Quick answer
Amsterdam's street food tells the story of the city itself - from traditional Dutch snacks born in the Golden Age to the colonial influences of Suriname and Indonesia that make the city's food scene uniquely diverse.
- Best overall
- FEBO
- Top pick
- FEBO
Top verdicts
- FEBO: Late-night snacking and experiencing authentic Dutch fast food culture
- Manneken Pis: Late-night fries in the city center with a huge sauce selection
- Albert Cuypmarkt Food Stalls: Exploring diverse street food options with a local market atmosphere
The Dutch invented the automatiek (vending machine wall of hot snacks) and perfected the art of eating raw herring standing up on a bridge. Thick-cut fries with mayonnaise, crispy kroketten filled with beef ragout, and fresh stroopwafels made on market stalls are all essential Amsterdam experiences.
But modern Amsterdam's street food goes far beyond Dutch classics. The city's Surinamese community brought roti, bakkeljauw, and pom. Indonesian influence means you'll find satay and bami everywhere. And the international food halls showcase global cuisines from Korean to Mexican.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FEBO | dutch | budget | Centrum |
| 2 | Manneken Pis | fries | budget | Centrum |
| 3 | Albert Cuypmarkt Food Stalls | market | budget | De Pijp |
| 4 | Foodhallen | food-hall | mid | Oud-West |
| 5 | Vleminckx | fries | budget | Centrum |
| 6 | Stubbe's Haring | herring | budget | Centrum |
| 7 | Will Graanstra Haringhandel | herring | budget | Jordaan |
| 8 | De Ballenbar | bitterballen | budget | De Pijp |
| 9 | Broodje Bert | sandwiches | budget | Centrum |
| 10 | Tokoman | surinamese | budget | Centrum |
1FEBO
Dutch Fast FoodQuick comparison
- Best for
- Late-night snacking and experiencing authentic Dutch fast food culture
- Strengths
- Known for Dutch Fast Food
- Limitations
- Quality is basic fast food - it's about the experience, not fine dining
- Why it made the list
- A cultural institution that every visitor should experience at least once
- What to order
- Kroket (beef ragout), kaassouffle (cheese), or the classic frikandel
🕐 Opening hours
2Manneken Pis
Flemish FriesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Late-night fries in the city center with a huge sauce selection
- Strengths
- Known for Flemish Fries
- Limitations
- Very touristy location - locals prefer Vleminckx
- Why it made the list
- Solid quality fries in a convenient central location with late hours
- What to order
- Large cone with oorlog sauce (mayo, peanut sauce, onions) or classic mayo
3Albert Cuypmarkt Food Stalls
Street Food MarketQuick comparison
- Best for
- Exploring diverse street food options with a local market atmosphere
- Strengths
- Known for Street Food Market
- Limitations
- Closed Sundays - Can be crowded on Saturdays
- Why it made the list
- The best single destination to experience Amsterdam's street food diversity
- What to order
- Fresh stroopwafel, Surinamese roti, kibbeling (fried fish), raw herring
🕐 Opening hours
4Foodhallen
Food HallQuick comparison
- Best for
- Groups who want variety and a lively atmosphere under one roof
- Strengths
- Known for Food Hall
- Limitations
- Pricier than street stalls - Can get very crowded on weekends
- Why it made the list
- The best indoor food destination when weather is bad or groups can't agree
- What to order
- Bitterballen from the Dutch stall, bao buns from Bao, burgers from Rembrandt Burgers
5Vleminckx
Dutch FriesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fry purists who want the absolute best in Amsterdam
- Strengths
- Known for Dutch Fries
- Limitations
- Cash only - Long queues - No seating - Closes at 19:00
- Why it made the list
- Simply the best fries in Amsterdam - ask any local
- What to order
- Medium with mayo (classic), or try the speciaal (mayo, curry, onions) or satay sauce
6Stubbe's Haring
Dutch HerringQuick comparison
- Best for
- Trying authentic Dutch herring in a picturesque canal setting
- Strengths
- Known for Dutch Herring
- Limitations
- Closed Sundays and Mondays - Limited to seafood
- Why it made the list
- One of the most authentic and longest-running herring stands in Amsterdam
- What to order
- Haring with onions (classic), or broodje haring (herring sandwich) if you prefer
7Will Graanstra Haringhandel
Dutch HerringQuick comparison
- Best for
- Experiencing herring like a local in the charming Jordaan neighborhood
