Where to eat near the Rijksmuseum: streets, places and traps to avoid

Around the Rijksmuseum there is plenty to eat, but the quality is uneven: the most visible cafés, on the square and next to the museums, are also the busiest at lunchtime. This guide lists the streets where you can eat within fifteen minutes on foot, the types of places to choose depending on your budget and time, and the traps to avoid. We name few places: restaurants open and close quickly, so check opening hours and recent reviews on the day.

Eating inside the museum

The Rijksmuseum café is handy between galleries, but it is reserved for visitors with a ticket until 5 pm, then open to everyone from 5 pm to 6 pm. At peak times, expect a queue. The RIJKS restaurant, on the museum grounds, serves lunch from Wednesday to Sunday and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday, by reservation: it is a fine-dining restaurant, best booked for a special meal rather than a quick break.

If you plan to leave the museum for lunch in town, ask at the desk whether you can come back with the same ticket. Ticket details are in our Rijksmuseum page.

Streets to eat on, within 10 minutes on foot

The Rijksmuseum seen from the south, with the Museumplein

The Spiegelkwartier, just north of the museum (Spiegelstraat, Nieuwe Spiegelstraat and the neighbouring streets): the district of antique dealers and galleries also has small cafés and restaurants that are calmer than those on the square. It is the best choice for a sit-down lunch without the crowds.
Van Baerlestraat, on the other side of the Museumplein, next to the Concertgebouw: cafés, bakeries and restaurants used by local residents, open from the morning until the evening.
P.C. Hooftstraat: the luxury fashion street, with tea rooms and a few smart places. Pleasant for a coffee, rarely cheap.
Utrechtsestraat and Weteringschans, to the east: more choice of world cuisines, about ten minutes on foot.

Eating for less

For a more varied and cheaper meal, walk ten to fifteen minutes east to De Pijp: world-cuisine restaurants, snacks and the Albert Cuyp market, ideal for a bite on the go. Our guide to the De Pijp district details the streets. On a tight budget, a bakery or a supermarket lets you put together a takeaway sandwich, to eat on the lawn of the Museumplein or in the Vondelpark, ten minutes on foot away.

The Vondelpark for an open-air break

At the entrance to the park, cafés and terraces serve drinks, soups and simple dishes in a pleasant setting when the weather is good. The Blauwe Theehuis, a round pavilion in the heart of the park, has a large terrace under the trees: plan on a drink and a slice of cake rather than a proper meal.

Traps to avoid

Kiosks and terraces on the square: a very touristy location, a short menu and quick service rather than good cooking. You often pay for the view.
Fixed-price “tourist” menus advertised on pavement boards: read the details (drink, extras) before sitting down.
Rush hour: between 12 and 2 pm, the cafés in the museums and nearby streets are full. Have lunch at 11:30 am or after 2 pm, or book.
Tipping: service is included in the bill, but rounding up is customary; see our guide to money, payment and tipping.
Card only: many places do not take cash; keep a bank card with you.

How to plan your day

A classic visit to the district: museum in the morning as soon as it opens, lunch in the Spiegelkwartier or on Van Baerlestraat, then a second visit in the afternoon. If you hesitate between two museums, see our comparison Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum. For a walk around the museum, follow the route Around the Rijksmuseum. More meal ideas are in our guide where to eat in Amsterdam.