About.com Rating
The Bottom Line
The falafel franchise Maoz is what fast food should aspire to -- quick, nutritious meals on the cheap, with fresh salad aplenty. With some of the best falafel in Amsterdam center and a variety of other delicious menu items, Maoz surpasses the typical Dutch snack bar by leaps and bounds.
Pros
- Fresh meals served on the quick
- Excellent falafel that stands out from a sea of competitors
- Plenty of healthy options
Cons
- Limited space
Description
- Address: Damrak 40 and multiple other locations; see the Maoz Falafel web site for complete information.
Phone: +31 (0)20 4509987
Open Mon. - Sun., 11 - 2 a.m. - Location: Amsterdam Center, close to Central Station.
- Directions: From Amsterdam Central Station, walk south on Damrak to number 40; Maoz is on the west side of the street.
- Attire: Casual.
- Décor: Cheap and cheerful snack bar.
- Payment: Cash only.
Guide Review - Maoz Falafel - Amsterdam Snack Bar Review
Fast food that everybody loves -- is that an oxymoron? Not at Maoz Falafel, a Dutch franchise that serves fresh, quality meatless meals with the speed of your typical snack bar. With considerably more nutritious options than its competitors, Maoz is also a welcome entry on the notoriously health-indifferent snack bar scene.
Maoz's claim to fame is obviously its falafel, which is by far some of the best in Amsterdam. Before you duck into any anonymous falafel vendor in the center, see to it first that there isn't a Maoz nearby; with five locations in Amsterdam, there's a decent chance you can spare yourself another mediocre snack.
The vibrant flavors of chickpea and parsley really stand out in Maoz's coarsely textured falafel, served on a bed of crisp salad.
For those who avoid fried food, Maoz also offers a variety of salads that no snack bar rivals, in the shape of their buffet salad bar. Load up on what you like and leave out what you don't, and be sure to wash it down with one of the fresh fruit juices on offer -- another rarity in the world of fast food.
What Maoz does lack, however, is meat -- customers won't find the vertical rotisseries of mystery meat that adorn most falafel joints, but most hardly miss them. Nor is there often much in the way of space -- tables and chairs are limited, so be prepared to eat in the brisk air of the city. Either way, Maoz's menu is a toothsome reprieve from the ordinary snack bar fare.