TL;DR:
- Thuisbezorgd and Uber Eats are the main apps for ordering food in Amsterdam, each with different strengths.
- Ordering directly from restaurants can be cheaper and support local businesses better.
- Diverse cuisines and late-night options are readily available, with tips to discover hidden gems.
Amsterdam's food scene is spectacular, but navigating it online can feel like a maze. You're hungry after a long day of canal walks, you open three different apps, and suddenly you're drowning in options, fees, and unfamiliar payment screens. Whether you're a tourist craving something beyond stroopwafels or a local who wants a reliable weeknight delivery, this guide cuts through the noise. We'll walk you through exactly which apps to use, how to set them up, what cuisines to explore, and how to avoid the most common delivery headaches so your meal arrives hot and on time.
Table of Contents
- What you need before ordering: Tools, apps, and prerequisites
- Step-by-step: Ordering food with top Amsterdam apps
- Popular cuisines and discovering hidden gems online
- Timing, fees, and tips for getting the best delivery experience
- A local's perspective: The smarter way to order from Amsterdam restaurants
- Ready to taste Amsterdam? Order with ease from Big Shots Amsterdam
- Frequently asked questions
Key Takeaways
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Apps make it easy | Thuisbezorgd.nl and Uber Eats offer convenient, multilingual food delivery from most Amsterdam restaurants. |
| Diverse food choices | Amsterdam’s food delivery apps let you discover local favorites and try global cuisines at any hour. |
| Check reviews and fees | Always review ratings and note service fees, especially during busy hours for faster, better-value meals. |
| Tourist-friendly ordering | International cards and English menus ensure a smooth ordering process for all visitors. |
What you need before ordering: Tools, apps, and prerequisites
First, make sure you have everything ready before diving into your food search. The good news is that ordering food online in Amsterdam requires very little setup, even if you just landed in the city.
The primary apps for ordering food from Amsterdam restaurants are Thuisbezorgd.nl (part of Just Eat Takeaway) and Uber Eats. Thuisbezorgd is the local favorite with the widest restaurant selection, while Uber Eats is the go-to for tourists who want a familiar, English-first experience. For groceries rather than restaurant meals, apps like Flink and Picnic exist, but this guide focuses on restaurant ordering.
Here's what you'll need before your first order:
- A smartphone or laptop with a stable internet connection
- An account on your chosen app (tourists: if you already have an Uber account, Uber Eats setup takes under two minutes)
- A valid payment method: iDEAL (Dutch bank transfer), PayPal, credit card, or international debit card
- Your delivery address in Amsterdam, including apartment number if applicable
- No Dutch phone number required — both major apps work with international numbers or email-only accounts
This is great news for visitors. You don't need a local SIM card or a Dutch bank account to get started. Explore some of Amsterdam's best Amsterdam dining venues before you even decide what to order.
| Feature | Thuisbezorgd.nl | Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|
| Language support | Dutch and English | English-first |
| Payment options | iDEAL, card, PayPal | Card, PayPal, Apple/Google Pay |
| Account required | Yes | Yes (Uber account works) |
| Restaurant variety | Very wide | Good, more premium |
| Best for | Locals and budget-conscious | Tourists and convenience |
Step-by-step: Ordering food with top Amsterdam apps
Once you have the key tools, here's exactly how to order — step by step.
Ordering on Thuisbezorgd.nl:
- Download the app or visit the website
- Enter your Amsterdam delivery address
- Browse by cuisine type, rating, or delivery time
- Select your restaurant and customize your items
- Choose delivery or pickup
- Select your payment method and confirm
- Track your order in real time via the app
According to practical guides on Thuisbezorgd.nl, this process is straightforward even for first-time users, and the Dutch-language interface switches to English easily in settings.
Ordering on Uber Eats:
- Open the Uber Eats app (or log in via your existing Uber account)
- Confirm your delivery address
- Search by restaurant name, cuisine, or dish
- Add items to your cart
- Apply any promo codes at checkout
- Pay and track your order
Uber Eats is popular with tourists specifically because of its English support and intuitive interface. The search filters are strong — you can type "vegan," "Surinamese," or "late night" and get relevant results instantly. This makes it easy to connect with Amsterdam's café culture from your couch.
| Feature | Thuisbezorgd.nl | Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant selection | Wider | Curated, trendier |
| Loyalty perks | Yes (Thuisbezorgd+ subscription) | Uber One membership |
| Pricing | Often lower | Slightly higher |
| Delivery speed | Varies | Often faster in center |
| Language | Dutch/English | English-first |
Pro Tip: Check both apps before ordering the same restaurant. Prices and delivery fees sometimes differ, and ordering directly through a restaurant's own website can save you money while supporting local businesses. If you're celebrating in Amsterdam, ordering direct often unlocks deals not listed on third-party apps.
Popular cuisines and discovering hidden gems online
With your order underway, here's how to make the most of Amsterdam's culinary diversity.
