Amsterdam has a pretty wild food and drink scene. One minute you’re sipping a perfect latte by a canal, the next you’re eating fries in an arcade bar, wondering how you got there. On my recent trip, I tried a mix of spots, including gluten-free-friendly cafes, cozy breakfast places, and fun bars, and I took notes so you don’t have to wander hungry. Here’s everywhere I ate, what I liked, what was weird, and a few tips for eating and drinking around Amsterdam.

My favorite part of traveling is eating. I love food. Luckily, Amsterdam had plenty of options for gluten-free meals. Here is a list of everywhere we ate during our short Amsterdam trip.

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Bakeries, Breakfast, and Brunch

Craft Amsterdam– This is a 100% gluten-free bakery and cafe. I went here because I saw reviews that they had amazing gluten-free croissants. After my disappointing, gluten-free croissant journey in Paris, I was so excited to try one. We rushed to check in to the hotel and quickly grabbed an Uber to get there before it closed, we got there 1 hour before closing and unfortunately, they had run out. And with my luck, they were going to be closed until the day we left. So I wasn’t able to get one, they also were out of Stroopwafles so it was a double disappointment. I did get a pistachio cookie ball thing that was ok and a chocolate chip cookie that was really good. 

Bagels and Beans– This is a chain in the Netherlands and I was really glad because we ate there in Utrecht too. We went for breakfast both times. They have a gluten-free bagel option and a few other gf choices on the menu. They also had great coffee and teas and all that. I had a mushroom coffee on my first visit and a latte the 2nd time. For food, I had a bagel toastie with ham and cheese, and the second time I had a bagel with a walnut-honey vegan cream cheese. They also had other, non-gf bagels. The vibe of this place was cool, and their menu was awesome. It was a book with beautiful illustrations with some transparent pages that would mesh with the page behind it. They clearly put a ton of work into the aesthetic. Bagel sandwiches average about €8 each, coffees and drinks averaged €5. This seemed to be about average for coffee, much more than we spend in Portugal lol.  

Lunches and Dinners in Amsterdam

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michelle– After the disappointing journey for the croissant we stopped to get a late lunch after travelling all day. We found this place nearby that was on the Find Me Gluten Free app and I’m always down for pizza. We got a Marita, which was half Marinara and half Margherita, and added bacon, which was perfect for us because Karl doesn’t like cheese. The crust was really amazing, it had a great, crispy texture.  The pizza with the GF crust and added bacon came out to €22, so it was a little pricey, especially for the size. It wasn’t particularly large but the crust was very filling. 

Istanbul Grill Restaurant – We went here with my friend from high school and it was absolutely amazing. Turkish cuisine was new to me, so I was curious about it, and was not disappointed at all! I ordered lamb kebabs. I’ve have only had lamb a few times in the past and didn’t love it, but I always heard that if it’s cooked right, it is amazing. I figured this would be a good place to try it and WOW!, it was delicious. I was happy that I tried it but also a little sad because I don’t know if I’ll ever find any as good as that again. Heads up though, the rice has orzo pasta in it, so it is not gluten-free. I also got a Turkish coffee which was delicious as well. I absolutely recommend this restaurant if you are in Amsterdam. Dishes here ranged from about €15-25 each. 

Little Thai Prince- We ate here with our friends who met up with us from Portugal. It was really, really good. I had Pad Thai and it was amazing. Everyone else really loved their food as well.  They had a gluten-free menu with plenty of options available. It was pretty busy and we had to wait about 30 minutes for a table so you might need a reservation. We just went and had a drink nearby while we waited. Meals averaged €14 each. I totally forgot to take pictures of my food though.

The Breakfast Club Sloterdijk– This place does all-day brunch with plenty of international cuisine-influenced options and gluten-free bread for the sandwiches. I had a Breakfast Club Sandwich and a latte. The chicken was a little dry but it wasn’t horrible. The gluten-free bread was pretty good. It was a convenient location, right near the train station of the train we took to get to Utrecht so we just stopped along the way. They had a decent-sized menu with a few options for gf. Dishes averaged about €14 here and €5 for coffee. I also forgot to take pictures here.

Bars and Coffee

TonTon Club Westergas – This is an arcade bar/restaurant. We had a small snack here; fries which were gf and Karl had some Korean fried chicken tacos (not gf). We also had a cocktail here. They didn’t have a ton of games but we had a couple of pinball matches and a very intense game of Jenga. Between the snacks, 2 cocktails, and a few tokens for games, we spent around €50. 

Espressefabriek– we popped in here to take a break from the cold. It was a cute little coffee and wine shop where they roast their own beans. I wanted a glass of wine, but they only sell it by the bottles so I opted for a latte. It was ok but honestly, I would have preferred the wine. Coffees averaged around €5. 

Tips for Eating and Drinking in Amsterdam

• Make reservations for dinner when you can. Popular spots fill up fast and walk-ins are hit or miss.
• Gluten-free labeling is common, but always double-check. Some kitchens use shared fryers or prep surfaces.
• Brunch is a thing, and it gets busy, especially on weekends. Go early or be ready to wait.
• Tap water is free and totally fine to drink. Most cafes will give you a carafe without being weird about it.
• Card payments are the norm. Some places do not even take cash.
• For late-night food, keep expectations realistic. There are options, but it is not Barcelona at 1am.
• Coffee shops and cafes are not the same thing. One sells coffee and pastries, the other sells, well… not coffee. Pay attention to the sign so you do not wander into the wrong place before breakfast.

Other Gluten-Free Restaurants and Cafes in Amsterdam

• Gys – gluten-free friendly plant-based spot with seasonal menus
• De Foodhallen – indoor food market with various vendors, several with GF options
• The Avocado Show – stylish brunch spot with GF options on request
• Vinnies – local cafe with gluten-free and free-range options
• Vegabond Bakery – fully gluten-free and vegan baked goods
• Flinders Food Hall – various vendors with GF dishes and healthy bowls
• Ctaste – unique dark dining experience with gluten-free meal options

Read my full Amsterdam travel guide here

Here’s my Utrecht gluten-free guide

Overall, I had some great food in Amsterdam. Check out my Instagram @vegas.to.portugal for more about my trip and also for more of my daily life as an expat in Portugal. 💙

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