Market
Foodhallen
An indoor food hall in a former tram depot in Oud-West, with stalls of every cuisine.
Photo: Foodhallen / Google
- Area
- Oud-West
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Market
About the experience
The Foodhallen is Amsterdam's biggest indoor food market — 21 food vendors, a central bar, communal seating, and a glass roof, all housed in a former 1902 electric-tram depot that was converted into a public space in 2014. It sits inside the Hallen Studios complex in Oud-West, alongside a small cinema, design shops, a library, and Hotel De Hallen. The market is free to enter and operates as a hawker-style food court — you order at the vendor, sit anywhere, share tables, drink at the central bar.
Who's selling what
The 21 vendors rotate roughly every 2-3 years but the cuisine spread stays similar. Current standouts: De Ballenbar (bitterballen — the Dutch deep-fried meatball), The Butcher Social Club (burgers), Bulls & Dogs (gourmet hot dogs), Yo Yo's Smashburger, Dim Sum & Co, The Fish Society (ceviche), Pizza Sociale, the dessert stand at the back for stroopwafels and brownies.
The central bar serves wine, Dutch and Belgian beer, and basic cocktails. Drinks can be taken to any table; there's no minimum order.
When to come
The market is open daily 11:00-23:30, late kitchen 23:00. Weekday lunches (12:00-14:30) are busy but seated. Weekday evenings (18:00-21:00) are the local rhythm — full but not jam-packed. Friday and Saturday evenings (19:00 onward) the market fills to capacity and finding a seat can take 20+ minutes.
Sundays from 13:00 the brunch crowd takes over; many vendors offer brunch-specific dishes (eggs benedict, Dutch pancakes, fresh juices). Slower-paced and family-friendly until about 17:00.
Beyond food
The Hallen complex around the market includes a 1-screen cinema (Hallen Cinema), a small public library, several design shops (Ten Katemarkt across the way is the local outdoor market), and the Hotel De Hallen above. A full afternoon-and-evening can be spent in the complex without leaving — eat at Foodhallen, watch a film, shop the books, stay the night.
Photo gallery
Photo: Julia Araujo / Google · Photo: Foodhallen / Google · Photo: UK Traveller Girl / Google · Photo: Gerry Crowder / Google · Photo: Foodhallen / Google
What to expect
Free entry, no reservations possible. Walk in, order at vendors, find a seat. Card payment accepted at most vendors; some cash-only — a small ATM is at the entrance. Open 11:00-23:30 daily, kitchen closes around 23:00.
The market is family-friendly during the day, more bar-like after 19:00. High chairs available. Toilets are paid (a small fee). No dogs except guide dogs. Wheelchair accessible — the building is single-level.
Tips from locals
Avoid Saturday evening after 19:00 unless you like crowds. Aim for Tuesday-Thursday dinner (18:00-21:00) for the best of the place without the queueing.
The Dim Sum stand is consistently undervalued — comparable to Chinatown prices, much smaller queue.
The Ten Katemarkt outdoor market is across Bellamyplein and runs Monday-Saturday 9:00-17:00 — pair a morning at the market with a Foodhallen lunch.
If you can't find a seat at peak times, drinks at the central bar are usually quicker — you can stand at the bar and people-watch.
Did you know?
It's housed in De Hallen, a tram depot from 1902 that once repaired the city's trams.
The indoor food hall opened in 2014 and helped spark Amsterdam's street-food boom.
Around twenty stalls serve everything from Vietnamese to Dutch bitterballen under one roof.
The wider De Hallen complex also holds a cinema, a library, and boutique shops.
It sits right beside the Ten Katemarkt outdoor market in Oud-West.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book a table at Foodhallen?
No — reservations aren't possible. Walk in and find a seat. Peak times (Fri-Sat evenings 19:00+) can mean 20+ minutes to find a table; weekday dinners are smoother.
What's the best vendor at Foodhallen?
Subjective, but consistently mentioned: De Ballenbar (bitterballen), The Butcher Social Club (burgers), Dim Sum & Co, The Fish Society (ceviche). Most vendors offer dishes in the mid-range.
Is Foodhallen family-friendly?
Yes during the day. After 19:00 it becomes more bar-like and louder. High chairs available, dedicated kids' menus from a few vendors.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes — most vendors have at least one vegetarian dish. Pizza Sociale, Dim Sum, and the dessert vendors are most vegetarian-friendly. Vegan options are more limited.
How long do people stay?
Most visitors spend 60-90 minutes for dinner and drinks. The communal seating means you can extend or leave quickly depending on the table dynamics.
Foodhallen Amsterdam
Bellamyplein 51, 1053 AT, Amsterdam