The 7 Best Places for Tasty French Fries in Amsterdam
You probably don’t immediately think of French fries in Amsterdam when you are planning a trip to the Netherlands. Well, unless you’re me dreaming of Mannekenpis, of course (more on that later!).
But the truth is, Amsterdam is a city packed with friet shops and snack bars, so it’s hard to miss the smell of a delicious serving of fries – or at least it was for me, anyway!
Having visited Amsterdam multiple times myself (it’s one of my favorite places!), I’ve tried out some of the best places for snacking on fries, smothered in a range of sauces and toppings, obviously.
In this post, I’ll share with you the top seven French fries places in the city and a bit about what you can expect from Amsterdam’s tasty take on frites.
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Fries in Amsterdam
French fries are a pretty big deal in northern European countries, particularly Belgium and the Netherlands. They’re a common snack, or even an entire meal among tourists and locals.
Despite the name “French fries,” they didn’t actually originate in France. There’s great debate over where they did originate, but most people believe it to be Belgium – except for the French and the Dutch who think they own the rights.
This is why you’ll find that many fry stalls and shops specialize in Flemish fries, which are traditionally fried twice – once at a low temperature and once at a high temperature to obtain a perfect crunch.
While it may sound insignificant, this crunch is what takes these frites to another level and what makes them taste even better than regular fries!
Beef tallow was traditionally used for making Flemish fries, but with so many people opting to steer their diets away from meat nowadays, many shops have moved to plant-based oils.
The Dutch take their fries seriously, and the topping sauce is no exception.
You’ll find that many fry shops have a huge list of sauces for dipping, including traditional frietsaus, mayonnaise, hot sauce, cheese, and some more extravagant choices like garlic oil or aioli.
But if you’re a plain eater, don’t worry! No matter where you go, you will always find ketchup!
The 7 Best Places for French Fries in Amsterdam
There are so many great places for finding fries in Amsterdam that it can be pretty hard to choose where to go.
Here are the 7 best establishments around the city that are guaranteed to satisfy your French fry cravings- some of which are my personal favorites!
1. Manneken Pis
Yes, you read that correctly, it’s not a typo. The best place for fries in Amsterdam is called Manneken Pis.
If you’ve ever visited or looked into visiting Brussels, then ‘Manneken Pis’ might be familiar to you. However, in Amsterdam’s case, it’s not a hilarious peeing statue, but instead, one of the best friet shops in the whole city.
Their website claims to have “the best fries of the Netherlands,” which I can’t personally verify as I’m a few thousand shops short, but I would argue they’re up there!
There are two stores in Amsterdam, both in prime locations near busy tourist attractions, and they’re typically jam-packed with tourists and locals- a good sign!
One of the reasons it is so highly rated is for its 22 sauce options ranging from hot sauce to curry, allowing you to tailor your fries to your specific liking. I couldn’t even name the 22 sauce options off the top of my head!
The fries at Manneken Pis come in a range of different cone sizes, all of which are pretty large, and they are vegan – a huge plus for any vegetarians or vegans who want to avoid any potential fries that use beef for frying!
I recommend that absolutely everyone visiting Amsterdam try out Mannekenpis at least once!
⭐Mannekenpis are my absolute favorite frites in Amsterdam, and I always top them with loads of fritessaus and mayo!
2. Oma’s Friet
Oma’s Friet, translating to “Grandma’s Fries,” is located in the central district of Amsterdam and is home to some pretty chunky fries. Fried twice, Oma promises a delightful crunch to her fries, with a beautiful yellow color.
Oma’s Friet is also well-known for its loaded fries with toppings like beef stew or sweet chili chicken alongside an average range of sauces for dipping. Not quite as traditional as normal frites, but incredibly tasty.
The portions are massive, ad the vibe of Oma’s is very homely. You’ll definitely feel taken care of here – it is Grandma’s place after all!
3. Vleminckx de Sausmeester
Vleminckx de Sausmeester is a pretty renowned fry shop among the locals. It’s been serving up delicious, thick-cut fries since it opened its doors- all the way back in 1957!
Flemish fries are Vleminckx’s specialty, coming in a traditional cone and served with a range of regular and Belgian sauces for dipping.
Vleminckx is a hole-in-the-wall type eatery, making it easy to grab and go, eating the fries as a snack as you tour local attractions.
I personally love the frite shops where you get served out of a window – it all adds to the experience.
4. Freddy Fryday
Freddy Fryday is a little less “Dutch” per se, but it equally provides some amazing fries and dishes.
The fries at Freddy Fryday still have their skins, to make sure none of the potato is wasted, which is pretty uncommon when looking at other fry shops around Amsterdam.
Their Funky Fries are dressed with a huge variety of toppings like Canadian Poutine, pulled pork and mozzarella, and chicken and honey.
Freddy Fryday also serves a lot more than just fries, with nachos and stoof – a Dutch take on poutine – amongst many other delicious dishes on the menu.
So if you’re looking for a traditional option, it’s probably not the one for you. But if you just want good food, definitely consider it.
5. Pont Neuf
Pont Neuf has three cute little snack shops north of the River IJ that have become known for having some of the best fries in the Amsterdam Noord neighborhood.
With organic and sustainable fries on the menu, this is a must-go spot for vegans. Rather than frying their potatoes, they are cut up fresh and baked in soybean oil.
Pont Neuf has a generous sauce list for dipping in too, along with a great range of other snacks like hot dogs, burgers, vegan falafel, and some authentically Dutch additions like broodjes.
6. Fabel Friet
Fabel Friet shops pride themselves on authentic Dutch chips – not French fries or Flemish fries! They believe that their delicious chips are unique and make the bold claim that they are the tastiest in all of Amsterdam!
Using plant-based oils, the chips are chopped and fried twice, making for a great crispy outside but a fluffy texture in the center.
Their specialty is very popular with the locals – a portion of their Dutch chips topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and homemade truffle mayonnaise. This particular mash-up has gone viral on Tiktok, but they also serve their chips with plenty of sauce options.
If you’re looking for a meal that is Netherlands through and through, this is the place to go.
7. Frietboutique
Frietboutique also has a number of stores across the Netherlands, with their Amsterdam shop being located in the Oud-Zuid neighborhood.
Owned by Sammy and Pebbles, a catering company that covers some of the most popular and high-end restaurants in Amsterdam, Frietboutique promises quality fries, packed with fluffy potato and crispy skins.
Who knew fries could be so high-end? (Seriously, they’re amazing, just try them!).
Presented in a cone and layered with delicious sauces and other toppings like chopped onions and bacon, Frietboutique definitely deserves a spot on the best fries in Amsterdam list.
Make sure to pop next door to try some of their delicious ice cream too. It’s the perfect, light sweet treat after your fries overload!
Best Chips in Amsterdam FAQ
What makes Dutch fries different?
Dutch fries are typically fried twice in oil to make them deliciously crispy and full of flavor. You’ll find a range of chunky cut and thin fries in Amsterdam but they are all usually on the larger side in comparison to what is found in the US.
What do they put on fries in Amsterdam?
Fries are usually served with a sauce for dipping in Amsterdam. “Frietsaus” and mayo are the most common toppings in Amsterdam, but you can find more than 20 sauces on some menus!
What do they call fries in Netherlands?
Fries are called “friet” in the Netherlands, with shops that specialize in them often called “friethuis.” You’ll easily be able to track down some delicious fried potatoes by looking out for these words!
How do you order French fries in Dutch?
To order fries in Amsterdam, you would say “een patatje” which means one portion of fries. But if you don’t feel confident in trying your hand at Dutch, then do not worry, as pretty much all Dutch people speak perfect English too!
The Best Fries in Amsterdam: The Wrap-Up
Fries in Amsterdam are a big deal, and not just among tourists! Whether you’re looking for typical French fries, traditional Flemish double-fried fries, or new takes on “Dutch chips,” Amsterdam has it all.
There are hundreds of friet shops across the city, and hopefully these 7 spots have narrowed down your list and helped you choose where to enjoy your fries.
Fries are a pretty safe bet for vegetarians and vegans in the city or anyone with allergies (but please always check with the shop!), so if you’d like to try a traditional dish but aren’t a fan of bitterballen or croquettes, then you’ll still be able to find your fill.
No matter which fry joint you choose, you’re sure to find a huge range of sauces and toppings so make sure to try something new- especially the traditional frietsaus. Ugh, it’s so good!
Enjoy your friets!
