An essential excursion when visiting any new city: a trip to the local market! Whether you’re an adventurous eater, a street food lover, a die-hard foodie, or all of the above, Amsterdam’s markets have something for everyone.
You might think that the unreliable Dutch weather would make outdoor markets a bit risky. But it’s a risk that everyone seems willing to take, as the city abounds with colorful, vibrant, bustling markets selling everything from Dutch stroopwafels and international street food to clothing and bric-a-brac. But of course, not every market sells everything: you need to know where to look for what. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide to the best markets in Amsterdam, what you’ll find when you get there, when they’re open, and – of course – what to eat.
Albert Cuypmarkt
- Best for: fresh produce, street food snacks, fabrics, clothing, homeware
- Open: Monday through Saturday
Any list of Amsterdam’s best markets is likely to start with the Albert Cuypmarkt – not least because it’s the most famous and most popular in the city. Going strong in De Pijp neighborhood for well over a century, the Albert Cuypmarkt attracts throngs of people to its scores of stalls running along the Albert Cuypstraat from Ferdinand Bolstraat at one end to Van Woustraat at the other.
Locals go there daily to pick up their fruit, vegetables, cheese, and fresh fish at prices that are generally more attractive than the supermarket. Visitors might be more likely to flock to one of the many street food stalls, selling freshly pressed stroopwafels (caramel-filled wafers), still-warm poffertjes (akin to mini-pancakes), hot-and-crispy kibbeling (fried chunks of white fish) or Middle Eastern kebabs. Wash it all down with a freshly pressed OJ from the juice stall, or a Dutch beer from one of the many cafes that line the street behind the market stalls.
Albert Cuypmarkt is a great place to do some cheese shopping. Photo credit: eric molina
But the Albert Cuypmarkt doesn’t stop at food. Souvenir stalls abound, if you’re looking for something unique to take home. And some of the best fabric shops in town are also here, with stalls spilling out onto the street, for those of a sartorial nature. Alternatively, there’s plenty of bargain clothing to be found, as well as household products (shower gel, hairdryers, floor cleaner, and so on) that look somewhat like they’ve fallen off the back on a truck. But back to the food!
Noordermarkt
- Best for: organic/local produce, antique/vintage homeware
- Open: farmer’s market on Saturday, antiques market on Monday
In the heart of the postcard-perfect Jordaan neighborhood, the Noordermarkt itself is the large square on which the Noorderkerk (north church) sits, its bells tolling every half hour. But the square is still home to actual markets twice a week – depending on what you’re looking for.
Foodies will be most interested in the farmer’s market on Saturdays, where stalls are selling local produce that’s entirely organic and seasonal. You’ll likely pay a premium, but the quality is absolutely top notch. Think homemade sourdough bread, local honey, artisanal jams and preserves, freshly shucked oysters, and high-welfare sausages. You can buy produce to take away and cook at home, or you can eat freshly prepared dishes at the market itself.
But bargain hunters should come back to Noordermarkt on Mondays for the antiques market. It’s a great place to find unique and vintage items, like furniture, ceramics, artwork, and clothing. Many of the items sold at the market are one-of-a-kind pieces that you won’t find anywhere else – which means the market attracts serious collectors as well as casual shoppers.
Dappermarkt
- Best for: budget-friendly food, clothing, accessories, flowers and more
- Open: Monday through Saturday
On the Dapperstraat in the east of Amsterdam, the Dappermarkt is not only big and bustling – it’s also one of the most diverse markets in Amsterdam. You’ll find all sort of produce that’s rarely available elsewhere. So if you’re keen to flex your Surinamese cooking skills, visit the Dappermarkt for those Madame Jeanette chilies, fresh okra, or cassava. The market is a great place to experience Amsterdam’s multicultural east side.
Nieuwmarkt
- Best for: organic produce, cheese, flowers, natural products, handicrafts
- Open: Monday through Saturday
Close to Dam Square, the Nieuwmarkt was historically one of the gatehouses to the city and home to “de Waag” (the weigh house) where merchants weighed their goods. Nowadays, de Waag has turned into a restaurant and the surrounding square is home to a small daily market, as well as a specialty cheese market on Fridays (get your two-year matured Gouda here).
The farmer’s market on Saturdays sells a wide range of organic and locally grown fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread, and flowers (similar to the Noordermarkt above) as well as other natural products like skincare, household items, and handicrafts. If all that isn’t enough, in summer there’s even an antiques market on Sundays!
Foodhallen
- Best for: street food, bad weather (due to indoor location)
- Open: Monday through Saturday
If you hit one of Amsterdam’s notorious rainy days, head to Amsterdam West where you’ll find a huge indoor food market known as the Foodhallen. This converted tram depot has been a hit with both locals and tourists alike since it opened in 2014 – not least because it’s fully covered and heated.
You’ll find dozens of stands serving everything from Italian pizza to Mexican tacos to Asian dim sum, which you can sit and eat at the communal tables and chairs in the middle. There’s even a bar serving all the regular drinks plus specialty cocktails. In addition to food, De Foodhallen hosts various events such as live music, movie nights, and art exhibitions, making it a hub for culture and entertainment.
Pop-up markets
As well as the regular daily or weekly markets described above, Amsterdam is known for its pop-up markets – temporary markets that spring up in different locations throughout the city, often selling unique and innovative products from local farmers, producers, and entrepreneurs.
One of the most popular is the Sunday Market, currently taking place on the first Sunday of every month in the Westergasfabriek, known for its artisanal food and drinks, and the second Sunday of the month at De Hallen (see Foodhallen above). But past editions have also been hosted at Amstelpark and elsewhere, so keep an eye on the Sunday Market’s website to check where it’s popping up next.
And finally, one of the foodiest events of the year is Rollende Keukens (which translates as “rolling kitchens”) – a huge fleet of food trucks that pops up annually, usually over the long Ascension Day weekend in spring. More than 100 types of cuisine are on offer, plus fine wines, craft beer, and live music. What’s not to love!
Want to learn more about Amsterdam’s cuisine? Discover the city’s history bite by bite as you explore iconic family-run eateries and delicious food shops on our Ultimate Amsterdam Food & History Tour!
British by birth and Dutch by choice, Vicky Hampton is a food & wine writer based in Amsterdam but frequently found working from various wine regions. She’s written for publications including The Guardian, New York Times, Michelin Guide, and her own Amsterdam Restaurant Guide. With a WSET level 3 qualification in wine, Vicky also runs a wine consultancy business: Truffles and Tannins. Follow her on Instagram @amsterdamfoodie or @trufflesandtannins.
