Best lunch spots in Amsterdam

The healthy one

If your chakras are out of alignment and only a turmeric quinoa protein salad or blue spirulina bowl will set things straight, head to Wild & the Moon. With outposts in Oud-West, Zuidas, De Pijp and the Jordaan, this self-service sanctuary dishes up plant-based goodness with all the homemade almond mylk and maca your soul (and Instagram feed) could possibly desire. Grab a cold-pressed juice and biodegradable straw from the fridge, park yourself by the window and pretend you're not just here for the matcha coconut bliss ball.

Fancy your lunchtime health fix with full table service and a side of fine dining? Try De Kas in Frankendael Park or Bolenius in Rembrandtpark—both proudly sporting green Michelin stars.

Wild & the Moon | various locations

The metro grab-and-go

Designed to fit in the palm of your hand for easy eating on the go, onigiri is Japan’s answer to the packed lunch. And while a few spots in Amsterdam do these nori-wrapped rice balls now, only Wagaya Japan Onigiri is located in a metro station. Choose from 11 rotating varieties prepared daily on location, including creamy tuna mayo, hearty chicken teriyaki and unagi (freshwater eel in a sweet-sticky tare sauce). Everything’s individually wrapped, with the seaweed kept separate for that essential crunch.

Prefer things spicier? Head to De Hapjeshoek at Waterlooplein and Weesperplein metro stations for Surinamese roti rolls worth missing your ride for.

Wagaya Japan Onigiri | Wibautstraat metro station, Oost

The multi-course meal

If you want a Michelin-starred experience without the velvet-rope attitude, make a lunch date at Ron Gastrobar. It is helmed by renowned Dutch chef Ron Blaauw, who shocked the culinary world by voluntarily giving up his Michelin stars in 2013 to create a more relaxed, accessible dining concept that quickly regained a Michelin star and revolutionised Amsterdam’s food scene. Situated a short stroll from Vondelpark, in chic Oud-Zuid, the flower-filled terrace and warm service keep things inviting. Opt for the 3-course set lunch menu (€55) or order à la carte bites like croustade ayam (Balinese chicken with galangal mayonnaise), grilled king oyster and maitake mushrooms with yuzu-kosho sauce and kaffir lime or Ron’s signature boneless spare ribs with BBQ glaze.

Ron Gastrobar | Sophialaan 55, Zuid

The budget option

Not every lunch needs a microgreen garnish and a natural wine pairing. Sometimes, you just want something healthy, filling and affordable enough to leave room for your matcha latte habit. The centrally located Southern Indian street food spot, Kailash Parbat, spills out onto a small canal-side patio, which fills up fast on sunny days. The house chaat (an Indian snack platter), which includes vegetarian dishes like dahi wada (melt-in-the-mouth lentil balls with pomegranate yoghurt), bhel puri (chilli-laced puffed rice) and crispy corn baskets, is bursting with colour, texture and flavour.

Or discover Amsterdam’s immigrant food scene: Leeman Döner serves up legendary lahmacun straight from the Turkish pizza playbook, while Roopram Roti dishes out Surinamese comfort food in portions generous enough to count as a public service.

Kailash Parbat | Weteringschans 175, Centrum

The timeless tastemakers

Looking for a lunch spot that has stood the test of time (and taste buds)? Buffet van Odette is a cosy canal-side haunt for those who love their truffle cheese omelettes, veg-led plates and fresh ravioli with a view. At the equally popular Gartine, lunch becomes a slow-food ritual with lovingly sourced farm-to-table ingredients and seasonal charm.

Prefer chopsticks to cutlery? Hoi Tin is a long-time local favourite for no-frills Cantonese, from tasty turnip cakes to some of the city’s best dim sum. Or tuck into Hong Kong-style toast, scrambled egg sandwiches or bolo bao (pineapple buns) at the next-gen Hoi Tin Café, which opened across the street in 2025.

Buffet van Odette | Prinsengracht 598, Centrum

The hip ones

In a neighbourhood not exactly famed for its lunch scene, Benji's Nieuw-West is a welcome breath of fresh (plant-filled) air. This industrial-chic café—think steel pipes softened by cascades of greenery—has carved out cosy corners that make its generous space feel intimate. The menu is a global lunch passport: from mango hummus and falafel toast to chicken katsu brioche buns, paired with lattes from local roaster LOT61, homemade iced teas or a cheeky daytime cocktail. Beloved by laptop-toting creatives and laid-back locals alike, it’s the kind of spot where time slows down, at least until your next meeting. There are also Benji’s locations in Oost and West.

Also worth checking out if your lunch break doubles as a lifestyle statement: Pluk and its sister spot Ree7 in the Nine Streets, Kikkie van de Prinsensluis in the Canal District or Toki in the Jordaan. 

Benji's | Maassluisstraat 243, Nieuw-West

The extra special one

Mob-wife chic meets culinary flex at Jondani. Think marble floors, caramel leather booths, warm lighting and a multitude of mirrors—perfect for a clientele that likes to admire themselves as much as the caviar that seems to accompany everything here. At lunch, you’ll see well-heeled locals, footballers’ wives and Zuidas types ordering lobster espressos, miso-marinated black cod and Wagyu burgers crowned with foie gras. The wine list is as curated as the guest list, featuring approachable gems and exclusive bottles. Whether you're sealing a deal or just indulging, Jondani offers a taste of opulence that's hard to resist.

Jondani Downtown | Beethovenstraat 18, Zuid

The ones with a terrace

Grab a front-row seat to ship-watching at Lowlander Botanical Bar & Restaurant, where giant vessels glide right by and the botanical beers flow all too easily. With a breezy terrace on the IJ river and a menu full of fresh, plant-powered bites, it’s lunch with a view—and a hoppy vibe.

For laid-back Greek vibes with mezze, cocktails and a terrace that feels like a holiday, head to Ikaria Park, tucked inside Bilderdijkpark. Or try Massalia in Oost, where the Mediterranean menu pairs perfectly with a sun-drenched street terrace made for lingering.

For French classics, you can’t go wrong with Café Restaurant Amsterdam or De Belhamel. The former serves up sumptuous seafood platters and brasserie fare in a grand old pumping station in Westerpark—complete with a terrace for sunny-day wine and people-watching. The latter combines a stunning Art Nouveau setting, French comfort food, and a waterside terrace along the beautiful Brouwersgracht.

Lowlander Botanical Bar & Restaurant | Gedempt Hamerkanaal 201, Noord

The best broodjes

While TikTok queues outside Chun’s and Zero Zero show no sign of waning, Davie’s is quietly making the city’s best pastrami sandwich. Former Michelin chef David Baxter uses beef from Dutch milk cows for a more marbled (and thus far more flavourful) alternative to traditional brisket. The short rib is brined with herbs and spices for a week, then slow-cooked for 36 hours before being generously layered between slices of marbled sourdough rye with English mustard and homemade pickles. Or try the signature warm Dutch achterham (deli ham) sandwich with guanciale compote and mustard mayo at the recently opened Rosèl. No gimmicks, just greatness.

Davie’s Amsterdam | Tweede Leliedwarsstraat 13, Jordaan