Manneken Pis Damrak — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Manneken Pis at Amsterdam Damrak — named after the Brussels fountain of little men — used to be my favorite place for eating frites fries in Amsterdam. Used to be…

I am not a Dutch local but I travel through the Netherlands far more than most and consider Amsterdam my favorite city in the world. I truly lost my heart in Amsterdam. I ate at Manneken Pis over a dozen different times last year alone and use to regularly recommend it to thousands on travel sites and tourist message boards. But when you find out your great love affair is one sided then it is best to realize it is over, accept it, maybe even mourn it, and then move on to better, more mutual relationships. This is what I have done.

Named after the famous Brussels landmark and cooked in the Belgium fry style, the sauces that dispense from the statue replicas at the Manneken Pis Damrak location near Centraal Station is neat. But whatever you do, don’t try to take a picture of their novelty or you will be yelled at by workers fitting of the Pis name. They are far more concerned about protecting the world from pictures of their appropriated Brusselian statuettes than about providing a great experience and ensuring their food is enjoyable and delicious. Clearly the setup is designed for tourists, is located along the main tourist thoroughfare, and the line is almost exclusively non-locals, yet they always seem angry about tourists and foreign travelers. Whereas the overwhelming number of friendly Dutch are wonderful hosts and welcome traveling visitors from all nations, Manneken Pies wants your money but really despises you. A little snarky can be a fun schtick but rude and mean and condescending loses the appeal quickly. It took me a while but I finally got the hint.

Since there are far better and more authentic frites fries with much better value, friendlier staff, yummy sauces, tastier foods, equal ambiance, and a much better experiences I’ll now be taking myself and friends to the superior food options in Amsterdam that welcome me, and if I want to see little men fountains I’ll head to Belgium to see the real thing and have some real Belgium frites fries.

Not completely horrible but far from excellent and...

Review of Manneken Pis Fries – Damrak 41, Amsterdam Having heard plenty about Manneken Pis Fries, we had to give it a shot—and in fact, we ended up visiting twice! Both visits offered a great experience, with slight variations that made the second one truly stand out. First Visit: A Well-Oiled Machine, but Room for Improvement The first time we went, the queue was impressively well-organized, with staff coordinating everything smoothly. Despite the steady flow of customers, we didn’t have to wait more than 10 minutes, which is quite a feat considering how popular this place is. The fries themselves had that perfect texture—crispy on the outside, fluffy and light on the inside. However, they were slightly cold, which was a little disappointing. That being said, they still had great flavor, and the variety of sauces available made up for it. Second Visit: The Full Experience of Holland’s Best Fries Determined to give them another go, we went a little earlier the second time—and what a difference it made! This time, the fries were served piping hot, and that’s when we truly understood why these are considered some of the best fries in Holland. The crispiness was on point, the inside was soft and pillowy, and every bite was pure fry perfection. This was when we could fully appreciate their reputation. Service & Atmosphere One of the standout aspects of Manneken Pis Fries is how well-drilled the staff are. They work like clockwork, ensuring efficiency without compromising on quality. Even during peak hours, they maintain a steady flow, and customers never feel neglected or rushed. The experience is hassle-free, and even with the tourist-heavy location, everything runs smoothly. Final Verdict If you’re looking for top-tier fries in Amsterdam, Manneken Pis Fries at Damrak 41 is a must-visit. While our first experience was slightly underwhelming due to the temperature of the fries, our second visit proved that, when served fresh, these fries rival even the best Belgian frites we had in Brussels. The efficiency of the staff, the crispiness of the fries, and the generous portions make it well worth the visit. Just try to go at the right time to get them at their...

Manneken Pis fries : Don't let the hype fool you. ( it's an opinion, Relax )

Yes, That's right, I skipped the sauce and just got the spices like the madman, But there are few reasons for it : " Dutch style " fries are already fatty, They have been fried so personally, I didn't want to add in more fat or calories via the sauces and just oped for the spice rub. ( Potatoes are one of the most nutritious foods that you can consume even if it's deep fried ) I wanted to taste the actual fries and what is the texture, Crispiness and softness of the inside and the salting and to see if there is any base seasoning. I am a fry man and I like my fries a bit crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

So with that out of the way, I can sum this up : " Dutch Style potato fries " are just glorified larger squared off steak fries. That's it. Mannenkin Pis Relies on the sauces to make the fries good, Instead of the sauces being a side or to elevate the fries into a even more better version of itself, The fries falls flat by itself, Even with the dry seasonings. It's a base A base if you will and an excuse to chug down the holy mother of god, 24 different sauces. I will give credit to the softness of the fries, The good breakaway and the perfect color and the right amount of frying but where the hell is that crispy outside ? This comes down to my taste but when I bite into a fry, I want that crispy crunch sound and feel with that soft inside, Where is it? No where. The dry seasoning didn't even save it one bit.

The fry is supposed to be the beginning and the bench mark of goodness, A good fry is supposed to stand alone and be good whether with sauce or without, The sauces are supposed to be add-ons that make it better not the part that completes the entire thing.

Are they good ? For me, It's OK, Not the worst fry not the best. Go try them and judge them for yourself, Are they worth the touristy hype ? Nope.

I'm going to take a page out of One bite Pizza reviews by Dave Portnoy on the rating : 7.8/10. Not a personal favorite, But shouldn't stop you...