Best 15 Amsterdam Supermarkets

Skip the overpriced tourist stores charging €15 per pound for candy and €20 for basic cheese. I’ll show you where locals actually shop in Amsterdam—real supermarkets with fair prices, quality products, and everything you need for your stay.

After living here for years, I know which stores accept your credit card, where to find authentic Dutch cheese at reasonable prices, and how to deal with that quirky Dutch shopping customs that confuse most visitors.

Top Amsterdam Supermarket Chains

Albert Heijn (AH) – The Market Leader

Albert Heijn dominates the grocery scene around the country, including Amsterdam. You’ll find Albert Heijn stores throughout the city. There are three types of Albert Store, type 1 and 2 are found in the city center.

1. AH to Go – Convenience stores in tourist areas and train stations. Better than sketchy corner shops, but pricier are higher here, than at regular Albert Heijn stores.

2. Regular Albert Heijn Stores – Your best bet for quality groceries. Key city center locations:

• Prins Hendrikkade 20 (opposite Amsterdam Central Station)
• Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 226 (behind Dam Square Palace)
• Koningsplein 6 (next to flower market)
• Jodenbreestraat 21 (near Rembrandt House)
• Overtoom 21 (close to Leidseplein)

Get a Amsterdam public transportation day-pass to get around the city with ease.

Albert Heijn XL – The biggest Albert Heijn supermarkets, located outside the center:

• Osdorpplein (Amsterdam West)
• Gelderlandplein (Buitenveldert)
• Diemerplein (Diemen, east)

Payment note: Albert Heijn notoriously limits payment options, no credit card! Always carry a debit card, and have some cash as backup. I recommend getting a Wise Debit Card, every transaction will cost less.

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Jumbo – Second Largest Chain

Jumbo takes credit cards, unlike Albert Heijn. And generally they cheaper prices too. Look for regular Jumbo stores and smaller Jumbo City locations (similar to AH to Go).

Still, I recommend getting the Wise Debit card from above, you pay less per transaction then with your own credit cards, always!

Here’s the catch with Jumbo: they don’t have many central Amsterdam locations. You’ll find one in the Jordaan, but otherwise you’ll need to venture outside the tourist areas. Check Google Maps before making the trip.

Dirk van den Broek – Best Budget Option

The cheapest full-service supermarket. Most convenient location: Marie Heinekenplein 25 (behind Heineken Experience, Metro Vijzelgracht).

Features excellent fresh bakery section and accepts major credit cards. Perfect for budget-conscious travelers wanting quality without tourist markup.

Discount Chains: ALDI & Lidl

ALDI: Basic presentation but quality products at rock-bottom prices. Convenient location at Nieuwe Weteringstraat 24-28 (near Vijzelgracht Metro).

Lidl: Nicer stores than ALDI with excellent prices. Their store-brand stroopwafels regularly win taste awards. Closest location: Hemonylaan 25a. Tram 4/14 or Metro Weesperplein.

Ekoplaza – Organic Specialist

Premium organic supermarket, similar to Whole Foods but less polished. Higher prices but excellent selection. You find them in Jordaan, and near the Vijzelgracht Metro, in the direction of Rijksmuseum.

Also regular supermarkets now carry good organic sections—look for “Biologisch” labels.

Other Local Chains

There are many other chains that you’ll also find throughout the city: Spar, Vomar, Dekamarkt, and COOP. Any of these are fine, but usually more expensive than the main brands, except maybe for Vomar. These stores are in more residential areas.

Specialty Shopping

Authentic Dutch Cheese

Skip tourist cheese shops with fake “Dutch” flavors. I hate these nice looking cheese shops, they have different brands like Henri Willig, Cheese and More and other. All look the same. It’s overpriced, and they have flavors locals do not know. It’s not where we buy, so neither should you.

That they are in just in tourist area’s says enough.

So where to buy Dutch cheese instead?

All supermarkets sell authentic pre-packaged Dutch cheeses at much lower prices. So Albert Heijn, Jumbo or Dirk are all great places.

Then you also have authentic cheese store, and the experience alone is worth. Amsterdam has three really good ones:

Kaasland (Haarlemmerdijk), Fa. H. Wegewijs (Rozengracht 32), or Kaaskamer (Runstraat 7). All of these places is where locals go, and who know a ton of information about cheese. Buy your here. Ask for vacuum sealing if you want to take it home.

I highly recommend going on a Dutch food tour. It’s a great way to try local foods including cheese, and see real stores and family-owned businesses:

Oriental Supermarket

Amazing Oriental (Nieuwmarkt 27) – Packed Asian supermarket in the Red Light District with incredible ingredient variety at reasonable prices.

Beyond Supermarkets: Amsterdam Markets

Don’t miss traditional street markets for fresher produce and local atmosphere:

Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp Area – Daily except Sundays, central location Noordermarkt – Saturdays, organic focus (this is my favorite), or Lindengracht Market – Saturdays, local crowd, affordable prices, enormous.

