On a budget: Bar Brå

Too tired to cook? We get it! But delicious food is a must—never settle for less. That’s why we’ve put together our tips for truly delicious takeout, the best delivery services and affordable places.

Jan Pieter Heijestraat in West is one of those lovely, lesser-known streets in Amsterdam. You’ll find a mix of small, trendy clothing stores, hairdressers, grocery stores, bars and a few restaurants. One of them is Bar Brå. The owner of this restaurant-cum-living room is Marjolijn, whose love for the hospitality industry turned out to be greater than her love for her job as a graphic designer and set builder.

With Bar Brå, Marjolijn wants to offer a platform to up-and-coming artists and chefs. An art expo is organised every two months, and different chefs take over the kitchen each week. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, that’s Ren Phillips and Christopher Robinson with their Best Coast Taqueria.

Great taco place

The two Americans came up with the idea of starting the taqueria because they love Mexican food. They also felt that Amsterdam could use another good taco place. “Mexican food is healthy, affordable, colourful, fresh and exciting. Tacos are really cool of flavor,” says Christopher.

You can choose between vegetarian or fish- pork carnitas tacos, quesadillas and nachos with guac. Each taco costs around five euros. On Taco Tuesday you pay € 7.50 for three tacos. The favourites of FavorFlav’s Nora and Marieke? The vegetarian taco with beans and sweet potatoes, the pork taco and a portion of nachos with guacamole to share.

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137
1054 MG Amsterdam

Text: Nora van den Heuvel
Image: Bar Brå