of the place actually gives it away. At the Italian hotspot you can get freshly baked focaccias. These are freshly baked breads that look a bit like pizza, but different. Call it a bread pizza if you like. The bites are also plus points budget-proof are. At the wooden bar you will find six types of traditional focaccia fresh from the wood-fired oven. How about topped focaccias with mozzarella from a local cheesemaker and homemade pesto? Sounds good. And for tiramisu lovers, it is also a treat, because the cake in the dessert is made from the old focaccia.
Stop searching because you will find the tastiest organic chicken and the tastiest hamburger (also available as a trio, with the famous ribs) here! Just like excellent (special) beers and snacks. And a nice terrace, even in winter/with rain, thanks to heaters and huge umbrellas. Favorite, hands down. And besides, there are several locations throughout the city, nice and practical, although Linnaeusstraat remains the all-time favorite.
Yes, that delicious Portuguese chicken. That's what we're looking for. Which one? Franggo, of course. At the branch in De Pijp, or we pop into Franggo in West. Here you can not only order your well-known Piri Piri, but you can also the Portuguese Flame Grilled Chicken order without hurting your wallet. And it's nice that it is there; otherwise you would not have found it in this list.
It takes some time to find the entrance Water edge in Amsterdam, but once you've found it, you'll never want to leave. Right on the water under the Q-Park parking garage (entrance on the right side). Surinamese food, yesss please! On the menu you will find dishes such as roti and saoto soup, angus burger and rotisserie chicken. Surinamese Parbo beer, dispensed from containers painted in graphic blue or from behind the gigantic indoor bar (Waterkant is ideal for a party). You can sit at picnic tables and the cozy seats under the first floor of the parking garage. Oh and the dishes here are really easy on the wallet.
Create a forever favorite: the hidden kiosk Dumplings near the Westerpark (not at the main entrance but at the end near Haarlemmerplein). The Chinese families Xiao Yu and Chao Fang have flown to the Netherlands to spoil us with the most divine of divine dumplings, spring rolls or crepes. All dishes/snacks cost three times nothing (between €4 - €14, and good portions) and you can choose whether you pick up or sit at one of the plastic tables in front of the stall. Nassauplein 60 is the place to try out this dumpling stall. Highly recommended!
Image by Dingena Mol
In the heart of the city center you can go to: Café 't Gasthuys: a cozy brown cafe where you can eat for next to nothing – without being overloaded by students (no offense) who are looking for cheap meals every day of every month of every year. Because hold on tight, here you can have lunch for under ten euros and a good plate of dinner for under 15 euros. And yes, you shouldn't expect too much, and yes, it is just incredibly cozy here. And not bad. Wine? Also very good: wine of the month is served for just €14,75 per bottle. So yes, this is the place to be.
At first there was only the pizzeria Renato's, and fortunately there is now also Renato's Osteria (okay, and also Renato's Spaarndammerbuurt and Renato's Foodhallen). But that Osteria, what a place it is. A typical Italian community center where people eat and drink – and more of the same. The place is small, the crowd is lovely. No fuss, just love for Italian cuisine and for food and drink in general. A black? The tagliatelle with ragú, the 'regular' one or the one from the Parmigiana Reggiano wheel if possible. Just do it. Also, don't forget to order a bottle of red from the wine rack, or the delicious bruschettas as a starter. Everything. Just do it. At the Van der HelstpleinImportant for the 'cheap' category: the pastas are huge, so sharing is the name of the game!
Looking for an affordable night out? Petit Prix is where it's at. Every Friday and Saturday between 21:00 and 00:00 you can score beer for €2,50 and mixed drinks for €5,50. Just like the old days, but now.
The atmosphere is relaxed, the music good and the bill surprisingly mild. And if you still haven't had enough after midnight? Then you can slip through a secret door to club Oliva. No line, no ticket, just through.
This lovely spot has two locations in Amsterdam. Here you can feast on Mediterranean cuisine. Besides hummus, you can also come here for small bites (there it is again, shared dining). For example, you can eat falafel, roasted eggplant or Mediterranean meatballs. But different types of shakshuka are also on the menu here. And the price? Very nice for the wallet. The dishes are all under 20 euros. Choice stress? Then you order for 27,90 euros per person 'a bit of this and a bit of that', also known as a table littered with small dishes.
Café Binnenvisser on Bilderdijkstraat in Amsterdam-West remains a golden oldie. A place that seemingly doesn't pay much attention to the interior – mind you: seemingly – and where both the food and the formal and casual looks precisely because of that nonchalance spot-on be. Guus, the chef, came up with a tiny but more than fine menu with five or six dishes that change weekly. Okay, you *can* have an expensive evening there, but you can also do it for just a little.
Bar Mash is a cozy eatery on the bustling Gerard Douplein in De Pijp. They serve various finger-licking good small Thai dishes here. Tom Kai Kai is a favorite, and they also have a wide selection of gin and tonics. There are long beer tables outside so you can enjoy a nice Friday afternoon drink. socialize with the neighbors. The atmosphere is cozy, so you can have a great dinner there for a reasonable price!
The Zeedijk might be the one place to be when it comes to being surprised by good food. There are countless tents where you can eat your fill (often for a nice price). One of those places is 'SkekIt is a non-profit cultural eatery, and this fun spot was set up by students. The atmosphere is a bit like a second living room, so it is super cozy. The prices? They are very reasonable. The menu gets a refresh every three months and cocktails are under 10 euros. The menu features only vegan and vegetarian dishes. And just like the cocktails, you pay no more than 10 euros for almost all dishes here (except for the burgers). Your next spot for a night of (cheap) dining? 'Skek is the answer.
