Frens Haringhandel ★ 4.6
Frens on Koningsplein near the Bloemenmarkt is the Amsterdam herring stand locals queue at, raw soused herring with onion and pickles, served the proper way.
Try: Hollandse Nieuwe haring
Vendors, food trucks and stalls: the cheapest, fastest, frequently best food in Amsterdam.
Don't-miss vendors
Stubbe's Haring ★ 4.4
Stubbe's at the Haarlemmersluis bridge on the Singel near Centraal is the Amsterdam herring stand that ranks alongside Frens, family-run for more than a century.
Try: Hollandse Nieuwe haring
Vleminckx De Sausmeester ★ 4.5
Vleminckx on Voetboogstraat is the Amsterdam frites takeaway, since 1957, double-fried Belgian-style chips, a queue that wraps the alley most lunchtimes.
Try: Belgian frites with mayonnaise
FEBO Leidseplein ★ 3.6
FEBO is the Amsterdam automatiek: hot kroketten, hamburgers and bitterballen behind little glass doors, the Leidseplein outlet open into the after-club hours.
Try: Kroket and bitterballen from the vending wall
De Ballenbar at Foodhallen ★ 4.3
De Ballenbar inside Foodhallen serves Amsterdam bitterballen on the bar, beef ragout deep-fried, with truffle and lobster variants for the splurge order.
Try: Bitterballen and croquettes by the dozen
Volendammer Vishandel ★ 4.3
Volendammer Vishandel on Albert Cuypstraat sells Amsterdam kibbeling fresh from the fryer, battered cod chunks with garlic mayonnaise, the way the markets eat fish.
Try: Kibbeling with garlic sauce
Original Stroopwafels Albert Cuyp ★ 4.4
Albert Cuyp's stroopwafel stall presses the Amsterdam syrup waffle in front of you, two thin layers around hot caramel, eaten before the caramel cools.
Try: Fresh stroopwafel off the iron
Wok to Walk ★ 3.7
Wok to Walk on Leidsestraat is the Amsterdam build-your-own stir-fry chain, noodles or rice, sauce, protein, vegetables, fired in a wok in 90 seconds.
Try: Stir-fried noodles or rice to order
Heertje Friet ★ 4.2
Heertje on Herengracht serves Amsterdam hand-cut frites the proper way, double-fried, salted, paired with mayonnaise or one of two dozen sauces.
Try: Hand-cut Dutch frites
Poffertjeskraam Albert Cuyp ★ 4.2
Albert Cuyp's poffertjes stall flips Amsterdam mini-pancakes in a cast-iron griddle, served with butter and powdered sugar, the snack the market eats walking.
Try: Poffertjes with butter and powdered sugar
Street Food in Amsterdam, FAQ
When is the best time to eat in Amsterdam?
Peak food season in Amsterdam is year-round.
What time do people eat in Amsterdam?
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
How does tipping work in Amsterdam?
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
What is the one dish to try in Amsterdam?
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Amsterdam rewards trust.