Amsterdam’s Best Burger: 5 safe bets for a delicious and cheap meal
The burger craze has hit Amsterdam hard, and specialty burger joints seem to be lighting up across the city (no pun intended). Luckily, my American burger taste buds and my fellow burger-loving buddies have found some of the cheapest hubs that really have the good stuff in Amsterdam’s center.
Burger Bar
Kolksteeg 6
Warmoestraat 21
Reguliersbreestraat 9
It’s Amsterdam’s have-it-your-way burger place, and there are three convenient locations in the city. Start off by choosing your beef, from Irish to portobello mushroom. Then pick some seriously savory toppings, from blue cheese to a fried egg. The Warmoesstraat spot has the most room, with Pilsner beer on tap and a lively buzz. What’s great about these guys are their late grub hours, open until 3 a.m. daily, and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Burger Bucks: €5 for a basic burger with lettuce, tomato, pickle and burger sauce.
Burgermeester
Albert Cuypstraat 48
Elandsgracht 130
Plantage Kerklaan 37
My top choice for a burger. Their creative list of burgers and monthly specials can be exotic like Korean, or far out like pigeon! Their beef with funky toppings make for some towering burgers, with “mini” sliders available if you feel like snacking.
Forget fries, sides are wholesome baked potatoes, or fresh fruit smoothies. That might sound odd, but so is their interior: big photos of cows watching you chow down on their relatives. Hey, whatever moooves you.
Burger Bucks: €7 – 8.50
Coco’s Outback
Rembrandtplein Thorbeckeplein 8-12
Coco’s Outback is probably the best-known spot in town for serious barbeque plates. Don’t let their motto of “Lousy food and warm beer” fool you, as Coco’s portions are packed with flavor and larger than life one-pound patties. Choose between beef or kangaroo, and get ready for American grill styles like blackened cajun or chili with Swiss. If you’re “burgered out,” go for the unlimited ribs or glazed chook, roo steak or double fillets. Arrive with an appetite!
Burger Bucks €10.90 – 15.90
Cafe ‘T Gasthuys
Grimburgwal 7
This is the local’s secret spot for a good meal. Located in a charming brown bar Dutch atmosphere, students here rant and rave about their cheeseburger with pancetta bacon, sharp Dutch cheese, whiskey sauce, pickles, tomatoes and onions. Have is with fries and a salad or as is, it’s a popular choice for lazy Sunday lunches. The beer selection is local and excellent, the staff is friendly, and the vibe is overall easygoing.
Burger Bucks: €6.75 – 11.50
The Butcher
Albert Cuypstraat 129
Although it may looks and feel like a Brooklyn knock-off (back when butchers were an obsession in NYC), and that’s why we love it. The place is tiny, with a slaughter-shop setting of white tiles and a steel kitchen. Tables are not part of the picture, but the storefront windows makes window shoppers drool. The menu is simple and straightforward, stretching out to satisfy vegetarians, hot dog hunters and fans of fish ‘n’ chips.
Burger Bucks: €8.50 – 10.95
