Amsterdam De Pijp

If you could somehow work it so that you ate every meal in De Pijp during your time in Amsterdam, you would be a happy k camper. In a radius of just a few blocks, you'll find a tremendous variety of cuisines dished up at significantly lower prices than in most other parts of the city. Albert Cuypstraat and Ferdinand Bolstraat are good places to start looking, but don't neglect the smaller side streets that radiate off of them as well. Many of the places listed in Nightlife also whip up surprisingly good food.

Cafe De Pijp, Ferdinand Bolstraat 17-19 (☎067 041 61; www.goodfoodgroup.nl), 20-somethings linger over drinks, dinner, or more drinks at Cafe De Pijp, something of a catch-all local hotspot. The menu is filled with tapas-esque offerings, like Merguez sausage with Turkish bread and aioli, or more Italian-inspired dishes along the lines of eggplant parmesan. On weekend nights, DJs spin dance tunes to help you work off your meal. Tram #16 or 24 to Stadhouderskade. Walk 2 blocks down Ferdinand Bolstraat. Entrees €5.50-8. Open M-Th 3:30pm-1am, F 3:30pm-3am, Sa noon-2am, Su noon-1am. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Bazar, Albert Cuypstraat 182 (☎067 505 44; www.bazaramsterdam.com), The crush of Albert Cuypmarkt feeling a little overwhelming? Pop into this former church where the vaulted ceilings remain, now decorated with Arabic Coca-Cola signs and old Dutch advertisements. Seating is available both on the ground and in the old balconies above. Bazar serves inexpensive and super tasty Middle Eastern food. Tram #16 or 24 to Albert Cuypstraat. Walk through the market a few blocks. Sandwiches and lunch entrees €4-10. Dinner entrees €12-16. Open M-Th 11am-midnight, F 11am-1am, Sa 9am-1am, Su 9am-midnight. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Warung Spang Makandra, Gerard Doustraat 39 (☎067 050 81; www.spangmakandra.nl), Imperialism may have been a pretty terrible thing, but at least it has given us delicious culinary combinations like the Indonesian-Surinamese mix at this neighborhood favorite. Enjoy noodle and rice dishes, satays, and rotis—pancakes with different meat or vegetable fillings—for incredibly low prices. Plenty of vegetarian options. Tram #16 or 24 to Albert Cuypstraat. Walk 1 block north on Ferdinand Bolstraat and make a left. Entrees €5.50-9. Open M-Sa 11am-10pm, Su 1-10pm. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
De Soepwinkel, 1e Sweelinckstraat 19F (☎067 322 83; www.soepwinkel.nl), Modern minimalism meets home cooking at this soup shop. Sit at picnic-esque tables in the airy store or at a patio table outside and enjoy one of their six marvelous rotating specialty soups (always at least one vegetarian option). They prepare quiches, tarts, and sandwiches as well. Tram #3, 4, or 25 to Ceinturbaan/Van Woutstraat. Walk towards the park, make a right onto Sarphatipark, and continue for 1½ blocks. Or tram #16 or 24 to Albert Cuypstraat. Walk a few blocks through the market and make a right onto 1e Sweelinckstraat. Soups from €4. Menu with soup, a slice of quiche, and a drink €7.90-8.40. Open M-Sa 11am-8pm, Su 11am-6pm. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Burgermeester, Albert Cuypstraat 48 (☎067 093 39; www.burgermeester.eu), Thankfully, the burgers here are better than the store's punny name (burgemeester is “mayor” in Dutch). This is something of a designer-burger bar—you can get a patty made from fancy beef, lamb, salmon, falafel, or Manchego cheese and hazelnuts, then top it with things like Chinese kale, truffle oil, or buffalo mozzarella. Burgers can be ordered normal-sized or miniature, because food is always more fun when it's tiny. They sell salads, too, but who goes to a burger joint for a salad? Tram #16 or 24 to Albert Cuypstraat. Walk down the street away from the market. Burgers €6.50-8.50. Toppings €0.50-1. Open daily noon-11pm. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access.
De Taart van m'n Tante, Ferdinand Bolstraat 10 (☎077 646 00; www.detaart.com), What started as a customized cake bakery now has its own restaurant where you can try slices of delicious cakes and pies—apple, pecan, and all kinds of more exciting combinations (including ones made “tipsy” with dashes of Amaretto and other liqueurs). The pink, sparkly, and floral interior is how we think a female Mad Hatter would decorate a tea party and complements the kitschy sweetness of the cakes themselves. Tram #16 or 24 to Stadhouderskade/Ferdinand Bolstraat. The store is on the corner. Tart slices €4.30-5.20. Open daily 10am-6pm. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Wild Moa Pies, Van Ostadestraat 147 (☎064 291 4050; www.pies.nu), We didn't really know that New Zealand had much of a national cuisine, but apparently it does at least have pie. This Kiwi-owned store sells six types of meat pie (one made from real New Zealand beef) and three types of vegetarian (we like the 3 Ps—Pumpkin, sweet Potato, and Paprika). One largish table is available if you want to eat your pies in the store, but you can also take them to Sarphatipark just across the street. Tram #3 or 25 to 2e Van der Helstraat. Walk 1 block south, away from the park. All pies €3. Open Tu-Sa 9am-5:30pm. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Het Ijspaleis, 1e Sweelinckstraat 20 (☎061 204 1617), A gleaming white “Ice Palace” that looks awfully tempting on a hot day, especially after trawling through the crowds of Albert Cuypmarkt. Serves about a dozen fresh, homemade flavors in cups or cones. Also has a fine selection of coffee and teas. Keeping to the neighborhood's hipster ambience, they even have exotic choices like rooibos. Tram #16 or 24 to Albert Cuypmarkt. Walk through the market and make a right. Servings from €1.10. Open daily 11am-8pm. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Siriphon, 1e Jacob van Campenstraat 47 Offering tasty Thai cuisine in a small, exotically decorated restaurant with welcoming staff, Siriphon has the usual selection of curries, noodles, soups, salads, and rice dishes. Food is served with chili oil, so you can adjust the spiciness to your taste. Things come out of the kitchen reasonably fiery, so proceed with caution. Tram #16 or 24 to Stadhouderskade. Walk down Ferdinand Bolstraat and make a right. Entrees €10-14. Open daily 3-10:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.