Wallet-friendly lunches in Amsterdam? We've got you covered
Have a delicious meal at Snackbar BIRD
Snackbar Bird, Amsterdam City Center
We've all been there: it's the middle of the day out in town, and lunchtime is upon you. What are you to do? It's not convenient to go home, cook, and come back out - there are places to be, people to see, appointments to fulfill. Yet how do you find a cheap and cheerful spot for a quick lunch that doesn't break the bank?
Lunch in Amsterdam prices have been… not the best. I've noticed most places offering sit-down meals that cost anywhere from 17 euros to 25 euros a plate, and the other option seems to be… the ever-trusty McDonald's or Burger King. Where to find a friendly, nutritious meal that doesn't cost upwards of 15 euros? 10 euros even?
I've polled my friends, a sample of internationals and Dutchies alike, for wallet-friendly lunches in Amsterdam. For when going home for a meal isn't a feasible option, but neither is spending more than 15 euros. (Or eating only a dry, dubious broodje kaas, bless our souls).
Disclaimer: loads of these places feature our best friend: the sandwich! We have vegetarian-friendly options, too, plus the healthy bowl vibes that some of us need in order to eat a vegetable every once in a bit (lol). Eet Smakkelijk!
The delicatessen wall
Zero, Zero, Amsterdam
1.Zero Zero - City Center
A simple selection of high-quality goods from Italy. Open weekdays from 8:00, and weekends from 9:00.
7 meat sandwiches, 5 vegetarian options - all under €12. All are made with fresh focaccia bread, and all the goodies: from mortadella to porchetta to the veg-friendly zucchini and melanzane options.
The queue is always long, but the service is fast: get your sandwich within 5-15 minutes, max. Vegetarian friendly.
2. Mezzave - De Pijp
A boutique deli founded in Israel by two partners sharing the same passion: a love for fresh, high-quality, healthy - and above all - delicious food. Their first deli is here in De Pijp, making it a perfect go-to if you're in the neighborhood and need a meal that doesn't break the bank.
Sandwiches with fresh, weekly-rotating meat selections, all for €12 each. No vegetarian options.
That Oliver Green lunch bowl is smiling at me
Oliver Green, Amstel & Oud-West
3. Oliver Green - 2 Locations: Amstel & Oud-West
For my healthy bowl lovers! Salad bowls and warm bowls alike, smoothie galore, this spot calls itself plant-forward: an approach that prioritizes whole foods, vegetables, legumes, and the like - but doesn't cut out animal-based products. They're set to make healthy meals affordable, with prices ranging up to €13.50 per bowl. Vegetarian-focused, alternative protein options available.
To-die-for pestos to go with your foccacia at Focacceria
Focacceria, Overtoom
4. Focacceria - Overtoom
Handmade Focaccia Genovese! Zero Waste Kitchen! Open half the week (Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 to 17:00). From thin, crispy, delicious focaccia dishes (€2.75 - €3.75) to paninis (€10.50 - €11.50), get a small bite or a proper sandwich. Everything is homemade, and specials change periodically. Ask for add-ons according to the season! Make sure you make it on time after the lunch rush, though - it's open until focaccia sells out, which it does, on occasion. Vegetarian friendly.
An abundance of "meze" to choose from at Le Sud Vegetarisch
Le Sud Vegetarisch - Haarlemmerdijk
5. Le Sud Vegetarisch - Haarlemmerdijk
Settled in the charming Haarlemmerdijk, Le Sud is known for its vegetarian-friendly meals. It's a piece of Persia in one of the nicest shopping streets of Amsterdam, keeping it healthy, tasty, and surprising. They offer a range of salads, sandwiches, olives, spreads, and small dishes, and are takeaway friendly, too! Prices range from €10-20 per person. Vegetarian only.
6. Caldi e freddi - Spui
A gem in the center of Amsterdam! An ample selection of sandwiches, both vegetarian and meat-based, for under €6. Spicy provolone cheese! Mortadella! Tuna Salad! Pizza, pasta, and desserts at friendly prices, too, in case you have the extra time to sit for a quick bite. Vegetarian friendly.
There's always a line at Thai snack-bar Bird, but the food is well worth the wait
Zeedijk, Amsterdam
7. Thaise Snackbar Bird - City Center
The legend! The icon! The establishment! Thai food galore at the Snackbar Bird. Tiny, cozy place in the Zeedijk - one of the oldest and busiest streets in the center of Amsterdam - but well worth the wait (if it's busy, you could end up lining up for about 20min if you need a spot to sit. Takeaway should be a bit faster). Thai place offering noodles, soups, rice dishes, the usual pad thai, lumpias and more. Depending on which dish you choose, prices range from €10-20 per person. Vegetarian friendly.
No shortage of lunch options at Small World Catering
Jordaan, Amsterdam
8. Small World Catering - Jordaan
For when you want a - you guessed it - sandwich, delivered quickly (or takeaway), warm, cold, and with different bread options (YES, including gluten-free bread)! This one is a personal favorite. Prices range from €11-16 per sandwich, so it's a little bit on the mid-range side, but you can count on feeling satisfied. The staff is always friendly, the food's always on time, and it has the neighborhood vibe that Amsterdammers love. Not so much noise, only vibes. Vegetarian and gluten-free friendly.
9. Alberto Pozzetto - De Pijp
Especially budget-friendly, all the sandwiches on Alberto Pozzetto are €6.50! An amazing choice for a walk in the park, or if you only have about 10 minutes between errands in De Pijp. equal amounts of vegetarian and meat-based options, too - there's something for everyone. Oh, and excellent coffee. Vegetarian friendly.
Flo's Appetizing Bagels
Elandsgracht, Amsterdam
10. Flo's Appetizing - De Pijp & Jordaan
Flo's bagels are rolled by hand and sourced with great ingredients, keeping their products local and seasonal. For when you want a New Yorker moment in the center of town. From meat and veg-friendly options to the classic egg and cheese bagels, find your flavor from as little as €3.75 to keep it simple, or go for a pastrami bagel (The Newman) for €9.
♒︎
Clement Taffin is a digital comms specialist. When she’s not doing doing that, she’s agonizing over what it means to be a person in the 21 century.
