Just how basis is the M pier at Amsterdam?
 

OK, I've booked flights for the family out of Amsterdam to Spain this summer on easyJet. A bit of research shows that we'll be using the M pier, but the detail I can see beyond this seems rather scant.

As I understand it, the advice is you hang around in the Plaza/arrivals area until the gate is posted, then go through security, where there's nothing but the gates themselves, is that correct? Are there any facilities at all airside (cafes, toilets etc)?

TIA.

There are all facilities after the security: shops, cafés, bars, even smoking rooms.

Sometimes, for the size, I feel the area after the security is bigger than the Plaza.

Pass trought the security early and enjoy Shiphol.

The airside is common to all piers. There's little in the piers but plenty of shops selling pretty much everything. Go through security and immigration, hang around the shops and go to the gate shortly before boarding commences.

Thanks but I'm pretty sure M is a special case. Are you posting these responses with first hand experience of that pier?

Presumably not. The M pier is indeed quite sad, the best part being that it seems to have the fastest security checkpoint of all Schiphol, without body scanners and idiotic secondary bag screening.

Right after security there is a seating area with a bar/restaurant and a bookstore. At the gates there is absolutely nothing but a vending machine.