market
Foodhallen
An indoor food hall in a former tram depot in Oud-West, with stalls of every cuisine.
Photo: Foodhallen / Google
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, €8 for a plate of 6), The Butcher Social Club (burgers, €11-15), Bulls & Dogs (gourmet hot dogs, €9), Yo Yo's Smashburger, Dim Sum & Co (€6 for a basket of three), The Fish Society (ceviche, €12), Pizza Sociale, the dessert stand at the back for stroopwafels and brownies.
The central bar serves wine (€5-7 a glass), Dutch and Belgian beer (€4-6), 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.
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 (€0.70). 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 — €6 for three pieces, 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.
FAQ
- 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 are €8-15 per dish.
- 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