Amsterdam: 5 late-night snacks for Cheapos on the prowl
There is so much nightlife in Amsterdam that “sightseeing” bars and coffeeshops can lead to late hours wandering the streets in search of cheap eats. You should know your options before ducking into a take-away joint or pizza bar.
Here is my advice for Amsterdam’s best late-night cheapo snacks:
King of fries: Chipsy King
Chipsy King, the classic frites stand, has three prime Amsterdam spots: Dam Square, Red Light District, and Leidseplein. Open until 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (3 a.m. otherwise), Chipsy King is a perfect pit stop for fries that are filling and come with an array of sauces to choose from. And for just a few euros, it’s the best deal out there.
Bitter ball IN
Pubs usually serve bar snacks until late, and the usual buy is the bitterballen. They come in servings of six balls, battered and fried, with meat purée and seasoned roux inside. Expect a side of mustard for dipping, and watch out on that first bite – they’re served piping hot! It’s a delicious snack with beer, and a traditional Dutch specialty costing about €3.
“Oughtta” Turk
Turkish pizza and falafel bars run rampant amongst the nightlife streets of Amsterdam. MAOZ is a favorite among vegetarians for their falafel and bottomless veggie toppings, while shoarmas are heaven in a wrap for meatheads who love spice. The large Turkish population in Holland guarantees at least a hint of authenticity to your order, and deals hover between €3 – €4.
FEBO? Oh no!
If you spot Febo’s yellow sign with red letters and with food waiting inside small square compartments, try to stop yourself. There’s a good chance that burger’s been sitting there for a while. So has the chicken sandwich, just look at the wilted lettuce. Intrigued by the fried cone-shaped mystery? Don’t try a taste test at three in the morning. The little doors are fun to open, but leave the FEBO to the locals; they can handle it.
Bite into the Burger Bar until 4 a.m. on weekends. Photo: Tavallai
Hit the (burger) bars
Burger joints are beginning to blossom in Amsterdam, and one late-night life saver is the Burger Bar. There are two locations downtown (Kolksteeg 2 and Reguliersbreestraat 9), and the bonus is they’re open until 4 a.m. on weekends. Burger Bar will surprise you with their range of patties and endless list of toppings to help build a customized late-night burger made for an epic chow-down.
Go nuts
If you’re desperate for something in your stomach, most cafes will have a big jar of peanuts somewhere behind the bar. A generous handful in a bowl is just a euro, and if you’re lucky they’ve been pimped with wasabi or coated with a spicy crunch.
As a last resort, check near cigarette machines at bars for a Pringles vending box – they come in fun-pack sizes and cost only a few euros.
Also in our guide: If you’re wandering around late at night snacking on fried bitterballen, hopefully you already have a place to stay. If, however, you still need some guidance on affordable sleeps, check out our reviews of the best budget hotels in Amsterdam, all of which have been visited, inspected and photographed by our editors. Read more in EuroCheapo’s Guide to Amsterdam.
