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.

Related: Our favorite Amsterdam street markets

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.

Related: How much should you tip in Amsterdam?

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.

But there’s good news for the budget traveler, because the city’s culinary culture has recently been undergoing a shift, as restaurants experiment with new food “fusions” and apply imported techniques to otherwise ordinary national dishes. Add in the colonial past of the exotic spice trade, and you’ve got an exciting new food scene.

Now the only thing missing is where to find the best deals at a local price. That’s where we come in.

We’ve written before about ways to save when dining out in Amsterdam and what to tip at a restaurant, and now we present eight of our favorite affordable restaurants where the locals eat. Almost all of these places offer dishes under €10, so not only will you enjoy a tasty meal, but your budget will be happy, too.

Latei is a cozy and tasty place to start your day in Amsterdam. Photo: Alper C.

Breakfast: Latei

Latei is a cute and quirky breakfast nook big on eggs over toast, homemade apple pie, coffee any way you like it, and the comforting combination of soup and sandwich. Serving up organic eats with a homey atmosphere and laid-back staff, it’s a “hidden in plain sight” kind of find. And all of the kitschy decor is for sale, from the retro furniture to the little vintage tables and DIY knickknacks.

Zeedijk 143
Tel. 020/6257485
Mon. – Wed., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thu. – Fri. 8 a.m. -10 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Meals around €7.50

Alternatively, for something more traditional in the morning, you can always hop aboard the Pancake Boat!

Dim Sum: Oriental City

Oriental City is the top choice of anyone with a hankering for affordable dim sum. The chefs are straight from Hong Kong, and there are dozens of options to choose from. Go for the prawn dumplings or the steamed Chinese buns with roast pork. Actually, go for anything: No matter what you choose, you really can’t lose here.

If you can, go with friends, as the larger the party, the more dishes you can try. Reservations suggested.

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 177-179, tel. 020/6268352
Daily 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Meals around €12

Dutch fusion: Skek

Skek offers a 30% discounts to students everyday, which is an amazing deal considering their menu is above average for a normal café located off Zeedijk. Run by students who embrace slow cooking (and at times slow service) and savory simmerings, the kitchen keeps up to date on food trends from juicy thick burgers to hearty seasonal Dutch plates. Add in live music nights, a decent local beer list, and the old brown café vibe, and it’s a great choice for visitors to get a sense of the local scene.

Zeedijk 4-8, tel. 020/4270551
Sun. – Thu. noon – 1 a.m., Fri. & Sat. noon – 3 a.m.
€13 before discount

Sandwiches: Small World Catering

Small World Catering is a lunch paradise for gourmands who prefer their sandwich stuffed beyond bite size. Choose from a list of mouthwatering options like meatloaf with honey mustard, pastrami and coleslaw, and avocado and bacon on ciabatta or focaccia. Small, quaint and friendly, this place is a gem. Small World Catering is the local’s “not so hidden secret” for brown bag lunches.

Binnen Oranjestraat 14
Tue. – Fri. 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m.
Dishes around €7.50

Soup: Soup En Zo

Soup En Zo is a soup kitchen famous for its wide variety and freshness, from stews to chowders. Big simmering pots of daily soups are on offer, and are all listed on the wall menu along with a full list of ingredients. Pick from one of three sizes, plus your choice of a bread roll, and take a seat either at the inside bar our outside benches. Expect seasonal soups, vegan and veggie options, exotic spices and hearty picks.

Jodenbreestraat 94 and Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 54, tel. 020/3307781
Mon. – Fri. 11 am. – 8 p.m., Weekends noon – 7 p.m.
Dishes around €5

Surinamese & Indonesian: Toko Joyce

Toko Joyce is a fine example of a delicious Surinam-meets-Indonesian take-out joint serving up spice on the fly. And best of all, it’s cheap. Try the roti, green beans, hot meats and savory tofu – all fillings usually available as a sandwich or as mix-and-match specials. Toko Joyce is a scrumptious and authentic pick, right on the Nieuwmarkt.

Nieuwmarkt 38, tel. 020/4279091
Mon. 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., Tue. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dishes around €6

Thai: Thais Snackbar Bird

Thais Snackbar Bird is located across the street from its big brother restaurant, and offers dishes to go or eat in. The small, one-room lunch bar is cramped like a cozy tavern, and the small kitchen is quick with signature Thai green and red curry dishes (and of course Phad Thai). To-go orders are enjoyed best at nearby Nieuwmarkt square. Servings are big, include rice, and vary from mild to flaming spicy.

Zeedijk 77, tel. 020/4206289,
Daily 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Dishes around €8

Turkish: Bazar

When around Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp, duck into Bazar for tasty Turkish tapas (“mezas”), refreshing lunches and large portioned dinners. The place lights up after 6 p.m., where the affordable dinner menu is illuminated by strings of fairy lights around the floor and wraparound balconies. Open, colorful and bustling, it’s a sugary Turkish Delight with starters, mains, and even authentic specials on the cheap.

Albery Cuypstraat 182, tel. 020.6750544
Daily 10 a.m. – midnight
€12 mains

The post Amsterdam: 8 affordable restaurants where locals love to eat                                                 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.