4 x Must-Try Vegan Bakeries in Amsterdam
No dairy, no problem! Enjoy delicious vegan treats in Amsterdam, perfect for anyone avoiding lactose.
For those who may have missed my big announcement on Instagram, I recently discovered that lactose and I are not exactly compatible. As a foodie, this was a tough pill to swallow, especially since lactose is in so many of my favourite foods, like pastries. But luckily, in recent years, the rise of vegan products has offered a delicious solution—because vegan food is naturally lactose-free!
On a recent trip to Amsterdam with my mom, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to hunt down the best vegan bakeries and share them with you. Whether you're vegan, lactose intolerant like me, or simply someone who loves a good treat, these bakeries offer amazing options that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
SAINT-JEAN / Lindengracht 158
To start this blog post with a bang, let’s talk about SAINT-JEAN. This plant-based bakery is located in the neighbourhood of The Jordaan and serves plant-based pastries and savoury treats, which you can enjoy with their specialty coffee. SAINT-JEAN is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM, which gives you a lot of flexibility when securing your treats. My mom and I visited Amsterdam on a Saturday, so I expected the bakery to be quite busy. I had heard a lot of hype about this place, and they have a lot of Instagram followers. When we arrived at the bakery I was not surprised to see a huge line before the entrance, but it moved pretty fast. If you are wondering whether it was worth standing in line, the answer is a big yes!
We got two pastries to go for a taste test: the Caramelized Croissant and the Blueberry, Coconut & Lime Toast. Both were amazing! We were very impressed, they were both not too sweet, very light and fluffy. What we did notice, though, is that the pastries at SAINT-JEAN are enormous. They are definitely not a small snack vibe, more of a whole meal, which, honestly, I’m not complaining about! For a pastry you pay between four and five euros a piece, which we found quite fair, considering the size of the pastry and the general prices in Amsterdam.
Good to know when visiting this bakery is that it’s very small inside and they have limited seating options. They don’t take reservations, so getting your pastry to go is a safe option on busy days. The place is very allergen-friendly, and the English-speaking staff can inform you if you have any questions regarding allergies. Are pastries not really your vibe? SAINT-JEAN also has a Deli right across the street! Here you can buy more savoury goods, sandwiches and natural wine.
Rose & Vanilla / Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 74
The second bakery we visited is none other than Rose & Vanilla, a cute bakery located in Amsterdam Oud-West. At Rose & Vanilla, they serve cakes for everyone: gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan. Rose & Vanilla is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM, and besides cakes, you can also enjoy quality coffee. There are some seating possibilities inside, and if you want to secure a spot, you can make a reservation.
When we first arrived I was a bit sceptical, because in addition to being lactose intolerant, I am also blessed with a nut allergy. Often, when sweets are made with pure ingredients like at Rose & Vanilla, they are made with nuts. As it turns out, I had no reason to worry! When they said, 'We make cakes for everyone,' on their website, they truly meant it! Besides their vegan, gluten-free and milk-free options they also have a couple nut-free options. This place is like Valhalla for people with food intolerances.
My mom and I ordered two of the petit fours at Rose & Vanilla, which is basically a mini version of their cakes you can order for €2.10. We tried a petit four of their raspberry & strawberry cheesecake and their mango & yuzu cheesecake. Both were delicious! They weren’t too sweet and had that homemade, healthy taste. While we were there, a couple of people came to order full-sized birthday cakes, so you can also buy your birthday cake here if you want to treat your guests to some vegan cake!
It must be said that the cakes at Rose & Vanilla are nothing like the pastries at SAINT-JEAN. At Rose & Vanilla the cakes are more of a small treat to enjoy with your coffee, rather than a huge meal disguised as a pastry. Overall, they feel more simplistic.
Besides having two bakery cafés, one in Amsterdam and one in Utrecht, Rose & Vanilla also has a list of selling points, where you can get their cakes. You can find a list of all their selling points by clicking this link.
Anook Bakehouse / Ferdinand Bolstraat 182
When I heard that Anook Bakehouse was famous for their vegan donuts, I just had to visit. Located in the neighbourhood of De Pijp in Amsterdam, it is a beautiful bakery with warm, cozy, welcoming vibes. Their trademark is that their baked goods are organic and sustainable, with a few gluten-free and vegan options.
The bakery is closed on Mondays and is open every other day from 9 AM to 5 PM. There is limited seating, but if you're lucky, you can sit inside to enjoy your pastries and coffee. I was very impressed with how all their pastries looked—they were all beautiful, almost too pretty to eat. From what I could see, they also had a few savoury options for those who prefer something less sweet.
We tried their vegan donut with chocolate glaze, and it was amazing! It wasn’t dry at all; in fact, it was deliciously fluffy. We paid €3.50 for our donut, which I think is very fair, considering it was quite large. We shared it, and it was more than enough for the two of us. Since we only tried one flavour, I’d love to come back to try more. I highly recommend following Anook Bakehouse on Instagram, as they regularly post new flavours and creations.
Have A Roll / Van Woustraat 42
Last but definitely not least is the vegan bakery Have A Roll. Have a Roll is also located in the neighbourhood of De Pijp and they specialize in one thing: vegan cinnamon rolls. They offer a range of nine rolls, including seven regular ones and two monthly special flavours. The latter are called 'Monthly Specials' and are usually seasonal flavours! All the rolls are handmade fresh every morning and are fully vegan.
Have A Roll is open from 11 AM to 6 PM, and they’re closed on Mondays. When we arrived at the bakery for our taste test, it was around 3 PM. Here’s my first recommendation: be early! When we arrived, they were almost sold out, with only a small selection left to choose from. We decided on one of their regular rolls, the Dough Roll. This cinnamon roll is topped with vanilla frosting and a scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough. We paid €4.20 for this cinnamon roll, and we were not mad about it.
I can’t recommend this place enough! The cinnamon roll was super good! It was chewy but not dry, with delicious icing—we loved it! It’s good to know you can also pre-order a box of cinnamon rolls through their website, in case you find yourself in the same situation as we did and can’t arrive early.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Amsterdam is a city filled with delicious plant-based delights, and these four bakeries are must-visit spots for anyone with a sweet tooth. Whether you're vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply a fan of fresh, handmade treats, you’re bound to find something to love at SAINT-JEAN, Rose & Vanilla, Anook Bakehouse, and Have A Roll. Each bakery offers something unique, from indulgent pastries to light petit fours, proving that dairy-free can be just as satisfying and flavourful. Be sure to visit early, especially if you're hoping to snag a cinnamon roll at Have A Roll or avoid the weekend rush at SAINT-JEAN.
If you’ve tried any of these bakeries or have your own favourites, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below with your thoughts or suggestions. And don’t forget to follow these bakeries on Instagram for the latest updates on their delicious creations. Enjoy your vegan bakery adventure in Amsterdam, and happy eating!