Amsterdam is a city that embraces the world's cuisines, and the Brazilian food scene here is more vibrant than many visitors expect. With a growing Brazilian expat community and Dutch diners increasingly curious about South American flavors, a handful of excellent Brazilian restaurants have established themselves across the city.
What to Expect
Churrascarias offer the classic all-you-can-eat meat experience, where servers circulate with skewers of grilled meats until you flip your card from green to red. Casual cantinas serve weekday favorites like rice and beans, Feijoada on Saturdays, and pastéis for lunch. Brazilian café-bakeries (padarias) offer Pão de Queijo, Coxinhas, and fresh açaí bowls.
When to Go for Feijoada
Like in Brazil, Saturday is Feijoada day in Amsterdam's Brazilian restaurants. Most establishments that serve it only do so on Saturdays, so plan accordingly. Arrive early — tables fill up fast.
What to Order
- Picanha — always order this if it's on the menu
- Pão de Queijo — as a starter or side
- Caipirinha — insist on real cachaça, not rum
- Açaí bowl — particularly excellent for lunch
Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Dress comfortably for churrasco — rodízio involves a lot of eating.
- Ask about the prato feito (daily plate) for excellent value lunches.
- Check for Carnaval and Festa Junina events with live music and special menus.