Vegan and vegetarian Amsterdam: the complete 2026 guide

Amsterdam’s plant-based food scene

Amsterdam is one of the most vegan and vegetarian-friendly cities in Europe. The Netherlands has a high rate of flexitarian eating — survey data consistently shows Dutch urban consumers reducing meat consumption faster than most European counterparts — and Amsterdam’s restaurant scene has responded with a strong and growing plant-based offering.

This guide covers the best dedicated vegan and vegetarian restaurants by neighbourhood, which Dutch food traditions are naturally plant-based, how to handle food tours with dietary requirements, and practical tips for eating plant-based in Amsterdam’s cafés and markets.

Dedicated vegan and vegetarian restaurants

De Waaghals (Frans Halsstraat 29, De Pijp): One of Amsterdam’s oldest and most respected vegetarian restaurants, operating since 1984. The menu is international with a strong Dutch-seasonal ingredient focus. No meat, no fish — the kitchen is genuinely vegetarian and most dishes are vegan by default. Main courses €16–22. Book ahead for weekends.

Vegan Junk Food Bar (multiple Amsterdam locations including Leidsegracht 34 and Lijnbaansgracht 290): Exactly what it sounds like. Burgers, loaded fries, sauces, and comfort food that is 100% vegan. Popular with locals and tourists alike; the format is counter service, fast, and around €12–16 for a full meal. The original Leidsegracht location has the best atmosphere.

Mr and Mrs Watson (Reinkenstraat 48, Oud-West): A vegan restaurant with bistro ambitions — the menu changes seasonally and focuses on creative plant-based cooking rather than meat analogues. Mains €18–24. Quieter than the Leidsegracht area, which means more pleasant for a proper sit-down dinner.

Flore (Weesperzijde 135, Oost): An all-day vegan café and restaurant near the Amstel River with an organic, farm-sourced menu. Excellent for brunch — the weekend brunch menu features Dutch ingredients in plant-based combinations. Brunch dishes €12–16.

Neni Amsterdam (Haarlemmerweg 10, Westerpark): An Israeli-influenced restaurant with a strong vegetarian and vegan menu alongside meat options. Mezze-style sharing dishes are mostly plant-based; the sabich (aubergine and egg-based) dishes have vegan variants. Good for groups with mixed dietary preferences.

The Jordaan and canal belt options

The Jordaan has a good selection of restaurants and cafés where vegetarian and vegan eating is well accommodated.

Meatless District (Bilderdijkstraat 71): A dedicated vegan café in the Oud-West area (a short walk from the Jordaan) with a full menu — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — and a committed no-compromise plant-based approach. The jackfruit pulled “pork” sandwich (€11) and the cashew cheese board are good.

Lavinia Good Food (Keizersgracht 176): A plant-based lunch spot on the Keizersgracht with a simple, excellent menu of salads, grain bowls, and soups. Under €15 for a filling lunch. The interior is small; takeaway is a good option.

Restaurant Breda (Reestraat 32, Jordaan area): A mid-to-high-end restaurant near the Nine Streets with an explicit plant-forward menu. Not entirely vegan, but the vegetarian and vegan options are developed with the same care as the meat dishes. Mains €22–30.

Indonesian and Surinamese plant-based options

Amsterdam’s multicultural food traditions offer natural plant-based options that often go unnoticed.

Indonesian cuisine has a strong tradition of plant-based cooking — tempeh (fermented soybean cake) is Indonesian in origin and one of the most nutritionally complete plant-based proteins. At the Indonesian toko’s on Javastraat in Oost and at De Pijp’s Surinamese restaurants, tempeh, tofu, and vegetable dishes are standard menu items.

Blauw (Amstelveenseweg 158): A respected Indonesian restaurant with a clearly marked vegetarian rijsttafel (15 dishes without meat or fish for €28 per person). One of the best plant-based formal dining experiences in Amsterdam.

Surinaams Eetcafé Moederliefde (Hemonystraat 26): Several of the standard Surinamese dishes — roti with potato and egg, Surinamese peanut soup — are naturally vegan or can be made so on request.

Markets for plant-based eating

Amsterdam’s food markets are excellent for vegan and vegetarian visitors because the selection naturally includes plenty of plant-based options without any need to negotiate with menus.

Albert Cuyp Market (De Pijp, Monday–Saturday): Fresh fruit and vegetable stalls throughout, with very good prices. Street food stalls include falafel (€5–7), fresh-pressed fruit juices (€3–4), and various grain-based snacks.

