Amsterdam: 8 affordable restaurants where locals love to eat                                                

When in Amsterdam, eat like (and with!) a local at these 8 restaurants. Photo: Manuel

Are you looking for a truly authentic Dutch meal when you visit Amsterdam? Truth be told (shhhh…), local Dutch cuisine in the Netherlands has a rather bland reputation, limited to such delicacies as root veggies, gouda cheese, meats, and deep fried potatoes. Go ahead and try it. Just don’t expect it to blow you away like your first taste of French, Italian, or Greek fare.

But there’s good news for the budget traveler, because the city’s culinary culture has recently been undergoing a shift, as restaurants experiment with new food “fusions” and apply imported techniques to otherwise ordinary national dishes. Add in the colonial past of the exotic spice trade, and you’ve got an exciting new food scene.

Now the only thing missing is where to find the best deals at a local price. That’s where we come in.

We’ve written before about ways to save when dining out in Amsterdam and what to tip at a restaurant, and now we present eight of our favorite affordable restaurants where the locals eat. Almost all of these places offer dishes under €10, so not only will you enjoy a tasty meal, but your budget will be happy, too.

Latei is a cozy and tasty place to start your day in Amsterdam. Photo: Alper C.

Breakfast: Latei

Latei is a cute and quirky breakfast nook big on eggs over toast, homemade apple pie, coffee any way you like it, and the comforting combination of soup and sandwich. Serving up organic eats with a homey atmosphere and laid-back staff, it’s a “hidden in plain sight” kind of find. And all of the kitschy decor is for sale, from the retro furniture to the little vintage tables and DIY knickknacks.

Zeedijk 143
Tel. 020/6257485
Mon. – Wed., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thu. – Fri. 8 a.m. -10 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Meals around €7.50

Alternatively, for something more traditional in the morning, you can always hop aboard the Pancake Boat!

Dim Sum: Oriental City

Oriental City is the top choice of anyone with a hankering for affordable dim sum. The chefs are straight from Hong Kong, and there are dozens of options to choose from. Go for the prawn dumplings or the steamed Chinese buns with roast pork. Actually, go for anything: No matter what you choose, you really can’t lose here.

If you can, go with friends, as the larger the party, the more dishes you can try. Reservations suggested.

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 177-179, tel. 020/6268352
Daily 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Meals around €12

Dutch fusion: Skek

Skek offers a 30% discounts to students everyday, which is an amazing deal considering their menu is above average for a normal café located off Zeedijk. Run by students who embrace slow cooking (and at times slow service) and savory simmerings, the kitchen keeps up to date on food trends from juicy thick burgers to hearty seasonal Dutch plates. Add in live music nights, a decent local beer list, and the old brown café vibe, and it’s a great choice for visitors to get a sense of the local scene.

Zeedijk 4-8, tel. 020/4270551
Sun. – Thu. noon – 1 a.m., Fri. & Sat. noon – 3 a.m.
€13 before discount

Sandwiches: Small World Catering

Small World Catering is a lunch paradise for gourmands who prefer their sandwich stuffed beyond bite size. Choose from a list of mouthwatering options like meatloaf with honey mustard, pastrami and coleslaw, and avocado and bacon on ciabatta or focaccia. Small, quaint and friendly, this place is a gem. Small World Catering is the local’s “not so hidden secret” for brown bag lunches.

Binnen Oranjestraat 14
Tue. – Fri. 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m.
Dishes around €7.50

Soup: Soup En Zo

Soup En Zo is a soup kitchen famous for its wide variety and freshness, from stews to chowders. Big simmering pots of daily soups are on offer, and are all listed on the wall menu along with a full list of ingredients. Pick from one of three sizes, plus your choice of a bread roll, and take a seat either at the inside bar our outside benches. Expect seasonal soups, vegan and veggie options, exotic spices and hearty picks.

Jodenbreestraat 94 and Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 54, tel. 020/3307781
Mon. – Fri. 11 am. – 8 p.m., Weekends noon – 7 p.m.
Dishes around €5

Surinamese & Indonesian: Toko Joyce

Toko Joyce is a fine example of a delicious Surinam-meets-Indonesian take-out joint serving up spice on the fly. And best of all, it’s cheap. Try the roti, green beans, hot meats and savory tofu – all fillings usually available as a sandwich or as mix-and-match specials. Toko Joyce is a scrumptious and authentic pick, right on the Nieuwmarkt.

Nieuwmarkt 38, tel. 020/4279091
Mon. 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., Tue. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dishes around €6

Thai: Thais Snackbar Bird

Thais Snackbar Bird is located across the street from its big brother restaurant, and offers dishes to go or eat in. The small, one-room lunch bar is cramped like a cozy tavern, and the small kitchen is quick with signature Thai green and red curry dishes (and of course Phad Thai). To-go orders are enjoyed best at nearby Nieuwmarkt square. Servings are big, include rice, and vary from mild to flaming spicy.

Zeedijk 77, tel. 020/4206289,
Daily 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Dishes around €8

Turkish: Bazar

When around Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp, duck into Bazar for tasty Turkish tapas (“mezas”), refreshing lunches and large portioned dinners. The place lights up after 6 p.m., where the affordable dinner menu is illuminated by strings of fairy lights around the floor and wraparound balconies. Open, colorful and bustling, it’s a sugary Turkish Delight with starters, mains, and even authentic specials on the cheap.

Albery Cuypstraat 182, tel. 020.6750544
Daily 10 a.m. – midnight
€12 mains