After a very satisfying end to our second day in Amsterdam, we decided to check out some museums the next day.
However, we made a detour before that to pay a visit to the Albert Cuyp Street Market, the largest street market in the Netherlands.
We walked along the whole street and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was lively and fun and there were plenty of things to look at. Florists with their floral displays such as these were commonplace and really brightened up the market.
Of course the Dutch would have a lot of cheese to offer as well. There was a huge variety of cheese in the market, all of which were very tempting.
Many stalls offered nuts and snacks as well. Self control is a must here, otherwise we would have bought more than we could handle. Also, food was not the market’s only offering. This large market had all kinds of things ranging from fresh fruit to fish and clothing and other accessories.
We also noticed a Dutch Stroopwafel stall and could not pass up the opportunity to have a freshly prepared Stroopwafel, so we got ourselves a king-sized one for €1.50. The gentleman who prepared the waffle for us was very friendly and charming!
It was absolutely delicious as it was still warm and soft on the inside. Also ideal for sharing due to its size. Definitely a must-try for those in the market. The market was listed as a major tourist attraction and it is clear why. Those in Amsterdam should stop by for a great experience. Do visit the market’s website for more information as well.
Having done that, it was time for lunch. We had decided on a Surinamese restaurant called Albina in the area thanks to a recommendation from our tour guide the previous day. We were very interested to try the food as it was something totally new to us.
The interior of the restaurant was simple. It was basic, but very clean and it was comfortable to be in. From the number of locals patronising the restaurant, we were confident that it would not disappoint.
To start off, we had the Bara (Hindu Bread) for €1.20. The bread had some obvious Indian influences as it was made using a good number of spices. It was light and soft in texture and not too floury at all. We enjoyed this very much.
For our main, we had the Roti Chicken Drumsticks for €5.50. For that price, we got quite a big portion of chicken curry, potatoes, egg and vegetables served with a pancake on top. The curry was very well done, much to our surprise. It was a strong curry which was not spicy, yet very flavourful. The pancake/roti on top was flaky and excellent with the curry. It was definitely a very enjoyable meal for a cheap price.
We were glad that we were able to try a new type of cuisine while in Amsterdam. It is admirable how the Dutch have embraced the cuisine from its previous colonies. Stay tuned for some authentic Dutch cuisine coming up in the next update!
Restaurant Information
Albert Cuypstraat 69
1072 Amsterdam
Netherlands.
Tel: 020 – 6755135
