Amsterdam is one of the greatest cities in the world for vegan food, with fast food pop-ups and organic restaurants appearing all over the city serving totally plant-based dishes. So if you’re a vegan heading to the Dam with no idea on where to refuel, these local vegan recommendations are guaranteed to hit the spot. Expect dairy-free cheese boards, meat-free junk food and fish-free sushi as well as a whole lot of healthy plant-based restaurants all over Amsterdam. Here’s our roundup of the best spots to grab a delicious vegan lunch or dinner in the Dutch capital that even the biggest meat-eaters will enjoy.
In no particular order...
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1. JACKETZ
Nieuwendijk 32, 1012 ML Amsterdam, Netherlands
A contemporary jacket potato shop in the centre of Amsterdam serving delicious but healthy spuds. While not everything on the menu is vegan friendly, there is a good selection of hearty vegan jacket potatoes piled with scrummy vegan toppings such as beetroot, spicy green curry (pictured) or seasonal greens. A perfect affordable lunch stop.
You can even choose vegan sauces to moisten your potato up a bit. Filling, satisfying and serious comfort food. The Dutch love a good potato, after all. The best bit is that it will only set your bank balance back £4. The menu is super easy to understand with a little vegan symbol next to the plant-based options. All potatoes here are grown locally, born and bred Dutch!
8-minute walk from the hostel
2. MR AND MRS WATSON
Linnaeuskade 3h, 1098 BC Amsterdam, Netherlands
A 100% vegan restaurant that aims to satisfy those who love cheese - and it succeeds! Mr and Mrs Watson make their very own vegan cheese in-house to go with the inventive dishes. And trust us, it tastes good, which explains why they won the PETA Vegan Food Awards 2017 as Best Dairy-Free Cheese in the Netherlands.
Book a table for lunch or dinner and enjoy scrumptious dishes such as the sloppy BBQ bun or the cashew fondue. We also recommend trying the vegan cheesecake here!
14-minute cycle from the hostel
3. SLA
SLA Utrechtsestraat, Utrechtsestraat 10HS, 1017 VN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Our favourite salad bar in Amsterdam. SLA is a contemporary, minimalist space serving up killer organic salads and smoothies to satisfy you when hunger hits. There are lots of different vegan options here, so you’ll definitely be able to find the perfect salad bowl for you. They’re hearty-sized salads too.
With 5 locations around Amsterdam, you’ll never be too far from an SLA. This place also serves up hot vegan soups for the colder months.
Nearest SLA is a 4 minute cycle from the hostel, or 15 minute walk (address above)
4. GOLDEN TEMPLE
Utrechtsestraat 126, 1017 VT Amsterdam, Netherlands
Get spiced. This hidden gem in the centre of Amsterdam offers an explosion of flavours with its all-vegetarian Indian menu (that caters to vegans too). Think spicy dahl's, fragrant coconut curry and flat Punjabi chapatis.
The interior is authentic and colourful, you’ll feel like you’re sitting in a traditional cafe in India. If you'd prefer, you can even eat comfortably on the floor with the low tables and cushions.
We recommend ordering the Flavours of India thali (pictured) which can be made 100% vegan on request.
20-minute walk from the hostel, or 5-minute cycle
5. JUICE BROTHERS
Raamsteeg 2, 1012 VZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Your number 1 juice stop. Everything is organic at Juice Brothers, with fruit and veg shredded up to make amazing healthy juices packed with goodness. They also offer wonderful breakfast bowls including acai bowls, smoothie bowls and other tasty but healthy treats, so we recommend heading here in the morning.
We love the choco protein bowl (pictured). With five locations in Amsterdam, this juice bar was started by four friends with a passion for quality cold-pressed juice.
10-minute walk, or 3-minute cycle from the hostel
6. VEGAN JUNK FOOD BAR
Staringplein 22, 1054 VL Amsterdam, Netherlands
Can you believe this is vegan??
You may think the words Vegan and Junk food don’t belong together in the same sentence. But just because you’re vegan, doesn’t mean you can’t indulge. It’s all about the balance. If you’re looking for a melt-in-the-mouth vegan burger, then this is your place. And you’ll thank us when you taste the food. Crazy good. We recommend the Sumo Burger with truffle fries. The loaded fries are also noteworthy. Drinks here are also vegan so grab a guilt-free beer while you’re here. You won’t regret it.
27-minute walk, or 12-minute cycle from the hostel
7. MANA MANA
Eerste Jan Steenstraat 85, 1072 NE Amsterdam, Netherlands
In the heart of the De Pijp district, you’ll find Mana Mana, a restaurant that will make all of your Middle Eastern foodie dreams come true. Authentic dining with a sophisticated edge, Mana Mana is the perfect place to treat yourself to a yummy meal with friends. Think incredible hummus and flatbreads, traditional Lebanese/Israeli dishes and a fantastic cocktail and wine selection. The atmosphere is also great.
Serving up-filling vegan food that will ensure you leave with a belly full and a smile on your face, we highly recommend Mana Mana. Spend long, lazy evenings here eating and drinking; if you order the cauliflower it will be the best cauliflower you’ve ever tasted.
11-minute cycle from the hostel
8. Terrazen
Sint Jacobsstraat 19HS, 1012 NC Amsterdam
An unusual fusion of both Jamaican and Japanese dishes is what’s served up at this charming family-owned eatery in the city centre. As one of Amsterdam’s best fully vegan restaurants, you can be guaranteed that everything on the menu is absolutely delicious - the daily queue out the door proves our point. Expect cheap, colourful plates of vegan sushi, ramen, Jamaican curry, loaded fries and way more dishes that are both good for the planet and the soul.
9. Willem Pie
Johan Huizingalaan 76, 1065 JD Amsterdam
Serving up some of the tastiest vegan cakes in Amsterdam, Willem Pie is the perfect place to pick up a plant-based treat to keep you fuelled during your trip. Located in Slotervaart, they sell a huge range of delicious baked goods from blondies to cheesecake, just bear in mind they don’t have seating on offer so it’ll be an on-the-go kind of snack. This vegan bakery is also 100% palm oil-free.
10. Vegan Sushi Bar
Kinkerstraat 83, 1053 DH Amsterdam
Ever wondered how vegan sushi can be any good? Vegan Sushi Bar on Kinkerstraat is proving that plant-based sashimi and California rolls can absolutely hit the spot, even for non-vegans. Find them in two locations across Amsterdam, recreating all sushi-lovers’ fishy favourites from salmon to shrimp without using a trace of animal product. The best part? The only thing they take out of the ocean is plastic.
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