Amsterdam Travel: Vegan Amsterdam Guide

A Guide to Vegan Amsterdam

Let's get one thing straight before I dig any further into this vegan Amsterdam guide; I am not a vegan. I am not even vegetarian. I like to call myself a "flexitarian", in that I eat a mostly vegetarian diet but I don't never eat meat and I am definitely not a full vegan.

All this being said, I love vegan food and this has helped me discover a bit of the vegan scene in Amsterdam. My partner and I, in fact, often seek out the best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam for our (very rare and precious!) date nights, and I love hearing about new vegan cafes and shops popping up across the city. So, while I am not a vegan, I am an Amsterdam resident (since 2013) and I have come to know that there is plenty that vegan Amsterdam can offer both resident or visitor vegans and fans of plant-based food.

This guide to the vegan scene in Amsterdam is quite a comprehensive one as it includes not only places to eat, drink and shop vegan food but also some recommendations for vegan shops and stores, the best eco-friendly and sustainable places to stay that also cater well for vegans, some places you can enjoy vegan cannabis products, and also some other general vegan tips and advice for visiting Amsterdam. (There are some vegan-friendly coffeeshops in Amsterdam in this list here.)

I should also quickly say that this guide to vegan Amsterdam is coming to you with a bit of help from some other bloggers and writers who are vegan and are either also resident here in Amsterdam, or they visited and specifically sought out the best vegan places in Amsterdam. They all agreed that Amsterdam is a vegan-friendly destination for both travellers and for residents.

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission off any purchases made via these links, but they don't cost you anything extra, and often I do a lot of research to find you the best possible deal in the link - yay!

How Vegan is Amsterdam, Really?

It's hard for me to compare it to other cities or places, but I would say based on discussions with vegans living here and those visiting, that Amsterdam is a fairly vegan-friendly city. There are lots of plant-based-only places to eat (for breakfast, lunch and dinner) offering a wide variety from junk food to healthy soups and salads, and it's also fair to say that in the most generic places, you will find decent vegan options.

In the last few years I've seen most coffee shops (the kind you actually drink coffee in!) introduce a choice of dairy-free milk (soy, almond, oat and coconut being the most popular) to make coffees, and the vegan selections in the most popular supermarkets (Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Dirk) have grown bigger. I would also say that more and more restaurants that aren't only for vegans are expanding their menus and labeling them better so they too are vegan-friendly. (And for more information about shopping for vegan products see below!)

Of course, this doesn't mean that as a vegan visiting Amsterdam you will be able to go anywhere and get the food you want but I can say with some confidence that a little research (or reading this vegan Amsterdam guide!) will help you find the best areas, the best restaurants and the best shops for enjoying vegan products in Amsterdam.

In terms of the best areas in Amsterdam for finding the best vegan hotspots, I would bookmark De Pijp, Oud West, Oost and also the centre of Amsterdam (so around the Red Light District and inside the three main ring canals. You can read my guide to De Pijp here which features a number of my favourite vegan restaurants, many of which are mentioned below. In Oud West you should start your exploration of the neighbourhood in Foodhallen, an indoor food market, which has lots of different options and is a great place to go if you are a travelling with people who don't eat only plant-based food.

As for Oost and the centre of Amsterdam, consider these neighbourhoods "safe" in that you can wander around them popping into (most!) restaurants and cafes expecting to find dairy-free milk alternatives and vegan food choices. Again, this will not be a fool-proof plan but it is certainly a safer bet than being in the newer suburbs of Amsterdam or further out of town where just in general there are fewer options. Find out more about Amsterdam's neighbourhoods here.

FURTHER READING: If you're looking for some tips to make the most out of your visit to Amsterdam I've got your covered with tons of Amsterdam travel blog posts, from the Ultimate Amsterdam Weekend Bucketlist and the 100+ Best Free Things to do in Amsterdam to a list of The Best Hotels in Amsterdam for All Budgets. You can find tips for visiting Amsterdam on a Budget, tips for Finding Tulips in Amsterdam, an Amsterdam Neighbourhood Guide, and a Guide to Visiting Amsterdam with Kids or even The Best Things to do in Amsterdam with Teenagers.

