Anyone who has lived in the Netherlands for more than a month knows that buying groceries here can be expensive.
If you’re ballin’ on a budget, getting things from your local Albert Heijn can feel like a splurge, even with all the nice deals you can get with your trusty bonus card.
Whether you’re a frugal student, held back by soaring inflation, or simply trying to pinch pennies where you can, you’re probably wondering: What are some cheaper alternatives that won’t have you spending half of your monthly budget on groceries?
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The cheapest supermarkets in the Netherlands
In the time since I first moved to the Netherlands, I’ve uncovered many cheaper alternatives to that inviting blue Albert Heijn sign that greets most internationals once they’ve set foot here.
READ MORE | Best supermarkets in the Netherlands: the international’s guide
Let’s run through them! 👇
Nettorama: best for rock-bottom prices
If you have a Nettorama near you, you’re in luck — even though their presentation isn’t the best, they have a great selection of products at rock-bottom prices.
This place calls itself a “brand discounter” and sells many well-known brands for a fraction of their normal price (often if you buy in bulk).
Dirk: best for discounts
If you’re looking for affordable groceries, you can’t go wrong with Dirk! With well over a hundred stores around the country, you can probably find one close to you.
It also has some great promotions, and it’s not uncommon to find food products for as low as €1 from their house brand. Plus, pro tip: Dirk also has great bread (we confirm this from DutchReview’s daily lunch experiences).
Aldi: best for basics
Aldi is a classic when it comes to cheap supermarkets, with weekly promotions that shave even more off your grocery bill.
What I really like about Aldi is that it’s great for covering all your basics, ike bread, pasta, cheese, and general household items. While it might not be fancy, it puts food on the table.
Lidl: best for fresh produce
Lidl is essentially Aldi’s slightly more expensive sister, with a very similar layout, a comparable price range, and the same no-nonsense approach to shopping.
I’ve found that Lidl usually has a wider range of products and generally better quality, especially if you’re looking for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Jumbo: best alternative to Albert Heijn
If you’re looking for high-quality products and items that budget supermarkets may not carry, Jumbo is a more affordable alternative to Albert Heijn.
They also carry their own house brand (Jumbo), which offers your everyday essentials at a more accessible price than those by popular brands.
Alternatives to big-chain supermarkets in the Netherlands
Okay, so we’ve covered the most popular supermarket chains here in the Netherlands, but what about off-brand, smaller shops and stores?
Family-run or small grocery stores in the Netherlands
Your socialist leanings might lead you to avoid big chains, which pollute the environment and give questionable pay to their employees. Or you just want a cheaper alternative.
Small family-owned businesses are a fair and great choice.
They can be much cheaper than regular supermarkets, with some local stores being in the same price range as budget supermarkets like Aldi.
Because the Netherlands is such a multicultural country, the advantage of going to local stores is that you can find a wide range of food from other cultures.
READ MORE | Online grocery shopping: a guide to Dutch grocery delivery services
For example, you can go to Indian, Asian or Surinamese stores to get more flavour than you’ll find in all Dutch stamppot combined.
Heck, if you are looking for cheap alcohol, then a Polish store will definitely do the job.
Farmers’ markets in the Netherlands
Another great alternative to supermarkets is going to a farmers’ market. You can get a kilo of veggies for as little as €1, but the only problem is using them all up before they go bad. Fresh produce at a great price, what’s not to love?
READ MORE | The 18 best markets in Amsterdam: the ultimate guide
So when you’re at a farmers’ market, don’t go overboard because odds are you might commit some food waste if you over-buy.
There is a good variety of farmers’ markets in the Netherlands. Some lean towards more organic and eco-branded offerings, while others resemble butchers and greengrocers.
We strongly recommend the Haagse Markt in The Hague, which is one of the largest outdoor markets in Europe. It not only sells food, but you can also find clothes, electronics, and a range of household items.
No matter what you’re shopping for, it’s almost guaranteed that you can save some money by not going to AH. So, find your nearest cheap store, and let the savings begin. 💸
Do you have any other recommendations for those who want to get groceries for cheap? Tell us in the comments below!
AH 1+1 always makes my day!
If you live in the North Holland province than by all means check the Bazaar or “zwarte markt” (black market) in Beverwijk. It’s only open in the weekends but you can definitely get amazing prices on just about anything you can think of. Even renowned Dutch brands that are closing their branches send clothes there so you can get good quality suits for a fifth of the price. Also, late afternoon shopping means a big bang for your buck. It’s not as easily accessible by train but it’s worth a look.
Yasar market
How about Deen? I like their stores
If you are looking for indian grocery, you may compare prices of different web shops on https://www.pricefunda.nl
Aldi and Lidl are not the same company.
You are absolutely correct and the mistake has been adjusted :). Thanks for pointing it out!
Aldi itself is actually 2 companies
There’s quite a few ‘regional’ supermarkets like DekaMarkt, Plus, Eko, Hoogvliet, and many other that you didn’t mention and usually cover holes in the range when other brands are not present
Nettorama
What about VOMAR , PLUS , COOP, ACTION ?
It’s useful to subscribe to their newsletters
Quality should be the most important consideration when buying food products, especially produce. Price has little bearing on quality, dare I say none. Consistently we find Albert Heijn has the worst produce, by far; they present it better than any other supermarket, with fancy misters and colorful arrangements, but the quality is poor. For top Quality we find Lidl almost always comes out on top; just be sure to get there early on Monday or Thursday mornings when their sales start to get the freshest of the fresh produce.
Try the Toogoodtogo App! It’s a free App that lists shops and restaurants which sell their surplus foodproducts towards the end of the day for a cheap flatrate. Can be anything from supermarket boxes with frueit n veg via big bakery bags to restaurants selling dinners.. I use it quite a lot. And Jumbo has a coller just for reduced food now with big reducations, everything is 50c to €1 , € 2,50 (for ready made meals max) I gte 1 kilo bags of cut mixed vegetables for 50 cents there for example, which makes 2,3 meals as stir fry or sauce- and a big yoghurt for dessert with a 50 cent bakje fruit plus cheap craft beer to wash it down with to boot.
Money saving tip, stock up across the border 💯
The cheapest supermarkets are all regional, you don’t find them in the whole country. Furthermore is Jumbo NOT cheaper than AH. But that’s maybe because this article is rather old. Last year (2023) Aldi was even the most expensive supermarket.
All the Supermarkets package & wrap their products including raw meat in carcinogenic plastic film and bags..
Avoid them all at all costs … Go to the local markets
I think Vomar is worth to be in the list as well
for the best shop to get discount is Albert heijn with bonuscard scan