De Hallen: From Foodie Fun To A Shopping Delight In Amsterdam
Headed into Amsterdam from Haarlem for a little adventure on the weekend, we set our sights on Foodhallen to get our party started. With a number of picky eaters in the group, we decided a hall with various food stalls would start us off on the right foot… and it did.
What we didn’t count on though, was all of the other fun “hallens” in the building. Why does everyone always talk about Foodhallen and neglect mentioning the awesome design market, filmhallen, and other fun spaces? We had no idea there was so much to see there and rather than moving on to a nearby park, we ended up staying at De Hallen for a few hours. A kid-friendly thing to do in Amsterdam, creative, and fun for adults too? We’re in.
Looking for a cool place to hang out in Amsterdam this weekend? Check out De Hallen.
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Basic Info
Address: Hannie Dankbaarpassage 47, 1053RT, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00am ~ 1:00am*
- While the space is open to walk through, the shops and food stalls have their own individual hours. The shops are mainly open from 12:00pm to 6:00pm most days while Foodhallen is open from 11:00am to midnight, or 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Website: https://dehallen-amsterdam.nl/
What is De Hallen?
Formerly a tram depot, the building was erected between 1901 and 1905 and was used by the Amsterdam Municipal Transport Company up until 1996. After it was closed down, squatters moved in and eventually it was decided the huge space in Amsterdam-west would be reinterpreted into a cultural center.
Today, the building holds seven halls which house a library, theater, cinema, food stalls, and craft center that jut off of a central passage which runs between Tollenstraat and Ten Katestraat.
What To Look For Inside
You can visit 365 days a year and find food, fun, and if you’re paying attention, special events. We visited on a Sunday to enjoy a great market day with local entrepreneurs and creators. Visit on other days and you’ll find swap and recycle festivals and events, exhibitions for children, concerts, and so much more. You’ll want to check out their website linked above to know what’s happening.
The Foodhallen
Inspired by indoor food markets in other major cities like Copenhagen, Madrid, and London, step into this bustling hall to find food stalls lining the walls, high-top and low-top tables, and a bar in the middle. It’s great for both lunch or dinner if you’re in the Amsterdam-west area.
There’s everything from sushi and dim sum to pizza and tacos. Suffice to say, there’s absolutely something for everyone. When you first enter, make a loop around the entire space to see what all of the options are.
Also, in the back are bathrooms which you don’t have to pay to use, which in our experience in the Netherlands is pretty huge. Take advantage while you’re there.
The Filmhallen & Library
De Filmhallen has nine screens and is one of the larger theaters in Amsterdam. They play Hollywood hits, documentaries, and award-winning international films as well. They also host film festivals so check out what’s playing before you go.
Another big space houses a public library and cafe. When we arrived, they were also hosting an orchestral concert. Step in and see what’s going on. In the BookStart corner, they have readings for young children on Wednesdays, too.
Art & Style
After we ate, we headed out to check out the vibrant market that was taking place in the main thoroughfare. The kids made their own bracelet, while we perused the goods made by local artists and entrepreneurs.
Even if the market isn’t happening, there’s Denim City, an awesome denim shop that brings together professionals and innovative ideas to create a world of jeans. There’s an antique shop, and clothing stores, too.
The Maker Store was one of my favorite spots in the place. Similar to some of my favorite shops in Seoul, Korea, walk around the shop that houses cool souvenirs and unique products designed and created by local and independent makers.
If you want high-quality art, stop into Beeldend Gesproken. They hold art from professional artists with a psychiatric background and everything we saw in their collection was very appealing. Be mindful of your kids inside, but enjoy all of the beautiful pieces if you can.
If you’re looking for a culture space with history, cool architecture, and fun, definitely check out De Hallen in Amsterdam. We will definitely head back to see what fun events they’re hosting.
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