You can also sign up to my newsletter to get my best 101+ travel tips and advice, and exclusive content sharing Amsterdam tips.

The Best Vegan Restaurants in Amsterdam

The first five Amsterdam vegan restaurants listed here were provided by Samira of Healthy Living Amsterdam

Samira's blog is all about the healthy places and options available in Amsterdam ranging from the best salad bars through to reviewing wellness studios. She's also a young mum so she shares lots of tips for healthy and fun things to do and places to go with kids in Amsterdam. Following Samira's choices of her best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam, you'll find my own recommendations for my favourite vegan restaurants in Amsterdam (for dinner mostly, but many will also be open for lunch too - just be sure to check on Google), 

Men Impossible

Delicious vegan ramen is impossible. That’s what people would say before Men Impossible (located at Hazenstraat 19H) opened its doors in Amsterdam last year. They bring a whole new ramen experience to Amsterdam: Saving the world and planet earth by the power of ramen and Japanese origins: food. 

According to Men Imposible, it may be a tiny step, but the world would remain unchanged if we gave up. They want to show our constant challenge towards the next generation. By cutting down the consumption of animals (meat), ultimately they believe that we solve all the problems on the planet earth.  In this way, they serve an alternative choice of ramen which is 100% plant based.

Mr. & Mrs. Watson

Mr. & Mrs. Watson is on a mission to change the world with good food.

Imagine a place where people cook with passion for food, respect for nature and compassion for animals. A place where you can be amazed by the possibilities that the plant-based kitchen has to offer. An inspiring place with amazing food. At Mr. & Mrs. Watson (located on  the up and coming Linnaeuskade 3H) you will find colourful plates filled with dishes that spark curiosity. Home-made “cheese”, creamy “egg’ salad, exceptional veggie dishes, oven dishes and fresh pies. In other words: comfort food with a culinary twist.

And why the name? Well, a Mr Donald Watson introduced the word ‘veganism’ in 1944. He and his wife, Mrs Dorothy Watson, were the pioneers of their time. Now, more than 70 years later, more and more people prefer a vegetarian or vegan diet and even the most loyal carnivores are discovering that plant-based meals are an easy, effective and tasty way to have a positive impact in the world. Mr & Mrs Watson, a cosy restaurant is committed to doing their bit to grow this movement and make plant-based meals accessible in Amsterdam.

Alchemist Garden 

Alchemist Garden (located at Overtoom 409) integrates and tests the theory of Energieregie, a holistic vision that offers an overview and insight of all that can be described as energy: awareness, health and sustainability. 

These concepts are the basis for healthy organisms and people, made to create a sustainable community. What ideology is needed if we can understand and cooperate with the logic of nature? Alchemist Garden is a growing collective, where whole products, services and systems are discovered, tested, selected, developed and shared daily. It’s an experimental playground with practical tools for development, creativity, transparency and exchange.

Alchemist Garden is also much more than "just a vegan restaurant", they are a community and are open all day too offering tea room, a juice & smoothie bar, a whole food & lifestyle shop, occasional live music performances, so-called Green Point recycling options (for a number of things that aren't super easy to recycle just anywhere in Amsterdam including metal, cork, candle wax, CDs and batteries). They are also an events space and library/bookshop where there are wholefood, vegan and plant-based lectures, film screenings, workshops and seminars. (Photo source: Alchemist Garden Facebook Page)

Vegabond

Vegabond is not exactly a restaurant - it's more of a cafe/coffee spot/lunch eaterie, but it's definitely an Amsterdam vegan hotspot that needs to be on this list. Located on De Clerqstraat 48 in Oud West (the Old West Amsterdam neighbourhood), they even offer more options for us Amsterdammers to enjoy delicious vegan foods to eat in and to buy and take home.

Vegabond serves hot coffee, refreshing drinks and delicious plant-based food. From wraps and green juice to raw cakes and plant-based cheese, Vegabond offers a unique all vegan shopping and eating experience.

