Restaurants near Leidseplein let you eat before a concert or theatre visit without crossing Amsterdam between dinner and the show. Choose Bojo for Indonesian food, De Blauwe Hollander for Dutch dishes, or Morlang and Little Bonfire for a table beside the canal belt. These six options are on the square or a short walk away.
Bojo for Indonesian food
Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 49. Bojo serves Indonesian dishes and has vegan options. The location makes it easy to combine dinner with nearby bars, Paradiso or Melkweg.
It opens daily from 16:00 to 23:00, making an early dinner possible before a performance. For a meal after a show, work backwards from its finishing time: a late restaurant closing time does not guarantee a full dinner whenever you arrive.
See Bojo’s menu and reservations.
De Blauwe Hollander for Dutch cooking
Leidsekruisstraat 28. The menu includes stamppot, pea soup and herring. Stamppot is mashed potato mixed with vegetables, often served with meat or sausage; vegetarian versions are also available here.
Stamppot dishes currently start at around €19, with most meat and fish mains higher on the menu. It opens daily at noon, so it also works for lunch. Prices are in euros, as elsewhere in Amsterdam.
See De Blauwe Hollander’s menu.
Morlang for steak beside the canal
Keizersgracht 451. Morlang sits at the corner of Leidsestraat. Its steak options come with fries and a sauce, with flat iron starting at €26. There are also vegetarian and vegan choices.
Dinner starts at 17:00. The canal-side terrace is seasonal, operating from spring through September, so choose an indoor table for a winter evening. This is a useful stop if you want to move a little beyond the square while remaining in walking distance of its theatres.
Little Bonfire for lunch or a longer dinner
Keizersgracht 449. Next door, Little Bonfire serves lunch and dinner with grilled dishes, wine and cocktails. There is a fireplace indoors and a summer terrace.
It opens at noon every day and accepts card payments only. This address previously housed The Avocado Show; look for Little Bonfire when making a reservation for the current restaurant.
See Little Bonfire’s menu and booking options.
De Balie before a film or evening programme
Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10. You can eat at De Balie without holding a ticket for its films or discussions. Lunch runs from 11:00 to 16:00 and dinner from 17:00 to 20:00.
That makes it primarily a pre-show dinner option. The café stays open beyond dinner service, so distinguish the kitchen hours from the venue’s closing time.
See De Balie’s café-restaurant.
Café Americain for its Art Deco dining room
Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American, Leidsekade 97. Café Americain serves breakfast, all-day meals and afternoon tea in the American Hotel. The Art Deco dining room is a reason to book an indoor table.
Bar Americain is a separate cocktail and snack venue in the same hotel. For a sit-down meal, look for Café Americain. Its position by the square keeps the walk to nearby theatres short.
A quick snack if you are short on time
If you have little time before doors open, a full restaurant meal may be impractical. Leidsestraat also has snack stops such as FEBO, where small heated compartments hold individual snacks. Leave time to walk to your venue and get through its entrance.
Allow time before your performance
Around 90 minutes at the table is a useful planning allowance for two courses, plus walking and entry time. For concerts, plan around the door time rather than just the advertised start. Our Paradiso visitor guide covers tickets, bags and arrival.
For drinks afterwards, choose one of these cafés near Leidseplein, or try the student-bar atmosphere at Café de Gieter. Our Leidseplein nightlife guide covers clubs and party bars.