Here is a food tour that focuses on local and ethnic foods:

Pro tip: After Lindengracht market, try the famous apple pie at Winkel 43—often rated world’s best. It’s super busy but worth the wait, I would say the wait is part of the experience.

What to Buy Like a Local

Authentic Stroopwafels

Look for “Roomboter” (real butter) versions—avoid tourist packages made with cheap margarine. Every supermarket stocks quality versions for a fraction of tourist store prices. Lidl supermarkets are consistently best.

Dutch Cheese Selection

All supermarkets offer extensive cheese sections reflecting Dutch eating habits. Even discount stores like ALDI have impressive selections.

Fresh Convenience Meals

Albert Heijn excels at fresh, healthy prepared salads and microwaveable meals. Perfect for vacation rentals when you want quality without restaurant prices.

Are you looking for a vacation rental instead of a hotel? I recommend VRBO, they’re cheaper than AirBnB.

Alcoholic Beverages

Supermarkets stock wine, beer, and some spirits. For stronger liquor, visit Gall & Gall stores (often next to Albert Heijn) or Dirck3 (usually inside Dirk van den Broek).

Dutch Supermarket Quirky Essentials You Need to Know

Prices and Payments

Dutch stores prefer “Pin” (debit cards on Maestro/VPAY networks). Your international cards may not work everywhere. Debit cards work better than credit cards, especially at Albert Heijn.

All prices are inclusive of all taxes. The price on the label is the price you pay.

Dutch supermarkets round the final amount to pay if you pay cash. All prices ending with a 1,2,6, or 7 will be rounded down to 5. and all prices iwth 3,4,8, or 9 will be rounded to 0. Thuis 16.97, becomes 16.95.

We do not use 1 or 2 cents coins any longer. If you have them from another EU country like Germany: you need to keep them for when you get back. Here you can not spend them.

Credit card friendly stores: Jumbo, Dirk van den Broek, Lidl, ALDI

Self-Service Checkout

More and more supermarkets switch to self-service checkout machines. They usually go faster, but as a visitor I would join the regular, staffed, register line, and avoid the machines. If you want to use them, English is available. Just look for the word “Taal/Language” or a flag symbol.

Bags Are Not Free at Amsterdam Supermarkets

The Netherlands is trying to reduce plastic usage, and promote bring your own. It’s best to have a foldable shopping bag like this one, or you can buy bags as needed. Stores charge between €0.25-€1.50 per bag.

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• How to use me? fold me into my zip pocket, roll me up with my strap or stuff me into the inside pocket.
• Holds up to 20 kg (44 lbs) – a great alternative for plastic shopping bags.
• 11.5 cm (4.5" x 4.5"), inside pocket 13.5 x 16 cm (5.3" x 6.3").

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Shopping Cart Coins

You need a €0.50 coin for shopping carts. No coin? Ask customer service for a free plastic token or grab a basket instead.

Bottle Deposits

Most cans and bottles have “statiegeld” deposits (€0.15-€0.25). Return them at recycling machines to get your money back.

Loyalty Cards Save Money

Albert Heijn sale prices only apply with their Bonus card. Don’t have one? Ask the cashier to scan theirs—they always help.

Amsterdam Supermarket Vocabulary

Here is some helpful Dutch words you can use in an Amsterdam supermarket:

Supermarkt – Supermarket
Winkel – Store
Gesloten – Closed
Karretje – Shopping Cart
Biologisch – Organic
Roomboter – Real Butter
Tasje – Bag (be ready to pay for them, even for the plastic one-time use bags)
2e gratis – 2nd item free
2e halve prijs – 2nd item half price 
Maandag t/m Woensdag – Monday through Wednesday
Weekendaanbiedingen – Sales that are only valid during the weekend
OP=OP – While supplies last. 

But don’t stress about language—Amsterdam supermarket staff speak excellent English.

If you like to learn some Dutch language, you might like my post ⤷ “How to say Hello in Dutch”.

Product labels are exclusively Dutch (sometimes French/German). For allergies, use the Google Translate’s camera function on their app or ask staff for help.

Skip the Tourist Traps, Shop Like a Local

You now know where Amsterdam locals actually buy their groceries—and more importantly, how to avoid paying tourist prices for inferior products.

Stick to Albert Heijn, Jumbo, or Dirk van den Broek for your main shopping. Bring a debit card, coins, and your own bags.

And remember: real Dutch cheese costs a fraction of what those costumed salespeople charge in the tourist shops.

Read more:

• What Converters and Adapters do you need in Amsterdam
• How to Exchange Currency in Amsterdam for the Best Possible Rates
• Amsterdam Public Transportation Simplified: How to Get Around