Vegabond also has a small store that offers sublime plant-based food that will excite you and leave you craving for more. Their homemade Snickers Bars and raw cakes are famous in Amsterdam and are enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. Next to their filling and delicious main and deli disehs, they offer small snacks, freshly squeezed juices and energizing teas & coffees. The menu is 100% plant-based and has gluten-free and raw options too. (Photo source: Vegabond.nl)

Meatless District

Located at the Bilderdijkstraat, in the heart of the Old West area in Amsterdam and in the van Woustraat in the famous ‘de Pijp’ Area, Meatless District is open every day for lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks and on weekends even breakfast! In the open kitchen, you can see their chefs prepare beautiful dishes, always freshly made and if possible organic and homemade.

Their seasonal changing menu of 100% vegan dishes combined with a relaxed atmosphere will surprise you.

My Favourite Vegan Restaurants in Amsterdam

And now here we go with my favourite vegan or vegetarian restaurants in Amsterdam... Stand by, because they are not so healthy at all!

Vegan Junk Food Bar

Yup, with a name like Vegan Junk Food Bar, you can be 100% sure there is nothing healthy about what is on the menu which is a long and delicious list of plant-based alternative junk food dishes, BUT you can be 100% sure that everything on there is vegan. Boom! They have four locations in Amsterdam (and one in Rotterdam) so do a little research to find the one closest to you or where you want to explore while in Amsterdam.

Restaurant De Waaghals

Strictly speaking, De Waaghals is not a vegan restaurant but a vegetarian restaurant but they have plenty of choice for vegans and so it really should be on your list of vegan Amsterdam places to check out. It's very popular with locals and it's not the biggest restaurant at all so be sure to book in advance.

Marits Eetkamer

One of my first experiences of vegan dining in Amsterdam was Marits Huiskamerrestaurant in the old East Amsterdam neighbourhood. It was also my first experience of a huiskamer restaurant which basically means you eat in a restaurant that is in the cook's home, although now Marits has grown to be more of a restaurant experience. My evening Bij Marit was one that made me hungry for more vegan food. The restaurant isn't open every day and you MUST book in advance but it's well worth getting yourself organised for your trip to Amsterdam.

Benji's

With the theme of Urban Jungle showing through the decor and the menu, it's no wonder that there are a lot of vegan (and vegetarian) options on the menu at Benji's. In fact, when I last checked, I believe over 50% of the menu is plant-based. The original Benjis is on Wibautstraat and is best visited for brunch, lunch or dinner, but there are now three other locations that should also be checked out if they're closer.

Morris & Bella

This Spaarndammerbuurt restaurant claims that "It starts with vegetable" so no surprises that many of the vegetarian dishes offer vegan choices, and they will be happy to accommodate vegan diners. Morris & Bella is definitely more of a fine-dining restaurant so go for a relaxed, multi-course (up to 6 are available) dinner paired with yummy wines. (And if you are going with non veggies, you can ask for meat and fish but the restaurant make it clear that these are the "add-ons" not the main event.)

Golden Temple 

As most vegans will know, many cuisines from around the world are naturally vegan and this is definitely the case in parts of India. Golden Temple on Utrechtsestraat is an Indian restaurant and yoga school serving naturally vegetarian and vegan dishes that are as yummy as they are healthy.

Boi Boi

Likewise this new Thai restaurant in the upcoming Dappermarkt area of Amsterdam Oost, BoiBoi, has a whole menu dedicated to the traditional Thai "Jay" cuisine which is vegan. Expect authentic tastes and a cool crowd (so yep, be sure to book in advance!). 

Deer Mama Mylk & Burger Bar

Rounding off this list of serious comfort food options with the yummy treats of Deer Mama on Ceintuurbaan in De Pijp. Famous for its vegan mylkshakes and vegan burgers, everything on the menu is vegan so you can go here and choose whatever you want with confidence, and considering I've been a number of times and never actually tried one of their shakes or burgers (we always go for coffee and cake!), and yet always enjoyed delicious food sort of means that you have to go and try these for me and report back!

And for vegan pizza....

