Pancakes, crepes, pannenkoeken… whatever you call them, and whatever size and shape they come in, they make an excellent, filling, low-budget meal. Holland and pancakes go together like Sonny and Cher, but it’s actually extremely rare that I eat pancakes in Amsterdam. Except, that is, when I have a hangover. Then these carb-rich beauties are exactly what’s needed to stave off whatever ails you. And the Dutch do them particularly well: you mustn’t visit Amsterdam without trying one of the pancake houses the city has to offer.
Planning your trip to Amsterdam
Before you can start indulging in pannenkoeken, you’re going to need to get here! Below are a few trip essentials, but my Amsterdam travel planning guide covers everything from transport to the best time to visit.
- Getting to Amsterdam: Schiphol airport is well-connected, and Expedia and Omio are good starting points for comparing flights and rail options. If you’re coming from London, Paris or Brussels, the Eurostar is a relaxed alternative to flying, though Dutch national carrier KLM has direct flights from most major cities in Europe, the US and beyond.
- Getting around: Amsterdam is compact enough to walk, and public transport covers everything else. Skip the rental car unless you plan to leave the city – use GVB to plan your route, or do as the locals do and rent a bike!
- Where to stay: From canal-side luxury (Pulitzer) to boutique quirkiness (Hotel Not Hotel), there’s plenty of choice. Browse the full range on Booking.com or visit my neighbourhood guide for specific hotel recommendations.
- Tours and experiences: A canal boat trip is a must – find options on Viator or GetYourGuide. For food tours, I recommend Eating Amsterdam plus any of the other Amsterdam tours and experiences in my dedicated article.
- Further reading: For restaurant and wine bar recommendations, grab a copy of my Amsterdam Restaurant Guide or Amsterdam Wine Lover’s Guide. New to Dutch food? Take a look at my guide to traditional Dutch food and drinks, as well as my round up of Dutch restaurants in Amsterdam.
Best Dutch pancakes in Amsterdam
Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs
My most-loved Dutch pancake house is Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs, which is (unsurprisingly) up an extraordinarily steep and narrow flight of stairs – even by Holland’s standards. It’s a tiny place, and easy to miss, but worth it once you get inside. Teapots hang from the ceiling in every size and shape, while the pancakes are the diametre of dinner plates and as thick as pizzas, with both sweet and savoury toppings. Try a hearty classic like ham and cheese (add pineapple if you’re feeling the Hawaiian thing), or go sweet with apple, cinnamon and whipped cream. Note that Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs is cash only (unlike almost everywhere else in Amsterdam!).
Pancakes at Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs
Hendrik
Many Amsterdam pancake houses (especially those outside the city centre) are geared towards children, with adventure playgrounds outside and sticky-fingered interiors. But if you’re looking for an altogether more civilised affair (that’s still family-friendly), head south to Hendrik. Located in the affluent Oud-Zuid neighbourhood, in the spot once occupied by Le Garage, Hendrik combines traditional Vreeland design with a grown-up menu. There are, of course, plenty of pancakes – we were big fans of the pulled chicken pancake with cheese and BBQ sauce (against all my better judgement!) and the Vredeland pancake with stroopwafels, caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream (against my doctor’s better judgement!). But there’s a regular dinner menu of satay and steak as well, which could be handy with a mixed group or family when not everyone feels like pancakes. Plus, there’s a more sandwich-focused lunch menu and a decent drinks list. In other words: Hendrik is a good all-day pancakes-and-more spot to have up your sleeve, with or without kids in tow.
The Vredeland pancake at Hendrik
Pancakes Amsterdam
With four locations in Amsterdam and counting, the eponymous Pancakes Amsterdam serves up a very reliable pannenkoek and while you will see plenty of tourists, locals do treat themselves to the occasional pancake there too. Of course, you can order the regular toppings (bacon and cheese, apple and stroop, and so on), but you’ll also find some more adventurous combinations. I tried one of the house specials: camembert, ham, chicory and raspberry sauce – it sounds odd, but it was strangely addictive. Mr Foodie went for a sweet-n-savoury combo of bacon, bananas and chilli – it was equally tasty so I demanded we share.
Best American pancakes in Amsterdam
Madam Pancake
Luxuriously thick, fluffy, American-style pancakes seem to be having a bit of a moment in Amsterdam. And it makes sense, given the country’s passion for pannenkoeken. It’s not often that I eat out in the Red Light District, but I make an exception for Madam Pancake. Tucked down an alleyway replete with sex shops and snack bars, this pancake house attracts its fair share of tourists, but for good reason. The coffee is strong, the orange juice freshly squeezed (and, when I visited, came with a shot of hangover-relieving pressed ginger on the side) but most importantly the pancakes are as they should be. Warm and pillow-soft, with plenty of maple syrup and excellent bacon (or fruit, or salmon, or pretty much any pancake topping you can think of). This is one breakfast that’ll truly set you up for the day.
Madam Pancake’s fluffy American stack
MOAK
With branches by Waterlooplein and in de Pijp, MOAK offers the epitome of fluffy, American-style pancakes with all manner of sweet and savoury toppings, plus eggs and other brunch dishes. I ordered the Blue Magic Deluxe: three wholegrain wheat pancakes with Canadian maple syrup, bananas, strawberries and blueberries. With that much fruit, it surely counts as health food?!
The Blue Magic Deluxe at MOAK
All-you-can-eat pancakes… on a boat!
The Pancake Boat
What could be more Amsterdam than eating pancakes while on a 75-minute canal cruise? Well, quite a lot really, since as Amsterdammers we never actually do this. Still, you only live once – so I say book yourself on the (possibly) world-famous pannenkoekenboot and embrace your inner tourist. Boats depart from Ms. van Riemsdijkweg, next to the NDSM ferry in Amsterdam Noord, and seem to run daily. But there may be seasonal differences so check the website and book before you show up.
Editor’s note: I was invited to eat at Hendrik and Madam Pancake as a journalist, and I didn’t pay for my meals. Obviously I try to be as objective as possible, but I always disclose when I’ve had a freebie.
Want to eat more than pancakes in Amsterdam? Download my Amsterdam Restaurant Guide:
