Albert Cuyp Market guide: Amsterdam's biggest and best street market

The Albert Cuyp Market: an Amsterdam institution

The Albert Cuyp Market is the largest outdoor market in the Netherlands. Running for 260 metres along Albert Cuypstraat in De Pijp, it operates six days a week, hosts over 300 stalls, and has been a central part of Amsterdam’s food and trade culture for more than 100 years. It is also one of the few major Amsterdam tourist experiences that does not feel tourist-oriented: the vendors are professionals who serve the local De Pijp community, the prices are honest, and the range of products reflects Amsterdam’s genuinely multicultural character.

This guide covers everything you need to know about visiting the Albert Cuyp Market: what to eat, what to buy, the best individual stalls, when to go, and how to combine the market with the surrounding De Pijp neighbourhood.

Practical information

Address: Albert Cuypstraat, De Pijp, Amsterdam (between Ferdinand Bolstraat and Van Woustraat) Hours: Monday–Saturday, approximately 9am–5pm. Closed Sunday. Getting there: Tram 3 or 24 to Albert Cuyp stop, or tram 16 to Stadhouderskade and a 5-minute walk south. By bike, 20–25 minutes from the Canal Ring via Vijzelstraat. Admission: Free. No entry charge for the market. Best days: Weekday mornings (Tuesday–Thursday) for manageable crowds. Saturday morning for the liveliest atmosphere and best stall selection.

Street food: what to eat

The Albert Cuyp Market’s food stalls are its primary attraction for visitors. The key foods to try, in order of priority:

Raw herring (haring)

Two competing haringkaren (herring carts) operate on the Albert Cuyp, and several more on the surrounding streets. The De Pijp herring is consistently fresh — this is a residential neighbourhood market where the vendors rely on repeat local business, which drives quality.

Traditional serving: the whole fish, held by the tail, lowered into the mouth. If this is your first herring, order a broodje haring (herring roll) — the fish is chopped onto a soft white roll with raw onion and sliced gherkins. More manageable and equally good. Cost: €3.50–5 for a broodje; €3–4 for the plain fish.

The Jozef Steenhouwer stall: Look for the stall with the longest local queue — this is the market’s most reliable quality indicator.

Fresh stroopwafel

A hot stroopwafel pressed to order — two thin wafels sandwiched with liquid caramel — is one of the best street foods in Northern Europe, and the difference between this and a packaged supermarket version is dramatic. Look for a stall with a hot iron and a visible queue of regulars. Price: €2–3 each.

Eat it immediately, while the caramel is still liquid. Alternatively, balance it over a hot coffee cup for two minutes to warm it further.

Cheese

Multiple cheese stalls sell Dutch varieties from young Gouda (mild, good for sandwiches) to extra aged (dense, crumbly, complex). Free samples are standard — ask to try the oud (old) variety if you want to understand the range. A 300g portion of aged Gouda for home or a picnic runs €4–7 depending on age.

The cheese stalls on the Albert Cuyp are less expensive than specialist cheese shops and the quality is generally good — though for a serious tasting, the cheese tasting guide covers dedicated options.

Surinamese and Indonesian food

De Pijp has had a Surinamese and Indonesian population for decades, and the Albert Cuyp reflects this: roti (Surinamese unleavened bread with curried fillings) for €8–10, Indonesian fried noodles (bami goreng) for €5–7, satay skewers with peanut sauce for €4–6, and loempia (fried spring rolls) for €2–3 each.

Poffertjes

Small Dutch pancakes (about 3 cm across) made in a special cast-iron mould, served warm with butter and powdered sugar. Market stalls sell plates of 12–16 for €5–7. Better than restaurant versions because they come straight from the iron.

Other street food

• Falafel wrap: €5–7
• Turkish börek (flaky pastry with cheese or spinach): €3–4
• Fresh fruit juices: €3–5
• Moroccan pastries: €1–2 each
• Poffertjes: €5–7
• Smoked fish: various, €4–10

What to buy beyond food

The Albert Cuyp is not exclusively a food market. The 300+ stalls also cover:

Flowers and plants: Several stalls sell cut flowers, potted plants, and bulbs at prices well below the Bloemenmarkt. A large bunch of fresh tulips costs €5–8 — significantly less than tourist-area flower shops.