Now, if you want vegan pizza while in Amsterdam, you have a growing number of options but the ones I have either tried for myself or heard the best things about Sugo (pizza by the slice so better for lunches or a late night snack) LouLou (which also does all pizzas with gluten-free bases), Pizza Heart Bar (with three locations so pick the bets one for you), Pizza Amsterdam (again with gluten free bases too) and Mastino V, which every vegan I know raves about.

The Best Vegan Cafes for Brunch, Lunch, Coffee and Cake

Eating delicious vegan food is not just for dinner and so here we go with the best vegan and vegan-friendly lunch spots, brunch hangouts and coffee places in Amsterdam.

Mr Stacks

This place is definitely not just for vegans (and indeed there are some cheeky non-plant based options on the menu) but their selling point is indeed vegan pancakes, and they surely do deliver. Fluffy, flavourful and photograph-worthy, head to Mr Stacks in De Pijp for breakfast, brunch, OR JUST BECAUSE PANCAKES!

Beter en Leuk

Beter en Leuk has been serving up vegan brunches longer than I have been living in Amsterdam so I think that's a good sign that they know what they're doing. Found on the cusp of Amsterdam Oost it's a very popular place so you should definitely book a table in advance if you want to go there, especially during the weekend.

H/eart.h

Another veggie/vegan cafe and hang-out that is as much about community as just eating a vegetarian or plant-based diet, H/eart.h, on Albert Cuypstraat (where the market is), also stocks books, art and other bits and bobs you can buy. H/eart.h is confusingly written because it is all about Heart/Art/ Earth - see, now you get it!? Oh, and you can sit on a swing while you eat your yummy Insta-worthy food... if that doesn't make you want to throw up.

Spirit

Buffet style eating isn't for everyone, I know, but if you're looking for a relaxed spot where you can pick and choose hot and cold vegan (or vegetarian) dishes, soups, salads and desserts, Spirit is the place for you. It's very relaxed, and is also next door to a vegetarian supermarket that has plenty of vegan choices too. 

The Meets

Back in De Pijp, The Meets is a new-ish healthy eatery (at least that's what they claim) where they follow the 80/20 rule; 80% plant-based and 20% animal products. I know for many vegans this is NOT THE POINT, but if you're travelling in a mixed group this colourful and cool hangout is well worth checking out.

Sir Hummus

And just around the corner is the best hummus place in Amsterdam - no contest. Hummus is of course vegan, as are a number of the toppings available on the menu, but they do offer meat and egg toppings too. You can't book to eat at Sir Hummus on Van der Helstplein in De Pijp, and there is limited seating area, but you can always take away, sit outside or take it to have a picnic somewhere if the weather is being kind. They also have a Falafel shop a short walk away on the Ruysdaelkade.

Deshima

If macrobiotics are your thing, then you must check out Deshima or Delicious Deshima as many call it, as this is where vegan cuisine meets macrobiotic culture. I've not been myself but it's been going for a long old time, which in Amsterdam - especially in its prime real estate location on Weteringschans a short walk from the Rijksmuseum - it suggests it has a popular following. 

You can also enjoy great vegan brunches and lunches at Alchemist Garden and Mr & Mrs Watson as listed above in the first list of best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam.

The Best Vegan(ish!) Places to Stay in Amsterdam

As part of your belief in plant-based living, if you're also keen to stay and put your travel money where your values are then you may want to know about the best vegan-friendly and sustainable places to stay in Amsterdam. Below is a quick list of hotels, hostels and self-service apartments that have won awards for their commitment to sustainability and/or I've stayed there and was impressed with their eco-friendly credentials and efforts.

For more hotel recommendations check out this post sharing the best Amsterdam hotels for all budgets, and the best Amsterdam city centre hotels here. You can also search Airbnb for apartments in Amsterdam, many of which will be run by vegan Amsterdammers, which could be a more economical and sustainable way to stay in Amsterdam.

Sofitel Legend The Grand is a beautiful luxury hotel based on the outskirts of the Red Light District and in a courtyard that is set away from the road, meaning staying there feels like entering a calm oasis. While this is a huge multinational hotel chain (most of which will not have the best eco-credentials) when we stayed there we were impressed to learn it has a Gold Green Key rating.

