24 Hours in Amsterdam - Your Complete Food Itinerary
How much good food can you squeeze into one day? With MARVED – quite a bit.
Little With Lots to Do
When you’re in any city for a short period of time, choosing the finest places to dine is crucial. Not only do you not have a single moment to spare, but wasting an inch of your appetite is also out of the question. Eating only the best vegetarian food in Amsterdam will take your trip from amazing, to incomparable, stratospheric, incredibleness that you can’t stop talking about.
Amsterdam might be considered a small city (compared to some) but on a short trip you’ll have much to see, do, and eat. With over 60 museums it has the highest density of museums in the world.
However, the bonus of its small size, and the fact it’s well-connected by trams and metro lines, mean your food journey won’t be hampered by pesky distance. You really can try all the places on the list while taking in the culture and history of Amsterdam’s many museums and art galleries.
New & Old
Although Amsterdam, or The Netherlands in general, is not particularly known for any significant culinary exports like other European countries such as Italy or France, the food scene here has flourished in recent years. Michelin star eateries have become more prominent, and cuisines from all over the world sprout up in restaurants across the city driven by the diverse population that call Amsterdam home. Nonetheless they also have famous local dishes to indulge in like Stroopwafel and Poffertjes (plus an abundance of meat or fish dishes we shall sidestep).
24 Hours with MARVED will make sure you eat only the best on your journey through this incredible city. Plus, with all that time spent standing in front of picturesque canals getting your angle just right for the perfect snap. You won’t have much time left to research the top places to eat.
REMEMBER:
Vegan options
Your carnivorous friends will also find options here
If you’re staying for a little longer – why not explore all our guides to find the best food of Amsterdam?
BREAKFAST
A perfect day always begins with a delicious and nutritious meal. Little Collins changing menu delivers unique vegetable dishes with a fusion of flavours and ingredients you won’t expect. The plates change (although they have some staples) but are always of high quality, which comes through in the ingredients. Two locations – one in De Pijp and the other in West, make this a great option regardless of where you stay.
COFFEE BREAK
If you want the best coffee, you’d better go direct to the source. Lot 61 is an Amsterdam based coffee roasters that supplies many of the city’s wonderful cafés with their outrageously good coffee beans. They have a small café in West where they serve the perfect oat milk latte and some top-notch bakes. Limited seating indoors makes Lot 61 the ideal spot to grab and go.
MID-MORNING SNACK
It would be a shame to visit Amsterdam and not try one of their most beloved culinary delights. The Netherlands isn’t only famed for its large, flat crepe-style pancakes but for those tiny, adorable pancakes you often see on menus of the many pannenkoeken restaurants across the city – better known as, poffertjes. For the absolute best version of these pillowy snacks you must visit Poffertjes Albert Cuyp. A longstanding stall in the famous Albert Cuypmarkt. We always recommend them served with only butter and powdered sugar. They need nothing more. Perfection.
For an alternative (or additional) snack while browsing the many stalls on the Albert Cuypmarkt we recommend Rudy’s Original Stroopwafels. They serve fresh, warm wafels filled with soft, sticky stroop, which could remove a layer of skin if you aren’t careful. Better than any you’ll find in the supermarket aisles, try Rudy’s for the real deal on this Dutch favourite.
LUNCH
Recommended for lunch as it never leaves you feeling overly full and sleepy – Vegan Sushi Bar is one of the best vegetarian/vegan spots in the whole city. We encourage you – I mean seriously encourage you, not to miss this place when you visit. Forget everything you know about veggie sushi and those sad little wrapped pieces of tired rice squished into plastic containers. This is showstopping sushi with vegan versions of chicken teriyaki, flambe salmon, and shrimp tempura. Go, then thank us later.
For a fast lunch which doesn’t compromise on taste, try the delicious bagels at Flo’s Appetising. They have a few locations and are still growing – which isn’t surprising considering how phenomenal the bagels are. Vegan options are available for some of the favourites. Of course, we would be remiss not to mention their all-star – The Vegan Jerry. A vegan version of the ultimate bagel fillings of cream cheese and smoked salmon. They swap the salmon with smoked carrot (genius), so you don’t miss any of the delicious flavours.
PRO TIP: They are also happy to make a veggie version with standard cream cheese if you’re not fully vegan. Obviously, we suggest the scallion and chive schmear.
FRITES STOP
Another essential food tick on your Amsterdam to-do-list is for their famous frites (or Friets). Think somewhere in-between a French fry and a British chip but crispier. There are lots of frite spots across the city, but Fabel Friets is our ultimate favourite. Usually served in a cone which becomes increasingly messy as you reach the bottom. Fabel, conversely, serves fresh fries covered in your choice off sauce in a practical flat cardboard container. Meaning you avoid getting mayo halfway up your sleeve. Hooray! The fries are incredible, and the sauces taste fresh and homemade in comparison to some others in the city.
DINNER
We can think of no better spot for dinner in Amsterdam than the excellent Wijmpje Beukers in De Pijp. The food is truly special, with flavours and ingredients paired to create dishes that are anything but simple at fair prices. Its warm, candlelit atmosphere makes it a cosy escape from the city’s hectic streets. They offer a changing menu but always with a few vegetarian options. No bookings – turn up and they will try to accommodate. However, we recommend going early to beat the rush.
DESSERT
We encourage you to always save some space after dinner if you happen to be near a Massimo Gelato (there are now four locations). Gelato can sometimes taste similar no matter how many places you try but you will notice the difference at Massimo. Their flavours are exactly that – flavourful. Even in the delicate Crema or Fior Di Latte you’ll find the subtle flavours manage to make it through and excite your palate.
PRO TIP: Try the Chocolate, Caramel & Salt for a real indulgence.
NIGHT CAP
No perfect day is complete without a nightcap. At popular Bar Mokum in De Pijp you may need to queue for your preferred tipple, but it will be worth the wait. The Red Light themed underground bar is simmering with the clandestine energy of an illicit speakeasy. Not to mention the cocktails are outrageously good.
