Amsterdam isn't exactly a city known for its culinary scene. While there are many great restaurants in the city, it's far from what many would consider a food capital. Such a title is more commonly bestowed upon cities like Paris, Tokyo, London, and more. Does this mean that eating out in Amsterdam isn't worth it? Not necessarily! Much like everything else in this world, such a lifestyle has its pros and cons. Amsterdam restaurants tend to be more peaceful, for instance, while there's also no doubt that many of them will be expensive.
Pros
There's a Restaurant at Every Corner
Amsterdam may not be known as a food capital, but it has several places to eat. From charming cafes and humble pubs to chic bistros and even
Michelin-starred restaurants, the city boasts a myriad of hotspots. There are so many of them that it's practically impossible to stumble upon a place without at least one eatery. So, in terms of finding a place to eat out in Amsterdam, you have nothing to worry about. No matter where you stay in the city, you're sure to get to a spot that serves delicious food and has a nice ambiance.
Explore Amsterdam's Diverse Restaurants
What are the world's best-known food capitals? There's Paris, of course, and Rome, Tokyo, and London, among many others. Apart from holding such a prestigious title, there's another thing that these cities have in common. They all have famous local cuisines, and this isn't always a good thing when it comes to eating out. There are so many French restaurants in Paris, traditional trattorias in Rome, and the like that it's harder to indulge in foreign cuisines in any of these cities. Fortunately, that's not the case in Amsterdam. While there are undoubtedly many Dutch hotspots in the city, there are just as many foreign menus on offer as well.
Bask in Amsterdam's Beauty
Any of
Amsterdam's central neighborhoods is a postcard-worthy district. There's the classic architecture in De Pijp, the scenic canals across Negen Straatjes, and the storybook-like corners in Jordaan, to name a few. Wouldn't it be great to eat out and see such breathtaking scenery? Well, that's exactly what you can do when you dine in many of the city's fabulous restaurants with terrace areas. Some even have theirs either right by the canals or looking over the tranquil waters. You couldn't have asked for lovelier settings for lunch and dinner than in such hotspots.
Enjoy a Quick Bite
Naturally, you can't end the list of pros of eating out in Amsterdam–or any other place, for that matter—without mentioning how convenient it is. You're probably busy living in the big city, right? You likely have no time to cook for yourself, even if you have a big kitchen in your
luxury apartment in Amsterdam. So what do you do? Eat out, of course? Not only can you go to a place where they'll prepare your food for you, but you can also eat it on the go. How's that for convenience?
Cons
It's Very Expensive
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room. One of the reasons why a lot of people who live in Amsterdam don't eat out regularly is that it's just too expensive. The
living costs in Amsterdam are already high, even if you don't follow such a lifestyle. The average price for a meal in the city also ranges from €15.00 to €90.00 per person. So if you eat out at cheap restaurants for lunch every day for a week, it will already cost you a total of €105.00. That's just a minimum! Can you afford that or possibly even more?
You'll Have to Socialize
In terms of the
social customs in the Netherlands, eating out usually includes socializing. It's even come to the point that several restaurants are notorious for their slow service, but this then allows the diners to interact with one another. Now, this point alone isn't necessarily a con, per se, but not all diners are extroverts. Some eat out simply to try the city's cuisine or check out why certain spots are popular. They're not exactly going to restaurants to meet people and make new friends. And if you're one such diner, then you might be better off not eating out at all.
Contend with Big Crowds
No matter what part of Amsterdam you’re in, there's a good chance it's crowded. Don't forget that the Dutch capital is a top tourist destination, which means many of its restaurants are often filled to the brim. Fortunately, this isn't always the case, but then this also means that your chances of finding a quiet spot to eat are 50-50. You might find this even more aggravating when you
move to Amsterdam and find that you can't always dine in peace in the city. So, wouldn't you rather just cook for yourself at home?
Amsterdam is Notorious for Bad Service
As mentioned previously, slow service is common in Amsterdam. There are still many great places to eat in the city with excellent service. With that said, however, the city undoubtedly does have several hotspots where the quality of service is questionable at best. If you go to forums like Reddit, for instance, you'll find many threads that talk about how long it usually takes for restaurants to prepare your meals. Many responses also agree that it's become so common in the city that it's starting to pose a major concern, especially for Amsterdam's tourism. Hopefully, you won't end up in a place with bad service.
Eating out in Amsterdam regularly might be a nice and convenient lifestyle, but it's not for everyone. It's important to learn its pros and cons first before you decide to go ahead and adopt it for yourself.
