The Best Budget Vegan Food in Amsterdam: 5 Cheap & Cheerful Finds for Your Weekend Trip
Amsterdam is a city that fully embraces the plant-based revolution, but finding budget vegan food in Amsterdam that’s truly filling and exciting can be tough when you’re on a weekend trip.
We just got back from a whirlwind few days exploring the canals, cycling, and most importantly - eating our way through the city!
Here at Eat plants and travel (www.eatplantsandtravel.com), we believe saving money on delicious meals means more budget for your next ethical find or supporting new, exciting vegan brands.
Based on our recent adventures, here are our five best-recommended spots for finding value, quality, and flavor on a vegan budget in the Dutch capital.
The 5 Best Budget Vegan Eats in Amsterdam
1. SAINT-JEAN Bakery (Breakfast & Snack)
Location Focus: Central/Near Nieuwmarkt
Budget Tier: Fantastic (Most Pastries €2.90 - €5.90)
When you're looking for a quick, affordable, and incredibly high-quality breakfast, SAINT-JEAN is your hero. This 100% plant-based bakery is famous for crafting French-style patisserie that is completely indistinguishable from its dairy counterparts.
Why it’s a budget win: This is gourmet quality at a street-food price point. Fuel up here and save your budget for dinner!
Menu favourites:
Classic Vegan Croissant
Flaky, buttery (vegan butter, of course!), and perfectly baked. An absolute steal at around €2.90.
Pistachio Cruffin
A creative, modern pastry combining a croissant and a muffin, often filled with rich pistachio cream. A delightful splurge at around €4.50.
Cinnamon Bun
A comforting, fragrant classic that provides great value for a filling morning treat.
2. Toastable Nieuwendijk (Lunch)
Location Focus: Central/Nieuwendijk (Perfect for refueling near the shops)
Budget Tier: Excellent (Main Toasts €10.25 - €12.25)
Toastable elevates the humble toasted sandwich (tosti) into a hearty, satisfying, triple-layered meal. They have a brilliant array of plant-based options, making it one of the most reliable cheap eats in Amsterdam for lunch.
Why it’s a budget win: The sandwiches are massive, making them a high-value, high-calorie meal that will keep you going all afternoon.
Menu favourites:
Vegan Fiesta
A triple-decker with Mexican-spiced plant-based mince, Violife cheddar, guacamole, and jalapeños. A full meal for €12.25.
Kimchi Tosti
A unique flavor combination featuring Korean kimchi, Violife cheese, crispy onions, and vegan sriracha mayo. Also €12.25.
Tosti Holy Guacamole
A slightly cheaper option with guacamole, fresh tomato, and cheddar (ask for Violife to ensure vegan status).
3. Vegan Junk Food Bar (VJFB) (Dinner/Treat)
Location Focus: Multiple Locations (Pijp, West, etc.)
Budget Tier: Mid-Range Budget (Mains €15.50 - €17.50)
If you need comfort food, the Vegan Junk Food Bar is a must. While burgers are priced similar to non-vegan counterparts in Amsterdam (€15-€17), you’re guaranteed a fantastic, full-flavored, 100% plant-based meal. It's the perfect spot to find your next favorite vegan brand in the form of their juicy patties and inventive sauces.
Why it’s a budget win: It's a full-experience restaurant where you get delicious, reliable food without the uncertainty of non-vegan establishments, and the portions are generous.
Menu favourites:
Iconic Rainbow Fries
Loaded fries topped with crunchy plant-based "chicken" strips, "bacon" bits, and their signature, colorful rainbow sauces (€15.95).
VJFB™ Cruelty Free Burger
Their classic, with a juicy patty, "cheese," lettuce, pickles, and VJFB™ sauce on a black and pink bun.
Crunchy Mac and Cheeze Betterballs
Vegan croquettes filled with mac and cheese ragout—a great side or affordable shareable (€8.95).
4. Men Impossible
Location Focus: De Jordaan (Central)
Budget Tier: Value Splurge (Ramen ~€18.50 - €21.50)
If you’re looking to support a 100% plant-based business that is pushing the boundaries of traditional Japanese cuisine, make a beeline for Men Impossible. This restaurant is famous for being the world's highest-rated plant-based ramen spot, and its mission is deeply rooted in sustainability.
They specialize in unconventional, broth-less or thick-sauce ramen, and their communal dining setting creates a fun, social experience that elevates a typical dinner out without the heavy price tag of a tasting menu.
Why it’s a value win: You are getting world-class, 100% vegan Japanese food in a cool neighborhood (De Jordaan) for under €22 per main. It’s an unforgettable meal and a shining example of a new, ethical vegan brand worth seeking out on your travels.
Menu favourites:
Amaze Men -Ki Original
Their signature dish. This is a sauce-style ramen (no soup!) with thick, creamy sauce, garlic-flavored oil, and homemade noodles. Incredibly rich and satisfying for €18.50
Spicy Miso Ramen
For traditional ramen lovers, this is served in a creamy miso-based soup with homemade chili oil and topped with Seitan Katsu—a hearty, high-value meal for €21.50.
Plant-Based Takoyaki
Vegan versions of the popular Japanese street food (octopus balls), made with plant-based ingredients for around €10.00—a great shareable appetizer.
5. Van Holland Stroopwafels (Sweet Treat Warning)
Location Focus: Central (Near the main square)
Budget Tier: Handle with Caution! (Plain is affordable, toppings are a splurge)
You cannot visit Amsterdam without trying a freshly made stroopwafel (syrup waffle)! Van Holland Stroopwafels offers a fantastic, hot, gooey vegan option, but here's our Budget Warning:
The Budget Play: A simple, plain vegan stroopwafel right off the griddle is the cheapest way to enjoy this treat.
The Splurge: Opting for the fully loaded, large stroopwafels with multiple toppings (chocolate, Oreo, pistachio) can skyrocket the price to €10-€15 each!
Our Budget Tip: Treat yourself to the basic, warm, fresh vegan stroopwafel for the full experience, but skip the fancy toppings if you’re maximizing your deals and discounts across your weekend. You can always buy cheaper, pre-packaged vegan stroopwafels in the supermarket to take home!
Ready to Eat Plants and Travel?
Maximize Your Vegan Travel Budget!
Saving a few Euros on breakfast at SAINT-JEAN or choosing the affordable lunch at Toastable means more flexibility to discover incredible specialty spots like RAMEN-ISM.
For more guides on finding cheap vegan eats and supporting exciting new vegan brands on your travels, make sure you follow our blog at Eat plants and travel!
