10 family-friendly restaurants in Amsterdam • FlipFlopGlobetrotters.com
Are you taking a family trip to Amsterdam? Traveling with kids and finding a nice place to sit down for some food and drinks can be a challenge. Therefore, it’s easiest if you locate the best family-friendly restaurants and cafes before you set out. Sometimes all you need is a quick coffee from a café, while other times you may want to take some time and have a bite to eat. Every large city has some kid-friendly restaurants, right? But you definitely need a local to give you some tips. So, let us help you find the best child-friendly restaurants in Amsterdam!
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Family-friendly restaurants in Amsterdam
Despite the negative image of Amsterdam, it actually is a very child-friendly city. You’ll be surprised by the number of family activities in Amsterdam. There really is a lot to do, such as visiting attractions and museums, going on day trips, checking out Amsterdam’s lovely green parks and playgrounds, and more. No need to worry if you are heading to Amsterdam with kids!
There are a lot of great places to eat in Amsterdam, and of course kid-friendly Amsterdam also has some wonderful family restaurants. A hunt for the best pancakes in Amsterdam is definitely one of the more fun and tasty things to do in Amsterdam with kids. With plenty of family-friendly restaurants in Amsterdam bringing your children along for a coffee or meal will be a breeze. Now, let’s check out the top 10 family-friendly restaurants in Amsterdam!
Blender
- Location: Ruysdaelstraat 9-11-13, 1071 WX AMSTERDAM
- Website: Facebook.com/blenderamsterdamkidscafe/
Blender has to be on the list of fun places to eat in Amsterdam. It’s a restaurant created with parents and children in mind. This kids’ concept store has two locations in De Pijp and in Oud-Zuid with plenty of space to run around and a plethora of exciting activities. The best part about this restaurant is the huge play area available for children all day every day!
There is also a large kids menu with various healthy options to please even the pickiest of eaters. After you eat take a look around the concept store for some great children’s furniture, clothing, and toys all from local Amsterdam brands.
Groot Melkhuis
- Location: Vondelpark 2, 1071AA Amsterdam
- Website: https://www.grootmelkhuis.nl/en/
When the weather is nice, this definitely is the place to take your kids. Located in the Vondelpark, this kid-friendly self service restaurant is set in a lovely green environment. Many Amsterdam locals remember this place from their own childhood.
What makes this such a great kid-friendly restaurant? It has a huge outside children’s playground! The playground surrounded by a fence, so a safe place to let your kids run and play. For the littlest, they have a sandpit and baby swings. There are a lot of other fun play structures. Kids can play for free and for a few electronic play devices you pay a few Eurocents. During the weekends, if the weather permits, there’s also a bouncing castle. On Wednesday afternoons kids age 4+ can visit the Kids Art Club and draw or paint to their heart’s delight.
The menu at Groot Melkhuis very family-friendly, ranging from lovely sandwiches and vegetarian quiche to pancakes, hamburgers and even poffertjes (Dutch mini-pancakes, a must-try!). Don’t worry if your kids are picky eaters, Groot Melkhuis also serves warm snacks like french fries and chicken nuggets.
MOAK Pancakes
- Location: Jodenbreestraat 144, 1011 NS Amsterdam
- Website: https://www.moakpancakes.nl/
Every kid loves pancakes, and this just so happens to be MOAK’s specialty! There are two locations – in Amsterdam West and Amsterdam center – that serve very tasty American style pancakes. Even the interior of MOAK is great, it is very spacious and easy on the eyes.
The menu includes both sweet and savory options. If your child is picky or wants something different there is a customizable child pancake option!
Note: Moak serves American pancakes. If you’re looking for the thin Dutch pancakes try Pancakes Amsterdam. It’s not a particularly family-friendly restaurant in the sense that it has a play area, but they serve pancakes so kids will love it anyway ?
Café Belcampo
- Location: Hannie Dankbaarpassage 10
- Website: http://cafebelcampo.nl/
Kids are very welcome at Café Belcampo. It is a reading café located in De Hallen, next to one of the locations of the Amsterdam Public Library. The café and building are very spacious and easy to access with a stroller.
The best aspect of this café is its location and connection to the library, which has a large area filled with tables and books for children. The play corner is always available for children to either read in or play with the toys. Also, bringing in a small bike or scooter is permitted in this café so children can ride around the depot if they’d like.
