On Ameland you dine at island pace: spread across the four villages you'll find everything from atmospheric restaurants to cosy bistros, each with its own character and often with island produce on the menu.
Nes at the centre:Nes has the most places to eat, with plenty of choice in and around the Van Heeckerenstraat, while in Hollum you can settle in around the J.W. Burgerstraat, the Burenlaan and the Oranjeweg.
In the quiet villages too: stately Ballum and little Buren have their own spots as well, ideal for anyone wanting things a touch quieter than in the two larger villages.
Taste the island: let yourself be tempted by genuine Ameland regional products, from the island liqueur Nobeltje to Ameland lamb and farmhouse cheese, straight from the island to your plate.
From village to village: thanks to the island's small scale, you can cycle easily from one village to the next, so you might happily have your aperitif in one village and dinner in another.
Regional products: the taste of Ameland
If you really want to taste the island, look out for the many Ameland regional products, recognisable by the Amelands Produkt quality label, which guarantees that the ingredients come from the island itself.
The famous Nobeltje: the island's export par excellence is the Nobeltje, a herbal liqueur said to have been created back in 1902 in the cellars of café Nobel, its secret recipe passed from father to son for four generations.
Meat from the salt meadows: try the lamb and beef from animals grazing the salty polders and salt marshes, often turned into delicious sausages and croquettes, with a flavour you'll find nowhere else.
Fruits from the dunes: the dune area yields Ameland's renowned cranberries and the orange sea buckthorn berry, turning up in liqueur, syrup, chocolates and jam, along with honey from island bees.
From mudflat and field: let yourself be surprised too by samphire and sea lavender from the mudflats, cheese and ice cream from island dairy, and even catfish from an island farm, along with milled mustard and rye from the corn mill.
Out and about: follow the special cycle route past the producers, or during the yearly ProefRoute in the island's Art Month drop in at various restaurants for Ameland tasters with matching wines.
Restaurants
For many people, not having to cook is one of the greatest luxuries of a holiday, and Ameland. offers plenty of scope for it.
For every moment: pull up a chair in a pancake house, a restaurant or an eetcafé. From a quick, tasty bite to a beautifully prepared multi-course dinner, there is something in every price range.
Breakfast and lunch: many hotels and eateries serve breakfast until 10:00, and in the Netherlands lunch is usually taken between 12:00 and 14:00.
Dinner and later: dinner is generally served between 17:00 and 20:00. Many restaurants close around 22:00, but various venues, terraces and bars still serve dishes and snacks after that.
Current opening hours: for a full overview with details and opening times for each restaurant, see TheFork.nl and Eet.nu.
Terraces
Thirsty after a warm day, tired from an outing, or simply fancy a drink? In the centre you're well served all day long.
For every thirst: all day long they pour soft drinks, beer, cocktails and more, whatever you're in the mood for.
The right spot: settle down at one of the many cosy terraces or cafés in the centre of Ameland., nicely in the sun, in the shade or out of the wind.
Convivial until late: at the bar or around the table, with friends or to meet new people, enjoy the atmosphere and let yourself be indulged into the small hours.
Four beach pavilions
The beach on Ameland is a treat in summer and winter alike, with as many as four beach pavilions that turn it into a full day out.
From a snack to dinner: on the sandy beach you'll find several pavilions where you can stop for a drink, a bite or a full meal, while the sun casts its last light across the beach.
Handy for the beach: some sell beach gear such as kites, the toilets are open to everyone on the beach, and there is often hire of beach cabins, beach chairs and windbreaks. In summer there's usually a volleyball net too.
Open in winter as well: especially at weekends, a number of pavilions on Ameland now stay open. Wonderful after a bracing walk through storm and wind along the roaring sea: gazing out over the wild water from behind the glass, with a hot coffee or a good drink in hand.
Overview: these are the four beach pavilions you'll find on the beach at Ameland:
Ameland's nightlife is convivial and small-scale: no big clubs, but cosy pubs and a couple of genuine island discos, concentrated in Nes and Hollum.
Nes at the heart of it: centrally located Nes is the island's nightlife centre, where the many pubs and cafés sit snugly close together on the Van Heeckerenstraat. In summer it's lively here into the small hours.
The island discos: if you fancy a dance, Nes has two long-trusted addresses: Discotheek de Lichtboei on the Janszenstraat and Discotheek Swinging Mill on the Molenweg, both institutions on the island for generations.
In Hollum too: besides Nes, Hollum also has convivial cafés, while in the smaller villages of Ballum and Buren you'll always find a café for a quiet beer.
Everything within walking distance: thanks to the island's small scale, the nightlife plays out in a compact area, so in a single evening you can easily sample the atmosphere of the different spots.
Rounding off with a Nobeltje: how else on Ameland: end your evening with a glass of the famous island liqueur, served straight at the bar.
Amelander Brewery
Nestled in the vast meadows between Ballum and Nes, inside the charming old farmhouse Doekes Hiëm, you will find the Amelander Brewery. For over ten years, exceptional Amelander beers have been brewed here with care, passion, and craftsmanship. What can you expect at the Amelander Brewery? - Craft Beers: Enjoy a wide selection of unique beers, such as a rich tripel, a ...
Een paar praktische tips maken je uitje uit eten net wat soepeler.
Reserveer in het hoogseizoen: in de zomer en op mooie weekenddagen zitten de populaire zaken snel vol, dus een tafel vooraf reserveren voorkomt teleurstellingen.
Pinnen kan bijna overal: betalen met pinpas of contactloos is in de meeste zaken vanzelfsprekend, maar kleinere strandtentjes rekenen soms een minimumbedrag voor kaartbetaling.
