Amsterdam is one of the top worldwide destinations all year round and if you want to get there by plane, higher chances you will have to end up in Schiphol Airport, one of the biggest hub airports in Europe. If you are one of the lucky ones that fly to the lowest airport in the world, find out more about where to eat when you are waiting there.
- La Place
- Healthy Food Wall
- Happy Seafood
- Leon
- Sushi & Noodles
- Jamie’s Deli
- Starbucks
- Frames
- The Oven
- The Market
Schiphol is the biggest airport in the Netherlands and one of those airports where it is convenient to be there in advance. This is why it is important to consider having dinner or lunch when you get there and take it easy. There are many options for restaurants that will adapt to your needs, and in this article, you will find out my favourites.
Eating at Schiphol Airport
I have found myself having to eat at Schiphol airport too many times and I have also been asked many times by guests at the hotel where I used to work if they could grab some food there. Yes, no matter what type of diet you have, or what time you arrive, you will always be able to find something. Here are some of my recommendations according to the following scheme:
- Where to Eat: Plaza and Arrivals
- Where to Eat: Departures and Gates
- Where to Eat: Late Night Meals
I will also be adding some key information such as the opening time, location and if you can eat vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options there, something very important to consider.
Where to Eat: Plaza and Arrivals
When you arrive at Schiphol Airport, by bus, by car or by train, you always end up on the big whole and only entrance to the building: the so-called Plaza.
Here is where you will find all the useful information: departure flights, arrival flights, trains to the whole country and schedule, places where to buy everything you will need last minute, including food. All the restaurants you will be able to find at the airport offer meals for 10-25 euros, a regular place for the Netherlands. Coffee is around 3 euros and water is 2,50.
The good part about this area is that both arrival and departures can enjoy it as a moment of peace before the chaos of going through security or jumping on a train start happening. If you are here, these are my favourite places to eat:
La Place
La Place is a Dutch chain that you will be able to find in 9/10 train stations in the whole country, including some extra in big cities like Amsterdam. It is the same idea as Pret a Manger in London or some other European countries: fresh food, quick or slow, natural ingredients and all super quick.
What can you find there? Well, here is their menu in case you want to check it. However, my recommendations are:
- Coffee, really good
- Fresh juices: all the combinations, freshly made
- Sandwiches: made of fresh ingredients, on the spot, vegetarian and meat-lover options
- Main dishes: you can choose as much as you want of any of their dishes
- Soups! According to the season a different one
- Cakes: super delicious, fresh, smaller options, cookies…
- Kids menu: smaller portions, pasta, burgers, etc.
Moreover, La Place in the Plaza of Schiphol Airport has an area with sofas and tables ideal to have a meeting, meet someone before departing or have a little bit of calm time in the middle of this chaotic place. With free wifi, it is definitely my favourite spot at the airport.
Opening time: approx. 9:00 am until 10 pm every day of the week, including weekends.
Location: Plaza Schiphol
Diet: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free options
Health Food Wall (also vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options)
Do you know the genius Dutch invention FEBO? The wall of coin machines where, in one second you can have a hot burger or fast food for one or two euros? Well, this is the same, but healthy!
If you are on a rush to eat and go through security, wanna grab something before going to your gate, or just arrive from your flight and like me, you are directly going to class or to work, this is the quickest healthy options vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Opening time: 24/7
Location: Plaza, right in front of La Place
Diet: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free options
Happy Seafood
If you haven’t had the chance to have herring in Amsterdam, this is your time! For fresh Dutch fish, this is the best place to go.
Opening time: from 9 am until 10 pm
Location: Plaza, right next to La Place
Diet: –
Leon
Leon is the ideal chain of food for conscious eating: like La Place, they focus on healthy organic meals, ready to go and to take away with you.
What do they do? Meal boxes! Including many superfoods such as kale, chickpeas, sweet potato, okra stew, avocado and more. They also have added chicken, wraps, healthy drinks in bottles to go and many options.
Opening time: from 7 am until 10 pm
Location: Schiphol Plaza, behind Burger King
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian, Organic, Gluten-free, Lactose-free…
Starbucks
I had to mention it because it is always worth going to your comfort zone: having a yummy drink, getting some cake or cookies or a quick breakfast when you just land at a foreign country is a must.
Opening time: 24/7
Location: Schiphol Plaza, behind the trains, next to Burger King
Diet: Lactose-free
Where to Eat: Departures and Gates
When you go through security, there are many different Lounge areas. Some of them have many options, some of them very little.
TIP 1: If you go to Lounge 4, F, G, H, and M don’t have a lot of options so if you can, grab some food before getting through security.
TIP 2: There are many of the outside restaurants in the inside too! These are:
- La Place (open from 4 am until 9 pm)
- Leon (from 7 am until 9 pm)
- Starbucks The Pavillion (6 am until 10 pm)
Jamie’s Deli
Jamie’s Deli is the famous Jamie Oliver, British Chef, food chain. What you can expect from this restaurant is to find organic ingredients, quick meals such as wraps, sandwiches, and salads as well as some other healthy meals before your flight.
Opening time: 7 am until 9:30 pm
Location: Lounge 3, after security
Diet: Organic
Frames
Frames is the closest place to a bar or cocktail place where to grab a drink and some snacks while waiting for your flight. I am not gonna say it is romantic or cool because it is still an airport place, yet it is the closest to cool and romantic in Schiphol.
What does Frames offer? Snacks and good wine.
Opening time: 6 am until 9 pm
Location: Lounge 2
Diet: –
The Market & The Oven
If you are looking for another place like La Place but after security, these two are your best option for grabbing a healthy salad, fresh sandwich, fresh orange juice, some coffee or some sort of quick meal to bring with you into the plane or eat just there by their nice tables.
Opening time: 6 am until 9 pm
Location: Lounge 2, after security
Diet: Gluten-free, Lactose-free, Vegetarian
Sushi & Noodle
Both before and after security you will be able to find a Sushi and Noodles restaurant. Among all the options of Asian food in Schiphol, this is one of the best ones because of the guarantee of freshness.
After security, Sushi and Noodles is in the Street Market, next to the Oven and The Market, an original place where you will be able to find always fresh ingredients in all three, the Street Food Market in Lounge 2.
Where to Eat: Late Night Meals
Here there is a list of all the places open 24 hours every day of the week or open at crazy hours. This way you won’t have to rush or worry, moreover, there are many options available:
- Park Cafe: Lounge 1, after security, open 24/7
- Burger King: Before Security, open 24/7
- Mediterranean Sandwich Bar: Lounge 1, after security, open 24/7
- Starbucks: After Security, Lounge 1, open 24/7
- Healthy Food Wall: Before security, Schiphol Plaza, 24/7
- Amsterdam Bread Company: also open 24/7, Lounge 2, after security
Extra Tips: Eating at Schiphol
To find out more information about Schiphol, all the shops, opening hours and so on, you can either check their maps online or you can read my article about the best places to shop at the airport.
Moreover, I wanted to mention that you will also be able to find many many Italian places where you could grab some pizza or pasta to eat there or to go, most of them before security.
Last, but not least, always consider going to AH to go, right before security, where you will be able to find a quick breakfast, do some groceries or grab a premade meal to eat when you get home from your trip. Always a great idea, and healthier than other options. (Open from 5 am until midnight every day of the week)
