Zero Zero, Italian at its best.
If you’ve been in Amsterdam for a while or are taking your first stroll, you’ll notice that this place is crawling with restaurants from every corner of the world. From Chinese to Irish, you’ll find something to satisfy your cravings. As a foodie, this is like heaven to me. But throughout most of 2024, I found myself indulging in Italian deli sandwiches. I get it, Italian is the cliché food option in any city across the world. Pizzas, pastas, wine. But hear me out. The Italian Deli is a different beast entirely, and even though there are a few around, I believe that this might be the best one. Let’s get into it.
Glorious Simplicity
Italian is known for one thing; simplicity. The best Italian dishes are usually created from only a handful of ingredients, and it is delicious. These sandwiches are no different. Focaccia made in-house that cracks and crunches under the weight of your fingers with the scent of rosemary and olive oil hovering around. Fresh burrata that oozes over your sandwich and makes it go from amazing to legendary. Layers upon layers of cold cuts provide an essential meatiness you simply can’t do without. And finally, to brighten it all up, veggies, fresh and pickled, adding all the essential sour and salty awesomeness. But simplicity and quality come at a price, and that’s where some people might pause
Size matters, sometimes
Some might feel that the price doesn’t match the value—and that’s a fair concern. Amsterdam is an expensive city, and it’s easy to overspend on food that doesn’t deliver. But in my experience, Zero Zero is worth every euro. This Italian deli on the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat has been taking the city by storm with its play on the Italian style mixed with a fresh minimalistic aesthetic, and I’m here for it. Not only does everything taste as amazing as it looks, but the sandwiches are huge, and one will be enough to fill you up for the afternoon.
Having said that, for me, Zero Zero is not a spot I’d frequent for a quick lunch. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to make it my usual spot, but as a waiter paying more than half my salary in rent, I simply can’t afford a sixteen-euro sandwich every day or a couple of times a week. If I’m going to spend that kind of money on one sandwich, it better be good, and it better make me feel all the things I want a sandwich to make me feel.
The Final Bite
Do I think Zero Zero has the chops to be one of, if not the best sandwiches in Amsterdam? Absolutely. Flavor and quality are their priority, and they show in every part of their process. From the baking of the bread to the carefully placing of the grilled peppers. There is something for everyone and you’ll most likely want to come back for more. Is it the cheapest option? No. If budget is an obstacle, there are tons of budget-friendly options on this list that’ll satisfy your craving for a good sandwich. But, having said that, paying for quality is something we should all be doing once in a while, right?