The FoodhallenWho doesn't know him. No, no, they certainly don't sit still at the Foodhallen. This is how the Foodhallen The Hague en Rotterdam their doors too. The Foodhallen can be translated into a dining paradise. Vietnamese street food, Iberian delicacies, fresh fish (oysters, yeeesss), bao buns, fine bitterballen, and also a range of different beautiful drinks. Well worth a visit. The same applies here: you can make it a very expensive evening, but if you act normal, that is not necessary.
You can no longer call it a secret, and yet there are still occasionally people who the Thai Snack bar Bird on the Zeedijk. For that reason and because you can eat there and pick it up so tasty, so much and so cheaply, it really belongs on this list. Yes, agree, the snack bar doesn't really have a cozy, I'm-going-to-sit-here-for-hours look (that wouldn't even be possible, if your plate is empty, you will be politely but very clearly ushered out the door). So you don't enjoy extensive dining here, but you always get value for money here. My favorite is the 44 keng kai red curry with chicken. You already have a mega portion of curry for €15 and you can easily (easily) eat it for two. If you want - we don't share anything here.
If you do want to linger at a table, there is also Thai Restaurant Bird right opposite the snack bar. It is more expensive and the snack bar is simply tastier, so just go for that one.
Spaghetteria, who doesn't know it? This Italian place also falls into the category of lunch or dinner for a bargain. Because for as little as €14,50, you have a well-filled plate in front of you. Oh, and for dessert, you'll spend less than ten euros. Side note: the quantities can be somewhat large, so sharing is certainly not a bad idea. Unless you can handle it, ha! Or you can just order a half portion; you can do that here too.
Spaghetteria Pasta Bar you can find it in several places in Amsterdam.
The Westerstraat is certainly a nice street to walk through, at the market you can find all kinds of local and seasonal items (practical). no money and then you also have The Good Companion, where you can get one for next to nothing fish & chips menu (also a vegan version). All menus come with thick fries and homemade sauce. They now also have a caterer where they do fantastic things with fresh fish and oysters, but that is no longer entirely for next to nothing.
As we said: Zeedijk is a top place for good food. We come here just for this winner alone: Hi Tin. The menu includes delicacies from Chinese and Cantonese cuisine. Think dumplings, soups and noodles. The menu is large, the prices of the dishes are small. In addition to the restaurant, they also have their own bakery, where fresh delicacies are sold. A must visit if you are a fan of Chinese cuisine, as far as we are concerned.
Always fluff with it Tollhouse. Rode? Because the music has been around for a while relaxed and there are regular small-scale concerts. Because you can eat there for next to nothing, a flammkuchen for example, pulled mushrooms or a plate of Oriental kibbeling. The menu features countless vegan and vegetarian options. But there is also plenty of choice for fish and meat lovers. Tolhuistuin shows: it is possible. And last but not least: because you can just hang there for a very, very long time.
In addition to that Café Fonteyn falls nicely into the budget category (with prices around 7 euros), it is also very nice that reservations are not necessary here. Nowadays you can't go anywhere without making a reservation weeks in advance, but you can at Café Fonteyn. Café Fonteyn serves anything and everything, it is a category in itself. From pita, cake to tapas and flammkuchen. Dining is not the intention here, but breakfast, lunch, snacking, snacking and drinking on the terrace are certainly possible here.
Located between the Jordaan and the Westerpark is Checkpoint CharlieTheir own food menu isn't necessarily huge (everything is priced very competitively, including the beers and gins), but the nice thing about Checkpoint Charlie is that you're allowed to bring your own food. Across the street you have Top Thai Bangkok Streetfood, which has very tasty fish cakes and fantastic curries (the shrimp salad is also heavenly, but so, so spicy…). Ordering pizza is no problem either, making Checkie a very good budget option.
The music is an electric mix of pop, soul, rock—well, a little bit of everything. That's the best way to describe the audience: a little bit of everything. And if you like stand-up comedy, you've come to the right place.
Sit down on a terrace to grab a sandwich. Can easily cost 30 euros nowadays. But that's not necessary at all. Good thing, too. Bee Alberto Pozzetto In De Pijp you can still buy affordable (7,25 euros!), and more importantly, very tasty sandwiches. Real Italian, with lots of mozzarella, mortadella or eggplant. Typical Italian sandwiches with lots of toppings. Exactly what we want.
And the coffees here are also delicious. As if you were in Italy itself for a moment.
A truly Lebanese restaurant in Amsterdam. Such gems are hard to find, especially if you don't know where to look. Fortunately, we do. So here's a big tip: Restaurant Beyrouth. Here, you can enjoy a full mezze menu without the bill giving you a stomach ache.
At the oldest café in Amsterdam, you can still get an old-fashioned (and truly, truly delicious) meatball. Add a portion of aged Beemster cheese, and sometimes that is all you need. We're talking about De Drie Fleschjes, just behind the Nieuwe Kerk on Dam Square. Quaint, small, and handsome—that’s what we think of it. On the terrace, there are a few chairs arranged around two large beer barrels, and in the back, you’ll find a very small seating area for about four people, but at De Drie Fleschjes, it’s old-fashioned standing with your beer and having drinks outside. A delightful brown tasting room, that Three bottles, where there is still an original drinks organ (with fifty barrels).
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