Ed’s Caribbean Street Food is the kitchen inside Cut Throat, the barbershop, bar and restaurant at Beursplein 5 in central Amsterdam. Chef Eudia, known as Ed, cooks jerk chicken, pepper pot, plantain fries and other dishes inspired by her Caribbean roots. The kitchen serves brunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal.
I found it a few months ago while wandering around looking for something to cure a hangover. I didn’t expect to find a new go-to for comfort food, but that’s what happened.
Ed’s at Cut Throat: quick facts
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| What it is | A Caribbean street-food kitchen run by Eudia (Ed) inside Cut Throat, a combined barbershop, bar and restaurant |
| Address | Beursplein 5, 1012 JW Amsterdam (Centrum) |
| Kitchen hours | Wednesday to Friday 12:00–21:00; Saturday 11:00–21:00; Sunday 11:00–18:00 |
| Closed | Monday and Tuesday (the barbershop stays open) |
| Known for | Jerk chicken, chicken and waffles, pepper pot, plantain and cassava fries |
| Dietary options | Meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes |
| Bookings | Book a table for lunch or dinner; call for groups of more than six |
| Getting there | 10 minutes on foot from Centraal; tram 4, 14 or 24 to Dam; metro 52 to Rokin |
Hours change, and some listing sites show different times from the venue’s own website. Check Cut Throat’s official site before you go, especially for a late Sunday lunch, when the kitchen closes at 18:00.
What to order at Ed’s
The menu mixes Caribbean street food with old-school soul food, and it works best if you share. Order a few small plates for the table, then add one bigger dish each. Dishes that regularly appear on the menu include:
- Jerk chicken, which brings a proper kick
- Chicken and waffles, my favourite for brunch
- Pepper pot, a slow-cooked, spiced stew
- Plantain fries, tostones and cassava fries as sides for sharing
- Empanadas with beef, chicken or a vegan filling
- Bacalhau (salt cod) croquettes with mango salsa
- Pastalon, a plantain “lasagne” layered with spiced mince, cheese and vegetables
The menu changes, so treat this as a guide rather than a guarantee. If you want the usual brunch, there are dishes like pancakes, açaí bowls and avocado toast too. The Caribbean dishes are the reason to come, though.
The staff have always been welcoming when I’ve visited. They’re happy to talk you through the menu if you can’t decide.
Cocktails and bottomless brunch
Cut Throat has a full bar, and the drinks suit the food. Expect rum punch, margaritas, rum-based tropical cocktails and alcohol-free options. The bar opens at 11:00 and may stay open until 23:00 when it’s busy. It can stay open later during events.
Cut Throat also offers a bottomless brunch. You get unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, hot drinks, Bloody Marys, rum punch and signature cocktails alongside a Caribbean-inspired food menu. Alcohol is served to guests aged 18 and over only. Prices have changed several times in recent years, so check the current price when you book. If you don’t want the bottomless deal, you can order à la carte.
What the space is like
Cut Throat really is a working barbershop, with a bar and restaurant alongside it. It feels relaxed: you can turn up in flip-flops and nobody will mind. That makes it an easy choice for a lazy weekend morning when getting dressed properly feels like too much effort.
The mix of barber chairs and Caribbean food gives the place its own character, and it makes a fun backdrop for food photos. In good weather, look for a seat on the terrace facing the square.
Best time to visit
Pick your visit based on the meal you want and how much you mind a wait:
- Weekend brunch: Saturday and Sunday are the classic brunch days, and they get busy. I once turned up at noon on a Sunday without a booking and waited longer than I wanted to, so book ahead.
- Weekdays: Wednesday to Friday are usually quieter, and the kitchen opens at 12:00. A midweek lunch is the easiest way to get a table without planning.
- Off-peak: Late afternoon, between the brunch crowd and dinner, is often calmer. On Sundays, remember that the kitchen closes at 18:00.
- Seasons: Summer is the best time for an outdoor seat. On grey, drizzly days, a plate of jerk chicken is just as welcome inside.
- Events: Cut Throat sometimes hosts evening events. I once stumbled on a Caribbean music night, and Ed’s food with reggae playing made for a memorable evening.
Don’t come on a Monday or Tuesday expecting food. The barbershop is open, but the kitchen is closed.
How to get to Cut Throat
Cut Throat is on Beursplein, the square between Damrak and Rokin just off Dam Square. Walking is usually the quickest way to get there.
- On foot: From Amsterdam Centraal, walk straight down the Damrak for about 10 minutes. Beursplein opens up on your left before you reach Dam Square.
- By tram: Take tram 4, 14 or 24 to the Dam stop on the Rokin side. Trams 2, 12, 13 and 17 stop on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal side, which is a slightly longer walk.
- By metro: Take line 52 to Rokin station, a few hundred metres south of the square.
- By bike: Use the municipal bicycle garage under Beursplein, which has space for 1,700 bikes and is free for the first 24 hours. Watch out for tram tracks on the way if you’re new to cycling in Amsterdam.
When you arrive, look for the Cut Throat barbershop sign rather than a big restaurant sign. If you can smell the spices, you’re close.
For more places to eat nearby and further afield, browse our Amsterdam restaurant listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ed’s Caribbean Street Food the same place as Cut Throat?
They share the same space, but they’re separate businesses. Ed’s is an independent Caribbean kitchen run by Eudia (Ed) in partnership with Cut Throat. Cut Throat runs the barbershop and bar at Beursplein 5.
Do I need a reservation at Ed’s Caribbean Street Food?
You don’t have to book, but it’s a good idea for weekend brunch. You can book a table for lunch or dinner through Cut Throat. For groups of more than six, call the venue on +31 6 253 43769.
Does Ed’s have vegan and vegetarian food?
Yes. The menu includes vegan and vegetarian dishes alongside meat and fish, such as vegan empanadas and plantain or cassava fries. Ask the staff which dishes are vegan on the day you visit.
Is Ed’s Caribbean Street Food open on Mondays?
No. The kitchen is closed on Monday and Tuesday. It serves food from Wednesday to Sunday, although the Cut Throat barbershop is open all week.
