Late-night dining in Amsterdam

Your stomach is grumbling. You look down at your watch and realize it’s after 22:00. Where can you still get dinner late at night in Amsterdam?

Late-night bites

The Dutch tend to eat dinner early – often between 18:00 and 19:00. This means that even in a big city like Amsterdam, many restaurants close their kitchens by 22:00. But what if you arrive late in the evening, or were enjoying a drink with friends and simply forgot the time? Here’s the scoop on a few places where you can still grab a bite to eat.

Quick meals & snacks

If you need dinner fast and don’t mind eating standing up, here are a couple of suggestions that are a step up from that hot dog cart on the corner:

1) Burger Bar: With three convenient locations in the city centre, the Burger Bar serves up a variety of tasty burgers and fries, including a grilled Portobello mushroom burger for vegetarians. It’s open weekdays until 03:00 and until 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

2) FEBO: This is not fine dining; it’s Dutch snack food out of a wall. But if you don’t try it now, you never will! The FEBO branches on the Leidsestraat and Oudezijds Voorburgwal are open weekdays until 03:00 and until 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

3) Maoz: Vegetarian-friendly Maoz falafel never fails to please late at night. Fill your sandwich from the free salad bar and don’t forget the garlic sauce! The Muntplein and Leidsestraat branches are open daily until 01:00, while the Damrak shop stays open until 02:00.

4) Chipsy King: These fresh Belgian-style chips hit the spot any time of day. With three locations near Amsterdam’s nightlife hotspots, Chipsy King keeps their fryers running until 03:00 during the week and until 06:00 on Fridays and Saturdays – making it the final frontier of late-night snacking in the city.

5) Burgermeester: Amsterdam’s three Burgermeester branches serve organic burgers every day until 23:00. Besides the standard beef, you’ll also find lamb, salmon, duck and veggie burgers, plus interesting sides like baked potatoes and corn on the cob.

6) Eetsalon Van Dobben: Just a short walk from the Rembrantplein, Amsterdam’s famous croquettes make the perfect late-night snack. Van Dobben is open on Thursdays until 01:00 and until 02:00 Fridays and Saturdays.

7) Bojo: Somewhere in between a takeaway and a casual café, Bojo (in Dutch) dishes up hearty, spicy and affordable Indonesian food until 02:00. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Leidseplein.

Sit-down dining

Perhaps you’d like something a bit more refined? These late-night eateries will be happy to seat you for a proper meal:

1) Brasserie Bark: Located near the Concertgebouw and Museumplein, Brasserie Bark is perfect for a late night meal after the show, serving dinner until 00:30. Seafood is the highlight, with classics like lobster and fresh oysters.

2) De Knijp: On the same street as Bark, De Knijp (in Dutch) is another convenient stop for classical concert-goers or anyone staying near Museumplein. Their kitchen stays open until 00:30 every day, turning out dishes like carpaccio and garlicky escargot.

3) Sluizer: Located on the Utrechtsestraat just around the corner from the Rembrandtplein, Sluizer is another elegant option offering an interesting variety of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes. Their kitchen is open every day until 23:00.

4) Hard Rock Café: The Hard Rock Café serves up generous American-style burgers and more just a five-minute walk from the Leidseplein. The kitchen is open weekdays until 23:30 and until 00:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.

5) Coco’s Outback: If you’re looking for a meal with a side of lager, Coco’s Outback stays open until 01:00 during the week, and until 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. This Australian pub serves massive portions of wings, ribs and burgers.

6) Akbar Indian Restaurant: Located in one of the narrow alleyways near the Leidseplein, Akbar serves a huge selection of spicy Indian favourites until 00:30 seven days a week.

7) Brasserie Harkema: Conveniently situated near the many theatres on the Nes, spacious Harkema turns out French-influenced dishes until 23:00. The restaurant itself stays open until 01:00.

8) Envy: In the middle of the Prinsengracht, Envy has a delicious assortment of small dishes meant for sharing and carefully selected wines to match. The kitchen closes at 23:00, but the restaurant stays open until 01:00 – giving you plenty of time to enjoy another drink.

9) Pata Negra: The kitchen at Pata Negra (in Dutch) stays open until 23:00 during the week and until 23:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. This is one of Amsterdam’s most popular tapas bars, so it’s worth phoning ahead to make a reservation.

10) Los Pilones: Amsterdam’s best-known Mexican joint stays open until 00:00 during the week and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Besides the food, Los Pilones' claim to fame is the biggest selection of tequila in the city.

11) Bazar: In the middle of the Albert Cuypmarkt in de Pijp, Bazar serves North African specialties in a grand former church. During the week it’s open until 00:00 and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

12) The Butcher: Just down the street from Bazar, The Butcher stays open until at least midnight every day. As the name implies, this is the place for meat lovers – specializing in high-quality Angus beef and lamb from New Zealand.