10 Best Restaurants For Pancakes In Amsterdam
Pancakes in Amsterdam are everywhere. Sweet or savoury you’ll find the pancakes of your dreams in this city.
Perfect Pancakes
The Netherlands is famous for its love of pancakes. In fact, many countries the world over have their own version of this affordable and versatile food (think the all-American mile high pancake stack or the silky French crêpe). The Dutch version of pannenkoeken (flat crêpe style) and poffertjes (tiny pancake puffs) are as delicious as any.
There are many pancake houses in Amsterdam catering to the tourists and the pancake loving locals – although we admit it is mostly a touristy subsection of the food scene here. You could spend a whole week in Amsterdam eating only pancakes for every meal and you would have only scratched the surface of the pancakes on offer.
Pancakes, unlike other dishes, can look a lot better than they taste. Fluff the cream up enough, arrange the strawberries just right, detail some geometrical shapes with chocolate sauce, and you’ll have everything you need…for the gram. However beautiful but shallow pancakes aren’t what we’re after. We need the all-important substance too. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list to ensure you try only the best tasting pancakes.
That means, fluffy (not stodgy), sweet (not saccharine) or savoury (not salty), and not too thin or thick (unless you’re after the American style).
Some places serve multiple types of pancakes: American, pannenkoek, poffertjes, vegan. Others only the Dutch style pancakes. Whatever you fancy, try our list below for the best pancakes in Amsterdam.
REMEMBER:
Vegan options
Your carnivorous friends will also find options here
PANCAKES🌱 🍗
It’s in the name! PANCAKES is a specialised chain of pancake restaurants here in Amsterdam that serve up poffertjes, Dutch, and American style pancakes. They offer the traditional but delicious toppings for sweet pancakes: whipped cream, softened fruit, snowy sugar, and your favourite sauce. But they also excel in their savoury pancakes where you might actually be able to stuff in a few of your five-a-day. We recommend the apple and cheese for that perfect hit of sweet and savoury if you’re struggling to choose between the two.
Dignita 🍗
Always at hand to provide a seasonal pancake dish is the eternally classy Dignita. A star of the Amsterdam brunch scene, Dignita usually serves an interesting pancake recipe which is sure to stand out amongst the crowd with their renowned quality and flavours. As a brunch restaurant not solely dedicated to the beloved pancake it is a great choice if others in your group want a greater selection of dishes.
Upstairs Pancakes 🍗
Possibly the tiniest pancake place on the whole list. Upstairs Pancakes is the place to visit if you want the true Dutch experience – complete with a steep, narrow staircase. You’ll only find the classic pannenkoeken here but done very well – perfect thickness and pillowy texture. Their pancakes are more subtle and restrained than other options. They use a darker chocolate sauce meaning the total dish isn’t overly sweet. A central scoop of cream rather than doused with the heavy topping. Try the banana and chocolate sauce for a balanced sweet treat.
Moak 🍗
As much as you love Amsterdam and Dutch culture you might struggle with the traditional Dutch pannenkoeken. Especially if you grew up loving the chunky and bouncy American style cakes stacked proud and tall, covered in syrup. If so, Moak is the pancake spot for you. We recommend the G.O.O.D Morning pancakes for something a little lighter and The Infamous for a treat.
De Carrousel Pannenkoeken Amsterdam 🍗
A carousel themed pancake house just north of the popular De Pijp area. It’s as fun as it sounds…and the pancakes are great too. A huge selection of both sweet and savoury pannenkoeken. Plus, they serve the always adorable poffertjes. A great choice if you like your pancakes over-the-top with lots of cream and Nutella. It’s a popular spot but they have lots of tables and you can usually get a seat.
The Happy Pig Pancakes 🌱 🍗
The Happy Pig Pancakes are an excellent choice for vegans, carnivores, and vegetarians. They serve their pancakes rolled and diced into bitesize pieces in a nifty long tube – perfect if there are no seats and you’d like to takeaway. They encourage you to create your own toppings with traditional, vegan, or gluten-free vegan batter. However, we recommend their “Dutch Delight” option of gouda cheese and fig jam.
Poffertjes Albert Cuyp 🍗
For a true Dutch experience try the Poffertjes Albert Cuyp stall at the Albert Cuyp market. A small food van selling the softest, puffiest poffertjes you may ever eat. A perfect treat to hoover up while you stroll up and down this busy marketplace. The little baby pancakes are delicious enough that they are best with only a generous slab of butter and a heavy-handed dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect authentic Dutch pancakes. Also featured on our best desserts in Amsterdam list.
The Pancake Bakery 🍗
An extremely popular pancake restaurant in Amsterdam with tourists which claims to be the oldest pancake restaurant in the city. The Pancake Bakery is known for pannenkoeken that are three times bigger than the average human face. These pancakes are big enough to share (if you’re that way inclined). Traditional toppings to be expected – we recommend anything with their tasty ice-cream but especially the Brazilian poffertjes topped with walnut ice-cream, mocha sauce, amaretto, and whipped cream. Drool worthy.
Boerderij Meerzicht 🌱🍗
You might be surprised to hear that Amsterdam has a forest. Just on the outskirts of the city you’ll find a vast area of green space studded with paths for serious cyclists, walkers, and runners. Plonked on the far edge is Boerderij Meerzicht – a charming eatery serving delicious pancakes amongst other dishes. With an excellent outdoor terrace, it’s the perfect place to spend a summer day after walking the beautiful trails of the forest. They use chocolate chips on their pancakes making them extra sweet. If you have a serious sweet tooth – this is the place for you.
*vegan pancakes must be ordered by phone ahead of time to ensure the restaurant has them available for you.
Coffee & Coconuts 🌱🍗
Coffee and Coconuts is a De Pijp landmark at this point. Its popularity continues to rise, and it is an excellent choice for you to indulge in some quality pancakes. Particularly if the rest of your party isn’t interested in the doughy treat and could enjoy another dish from their varied menu. Their pancakes are made from almond and buckwheat flour served with coconut cream and coconut flakes along with a tangy berry compote. A great option to satisfy a whole host of cravings.