- Strengths
- Known for Dutch Herring
- Limitations
- Closed Sundays - Small stand
- Why it made the list
- The highest-rated herring stand with a loyal local following
- What to order
- Hollandse nieuwe (new season herring), smoked eel, or kibbeling (fried fish bites)
🕐 Opening hours
8De Ballenbar
Dutch BitterballenQuick comparison
- Best for
- Bitterbal lovers who want to try gourmet and creative variations
- Strengths
- Known for Dutch Bitterballen
- Limitations
- Market hours only - Limited seating
- Why it made the list
- The only dedicated bitterbal specialist in Amsterdam with creative flavors
- What to order
- The classic, truffleballen, or try the vegetarian mushroom version
🕐 Opening hours
9Broodje Bert
Dutch SandwichesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Quick, quality lunch like a local - skip the tourist sandwich shops
- Strengths
- Known for Dutch Sandwiches
- Limitations
- Closes at 17:00 - Closed Sundays - No seating
- Why it made the list
- The authentic local lunch experience tourists rarely find
- What to order
- Broodje kroket, beef tartaar, or the daily special
🕐 Opening hours
10Tokoman
SurinameseQuick comparison
- Best for
- Experiencing Amsterdam's Surinamese food culture - essential street food
- Strengths
- Known for Surinamese
- Limitations
- Cash preferred - Closes at 18:00 - Basic setting
- Why it made the list
- The most famous Surinamese street food in Amsterdam with cult status
- What to order
- Broodje bakkeljauw (salt cod), roti with chicken curry, or the pom sandwich
🕐 Opening hours
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous street food in Amsterdam?
The most iconic Amsterdam street food is haring (raw herring) served with onions and pickles, eaten by tilting your head back and lowering the fish into your mouth. Other essentials include patat (thick-cut fries) with mayonnaise, kroketten and bitterballen (crispy meat ragout balls), and stroopwafels (caramel-filled waffle cookies).
What is FEBO and why is it famous?
FEBO is Amsterdam's iconic automatiek (automat) chain where you grab hot snacks from coin-operated vending windows. Operating since 1941, it's famous for serving deep-fried Dutch treats like kroketten, frikandellen, and kaassouffle 24/7. It's a quintessential Dutch late-night food experience.
Where can I find the best fries in Amsterdam?
Vleminckx near Kalverstraat is the undisputed champion for patat, with locals queuing daily since 1957. They use fresh potatoes, double-fry them to perfection, and offer dozens of sauce options. Manneken Pis on Damrak is another excellent option with Flemish-style fries.
What is the best market for street food in Amsterdam?
Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp is Amsterdam's largest and most diverse street market, operating Monday-Saturday. You'll find stroopwafels made fresh, Surinamese roti, Vietnamese banh mi, Dutch cheese, fresh seafood, and dozens of other food stalls along the 700-meter stretch.
How do you eat Dutch herring like a local?
True Amsterdammers eat herring 'Hollandse nieuwe' style: hold the fish by the tail, tilt your head back, and lower it into your mouth. Alternatively, order it 'broodje haring' (in a soft bun) or chopped with onions and pickles. The herring season starts in June, when the first catch is celebrated.
What is Surinamese food and why is it popular in Amsterdam?
Surinamese cuisine is a fusion of Creole, Javanese, Indian, and Chinese influences from the former Dutch colony. It's hugely popular in Amsterdam due to the large Surinamese community. Must-try dishes include roti with curry chicken, pom (baked root vegetable casserole), broodje bakkeljauw (salt cod sandwich), and saoto soup.
How much does street food cost in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam street food is excellent value. Expect to pay around 3-5 euros for fries with sauce, 4-6 euros for herring, 2-3 euros for a kroket from FEBO, 5-8 euros for a Surinamese sandwich, and 2-3 euros for a fresh stroopwafel. A filling street food meal costs 8-15 euros.
What is Foodhallen and is it worth visiting?
Foodhallen is Amsterdam's premier indoor food market located in a renovated tram depot in Oud-West. It features 20+ vendors serving everything from Vietnamese pho to gourmet burgers, plus craft cocktails. It's pricier than street stalls but offers variety and a lively atmosphere, perfect for groups who can't agree on one cuisine.