Veganism’s rise in popularity over recent years has meant that a whole number of fantastic eateries have opened to cater to those following a plant based diet. Trying to find food free from animal products can be a concern while on holiday, but many places across Europe are embracing veganism like we are in the UK. Here, we share the best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam to provide you with some fantastic foodie inspiration.
1. Vegan Junk Food Bar
Indulging in junk food is typically an enjoyable part of any holiday, and the Vegan Junk Food Bar in Amsterdam is the perfect place to eat popular fast-food style treats which have been made without using any animal products. With a mission to create treats that don’t have a negative impact on the welfare of animals, humans, or the environment, the Vegan Junk Food Bar, have created a menu full of unique delights which they serve across their five locations. Four of their restaurants can be found dotted around Amsterdam, in the Westside, Eastside, De Pijp, and Downtown areas of the city, whereas the fifth is in Rotterdam (just half an hour from the port by car).
Each of the Vegan Junk Food restaurants is decorated in a vibrant style with graffiti and street art covering the walls, and a mix of vintage R&B and hip hop is played over the speakers. Top menu favourites include brightly coloured signature burgers, fully-loaded Freak Fries, and a range of vivacious cocktails, with names like Cactus Flower and Tipsy Unicorn, to choose from. With additional treats, such as coconut curry bitterballen, spring rolls, and vegan sushi to choose from, you’re sure to be satisfied after a meal here. Vegan Junk Food pledge to never compromise on quality, taste, and texture, so it’s guaranteed that you won’t be disappointed.
2. Vegan restaurants in Amsterdam: Mr & Mrs Watson
Named after the couple who coined the term ‘veganism’ in 1944, Mr & Mrs Watson is a fabulous vegan restaurant located in Amsterdam Oost. With a passion for great food, nature, and animals, and a focus on creating comforting dishes, the founders of this eatery ensure that everything in their restaurant is made from vegetable products – including the décor and furniture! The product that Mr & Mrs Watson is famed for is cheese, as they make their own vegan varieties for cheeseboards and cheesecakes which have gone on to win awards, and you can even buy some to take home with you (stock permitting).
Order the restaurant’s Philly Cheese Steak Burger if you’re feeling particularly hungry, as this mushroom-packed delight is perfect for rumbling tummies following a day of adventures. Alternatively, enjoy vegan versions of some traditional Dutch delicacies, including bitterballen with mustard, and tasty fries with egg-free mayonnaise. Fancy something sweet? As previously mentioned, the cheesecakes at Mr & Mrs Watson are to die for, or you might prefer to opt for their chocolate brownie or apple pie instead.
3. Meatless District
Designed to resemble New York’s famous meatpacking district, Amsterdam’s Meatless District is the place to go for delicious vegan food served in an aesthetically pleasing way. With dishes inspired by favourites from around the world, you can enjoy lunch and dinner here, plus breakfast at the weekends. Boasting restaurants in two locations, the Oud-West and De Pijp, the kitchens at the Meatless District are open so you can see the talented chefs hard at work preparing your meal. The menu here changes with the season, with organic produce being used where possible, and the atmosphere is laid-back which makes it perfect for a relaxed meal at any time of day.
Popular dishes at the Meatless District include mushroom and lentil pie, and burgers served with your choice of potato or sweet potato fries. For lunch, indulge in a range of wraps and salads, and complete any sitting with a tasty cake or ice cream sandwich. At breakfast time, the restaurant’s vegan fry-up is a big hit, as are their scrambled ‘eggs’ served on scones. If you’re staying in Amsterdam, you can also order the Meatless District’s food directly to your door, via Uber Eats in the south and west, and Thuisbezorgd in the south and centre.
4. Vegan restaurants in Amsterdam: Koffie ende Koeck
Located in Amsterdam’s creative neighbourhood of Westerpark, Koffie ende Koeck is the perfect spot to head to for breakfast, lunch, or a delicious vegan snack. Choose to eat either in the café or out on the terrace, and indulge in a range of sweet and savoury delights which are 100% free from animal products. Koffie ende Koeck will use organic and sustainable products where possible, and always use regional flour, European plant milks, and Dutch brown sugar when baking their mouth-watering cakes. They also avoid using artificial colours and flavourings, and instead opt for flower petals when it comes to brightening up their creations.
In addition to an amazing array of sandwiches, pancakes, and frittatas, Koffie ende Koeck offer a vegan afternoon tea which is certainly worth trying. Including a number of sandwiches, sweet and savoury treats, and scones, this option also comes with unlimited tea- so what’s not to love?
5. Vegan meals on the ferry
During your Hull to Rotterdam crossing, you can enjoy tasty vegan meals on the ferry too. Head to The Brasserie for dinner where you can tuck into a Cambodian vegan curry served with jasmine rice, and a salad consisting of tomato, cucumber, coriander and red onion. Alternatively, opt for our delicious vegan pizza, which is topped with vegan cheese, Mediterranean vegetables, and complete with fresh rocket.
We hope that this guide to the best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam has inspired you to take a foodie trip to this vibrant city, and look forward to seeing you on board our Hull to Rotterdam route soon.
