Points
If you haven’t noticed yet, most of Amsterdam’s small business owners don’t always have the most originality! You may think you’re crazy when you’ve seen the same place on 4 different canals; don’t worry, you’re not... it’s just another copycat competitor! What great choices we offer in Amsterdam:
WOK RESTAURANTS
In Amsterdam these days, if there’s a way, there’s a wok! It’s hard to miss the rich scent of fried noodles, roasted pork and MSG. With the latest trend, there are about 20 “wok bars” that have popped up around town. Even for us it’s tough to tell which is the best of the many, but so far we have never had a problem with the one on the Damstraat; the food is served hot & fresh, the menu is the largest and the prices are the lowest. All these places are pretty touristy, so don't expect the quality to be too high.
ARGENTINIAN STEAKHOUSES
Why do we have such an appetite for Argentinian meat? No, not because of our Princess Maxima! (an intelligent beauty from Argentina who married Prince, soon to be King Willem) We think that the first restaurant who had a recipe for success was copied... and before long, there were about 15 of them around town! Many offer nice terraces but the prices are inflated and you must pay for all extras. It's been awhile since we last visited Tango on the Warmoesstraat, but it was always exceptionally good, at reasonable prices.
€6 PIZZA RESTAURANTS
You can’t walk 10 metres down a busy road without seeing a sign saying “all pizzas for €6”. The majority are proper Italian flat bottom pies, the only prob is that most don’t use real Mozzarella cheese and only give you a “scattering” of fresh toppings. Don’t be surprised to see canned mushrooms too!
All the types of places listed above, are generally OK to visit once in a while, but are certainly not good enough to make it a habit. Some offer friendly service and decent tasting food, but the quality on offer is rarely exceptional, and the ingredients are not chosen with your health in mind. Instead, we would recommend visiting some more responsible Amsterdam establishments. Use the search box in the top right part of this site!
To find some of our favorites take a look at our Munchies Business Listings.
Like this article and want to read more? Check out the latest Smokers Guide to Amsterdam book - get your copy here!
What are some of your favorite places to grab a bite? Are they healthy choices?
