Best places to dine with kids in this melting pot of people and cultures
Amsterdam is a melting pot of people and cultures. Nowhere is this fact more evident than in its food scene. If your family is like mine, some of your most memorable moments in Amsterdam will occur around a table, sampling food that is both different and delicious.
1. De Blauwe Hollander
Leidsekruisstraat 28
To sample hearty Dutch cooking, head to De Blauwe Hollander (The Blue Dutchman) near Leidsegracht for dinner. I’d recommend the pea soup with rye bread and Hotchpotch, a traditional Dutch dish made from mashed potatoes, vegetables, and beef or sausage. For kids, there’s chicken fillet or croquet Van Dobben (veal) with French fries and apple mash. $$
2. The Pancake Bakery
Prinsengracht 191
My youngest son is on a culinary mission: to sample pancakes in every country that he visits. He loves pancakes! Hands down, Amsterdam is home to his favorite spot: The Pancake Bakery. The restaurant is located in a former Dutch East India Company warehouse on Prinsengracht near the Anne Frank Huis and Westerkerk. Cozy and welcoming, the restaurant offers an endless variety of both savory and sweet pancakes, plus a full selection of international flavors. $$
The Happy Pig Pancake Shop (Rosmarijnsteeg 12) and Pancakes Amsterdam (Berenstraat 38) are both delicious, too.
3. Sama Sebo
Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat 27
Don’t leave Amsterdam without tasting the Indonesian food. Indonesia was a former Dutch colony, and the Dutch have a fondness for the cuisine. For lunch, go to Sama Sebo near the Rijksmuseum and try the Nasi Goreng – the best bowl of food that I had in three months of traveling! $$
4. Sampurna
Singel 498
For an Indonesian dinner, try rijstaffel (rice table) at Sampurna. Rijstaffel is a shared buffet of 10 to 15 small dishes served at your table. Don’t like one of the dishes? Just move on to the next (though I bet that you’ll love them all). This meal is an event for the whole family. $$$
5. Frens Haringhandels
Koningsplein near Bloemenmarkt
The Dutch love their herring served raw with pickled cucumber and onions on a plate or on a roll. There’s always a line at Frens Haringhandels. Be brave and embrace a truly Dutch experience! $
6. La Place – Amsterdam Openbare Bibliotheek
Oosterdokskade 143
Located on the top floor of Amsterdam’s huge city library, you’ll find La Place. This cafeteria-style restaurant offers fresh, cooked-on-the-spot choices in a spacious environment with plenty of seating, especially for large families. It’s open for lunch and dinner. There’s also good coffee and a great view! $
KidTripster Tip: Be prepared to pay to use the toilet.
7. Albert Hejin Grocery
Another non-traditional recommendation is the Albert Heijn grocery stores. If you’re looking for a quick, affordable lunch, the ready-made sandwiches are actually quite delicious. My older son wanted to eat here everyday! Various locations. $
8. Ivy & Bros
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 96A
Located near De Oude Kerk (The Old Church), this cute boutique cafe is one of the best places in town to order a cappuccino. The food is delicious, too: quiches and baked goods for breakfast and sandwiches and soup for lunch. Ivy & Bros is a small, inexpensive place, so seats fill up quickly, especially around lunchtime. $
9. Omelegg
Nieuwebrugsteeg 24
If you like omelettes and big portions, you must eat at Omelegg. There’s lots of creative combinations; I suggest the Viking Fisherman with smoked salmon, dill, and crème fraîche. Don’t be turned off by its location in the Red Light District; it’s perfectly family-friendly. There’s often a line, but service here is quick and efficient. Second location outside inner Amsterdam: Ferdinand Bolstraat 143. $$
10. Groot Melkhuis
Vondelpark
Right in the middle of Vondelpark, Groot Melkhuis offers families more than food: a huge outdoor playground, sand pit, and crafts on Wednesday afternoons. On the weekends, there’s often a bouncy house and cotton candy; parents can enjoy a drink on the terrace. Your kids are sure to work up an appetite! Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $
For Top 10 Plays in Amsterdam, click here.
For Top 10 Stays in Amsterdam, click here.
Pin to Pinterest & Read Later
