Skip the overpriced tourist stores charging €15 per pound for candy and €20 for basic cheese. I’ll show you the Amsterdam supermarkets where locals shop: real stores 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 those quirky Dutch shopping customs that confuse most visitors.
Table of Contents
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 Heijn store. Types 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 prices 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)
3. 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. Their prices are generally lower 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 than with your own credit card, always!
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. Their store at Pijnackerstraat 36 is now the most convenient one for most people (near De Pijp Metro on line 52).
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 the Jordaan and near the Vijzelgracht Metro, in the direction of the 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.
I highly recommend going on a Dutch food tour. It’s a great way to try local foods , and see real stores and family-owned businesses. This particular Amsterdam market food tour is really good in terms of what that have in store for you to taste, and the people running it. I highly recommend it.
Great Amsterdam Food Tour
Taste Amsterdam
This small-group tour hits all the spots I recommend – from traditional poffertjes to stamppot in a historic brown café.
Book This Food TourSpecialty Shopping
Authentic Dutch Cheese
Skip tourist cheese shops with fake “Dutch” flavors. I hate those nice-looking cheese shops. They have different brands like Henri Willig, Cheese and More, and others. 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 only in tourist areas 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 stores, and the experience alone is worth it. Amsterdam has three really good ones:
Kaasland (Haarlemmerdijk), Fa. H. Wegewijs (Rozengracht 32), or Kaaskamer (Runstraat 7). All of these places are where locals go, and the staff know a lot about cheese. Buy yours here. Ask for vacuum sealing if you want to take it home.
Oriental Supermarket
Amazing Oriental (Nieuwmarkt 27) – Packed Asian supermarket in the Red Light District with incredible ingredient variety at reasonable prices.
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Beyond Supermarkets: Amsterdam Markets
Don’t miss traditional street markets for fresher produce and local atmosphere:
Albert Cuyp Market in the 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 the 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 the 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 Quirks 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. Prices ending in 1, 2, 6, or 7 are rounded down. Prices ending in 3, 4, 8, or 9 are rounded up. So €16.97 becomes €16.95.
We no longer use 1 and 2 cent coins. If you have them from another EU country like Germany, keep them for when you get back. You cannot spend them here.
Credit card friendly stores: Jumbo, Dirk van den Broek, Lidl, ALDI
Self-Service Checkout
More and more supermarkets are switching to self-service checkout machines. They are usually 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. Look for the word “Taal/Language” or a flag symbol.
Bags Are Not Free at Amsterdam Supermarkets
The Netherlands is trying to reduce plastic use and promote bringing your own. It’s best to have a foldable shopping bag, or you can buy bags as needed. Stores charge between €0.25 and €1.50 per bag.
I never leave home without a foldable shopping bag. Here is a great one: LOQI Foldable Shopping Bag - The Milk Maid.
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 are 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 the 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 Google Translate’s camera function in the app or ask staff for help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam Supermarkets
Which Amsterdam supermarkets accept international credit cards?
Jumbo, Dirk van den Broek, Lidl, and ALDI reliably accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Albert Heijn regular stores most often don’t. Carry a debit card to make sure you can pay everywhere.
What are typical opening hours of Amsterdam Supermarkets?
Most open 8am-8pm Monday-Saturday, often until 10pm. Sunday hours are shorter. Check Google Maps for current times.
Can I find gluten-free products easily?
Yes, larger supermarkets have dedicated “free-from” aisles. Look for gluten-free labels or ask staff for the “glutenvrij” section.
Is it easy to find vegetarian or vegan food in Amsterdam supermarkets?
All stores have a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan food options. More and more Dutch people avoid animal products. Albert Heijn excels at fresh meals, vegetarian and vegan included. All products have clear labels.
Are organic products widely available?
Absolutely. Every supermarket carries organic options marked “Biologisch.” Albert Heijn has the best selection among major chains.
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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.
I just love reading your posts. Interesting about the high tax rate, wow! But glad they’re already included in the price. That would be handy here in America!
I know the high tax rate is not the best part of Europe, but it is what it is and since they’re included in displayed prices it makes it more digestible :-). PS when you’re visiting from outside the US, watch for Tax Free stickers on store windows. If they participate in the scheme you can get part of the tax back at the airport. Won’t work at supermarkets but at many retail stores you’ll find this oppertunities.
Such useful information! I find it funny that you have Aldi stores. 🙂 But thank you for all these tips because yes, it really is important to know where to buy good cheese!
Imagine my surprise when I saw an Aldi for the first time in the US. I thought it was just as funny. I can not agree more on Cheese. Yum!
I am loving this!!
Going to supermarkets when I am on holiday is one of my favorite things to do.
I find it fascinating to look at all the different brands and foods that I don’t see in my local stores.
We are visiting later this year so I am doing lots of research at the moment.
oh my goodness it’s my favorite thing too. And now I have this “database 🤣” in my computer of items that are unique to a country that I love. So if I get back to the place I know what to buy 🙂 Have you found my post with traditional Dutch foods already? Here you’ll have a start with a list of items to look for.
The foodie in me loves to check out supermarkets in different countries. Your Amsterdam supermarkets guide was very helpful as I traveled through that area. I loved going to the Amsterdam Markets to learn about local produce and talk with all the vendors.
I am glad to bring back memories of foreign markets, they are the best thing! Not sure if you’ve been last time, but when you’re back, make sure to include the Noordermarkt. I think that’s one you will love in particular as a foodie. Top-notch products from local organic farmers, and they love to share their story.