Their menu is very kid-friendly with options such as smoothies, sandwiches and fruit salads and they offer a family brunch on Sundays.
MiniMarkt
- Location: Beethovenstraat 5A, 1077 HK Amsterdam
- Website: http://www.minimarkt-store.com/
Minimarkt is an all in one stop for everything you and your children need. It is a concept store, café, playroom, and kids’ hair salon all under one roof. The store portion of Minimarkt offers super cute clothing options from brands like Mini Rodini, Bobo Choses, Emile et Ida and Soft gallery. It also offers trendy interior décor items. There is a small corner for babies and an entertainment play corner for children.
Minimarkt welcomes families by supplying free WIFI and serving delicious homemade cakes, homemade treats and organic salads to eat while your children play. For children, they offer fruit, sandwiches, gingerbread, and kids can even decorate their own cupcakes!
Vandaag
- Location: Europaboulevard 1
- Website: https://restaurantvandaag.nl/
If you are searching for a family restaurant in Amsterdam that is enjoyable for both you and your children, then this is the place for you! Vandaag is a moderately high-end buffet in Amsterdam that offers great options for both adults and kids. There is a large kids’ play area that has a ball pit and a table made for crafts. Although the playroom is visible from the dining area, there is also someone in the playroom to look after the children.
This is a great option for families who wish to dine with friends or enjoy a nice meal while their kids can entertain themselves. Mind you, this restaurant gets very busy on the weekends.
Wijs West
- Location: Bilderdijkstraat 62, 1053 KV Amsterdam
- Website: https://wijswest.nl/
Wijs West is an excellent café / restaurant to eat with your kids. The café area is spacious and there’s a large play area for children to entertain themselves. The play area includes a play kitchen, a dollhouse, a chalkboard, toys and a ton of other fun activities!
The menu here is healthy and organic, providing only the best options for you and your kids. They also offer sugar-free desserts, so your child can have the dessert experience without the sugar high.
Pllek
- Location: T.T. Neveritaweg 59, 1033 WB
- Website: https://pllek.nl/
Pllek is located in Amsterdam North and requires a free ferry ride to get to. The ferry ride is quick but adds a bit of adventure to the journey that children will love. The restaurant faces the IJ River and there is seating inside and outside. Every Sunday Pllek hosts a creative children’s program where they offer free activities to children from 13:00 – 17:00. Activities include acting in plays, yoga classes, painting, and crafts.
If you go here any other day of the week children are still welcome. There is tons of room to run around and many parents bring sand toys for the children to play with the pebble stones that cover the ground outside.
The menu has great options for children as well as adults, making it one of the most family-friendly restaurants in Amsterdam for all members of the family.
One note: on really warm sunny days Pllek gets packed! Therefore, it is probably best to avoid this type of day.
Kinderkookcafe
- Location:Vondelpark 6B, 1071 AA Amsterdam
- Website: http://www.kinderkookkafe.nl/
How much fun is it for kids to cook for themselves? The Kinderkookcafe (Kids cooking cafe) gives them this opportunity. Every day from 10:00 to 17:00 (16:00 on Saturdays) kids age 1-6 (or slightly older) can make their own cakes, cookies or pizzas at the ‘help yourself bar’. Bright pictures explain which ingredients and kitchen equipment they need to collect to make it. Of course you’re free to taste your child’s culinary creation, but the Kinderkookcafe also serves sandwiches, tostis and soup.
On Saturdays kids age 8-12 years can cook a proper 3-course dinner and serve it to their guests (at least 2 per little chef). In a group of 6-10 kids, guided by adult helpers, they prepare dinner and then serve as waiters and barkeepers during dinner. The kids eat all together with the helpers.
De Kleine Parade
- Location: 144, Gerard Doustraat 142, Amsterdam
- Website: http://dekleineparade.com/
De Kleine Parade is located in the Albert Cuypmarkt and is a great breakfast and lunch café for families. There is a play area that has a train table, a play kitchen and other toys to keep your children busy. This the perfect restaurant if your children like to run away because the play area is gated off. The café is also stroller friendly, with no stairs and wide spaces to move.
De Kleine Parade also has a shop for you to look at full of children’s toys, clothes and more!
Guest post by Samantha Karen. Samantha is the founder of the travel bog Sam Sees World . She is a millennial traveler on a mission to seek the new and unknown so she can document her experiences and inspire others to travel this wondrous world. Follow Sam on Pinterest or Instagram