QO Hotel is one of Amsterdam's newer hotels that makes grand claims about its sustainability, even from how it was built re-using materials that had been used in older buildings. I stayed at the QO quite recently and was really encouraged to see almost know single use plastic, recyclable packaging for toiletries (or reusable dispensers) and their two restaurants have A LOT of variety for vegans.

Amsterdam's fantastic Conscious Hotels are the MUST KNOW brand of hotels for all those concerned about the environment and making their trip to Amsterdam sustainable. With three different hotels in the city (all in excellent locations) staying in a Conscious Hotel means that your whole stay is planned, prepared, and managed with sustainability in mind.

Personally, I think the Vondelpark and Museum Square locations are better for those wanting to see and do Amsterdam's most popular sights, but if you're deliberately wanting to stay further out of the city in order to enjoy the city at a slower pace, Westerpark is a beautiful spot too and this hotel is brand new.

The Conscious Hotel Tire Station is also owned and run by Conscious Hotels so you can expect more of the same here, just with a bit more style and design thrown in. It's also in a great location close to Vondelpark and tram connections.

Jakarta Hotel is a newly opened hotel on Java Eiland, so not in the centre of Amsterdam - something that in itself is significant if you want to help minimise your impact of travelling to Amsterdam on the city's overtourism problem - but it's well connected to the rest of the city by buses, and even doable by bike or walking (remember Amsterdam is VERY flat!). It claims to be the city's most sustainable hotel and looking at the photos it is also very much the green oasis it promises to be.

The Albus is a hotel that I've cycled past numerous times but have always dismissed because of its super central location thinking it's a bit of a tourist-trap, however, after hearing some people highly recommend it and doing a bit of research it would seem that it offers quality 4-star service and with a firm commitment to sustainability. Their website states among other claims that "The Albus is the first Hotel in Europe to heat, cool and produce hot water on green electricity without the use of gas and therefore no CO2 emissions". Read real traveller reviews to see if this stacks up.

Meininger Hotels are a budget hotel chain that have been committed to making significant changes to become more sustainable over the years including a ban on single use plastics and hosting Earth Day challenges for their staff, and when their value for money ethos doesn't compromise on fun design and comfort, the Meininger Hotels at Amstel Station and in Amsterdam West are well worth considering.

De Bedstee claims to be Amsterdam's only vegetarian/vegan hotel but that's not it's only claim to fame. It also promises guests the opportunity to stay in unique and traditional Dutch "bedstees" which look a little bit like beds in cupboards, but for all purposes they're a sort of old-school take on the capsule hotel. So while you shouldn't expect space or even a room, you can expect a vegan and vegetarian-friendly bar serving up plant-based drinks and snacks in a super colourful interior and a fab location too close to Museum Square.

CocoMama and EcoMama are two hostels I often recommend because of their cosy, boutique feel. But their eco-credentials stand up too so be sure to check these places out.

Hotel Boat&Co is the name of this so-called Aparthotel found in the old port area of Amsterdam called Houthaven. With good public transport links and cycling distance for those wanting to do as the locals do, if you want to stay in apartment so you can cook for yourselves, as I know many vegans (and non-vegans too!) want to do it's worth having a look at this complex which also has excellent eco-cred.

The Best Vegan Lifestyle Shops in Amsterdam

It's fair to say that while there are many different vegan restaurants and vegan-friendly options in other eateries across Amsterdam, the choice of vegan shopping isn't as wide or varied. But it definitely does exist. Below are a handful of the best vegan shops, or outlets that have a wide choice of vegan brands and products, in Amsterdam. You can also read my recommended list of sustainable Amsterdam souvenirs in this post.

VEGA-LIFE

(Review by Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan, a specialist travel blog all about vegan lifestyle and travel.)

The Vega-Life store has been serving the vegan community in Amsterdam and the Netherlands, as well as vegan travellers to the country long before being vegan was cool. It started back in 1998 as an online vegan shoe shop and then opened as a brick and mortar store in 2009. In 2018 they moved to their current location at Nieuwe Hoogstraat 3A, just a 15-minute walk from Central Station.

