Explore 8 Amsterdam food markets to get a taste of the city

Did you ever wonder which food Amsterdam is famous for? Dutch pancakes, kibbeling fried fish pieces and stroopwafel sweet treats are among the beloved traditional eats you'll find at these 8 fantastic markets. You'll also discover international flavours, abundant photo opportunities and a snapshot of local life that will make your trip to the capital truly memorable.

Situated in the vibrant and multicultural De Pijp district, Albert Cuypmarkt is hugely popular due to its size and variety. The market has been around since 1905, and now the 260 stalls offer everything from clothing and cosmetics to flowers and furniture. This bustling locale is also one of the best food markets in Amsterdam, so you'll have some decision-making to do as you browse the stalls and street food stands. Vietnamese spring rolls, Spanish churros and traditional local snacks like pickled herring and stroopwafel cookies will be some of the many delights calling out to you. 

Good to know: Albert Cuypmarkt is the biggest food market in Amsterdam and is actually the largest in the whole country!

Address: Albert Cuypstraat, 1073 BD Amsterdam

Open: Monday to Saturday - 9 am to 5 pm

At Foodhallen, Amsterdam's hippest residents tuck into flavourful, adventurous eats alongside families, tourists, and anyone else lucky enough to have found this gourmet hub. The venue is closer to a food court than a traditional market, but the variety of cuisine on offer makes it more like an international festival than anything else. There's East Asian cooking like dim sum and Vietnamese classics, as well as some of the best Mexican food in Amsterdam. If you prefer, sample tapas or even street food straight from Mumbai. In between bites, take a second to soak up the vibe of this spacious former tram depot with its redbrick walls and towering windows. 

Good to know: Foodhallen is open until late, so you can stop by for dinner and enjoy a cocktail from the bar. There's a terrace to savour your food al fresco in good weather.

Address: Bellamyplein 51, 1053 AT Amsterdam, Netherlands

Open:

• Sunday to Thursday - 12 noon to midnight (kitchens open until 10 pm)
• Friday and Saturday - 12 noon to 1 am (kitchens open until 11 pm)

If you're looking for a food market in Jordaan, Amsterdam's famously trendy district close to city centre hotels, then Noordermarkt farmers market held on Saturday mornings is the ideal choice. Charming Noordermarkt square dates from the 17th century and is overlooked by Noorderkerk church, creating a picturesque backdrop for one of Amsterdam's smaller, more intimate gourmet markets. On Saturdays, there's an organic market that was started by an enterprising local cafe owner in the 1980s who took note of what modern shoppers preferred when they visited the square, which historically was home to stalls selling pigeons and canaries. There's also an antiques market that sets up nearby at the same time.

Address: Noordermarkt, 1015 MV Amsterdam

Open: Saturdays - 9 am to 4 pm

Lindengracht is like a sister market to Noordermarkt, since they both set up on Saturdays and are only a block apart. The sophisticated market stretches for 900 metres along Lindengracht street, and you'll know you've reached the right place when you see the bronze sculpture of the Dutch writer and educator Theo Thijssen, which is set on the street. Take in the atmosphere as you stroll among stalls offering fish, vegetables and cheeses, where you might even rub shoulders with a Dutch celebrity who is also deep in thought about which cheese to buy. If you're looking for an equally sophisticated hotel within walking distance of both Lindengracht and Noordermarkt, book a room at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam in the old town.

Address: Lindengracht, 1015 JJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Open: Saturdays - 9 am to 4 pm

Pure Markt is actually a travelling market that visits the capital at Amstelpark and at Park Frankendael on the second Sunday and the last Sunday, respectively, of warmer months. Just as the market goes on its travels around the Netherlands, Dutch producers equally come from around the country to sell the produce they have cooked and grown. The setup has an easy-going, festival atmosphere, with music and a solar-powered merry-go-round for little ones. There are also plenty of terraces where you can take a seat and enjoy the food, which includes diverse choices such as oysters, Gouda cheese, American desserts and Surinam roti. Organic beer is available to wash it all down with. To enjoy a short stroll back to your hotel after a pleasant Sunday at the market, stay at Novotel Amsterdam City, less than 10 minutes on foot from Amstelpark.

Good to know: If you have some free time before or after your visit to the market, check out the labyrinth at Amstelpark or the gardens of the 17th-century estate in Park Frankendael.

Amstelpark address: Arent Janszoon Ernststraat 1, 1083 GA Amsterdam

Market open: Second Sunday of the month except January, February, March, November and December

Park Frankendael address: Amsterdam Middenweg 72, 1097 BS Amsterdam

Market open: Last Sunday of the month except January, February and December

Like Foodhallen, World of Food is perhaps closer to a food court than a market, but if you're in the southeast of the city then this spot is well worth a visit to sample the global street food on offer under one roof. Among the dishes available are Surinamese BBQ, hearty plates of Dominican fare, and intriguing cooking from Ghana. You can also try one of India's most essential (and flavourful) staples by ordering thali, a collection of multiple small bowls that together create a nutritionally balanced meal. There's an exotic watering hole called Bamboo Bar if you have time to hang around for a drink. 

Address: Develstein 100, 1102 AK Amsterdam

Open: The various stalls open at different times and on different days (times can be found on the World of Food website). Hours for the food court as a whole are:

• Monday to Thursday - 12 noon to 9 pm
• Friday - 12 noon to 10 pm
• Saturday - 1 pm to 10 pm
• Sunday - 1 pm to 9 pm

Dappermarkt in Amsterdam-East has been around since 1910, and today many of the 250 plus stalls offer eclectic international fare that reflects the multicultural nature of the surrounding area. Tasty treats from Suriname, Turkey and Morocco are among the cuisines on offer, and there's plenty more besides food to browse, including affordable clothing and global fashion styles you might not find in other places. The market also has an interesting history. It used to be closed on Mondays until traders who couldn't get a stall site on other days began offering produce informally on Mondays to anyone who walked along the street. Eventually, so many other traders joined them, along with enthusiastic customers, that there was no choice left but to make Monday an official opening day!

Address: Dapperstraat, 1093 BS Amsterdam

Open: Monday to Saturday - 9 am to 5 pm

Ten Katestraat street is home to this bustling market in Amsterdam-West, which began in 1912 and is still an important stop-off for locals looking for fresh groceries. There's plenty of street food on offer too, including international fare like Turkish gözleme, the savoury stuffed turnover, and Indonesian satay. The stalls with Dutch cheeses stacked up like a delectable mosaic will have you wondering whether to place an order or take a photo first, and there are plenty of places to pick up juicy fruits to keep you refreshed as you tour the market. Ten Katemarkt is just around the corner from Foodhallen, so you can have a choice of the best outdoor and indoor food markets Amsterdam has to offer all in one location. 

Address: Ten Katestraat, 1053 CG Amsterdam

Open: Monday to Saturday - 9 am to 6 pm

These gastronomic hot spots are distributed right across the city, so you're sure to find a great market no matter where in Amsterdam you decide to stay. Happy eating! Or as the Dutch say: smakelijk eten!