Eating and Drinking at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)

Schiphol offers one of the most diverse culinary selections in Europe, but in 2026, quality, hygiene, and service are a roll of the dice. Between exorbitant prices and often apathetic staff, choosing where to eat requires a strategy. This guide will help you find the hidden gems and avoid the traps that could leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Quick Answers for Hungry Travelers at Schiphol

  • Are there 24-hour options? Yes, you'll find places like Amsterdam Bread Company, Park Café, and several Grab&Fly locations open all day, though the freshness of products in the early morning is questionable.
  • Where can I get a good coffee? For quality coffee, users recommend Urban Beans. Avoid STACH if you're particular about flavor.
  • Are there reliable vegetarian options? Yes, VIT and Leon are the safest bets for fresh salads and vegetarian dishes.
  • A place for a relaxed dinner? Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar is by far the top-rated option by frequent flyers for a quality meal before a long flight.
food Schiphol airport

Photo by Alexander Mils - Unsplash

Critical Points: Gastronomic Survival Guide

1. Health Alert: The Presence of Rodents

User Experience: This is the most alarming and recurring complaint of 2025-2026. Mice have been spotted in the seating and kitchen areas of Park Café, STACH, and Amsterdam Bread Company. Staff often respond with indifference, claiming "it's normal."

Strategy: Always opt for pre-packaged and sealed products. Check your table and the floor before sitting down. If you notice poor hygiene, it's safer to take your food to one of the general waiting areas of the airport.

2. The "Fresh" Food Risk: Stale Bread and Raw Meats

User Experience: Places like La Place and Amsterdam Bread Co. are criticized for selling sandwiches with hard or dry bread. Additionally, a serious case of food poisoning has been linked to a carpaccio sandwich.

Strategy: Avoid raw meat and fish from self-service displays. Before paying for a sandwich, ask if they can make you a fresh one instead of taking a pre-made one. If it looks like it's been sitting out for a long time, don't buy it.

3. The "Statiegeld" (Container Deposit) Scam

User Experience: Many establishments will charge you the legal €0.15 deposit for cans and bottles, but when you try to return the empty container at the same counter, they refuse to refund your money, citing issues with the cash register.

Strategy: Don't try to get your deposit back at the cafés. Look for the automated bottle return machines (similar to those in supermarkets) located in some areas of Schiphol Plaza.

User Experiences and Comparisons

Fast and Cheap

  • McDonald's (Lounges 2 & 3): User Experience: A predictable option to get by, but many travelers complain about long lines, dirty tables, and frequent errors in their orders, especially during peak hours.
  • FEBO (Schiphol Plaza): User Experience: Praised for its automated system that eliminates waiting. It's the perfect solution if you're in a hurry, although the quality of the croquettes and burgers is basic.
  • Grab&Fly (Piers): User Experience: Convenient for being open 24 hours in some sections, but criticized for the rude and uninterested attitude of its staff. Ideal only if you urgently need a cold drink or a packaged snack before boarding.

Healthy and Vegetarian

  • VIT (Lounge 3): User Experience: Consistently recommended for the freshness of its salads, wraps, and juices. The vegan options are clear and tasty.
  • Leon (Schiphol Plaza & Lounge 1): User Experience: Offers "naturally fast food," but several customers find it expensive for the portion sizes.
  • STACH (Schiphol Plaza & Lounge 4): User Experience: Famous for its very poor quality coffee ("boiled dirt"), but its bakery and pastry products do receive good reviews. A place for a sweet treat, not for a coffee.

Full and Relaxed Dining

  • Dutch Kitchen (Holland Boulevard): User Experience: A good place to try local cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere. It's expensive, but a solid option if you want to sit down for a proper meal.
  • Bubbles Seafood & Wine (Lounge 2): User Experience: Considered the best restaurant at the airport by frequent flyers. Ideal for treating yourself to oysters, salmon, or a good glass of wine before a long flight. The service is professional but can be slow.
  • Frames (Lounge 2): User Experience: A bar with a decent menu. It's a good option if you have time to spare, but not if you're in a hurry, as service can take quite a while.