While they still sell shoes, they've expanded their inventory to include lots of other unique lifestyle products for vegans and vegetarians, such as belts, wallets, cosmetics, clothes, books, beauty and wellness products, vitamins, etc.

It goes without saying that the clothing and accessories they sell are made without any animal-based materials (no fur, leather, wool, silk, etc.), and their beauty and wellness products are not only free of all animal-based ingredients but are also guaranteed to be cruelty-free, meaning they have not been tested on animals.

Charlie + Mary in De Pijp is one of the first and original sustainable fashion boutiques in Amsterdam and it's a good sign they're going strong. While not only vegan, all of their products are sourced from sustainable fashion brands, which do include vegan labels like Matt & Nat.

Geitenwollenwinkel (or Goat's Wool Shop in English) on Utrechtsestraat is another sustainable fashion stockist that has been around for many years and they have a loyal vegan customer base as a result. There is a sort of crossover between high fashion and street wear at Geitenwollenwinkel and you can browse their current collections online too. Again, you will find a mixture of vegan-approved products and those that are sustainable fashion brands.

Mhoom is quite similar to Geitenwollenwinkel except they have a good selection of men's clothes and beauty products as well and it's tucked a bit out of the way meaning you may have the whole shop to yourself to wander around and find some really cool pieces by sustainable brands, some of which will be vegan but do note, not all will be. The staff should be able to help!

Studio Jux is one of my favourite clothes shops to pop into because the staff are very friendly and welcoming (they often offer me tea!) and the store is lovely and light and open. Again, not all of their sustainable products that they sell is vegan but much of what's on offer will be and I am confident the staff will be able to advise you over what is and what isn't. They stock men's clothes and a small children's range too.

Just over the road from Studio Jux is Dille en Kamille which isn't a vegan-only shop and indeed the mass produced nature of the shop's contents (think floor to ceiling wooden shelves bursting with products) doesn't lend itself exactly to the eco-conscious living vibe it wants to give off. However, it's still true that the vast majority of their products are sustainable, have minimal plastic and indeed there are many different vegan products on sale from soaps to cookbooks. Check the website for store locations as there are a few around the city.

Hemp Tailor (Online) designs and sells warm coats made from hemp-based fabrics so they are tough, durable and plant-based! Their coats are stocked in a number of shops around Amsterdam but sadly they no longer have a flagship store in the city, but you can always have an online browse.

Noumenon (Online) is an Amsterdam-based fashion label with its flagship store in the Red Light District. The clothes claim to be vegan and eco-friendly with all materials sourced responsibly in Europe. The designs are simple but elegant, and while the prices may be out of many people's reach if it does look like something you want to know more about you can visit the showroom on Kerkstraat, but you must book a visit in advance.

Best Supermarkets & Food Stores for Vegan Products in Amsterdam

The bigger supermarket chains in Amsterdam will have vegan product sections, in particular those in the centre of Amsterdam and surrounding neighbourhoods, i.e. where vegans are likely to live and shop, so keep your eyes out for what's on offer in Jumbo and Albert Heijn. Below are some smaller supermarket chains and one-off shops that are dedicated vegan or vegetarian food shops, or they have a decent range of plant-based alternatives so you should keep your eyes out for them too.

In addition to being a popular deli-cafe as mentioned above, Vegabond is also a stockist of vegan food products so be sure to head here if you also need to do a bit of food shopping as well as trying out one of their vegan meals or cakes.

Little Plant Pantry was one of Amsterdam's first fill-your-own jars wholefood stores that has at its heart the goal of reducing plastic and packaging waste and selling plant-based foods and goods. And this is exactly what it does!

Ekoplaza is my vegan friends' favourite supermarket. It only sells organic produce and they have long had wide ranges of vegan foods, which are constantly expanding. It has to be said that they're not the cheapest supermarket in Amsterdam, but they do deliver on quality and variety for vegans.

