How to choose an Indian restaurant in Amsterdam
Start with what you actually want: North Indian curry-house comfort, South Indian vegetarian cooking with dosa and idli, or a fast-casual counter for a quick lunch. The 25 listings in this directory cover all three, spread across the city and out to Amstelveen and Diemen, so filter by area before you filter by menu.
Delivery matters here more than in most cities, since a lot of Indian dining in Amsterdam happens through Thuisbezorgd, Uber Eats or Deliveroo rather than at a table. Check whether a place takes orders directly through its own site first, since that's usually the cheaper route for the same food.
Spice level is worth confirming before you order, not after. Dutch menus tend to default milder than the dish would be served in India, so ask the kitchen to adjust rather than assume the printed description is accurate.
Questions people ask
Where in Amsterdam has the most Indian restaurants?
The Eastern Canal District, particularly around Leidseplein and the Lange Leidsedwarsstraat, has the highest concentration of Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan restaurants in the city. Outside the center, this directory also lists options in Amstelveen and Diemen for anyone who doesn't want to travel into town.
Do Indian restaurants in Amsterdam deliver?
Many do, through Thuisbezorgd, Uber Eats or Deliveroo, and some also take orders straight from their own website or by phone. Ordering direct is often cheaper than going through a delivery platform, since the restaurant isn't paying a commission on that order.
Can I get vegetarian or vegan Indian food easily in Amsterdam?
Yes. Indian cuisine has a long vegetarian tradition, and dishes like chana masala, aloo gobi and dal are naturally vegan or close to it. If you need a fully vegan meal, ask the kitchen directly, since ghee (clarified butter) is common in North Indian cooking even in otherwise plant-based dishes.
Is South Indian food different from what most Amsterdam menus offer?
Most Indian restaurants in the city lean North Indian, built around curries, tandoori grilling and naan. South Indian cooking, with dosa, idli and a wider range of vegetarian dishes, is served at fewer places, so check a listing's menu before assuming it's on offer.
How do I book a table at a popular Indian restaurant here?
Busier spots near Leidseplein fill up on weekend evenings, so booking ahead by phone or through the restaurant's own site is worth doing rather than turning up and hoping. If your first choice is full, a nearby alternative in the same area is usually a short walk away given how clustered the scene is there.
Should I try Nepalese or Tibetan food while I'm looking at Indian restaurants?
Several restaurants in this part of Amsterdam serve Nepalese and Tibetan dishes alongside Indian ones, including momo dumplings and dal bhat, so it's worth checking a listing's cuisine tags rather than assuming a menu is purely Indian. If you're also curious about other cuisines nearby, Surinamese food shares some of the same spice traditions through Amsterdam's own colonial-era food history, and our guide to Indian food in Amsterdam covers the wider picture beyond this directory's listings.