Dappermarkt (Oost, Monday–Saturday): Even better for multicultural plant-based street food — Moroccan vegetable pastries, Turkish börek with cheese or spinach, Indonesian fried tofu.

Lindengracht market (Jordaan, Saturday): Organic produce, bread, and several plant-based food stalls.

The Amsterdam food culture tour can accommodate vegetarian and vegan participants with advance notice — most operators substitute non-vegan items (cheese, herring) with plant-based alternatives. Confirm at booking. The Amsterdam food walking tour similarly accommodates dietary requirements.

Dutch food traditions that are naturally plant-based

Several Dutch food traditions are naturally vegan or vegetarian:

• Poffertjes: The small Dutch pancakes are made with buckwheat flour and yeast; they contain eggs but no meat. Many stalls serve them vegan-style without butter on request.
• Stroopwafels: The caramel wafel is vegan in its traditional form (sugar, butter substitute versions exist).
• Stamppot with boerenkool: The mashed potato and kale combination can be made without the rookworst (smoked sausage) — ask for “zonder worst” (without sausage). Genuinely filling and comforting.
• Dutch aged Gouda: Obviously not vegan, but suitable for vegetarians; the variety and quality make it worth engaging with at cheese shops.
• Indonesian tempeh: Available at toko’s and Indonesian restaurants throughout the city; an Amsterdam food tradition that is inherently plant-based.

Supermarkets and self-catering

For self-catering or apartment stays:

Albert Heijn (multiple locations including large stores at Centraal Station and on Koningsplein): The main Dutch supermarket chain has an excellent own-brand vegan line (AH Terra) with plant-based dairy, meat substitutes, prepared meals, and snacks. Wide availability throughout Amsterdam.

EkoPlaza (several Amsterdam locations including Haarlemmerdijk 147): The leading Dutch organic and natural food supermarket. Excellent for specialty vegan products, organic produce, and whole foods. Higher prices than Albert Heijn but a much wider selection for plant-based specific products.

Marqt (Utrechtsestraat 17 and other locations): A mid-range organic grocery focusing on Dutch producers. Good deli counter with prepared plant-based dishes for picnics.

Practical tips

Communicating requirements in Dutch: “Ik ben veganist” (I am vegan); “Ik eet geen vlees” (I don’t eat meat); “Bevat dit melk of eieren?” (Does this contain milk or eggs?). Most Amsterdam restaurant staff speak excellent English, so this is mainly useful in market situations.

Brown cafés and traditional restaurants: Traditional Dutch restaurants and brown cafés are not primarily plant-based focused, but the cheese and egg-based dishes (uitsmijter, kaassoufflé) work well for vegetarians. Vegans should ask specifically about preparation methods; many traditional Dutch dishes use butter or dairy in unexpected places.

For broader context on Amsterdam’s restaurant scene, see the best restaurants guide. For Dutch food traditions in general, the Dutch food guide covers the full range including the natural plant-based elements.

Frequently asked questions about vegan dining in Amsterdam

Is it easy to eat vegan in Amsterdam?

Yes — Amsterdam is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in Europe. Dedicated vegan restaurants are numerous; most mainstream restaurants clearly mark vegan options; supermarkets have extensive plant-based ranges; and the multicultural street food scene includes many naturally plant-based options.

What Dutch food can vegans eat?

Naturally vegan Dutch food includes poffertjes (made without butter on request), stroopwafels (check specific brand), and most vegetable-based stamppot without the sausage. Indonesian and Surinamese food traditions, now integrated into Amsterdam’s food culture, include tempeh, tofu, and various vegetable curries that are naturally vegan.

Are Amsterdam food tours suitable for vegans?

Most food tour operators accommodate vegans with advance notice, substituting non-vegan items with plant-based alternatives. The herring and bitterballen that anchor many tours can typically be replaced with plant-based street food. Confirm with the specific operator at booking.

What is the best vegan restaurant in Amsterdam?

For a proper restaurant experience, Mr and Mrs Watson (Reinkenstraat 48) and De Waaghals (Frans Halsstraat 29) are the most consistent. For casual dining, Vegan Junk Food Bar (multiple locations) is excellent. Flore (Weesperzijde 135) is the best for plant-based brunch.

Is Indonesian food in Amsterdam vegan-friendly?

Partially. Indonesian cuisine has strong traditions of plant-based cooking — tempeh, tofu, and vegetable dishes — but many preparations use fish sauce (terasi/shrimp paste), eggs, or chicken stock. The best approach is to ask specifically in Indonesian restaurants: “Is dit veganistisch?” or ask in English. Blauw (Amstelveenseweg 158) offers a fully vegetarian rijsttafel.