MKZ is a volunteer-run vegan people’s kitchen at Eerste Schinkelstraat 16, 1075 TX Amsterdam, in the Schinkelbuurt on the edge of Oud-Zuid. Rooted in Amsterdam’s squatting-movement tradition, it brings diners together over an affordable three-course plant-based supper, with profits directed to social and grassroots causes. Travelers come for the communal, unpolished atmosphere and a dinner that supports initiatives beyond the dining room.
What to Expect at MKZ
This is not a conventional à la carte restaurant. MKZ works as a people’s kitchen: volunteers cook and host, and the evening centers on a changing vegan three-course set menu rather than individual dish selection. The food is designed to be hearty, affordable and shared in an informal setting, making it a strong choice for diners interested in Amsterdam’s independent cultural life as much as plant-based cooking.
Its social model is central to the experience. The kitchen operates with volunteers and channels surplus to good causes, so dinner has a clear community purpose. MKZ is on the same grounds as anarchist library and bar Bollox and the underground music venue OCCII, giving the address a long-standing connection to alternative culture. Check the monthly agenda on MKZ’s official website if you want to pair supper with an event nearby.
- Three-course vegan supper: A fixed, changing plant-based menu makes the meal a complete evening rather than a quick café stop.
- Volunteer kitchen: Cooking, hosting and the relaxed table service are carried out by volunteers, shaping MKZ’s collective character.
- Social-profit model: Profits support social and grassroots initiatives, adding a direct community dimension to each meal.
- Squatting-movement roots: The restaurant belongs to Amsterdam’s long tradition of self-organized cultural and social spaces.
- OCCII and Bollox setting: Underground music and an anarchist library/bar share the wider site, useful for a late cultural pairing.
MKZ at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Eerste Schinkelstraat 16, 1075 TX Amsterdam |
| Neighborhood / Area | Schinkelbuurt, beside Oud-Zuid and near Vondelpark |
| Operating Hours | Thursday 19:00–01:00; Saturday 19:00–23:00; closed Monday–Wednesday, Friday and Sunday |
| Admission / Price Range | Three-course vegan dinner €5; € price level |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Tram 2 at Koninginneweg; paid on-street parking in the Schinkelbuurt |
| Official Website & Phone | mkz.nl · +31 20 679 0712 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve on the day of your visit by telephone between 14:30 and 18:00; the limited Thursday and Saturday schedule makes advance planning essential. Arrive close to the 19:00 start for the most social version of the experience and to settle in before the meal gets underway. The fixed menu is entirely vegan, but guests with allergies or other dietary needs should explain them when calling rather than assuming substitutions are possible.
Tram 2’s Koninginneweg stop is the practical public-transport approach, with a short walk through the residential streets to Eerste Schinkelstraat. Drivers should expect paid, regulated street parking rather than a dedicated restaurant lot. The venue’s step-free route, lift provision and accessible toilet details are not published; wheelchair users and families using strollers should call before setting out to confirm access at the entrance and within the dining space. Restaurant Blauw is about a two-minute walk away, the Meisje met de parel mural is equally close, and Vondelpark is roughly 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is MKZ open, and what is the best time to arrive?
MKZ opens on Thursday from 19:00 to 01:00 and Saturday from 19:00 to 23:00. Plan to arrive around 19:00, after securing your same-day reservation by phone, for the fullest communal dinner experience.
How much does dinner at MKZ cost, and do I need a reservation?
The three-course vegan meal costs €5, placing MKZ firmly in Amsterdam’s budget dining category. Reservations are made by calling +31 20 679 0712 on the day itself between 14:30 and 18:00.
How long should I allow for a meal at MKZ?
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the set-menu supper and the leisurely volunteer-run service. Add time if you plan to visit OCCII or Bollox on the same grounds afterward.
Is MKZ suitable for families, vegan diners and wheelchair users?
The meal is fully vegan and the casual community atmosphere can suit older children who are comfortable with a shared evening dining format. Confirm allergy handling and wheelchair or stroller access by phone before booking, as accessibility facilities and menu substitutions should be arranged directly with the team.
When planning your Amsterdam travel guide or browsing verified vegan restaurant in Amsterdam, pair this stop with standout local spots including Carousel Casino Arcade Slothunter, Bikeisready Bike Rental Amsterdam, Bar Lunar Karaoke & Private Rooms Amsterdam Guide, and Muurschildering Meisje met de parel (nearby).
