Residents of Runstraat, one of Amsterdam’s most exclusive streets, have taken legal action against the city over the licensing of Fabel Friet, a chip shop that has gone viral on TikTok.
Plaintiffs told a court last week that on busy days queues for the shop stretch across a bridge on the Keizersgracht, one of the city’s most famous canals, and that the narrow street is crowded by tourists waiting for orders seven days a week. Neighbours said the crowds have brought increased litter, attracted gulls and rats, and led to prolonged loitering on cars, porches and steps.
“We are in a kind of war,” one resident told the court, according to submissions in the case, reflecting the heightened tensions between long-term inhabitants and visitors drawn by social media attention. The lawsuit challenges the city’s decision to grant the premises a licence, arguing the consequences for local life have been severe.
The dispute highlights wider questions cities face as short-form video platforms amplify small businesses into overnight attractions. Local authorities must balance economic activity and hospitality against the preservation of quiet residential streets, public space management and sanitation.
City officials have been asked in court to justify the licensing process and whether steps were taken to anticipate or mitigate the nuisance, the legal filings show. The case is likely to draw attention from other neighbourhoods where viral popularity has transformed footfall patterns and placed pressure on civic services and local residents.
No immediate ruling was reported, and the court proceedings are expected to continue as both sides present evidence about the scale of the problem and the city’s obligations under local licensing laws.