Food Court Amsterdam City South: A Baffling Experience
When I think of food courts, I imagine bustling spaces with a variety of cuisines to choose from, open seating areas, and a casual, communal dining vibe. However, the Food Court Amsterdam City South turned out to be something entirely different—and not in the way I hoped.
Instead of a vibrant, cohesive food court, this location consisted of three small restaurants, each housed in separate, closed-off rooms. It felt less like a food court and more like three unrelated eateries thrown together under one roof. This setup immediately felt disjointed, and unfortunately, the experience didn’t improve from there.
A Confusing Start
Our first encounter was with one of the restaurants, where the staff member greeted us with an odd question: “Are you going to eat meat or dairy?” No context, no explanation—just that abrupt query. When we responded, “Meat?” she told us to exit the restaurant and head into another one.
It was a strange interaction, leaving us confused and wondering why this wasn’t communicated more clearly. Nevertheless, we decided to follow her instructions and headed to the designated spot for meat lovers.
Restaurant #1: Sandwich Shop Sal Meijer
After walking through a dark part of a restaurant or terrace and another door, we finally arrived at Sandwich Shop Sal Meijer, one of the restaurants within the food court. Their menu featured a long list of both cold and warm sandwiches, and we were eager to try what they had to offer.
First Sandwich: Smoked veal
Our first choice was a smoked veal sandwich, which turned out to be a major disappointment. It was served on an old, almost rusk-like piece of bread that was incredibly dry. The mustard sauce added little to the flavor, and the sandwich as a whole tasted like… well, nothing. It lacked texture, seasoning, and appeal, leaving us regretting the choice.
Second Sandwich: Entrecote on Turkish Bread
Our second pick was a sandwich served on Turkish bread, and thankfully, it was an improvement. The bread was fresher and far better than the dry option from the first sandwich. The filling consisted of thinly sliced entrecote, pesto, and some salad. While the flavors were decent, it wasn’t extraordinary.
However, the price tag of €19.90 was unjustifiable. In Amsterdam, I’m used to paying between €10 and €15 for a good-quality sandwich, and I’m happy to spend more when the food is worth it. Unfortunately, this sandwich didn’t deliver the quality to warrant such a steep price. The meat was thinly sliced and not particularly abundant, and the overall experience fell short of expectations.
Service Issues
To add to the list of disappointments, the service also left much to be desired. When it came time to pay, the staff member simply handed over the payment terminal without telling us the total or indicating it was ready. The lack of communication made the experience feel awkward and impersonal, capping off what was already a subpar visit.
Final Thoughts
The Food Court Amsterdam City South turned out to be more of a puzzle than a pleasure. The setup was confusing, the service was lackluster, and the food didn’t justify the high prices. While I appreciate unique dining concepts, this one left me scratching my head.
Of the two sandwiches we tried at Sal Meijer, the entrecote sandwich was better, but even that fell short of expectations—especially at €19.90. For that price, I expect something exceptional, not just “okay.”
If you’re considering visiting this food court, I’d recommend exploring other dining options in Amsterdam instead. There are plenty of fantastic restaurants and sandwich shops in the city that offer better food, service, and value for your money.
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Review: 5.1/10
Price / Quality: 3.5 | Service: 5 | Originality: 7 | Freshness: 4 | Choice: 6