Clothing and textiles: A wide range from fast-fashion basics to interesting vintage pieces. The quality of the vintage section varies; arrive early for the best picks. Prices are honest — €5–15 for most clothing items.

Household goods and kitchenware: Dutch functional kitchenware, cleaning products, and household items at market prices. Not glamorous but genuinely useful.

Cosmetics and personal care: A significant number of stalls selling cosmetics, fragrances, and personal care products at below-retail prices.

Books and media: Several stalls with second-hand and remaindered books, often with English-language titles.

The surrounding De Pijp neighbourhood

The Albert Cuyp Market is the anchor of De Pijp’s local identity, but the neighbourhood around it is worth exploring before or after the market visit.

Sarphatipark: A small Victorian park two blocks south of the market — perfect for a market picnic on a warm day. Several benches and grass with canal views.

Ferdinand Bolstraat: The main commercial street of De Pijp, running perpendicular to the market at its northern end. Independent restaurants, cafés, and shops.

Brouwerij Troost (Cornelis Troostplein 21): A craft brewery in a magnificent vaulted former bank building, a 10-minute walk west. The best place for a craft beer after the market.

Café Krull (Sarphatipark 2): A reliable brown café with a terrace facing the park. Good for a draft beer and bitterballen after the market.

For a wider overview of De Pijp’s food and drink scene, the Amsterdam food culture tour covers the neighbourhood in depth. The Spui and Jordaan food tour covers different territory but provides comparable depth on Amsterdam’s food traditions.

For getting around De Pijp and the surrounding area, a bike tour of Amsterdam’s hidden gems sometimes includes the De Pijp area and is worth checking for routes.

Tips for getting the most out of the Albert Cuyp Market

Arrive in the morning: By noon on weekdays, the market is active but not overcrowded. Saturday afternoons can become shoulder-to-shoulder.

Bring cash: Most stalls prefer cash. A few accept contactless payment; many do not. ATMs are on Ferdinand Bolstraat.

Try before you buy for cheese: Free samples are the norm at cheese stalls. Ask for the aged varieties rather than defaulting to young Gouda.

Queue at the herring stall with the most Dutch customers: The market vendors serve local regulars who know the quality differences. The queue is the best real-time quality signal.

Combine with a café stop: After the market, Sarphatipark (picnic) or Café Krull (terrace) are the most pleasant options nearby.

Frequently asked questions about the Albert Cuyp Market

What are the Albert Cuyp Market opening times?

The market runs Monday through Saturday from approximately 9am to 5pm (some stalls start as early as 8am; others begin packing up at 4pm). The market is closed on Sunday. Saturday is the busiest and most complete day; weekday mornings are quieter.

Where is the Albert Cuyp Market?

The market is on Albert Cuypstraat in De Pijp, between Ferdinand Bolstraat to the north and Van Woustraat to the south. By tram: lines 3 and 24 to the Albert Cuypstraat stop. On foot from the Rijksmuseum: about 15 minutes south via Stadhouderskade.

Is the Albert Cuyp Market good for tourists?

Yes, but not in the way tourist markets usually are — it is good precisely because it is not oriented towards tourists. The prices are what locals pay, the food is genuine, and the atmosphere is that of a working neighbourhood market. Tourists are welcome but are not the market’s intended clientele, which is actually its main strength.

What is the best thing to eat at the Albert Cuyp Market?

A fresh stroopwafel pressed to order and a broodje haring (herring roll with onion and pickle) are the two essential Albert Cuyp foods. For a more substantial stop, the Surinamese roti or the Indonesian noodle dishes offer excellent value.

How long should I spend at the Albert Cuyp Market?

An hour is enough to walk the full length, try the essential foods, and browse the stalls. Two hours allows you to eat more slowly, compare the cheese stalls, and explore the clothing and goods sections. If you plan to eat breakfast or brunch at the market and then walk the De Pijp neighbourhood, budget half a morning.