Where can expats find international grocery stores near Amsterdam and Amstelveen?

Moving to a new country often means adjusting to unfamiliar food brands, ingredients, and shopping habits. For expats settling in Amsterdam and Amstelveen, finding the comfort foods and specialty ingredients from home can make the transition smoother and help maintain a connection to your cultural roots. Whether you’re craving Asian spices, British biscuits, American snacks, or Middle Eastern staples, the greater Amsterdam area offers a surprising variety of international grocery options.

The Netherlands has become increasingly multicultural over the decades, and this diversity is reflected in the retail landscape. From large international supermarket chains to small specialty shops run by immigrant communities, you’ll find ingredients and products from virtually every corner of the globe. This guide will help you navigate the international grocery scene around Amsterdam and Amstelveen, making your shopping experience easier and more familiar.

Understanding the Dutch supermarket landscape first

Before diving into specialty stores, it’s worth noting that mainstream Dutch supermarkets like Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and Plus have expanded their international sections significantly. You’ll find basic Asian ingredients, Mexican products, Italian imports, and increasingly diverse offerings in larger locations. Albert Heijn XL stores, in particular, carry a broader selection of international products than standard branches.

However, for authentic specialty items, hard-to-find ingredients, or products from specific regions, you’ll want to explore dedicated international grocers. These shops often offer better prices on ethnic products and a much wider selection than mainstream supermarkets.

Asian supermarkets in Amsterdam and Amstelveen

The Amsterdam area has a vibrant Asian grocery scene, reflecting large Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, and other Asian communities.

• Amazing Oriental: Located in Amsterdam West, this large supermarket stocks Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Filipino products, including fresh vegetables, frozen items, sauces, noodles, and cooking equipment.
• Wah Nam Hong: In Amsterdam’s Chinatown area, this is one of the oldest and most comprehensive Asian supermarkets, with particularly strong Chinese and Southeast Asian selections.
• Shilla: A Korean supermarket in Amsterdam with authentic Korean ingredients, fresh kimchi, frozen dumplings, and Korean beauty products.
• Toko Ramee: Specializing in Indonesian products, located in Amsterdam Zuid, offering spices, sambals, krupuk, and other Southeast Asian staples.
• Dun Yong: Another excellent Chinese supermarket in Amsterdam with competitive prices and a large selection of fresh Asian vegetables.

Most of these stores are concentrated in Amsterdam West and the area around Nieuwmarkt, easily accessible from Amstelveen by metro or car.

Middle Eastern and Turkish grocery stores

The Turkish and broader Middle Eastern communities have established numerous grocery stores throughout the Amsterdam region.

• Bazar Amsterdam: Located in Amsterdam Oost, this isn’t just a grocery store but also a restaurant, offering Turkish, Moroccan, and Middle Eastern products in a vibrant market atmosphere.
• Marqt: While a Dutch chain, Marqt stores carry high-quality Middle Eastern ingredients including tahini, pomegranate molasses, za’atar, and other specialty items.
• Various Turkish supermarkets: Chains like Uzun Market and smaller independent Turkish grocers are scattered throughout Amsterdam and surrounding areas, offering fresh flatbreads, halal meats, spices, cheeses, olives, and produce at competitive prices.

Amsterdam Oost and West have particularly high concentrations of Middle Eastern and Turkish shops. In Amstelveen itself, you’ll find several smaller Turkish and Moroccan grocers, particularly in the Bankras neighborhood.

British and American product specialists

For expats craving tastes from the UK or US, several shops cater specifically to these markets.

• Kelly’s Expat Shopping: An online retailer that delivers throughout the Netherlands, offering British, American, Australian, and South African products including cereals, baking supplies, condiments, and snacks.
• Marks & Spencer: Located in Amsterdam city center, offering a range of British food products, though at premium prices.
• Sterk Makelaars British Shop: In Amsterdam, specializing in British food imports.

Many British products can also be found at larger Albert Heijn stores, including PG Tips tea, Heinz beans, and British biscuits, though the selection is limited compared to specialty shops.