Marqt is a smaller chain of supermarket that aims to stock mostly organic produce and more high quality products. They do, therefore, have a decent range of vegan proteins, dry storage products and plant-based dairy products. But I wouldn't say you really get value for money as Jumbo and Albert Heijn stock many of the same products at lower prices and often better quality/taste (in my opinion).

Amsterdam's street markets are arguably the best way to get the most affordable fruit, vegetables, grains, pulses, spices and often other vegan delicacies too. The daily market (apart from Sunday) Albert Cuyp is a great place to go food shopping for all the above and more - especially as they have a few of the above listed vegan cafes located there - and other local's markets you may want to look around for great value organic fruit and vegetables are Dappermarkt (also daily apart from Sunday) and the Saturday market on Kinkerstraat. 

Other Tips for Vegans in Amsterdam

As I mentioned, vegan lifestyle is definitely growing in popularity in Amsterdam and so there are many other things to do in Amsterdam that vegans should know about, as well as a few important tips for vegans travelling to Amsterdam

Firstly, and arguably the most important thing to know is that "vega" in Dutch, which you will see labelled on foods in supermarkets, DOESN'T mean vegan. It actually means vegetarian, so definitely keep an eye out for that. "Veganistisch" is the adjective for vegan in Dutch, but most Dutchies in Amsterdam will understand vegan as it is said in English.

Another thing to note is that the Dutch word for protein is "eiwit' which literally translates as "egg white" so when you look at the ingredients listed in any food products, be mindful that when it breaks down the nutritional values, this does not state that there is literally egg white in the ingredients. Instead look under the ingredients list - "ingredïenten" - and if eiwit or eieren (eggs) are listed there you know it's referring to eggs.

Amsterdam's first Vegan Food Festival was held in the summer of 2018 and after sadly losing funding for 2019, there is hope that it will return for summer 2020. Keep an eye on the webpage to find out if it will go ahead in future years.

You can also go on a special vegan food tour of Amsterdam, organised and run by a local resident and member of the vegan community. This is arguably the best way to find out about the very best vegan places to eat, shop and drink. (And funnily enough it includes a number of the places in this vegan Amsterdam guide!)

Among the most important things you no doubt want to know visiting Amsterdam as a vegan, finding out which brands of Dutch chocolate are vegan will be close to the top of the list. Good news! My favourite Dutch brand of chocolate, Tony Chocolonely, has a number of bars that are vegan. As most vegans will know it's usually all about the percentage of cocoa in the bars and according to this Dutch vegan blogger the Pure (Puur), Pecan Coconut (Pecan Kokos), Pure Almond Sea Salt (Puur Amandel Zeezout), and Orange Rosemary (Sinaas-Rozemarijn) chocolate bars are all vegan. They also do limited edition bars that are often vegan too, just be sure to check the ingredients.

For those wanting to get your smoke on in Amsterdam there are a number of vegan coffee shops where you can enjoy a super natural high. Not far from H/eart.h on Albert Cuypstraat is De Graal Health Cafe which is a very chilled place where veganism meets cannabis. Get your smoke on, enjoy a fresh juice, and maybe find out if they have live music or an art show on as all the above is possible at night. And over to the west of the city on Haarlemmerstraat is Popeye Coffee Shop where you can enjoy vegan drinks and snacks alongside a smoke or two. More of the best Amsterdam coffeeshops can be found here.

And that's it... for now! I hope to update this post with more vegan Amsterdam hotspots as they open or I get to check them out. If you'd like to save or share this post, below are some images you may like to share. And for more posts sharing Amsterdam travel advice head here!

Frances M. Thompson

Londoner turned wanderer, Frankie is an author, freelance writer and blogger. Currently based in Amsterdam, Frankie was nomadic for two years before starting a family with her Australian partner. Frankie is the author of three short story collections, and is a freelance writer for travel and creative brands. In 2017, she launched WriteNOW Cards, affirmation cards for writers that help build a productive and positive writing practice. When not writing contemporary fiction, Frankie shops for vintage clothes, dances to 70s disco music and chases her two young sons around Amsterdam.
Find Frankie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+.

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