Cafés and Snacks

  • Starbucks (multiple locations): User Experience: The predictable choice. Convenient for working and charging devices, but often suffers from long queues and unclean tables.
  • Urban Beans (Schiphol Plaza & Departures): User Experience: Consistently praised as one of the best coffees at Schiphol. The staff is usually friendly and the coffee is of good quality.
  • Douwe Egberts Coffee Bar (Lounge 3): User Experience: A popular Dutch brand. Offers strong coffee and good pastry combos, ideal for a quick breakfast.

Full List by Location

Note: Hours and availability may vary.

Before Security

Bánh Mì - Schiphol Plaza (7:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
Burger King - Schiphol Plaza (24 hours)
Café Rembrandt - Schiphol Plaza (Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sat-Sun 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
Crossroads - Schiphol Plaza (7:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
De Koffiesalon - Schiphol Plaza (6:00 AM - 9:00 PM), Arrivals 1 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Douwe Egberts Coffee Bar - Departures 3 (24 hours)
FEBO - Schiphol Plaza (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
Grand Café Plaza - Schiphol Plaza (24 hours)
Hello Goodbye Bar - Arrivals 1 (7:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
HEMA Food - Schiphol Plaza (6:30 AM - 10:00 PM)
Het Koekemannetje - Schiphol Plaza (7:00 AM - 11:00 PM)
La Place - Schiphol Plaza (7:00 AM - 12:00 AM)
La Place Express - Schiphol Plaza (24 hours)
LEON - Schiphol Plaza (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Panorama Restaurant - Terrace (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
Per Tutti! - Schiphol Plaza (8:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
Poké Perfect - Schiphol Plaza (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
STACH - Schiphol Plaza (7:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
Starbucks - Schiphol Plaza (24 hours), Arrivals 1 (7:30 AM - 9:30 PM), Arrivals 4 (7:00 AM - 9:30 PM)
Urban Beans - Arrivals 3 (7:00 AM - 3:00 PM), Departures 1 (7:00 AM - 2:00 PM), Departures 3 (7:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
Wingstop - Schiphol Plaza (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM)

After Security

Amsterdam Bread Company - Lounge 2 (24 hours)
Bread! - Lounge 3 (24 hours)
Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar - Lounge 2 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Burger King - Lounge 1 (2:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Café Comunal - Pier C (6:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Café Flor - Pier D (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Dammer's Tap - Pier B (6:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
De Koffiesalon - Lounge 1 (4:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Dutch Kitchen, Bar & Cocktails - Holland Boulevard (6:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
East Bar & Bites - Lounge 3 (9:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Eataly - Lounge 1 (4:00 AM - 9:30 PM)
Frames - Lounge 2 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Grab&Fly - Pier B (6:30 AM - 9:00 PM), Pier C (3:00 AM - 9:00 PM), Pier D (24 hours), Piers E/F/G/H (6:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
Harvest Market - Pier D (24 hours)
Heineken Bar - Lounge 2 (6:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
Joe & The Juice - Lounge 3 (6:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Kebaya - Holland Boulevard / Lounge 2 (7:00 AM - 9:30 PM)
Kiosko Comunal - Pier C (5:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
Kiosk B29 / D27 - Piers B/D (6:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
La Place - Lounge 1 (2:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
LEON - Lounge 1 (12:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Light Lounge Café - Lounge 4 (5:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Loaf - Lounge 1 (24 hours)
McDonald’s - Lounge 2 / Lounge 3 (5:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
Moods Eatery & Bar - Pier F (7:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
Murphy's Irish Pub - Pier D (6:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
Olea - Pier E (6:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
Pana Eatery & Bar - Pier G (6:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
Park Café - Lounge 1 (24 hours)
Salon - Lounge 1 (6:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
Silverscreen Bar - Pier E (6:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
STACH - Lounge 3 / Lounge 4 (5:00 AM - 9:30 PM)
Starbucks - Lounges 1, 2, 3, Pier D (6:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Street Food Market - Lounge 2 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Sushi & Noodles - Lounge 2 (9:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
The Upper Floor Bar - Lounge 1 (2:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
The Wanderer - Lounge 1 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Two Tigers - Lounge 1 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Urban Beans - Piers D and E, Lounge M (5:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
Urban Food Market - Lounge 4 (5:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
VIT - Lounge 3 (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)

Information on Flyschiphol.com is based on external sources/experiences for traveler assistance; it may change and should be verified. This is NOT the official website of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and is not sponsored, endorsed, associated or affiliated with the Official Authority in charge of managing and operating the airport.