New and surprising lunch at Carroll’s in Amsterdam-Noord
Since we try to support the hospitality industry as best we can, we’ve been eating lunch out quite a lot lately. Dunch, linner—it’s all fair game, and luckily, alongside familiar favourites, we’re still discovering new places too. Like this great lunch spot!
Of course, there are different categories of eating lunch ‘out’: do you sit down for an elaborate meal with a glass of wine because you don’t have to crawl back behind your desk afterwards? Or is it a quick takeaway, or a sandwich and coffee somewhere on the way to your next appointment? As far as those latter two scenarios are concerned: if you happen to be in Amsterdam-Noord, or simply fancy getting some fresh air on the ferry across the IJ and you’re hungry, Carroll’s is a very good choice.
Bold by the water
Right by the pier of the NDSM ferry, where apartment buildings are springing up along the waterfront like mushrooms, you’ll find this fresh new spot. It isn’t very big, but the tables are arranged cosily in a row and the view over the IJ is fantastic. The menu is clear and original, the coffee is responsibly sourced, and the juices and smoothies are fresh and delicious.
An old favourite
And if we tell you that the people behind Carroll’s are the same as the owners of Pllek, you might understand even better why we were so excited about it! Pllek, the café-restaurant and events venue with its own little urban beach, was founded more than nine years ago and introduced many people to the hospitality scene in Amsterdam-Noord for the first time. We’ve been fans from the beginning, so I was very curious about this new brainchild.
Original sandwiches
The menu already promises plenty of good things—sandwiches with interesting combinations of ingredients and, by capital-city standards, affordable: nothing costs more than nine euros. There’s plenty of vegan and vegetarian choice and, once again, these are sandwiches you don’t come across every day. The Smiley Greta TLT, for example, with tempeh bacon, lettuce and tomato, or the Stewart Pear with pear, mascarpone and almond. Yum! I had the Kim Young Who? with Korean fried chicken and incredibly tasty homemade pickles made with daikon. A beetroot smoothie on the side, followed by a well-made cappuccino, and I’ll definitely be back to try the other sandwiches.
A lovely spot
In short: a great addition to Amsterdam-Noord, ideally located so close to the ferry. The owners also have more ambitious plans, which is good news because Pllek was always intended to be temporary and will eventually have to make way for the relentless construction in the area. In any case, I can’t wait to see the next steps—and even more great hospitality spots in the neighbourhood.
Also read:
- New measures are the final straw: hundreds of hospitality businesses can no longer open
- 8x cheese from the North
- Stop it! Salad doesn’t belong in a jar