Latin American grocery options

The Latin American community in Amsterdam has grown, and several stores now cater to these culinary traditions.

• Toko Margarita: Specializing in Surinamese and Caribbean products, located in Amsterdam Southeast.
• Latin America Shop: A smaller store in Amsterdam offering Mexican, Argentinian, and Brazilian products including spices, sauces, and specialty ingredients.
• Amazing Oriental: Also carries some Latin American products alongside Asian items.

For fresh tortillas, Mexican chilies, and Central American staples, these shops provide authentic options that mainstream supermarkets typically don’t stock.

Eastern European and Russian stores

Amsterdam has several shops serving Eastern European communities, offering products from Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries in the region.

• Zeemansstraat area: In Amsterdam West, this street has multiple Eastern European shops selling Polish, Russian, and Baltic products.
• Stokvis Market: Carries some Eastern European products alongside other international items.

These stores typically stock pickled vegetables, rye breads, specific dairy products, Eastern European sweets, and frozen items familiar to expats from these regions.

African grocery stores

Amsterdam Southeast (Bijlmer) has the highest concentration of African grocers, particularly serving the Ghanaian, Nigerian, and broader West African communities.

• Amsterdam Zuidoost shopping areas: Multiple African markets and shops around the Bijlmer area offer fresh and frozen African vegetables, palm oil, stockfish, plantains, yams, and specialty flours.
• African food sections: Some larger Asian supermarkets also carry African products, recognizing the overlap in certain ingredients.

For North African products, Turkish and Middle Eastern shops often carry appropriate alternatives, including couscous, harissa, and preserved lemons.

Specialty European stores in Amstelveen

Amstelveen itself, while smaller than Amsterdam, has several international options within its borders.

• Stadshart Amstelveen shopping center: Houses several supermarkets with international sections, including a large Albert Heijn.
• Polish and Turkish shops: Scattered throughout Amstelveen, particularly in residential neighborhoods.
• Proximity to Amsterdam: Amstelveen’s excellent public transport connections mean Amsterdam’s international grocery scene is only 15-30 minutes away by tram or metro.

Many Amstelveen residents combine shopping at local Dutch supermarkets for everyday items with periodic trips to Amsterdam’s specialty stores for international products.

Online international grocery shopping

For convenience, several online options deliver international groceries throughout the Amsterdam and Amstelveen area.

• Kelly’s Expat Shopping: Comprehensive online selection with delivery service.
• Exotic Food: Online retailer offering Asian, African, and Caribbean products.
• Amazon.de: While not Dutch, Amazon Germany delivers to the Netherlands and carries many international food products.
• Specialty shop websites: Many physical stores also offer online ordering with delivery or pickup options.

Online shopping is particularly useful for stocking up on non-perishable items, though prices may be higher than shopping in person, and delivery fees apply.

Markets and fresh international produce

For fresh ingredients, Amsterdam’s markets offer excellent international selections.

• Albert Cuypmarkt: Amsterdam’s largest daily market features numerous stalls with international produce, spices, and specialty foods.
• Dappermarkt: In Amsterdam Oost, known for its multicultural offerings and competitive prices.
• Amstelveen Weekmarkt: The weekly market in Amstelveen also features stalls with international products, though on a smaller scale than Amsterdam markets.

Markets often offer better prices on fresh produce and allow you to buy exactly the quantities you need, making them ideal for fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits used in international cooking.

Key takeaways

• Mainstream Dutch supermarkets carry basic international products, but specialty stores offer much wider authentic selections at better prices
• Amsterdam West, Oost, and the Nieuwmarkt area have the highest concentrations of Asian, Middle Eastern, and Turkish grocery stores
• British and American products are available through specialty shops and online retailers like Kelly’s Expat Shopping
• Amstelveen residents can access Amsterdam’s international grocery scene easily via public transport, typically within 15-30 minutes
• Markets like Albert Cuypmarkt and Dappermarkt offer fresh international produce at competitive prices
• Online shopping provides convenience for stocking up on non-perishable international items, though with delivery fees