Please welcome Kathy Kelly (gluten-free since 2002) from Staten Island as today's guest blogger. Thanks for sharing, Kathy!
I love Amsterdam! My trip began on a Continental non-stop flight from Newark to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Continental provides gluten-free meals upon request at the time of booking. It was suprisingly good.The meal consisted of a small green salad, sliced chicken over rice with steamed vegetables, fresh grapes, strawberries, and a Jennie's GF Coconut Macaroon. Before landing, I was given cut up fruit and another Jenni's coconut macaroon.
In Amsterdam, the best location to stay is near the Leidseplain. There are many hotels, restaurants, clubs, canal tours, and museums within walking distance.
Upon my arrival at the Amsterdam Marriott, I asked the concierge about gluten-free food and dining. He directed me to the Bio Mart, which is similar to a health food store in the US. There I was able to stock up on gluten-free goods like power bars, gluten-free cereal, Schar brand crackers, cookies and bread; rice cakes, cheese, nuts and tomatoes. The prices are a little high, but worth having food to get me by.
While strolling around I came across Marqt at Overtoom 21-25 and found some great fresh items. The market is open from the middle of May through the fall. Buying locally grown and produced strawberries, apples, pears, mushrooms, cheese and yogurt is a great way to eat healthy and delicious foods at low cost.
After visiting the Rijksmuseum and seeing the Rembrants and many other beautiful paintings, I had lunch nearby at the Wagamama.This restaurant offers a limited gluten-free menu and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The Chicken Itame was delicious! It is a tasty soup loaded with chicken, fresh herbs, sprouts and rice noodles. With a side of grilled asparagus it was very filling.The price with iced tea was under 20 euros.
For fun at a coffee house I recommend the Bulldog, (if it is your first time here) since it is very safe and is like the Houlihans of coffee houses. Amsterdamned is a great club for dancing and having a great time. By just walking around on the Leidesplain you are sure to find a place that suits you, there are many clubs, bars and coffee houses.You may also just want to sit in the plaza and enjoy the craziness.The people are fun loving and friendly. This is a great place to have a good time and I highly recommend it.
Kelly, I love it and hope it helps my GF buddies eat well in Amsterdam.
Wow, I would love to visit Amsterdam. The place looks good plus the fact that the eat health food.
Thanks for sharing…it’s great to know!!! I also write a gluten free travel blog (especially in Italy, where I live) otgp.blogspot.com
Where in Italy? This info was great for Amsterdam. I’ll be traveling there in late June with my husband who is going on business. We were thinking of adding a few days in another country, maybe Italy or Spain.
Thank you for sharing this. I cannot eat gluten and am looking forward to visiting Amsterdam next year. I was afraid that all I’d eat was cheese on my trip. Good work!
Kelly, Thank you so very much for sharing this information. My daughter cannot eat gluten and she is going to compete in The Dutch Softball Tournament for the USA team in July 2011 in Amsterdam/Paris. Do you know any markets in Paris? Thank you so much.
Taking my wife for a trip in a few days. I am the Coeliac and this info is fantastic. Many thanks you have been a great help
Terry
You mention the Bulldog coffee shop but I’ve contacted them to ask if their cakes are GF & they say they aren’t…..did you come across any coffee shops in central Amsterdam that had GF cakes/cookies. Travelling there soon so any info greatly appreciated.