You’ve arrived in Amsterdam, checked into your hotel, and are hungry for some Dutch culinary delights. But where and how do the locals dine, and how do they do it on a budget?
Amsterdam locals know the ins and outs of Amsterdam dining on the cheap. Here are our top tips for Amsterdam budget dining.
From our budget guide to Amsterdam:
• Top budget hotels in Amsterdam
• Hotel advice: Read this first
• How to avoid the crowds at Amsterdam’s biggest attractions
Amsterdam budget dining tips
1. When and where to eat
First off, lunch in Amsterdam usually runs from noon to 4 p.m. and dinner begins around 6 p.m. Between lunch and dinner, many cafes will have small fried snacks, nuts or cheese, and meat plates to nibble on. And late at night, you’ll see snacks a-plenty catering to the bar crowd.
When it comes to finding the best local eats, the more off the beaten path you hunt, the better. If your accommodation is outside the city center, that’s great — check out the nearby dining digs there first before heading into the central tourist areas. And if you’re eating in the center, keep your eyes (and ears!) open for locals. Find a place packed with Dutch diners? Check out the menu, and take a chance — even if it’s not in your guide!
Related: 8 Affordable restaurants that Amsterdam locals love
2. Lunch is cheaper than dinner. Always.
First, there are many typical Dutch “brown cafes” that double as gastropubs. Just ask to see their list of cheapo-friendly lunch sandwiches. These are usually a hearty, open-face affair with fresh, melted, or toasted toppings. Sandwiches range between €4 to €6, but come evening, the menu shifts to dinner with plates at twice the price.
Tip: To save big, consider eating bigger at lunchtime and having a more modest dinner to end your day. It’s probably healthier, too!
Related: Coffeeshop? Cafe? Understanding coffee in Amsterdam
3. Lunch at the upscale restaurants
If you’re looking to dive into a plate of fine French, Mediterranean, and Euro-fusion decadence on a budget, check your dream restaurant’s lunch menu. There are many Michelin-star restaurants, upscale set-course menus, and white tablecloth dining establishments that offer a delicious gourmet meal during lunch for a third of the dinner price, or sometimes even cheaper.
Dutch bakeries offer flaky treats for €1 to €2 a piece. Photo: uncle leo
4. Consider skipping the hotel breakfast
If breakfast isn’t included in your stay, don’t pay more than €5 for it – anything more would be overpriced, unless it’s a huge spread of hot and cold catering smorgasbord. There is always a bakery nearby to duck into for flaky croissants, savory and whole grain rolls, quiches, and coffees for cheap.
Related: Where to have a traditional Dutch breakfast | Top 10 budget hotels in Amsterdam
5. Avoid Argentinian steakhouses in the tourist center
Sure, they might seem like a good deal with their “lunch specials” of steak, fries, and salad. Plus, they’re all over the city center. However, beware of Argentinian steakhouses around Dam Square, Rembrandtplein, and Leidseplein nightlife areas — these places just serve thawed-out, packaged dinners to rooms full of tourists. If you’re looking for a steak, it’s best to splurge on a real-deal steakhouse.
6. Get thee to the grocery store
Amsterdam is overrun with Albert Heijn grocery stores, and they’re very convenient for anyone looking for a lunch “to go” or to eat al fresco in the park. Check the refrigerators around the produce sections for sandwiches, salads, and fruit smoothies, and also the cheese and meat counters for tapas-size portions of tasty take-away nibbles, including dips like guacamole, hummus, tapenade, and pesto.
Top it all off with a chilled bottle of white or a Belgian beer sold by the bottle, and you’re set for a perfect Dutch picnic!
7. Munch in the markets
The Albert Cuypmarkt (open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Sunday), the weekend markets at Noordermarkt and Nieuwmarkt, and the neighborhood markets like Dappermarkt and Ten Katemarkt are all great places to pick up fresh snacks and street food on the cheap. The markets have it all, from healthy kebabs (yes, they do exist) to fresh (or fried) fish, homemade baked goods, and exotic eats.
And check out the cafes that border the outdoor markets — you’ll see a lot of budget-friendly Indonesian, Surinamese, Turkish, or Chinese eats.
8. Thirsty? It never hurts to ask.
Yes, Amsterdam is one of those European cities where restaurant servers are known to refuse tap water to customers. But not always. When you sit down, ask for “water van de tap” or tap water. If the server says it is “not possible”, don’t take it personally — they’ve been saying this all day to disappointed customers.
When you’re forced to order a bottle of water, you should definitely take a quick look at the drink menu first and make sure it’s worth it. Quite often a beer, house wine, or coffee is the same price… or even cheaper!
Waiters and waitresses in Amsterdam make a good wage, so you don’t have to worry about leaving too big a tip. Photo: FH
9. Tipping is NOT a big thing here
Being a super generous tipper in Amsterdam is not seen as impressive, kind, or flattering. It’s actually more likely to be perceived as ridiculous and flashy.
Why? Because servers, baristas, bartenders, and others in the hospitality industry are paid a normal and healthy wage that isn’t heavily reliant upon tips. So, bartenders serving beers do not expect tips, and when paying for a round of drinks for table service, just leave some small change if service was exceptional. For dining, 10% is the norm unless the service was out of this world.
10. Going Dutch is a big thing here
Anyone going out for dinner with a local should know that splitting the bill and “going Dutch” is the norm. It’s definitely not rude to split the bill with your date (especially if your date is Dutch). If they’re not Dutch, then you might want to skip this advice and trust your own instincts.
Your Amsterdam budget dining advice
Have tips, advice or questions about dining on a budget in Amsterdam? Share with us in the comments section below!
The post Amsterdam: 10 tips for dining on a budget appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.
Source: Euro Cheapo