Foodhallen is an indoor food market in De Hallen, a former tram depot in Amsterdam’s Oud-West. Around 20 small kitchens and bars gather in a shared dining space, so your group can pick different cuisines and eat together. Look for Dutch bitterballen, Vietnamese rolls, dim sum, tacos, pizza and French pastries; the changing mix also includes drinks and live music. The covered hall is a handy place to eat on a rainy day, and works well when nobody can agree on one restaurant.
A tram depot turned food hall
Foodhallen occupies part of De Hallen, a former tram depot in Amsterdam-West. The red-brick sheds date to 1902, and the building was later repurposed as a cultural complex. Foodhallen opened in 2014, bringing an indoor food market to the old industrial setting.
Look down and you may spot railway tracks in the floor, a reminder of the depot’s earlier use. The large hall has a warehouse-like feel, with food stalls and bars gathered around a communal dining area. De Hallen also includes a cinema, gallery, shops and event spaces, so the food market is one part of a larger complex.
Choosing what to eat
The stalls serve a broad mix of cuisines, with options that have included Vietnamese, Indian, Indonesian, Mexican and Spanish food, alongside sushi, pizza, burgers, pita and Dutch bar snacks. The line-up can change, so treat any particular vendor as a possibility rather than a permanent fixture.
For a Dutch snack, look for bitterballen, including tasting platters at De Ballenbar. Other dishes associated with the hall include bánh mì, chicken satay, rice bowls, empanadas and dim sum. French pastries and other sweets are also available. With several kitchens to choose from, it is easy to order different plates and share them at the table.
Foodhallen works especially well for a group with mixed tastes. One person can pick a burger or pizza while someone else chooses Vietnamese rolls, falafel or a Dutch snack. There are also bars for drinks, including a gin and tonic bar. Check the stalls when you arrive to see what is currently being served.
Finding a seat and getting around
Food is ordered from individual stalls, with tables in the shared central space. That setup gives you plenty of choice, but at busy times it can take a while to find a place to sit. Lunchtime is a calmer option than the evening, and the hall is often busiest after 7pm and on weekends.
The covered setting makes Foodhallen useful when Amsterdam’s weather turns wet. It also suits a casual meal when you want to browse several menus instead of committing to one restaurant. Nearby Ten Katemarkt has outdoor market stalls during the day, except Sundays, if you want to continue exploring food in the neighbourhood.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Foodhallen in Amsterdam?
It is inside De Hallen in Oud-West. The address is Hannie Dankbaarpassage 16, 1053 RT Amsterdam.
What kind of food can you get at Foodhallen?
The stalls serve a changing range of international food and Dutch snacks. Options have included bitterballen, bánh mì, dim sum, tacos, pizza and pastries.
Is Foodhallen a good choice for a group?
Yes. Different stalls serve different cuisines, and diners share a communal seating area, so people can choose separate meals.
When is Foodhallen busiest?
It can be particularly busy after 7pm and on weekends. Lunchtime or another off-peak visit is a better choice if you want to avoid the rush.
