Court upholds licence for Amsterdam TikTok sensation Fabel Friet

Amsterdam's city council had the authority to prolong the licence for Fabel Friet, a renowned chip shop whose long queues have been criticized by locals for diminishing the quality of life in the city centre district, a court has concluded. The judge found that campaigners had not demonstrated that the issues were predominantly caused by Fabel Friet's customers, who have attracted a significant number of tourists via the social media platform TikTok.

This outcome is unfavorable for locals who sought the court to overturn the extension, which was initially granted by the city council in 2024. The court did not rule on the present licence issued this year. They noted that the queues at the outlet in Runstraat, stretching across the canal bridge, contributed to overcrowding and attracted seagulls to the area.

Resident Niek van der Heijden informed the court that the limited number of places to sit and enjoy fries without causing a disturbance was problematic. However, the judges ruled that Fabel Friet was not primarily accountable for the queues and litter problems, stating that the licence was granted correctly. The court emphasized that other establishments in the neighbourhood also draw large crowds and experience queues.

The decision highlights that the issues faced are not solely or primarily attributed to Fabel Friet's customers. Fabel Friet's founders, Abel Klatzer and Floris Feilzer, have expanded their business to four additional branches in the city centre since launching the chip shop in 2020, with Runstraat remaining their flagship location.

The shop gained popularity after videos showcasing their fries with exotic toppings like Parmesan cheese and truffle mayonnaise went viral on TikTok. To manage the crowds, Fabel Friet implemented a special queueing system and hired extra security. At one point, they even hired a falconer to deter seagulls that damaged the rubbish bags outside the shop and created a mess on the street.