De Waaghals is a vegetarian restaurant at Frans Halsstraat 29, 1072 BK, in Amsterdam’s De Pijp neighborhood, Netherlands. Founded in 1981, it draws travelers for vegetable-led cooking, seasonal surprise menus, and organic wines rather than a conventional starter-and-main dinner. Its longstanding identity makes it an appealing choice for visitors who want a dedicated vegetarian restaurant, not simply a meat-free option on a broader menu.
What to Expect at De Waaghals
The signature experience is a three- or four-course surprise menu. Instead of selecting individual dishes in advance, you put the progression in the kitchen’s hands. The menu is plant-based apart from the cheese platter, an important distinction for vegan diners. Seasonal ingredients shape the cooking, so treat photographs of previous dishes as examples of the restaurant’s approach rather than promises of what will arrive.
Eva and Martijn took over in 2017, continuing the restaurant’s vegetable-focused direction. The wine selection includes organic, biodynamic, and natural bottles. Expect a relaxed dinner setting rather than a quick-service format: this is a place to settle into successive courses and conversation. Ask about wine choices alongside the menu, and make dietary restrictions part of your reservation rather than waiting until the first course.
- Established address: Vegetarian cooking in De Pijp since 1981.
- Surprise format: Choose a three- or four-course dinner.
- Vegan-friendly menu: Plant-based cooking, with a separate cheese-platter exception.
- Wine selection: Organic, biodynamic, and natural options.
- Unhurried evening: Allow around two and a half hours rather than scheduling a quick meal.
De Waaghals at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Frans Halsstraat 29, 1072 BK Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Neighborhood / Area | De Pijp, Amsterdam-Zuid |
| Operating Hours | Listed hours: Sunday–Thursday, 5–11:30 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 5 p.m.–midnight. Confirm your dinner slot when reserving; closing time is not necessarily the last seating. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No sightseeing admission ticket; dinner and drinks are charged separately. Check the official website for current menu prices. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | Approximately 2–2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Plan your route to De Pijp or Marie Heinekenplein; verify current services and any parking arrangements before departure. |
| Official Website / Phone | De Waaghals official website; +31 20 679 9609 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve a table rather than treating dinner as a ticketed attraction. Use the online reservation service, or enter through the official website if the booking page changes. An early available seating is the practical choice before another evening commitment, but leave a generous buffer for the full meal. Explain allergies, vegan requirements, and any ingredients you cannot eat before booking: a surprise menu makes advance communication particularly useful. Check the final reservation confirmation for your arrival time, cancellation conditions, and any requested deposit.
For public transport, use a live journey planner with the restaurant’s exact street address rather than relying on an old tram-line number. If driving, arrange parking before setting out instead of assuming a space outside. Build in time for a neighborhood walk, with Albert Cuypmarkt, the Heineken Experience, and Sarphatipark as possible nearby pairings; check individual opening hours before planning an interior visit. For wheelchair users or families with strollers, call about the entrance threshold, doorway clearance, table space, and toilet access. Establish whether a stroller can remain beside your table and whether assistance would be needed at the entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is De Waaghals open, and when should I arrive?
Listed opening hours begin at 5 p.m. daily, with closing at 11:30 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and midnight Friday–Saturday. Reserve a specific dinner time; do not interpret the closing hour as permission to arrive shortly beforehand for a full menu.
Do I need tickets, and how much does dinner cost?
You need a restaurant reservation, not an admission ticket. Food and drinks are payable separately from any booking arrangements. Consult the official website for current menu prices, and check whether supplements, wine, or other drinks are included before ordering.
How much time should I budget?
Allow approximately two to two and a half hours. That gives the meal room to unfold without rushing between courses. If you have a concert, train, or other fixed departure afterward, tell the restaurant your deadline when making the reservation.
Is it suitable for children and wheelchair users?
Discuss both needs directly before reserving. For children, ask about smaller portions, high chairs, and the suitability of a surprise-menu dinner. Wheelchair users should request specific information about step-free entry and accessible toilets; do not assume that a table reservation confirms suitable access.
When planning your Amsterdam travel guide or browsing verified vegetarian restaurant in Amsterdam, pair this stop with standout local spots including MOON, Soho House, Best Bench in Town, and Post Modern Collection (0.1 km away).