Amsterdam is one of Europe's most diverse food cities, and the delivery apps reflect that beautifully. You're not limited to Dutch stamppot or tourist-trap pizza. Here's a taste of what's available:
- Italian: Pasta, risotto, and wood-fired pizza from neighborhood trattorias
- Surinamese: Roti, pom, and bara — deeply flavorful and often underrated by visitors
- Chinese and Indonesian: Amsterdam's colonial history means rich, authentic Asian options
- Vegan and plant-based: A fast-growing category with dedicated restaurants citywide
- Middle Eastern: Shawarma, falafel, and mezze plates available late into the night
- American comfort food: Burgers, wings, and loaded fries for those cravings
Diverse cuisines are available 24/7 in central Amsterdam, making it one of the few European cities where a quality late-night delivery order is genuinely reliable. That matters when you're jet-lagged or coming home from a long evening out.
The real trick to finding hidden gems is using the review and rating filters within each app. Delivery platforms offer ratings that help you discover authentic local spots rather than just the most-advertised ones. Sort by highest rated, then read a handful of recent reviews to check for consistency.
If you want a romantic evening in, check out what makes romantic restaurants in Amsterdam special before choosing your cuisine. And if you're ordering drinks alongside your meal, knowing your authentic Amsterdam drinks makes the experience even better.
Pro Tip: Don't overlook restaurants with fewer reviews but a 4.5-plus rating. A newer spot with 40 glowing reviews is often more consistent than a legacy restaurant coasting on 2,000 mixed ones.
Timing, fees, and tips for getting the best delivery experience
Beyond choosing what to eat, timing and costs matter. Here's what to watch for.
Delivery times typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with longer waits during peak hours like Friday evenings, weekends, and major events. Distance from the restaurant and kitchen prep time both play a role. Ordering at 6:30 p.m. on a Friday will almost always take longer than ordering at 2:00 p.m. on a Tuesday.
On fees, be aware that apps charge service fees — sometimes up to 30% — which are passed on to customers either visibly or baked into menu prices. Ordering direct from a restaurant's website or by phone can be cheaper, though you lose real-time tracking.
Here's a quick breakdown of your ordering options:
- Via app (Thuisbezorgd/Uber Eats): Convenient, trackable, but includes service fees
- Direct from restaurant website: Often cheaper, supports the restaurant more, but tracking varies
- Phone order: Best for smaller local spots without apps, but requires some Dutch or patience
On Uber Eats, reliability issues are more common due to fewer couriers in some areas of Amsterdam. If your order is time-sensitive, Thuisbezorgd tends to be more dependable for most neighborhoods.
Important: Always check the restaurant's estimated prep time before ordering. A 20-minute delivery estimate means nothing if the kitchen is showing a 45-minute prep window. Add both numbers together for a realistic expectation.
Pro Tip: Order 30 minutes before you're actually hungry. Apps consistently underestimate delivery times during busy periods. Checking the sports bar delivery tips guide is helpful if you're ordering food for a group watching a game.
A local's perspective: The smarter way to order from Amsterdam restaurants
Here's what experience actually teaches about ordering food in Amsterdam that most guides skip over.
Too many visitors — and even long-term residents — default to whatever app they used back home and never explore beyond it. That's a missed opportunity. Thuisbezorgd is genuinely better for comfort food, loyalty perks, and sheer variety. Uber Eats tends to attract trendier, higher-end spots. But neither app shows you everything.
The best meals we've had from delivery came from ordering directly. A small Surinamese spot in De Pijp, a Syrian bakery near Oosterpark — these places don't always invest in app listings, but they have websites or Facebook pages where you can order. Local café experiences in Amsterdam are worth seeking out beyond the algorithm.
Always check ratings, but don't let them be the only filter. Try something unfamiliar once a week. Mix your apps. Use Thuisbezorgd for your regular order, Uber Eats when you want something new, and go direct when a restaurant catches your eye on a walk. That combination gives you the best of convenience, value, and authentic discovery.
Pro Tip: Save your favorite direct-order restaurants in your phone's contacts. Next time you want that amazing roti, you're one call away instead of scrolling through an app.
Ready to taste Amsterdam? Order with ease from Big Shots Amsterdam
Now that you know how to navigate Amsterdam's online food scene like a pro, it's time to put that knowledge to use with a venue worth ordering from.
Big Shots Amsterdam brings together great food, craft cocktails, and a lively atmosphere in one spot. Whether you want to order online for a relaxed evening in or walk through the doors for steaks, gourmet dishes, and a full sports bar experience, Big Shots delivers on every level. The menu covers everything from hearty breakfasts to late-night comfort food, and the vibe fits any occasion — casual, celebratory, or everything in between. Check out the menu and order directly for a seamless, satisfying Amsterdam meal.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists use international credit cards and English-language apps for food ordering in Amsterdam?
Yes, both Thuisbezorgd.nl and Uber Eats support English interfaces and accept international credit cards without requiring a Dutch phone number.
How long does delivery usually take from Amsterdam restaurants?
Delivery times range from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on time of day, the restaurant's prep time, and your location within the city.
Are there extra charges or service fees when ordering online?
Most apps add service fees up to 30%, and menu prices are often slightly higher than ordering direct from the restaurant.
Which app is better for variety and discovering hidden gems in Amsterdam?
Thuisbezorgd.nl offers the widest restaurant selection, but checking app reviews carefully or ordering direct from a restaurant helps you find the most authentic and budget-friendly local spots.