must try dutch foods
Although there aren’t a load of ‘typical Dutch’ dishes to try, there are definitely a few traditional foods and drinks to experience on your travels. Try my recommended walking food tour, which will take you on a short tour of Amsterdam whilst letting you try some of these snacks that are more common to locals.
See 8 of the best Dutch foods to try on your trip to Amsterdam below.
1. Stroopwafel
A stroopwafel is a wafer cookie made from two thin layers of baked dough joined by a caramel filling. They are very popular throughout the Netherlands, served fresh at market stalls and also packaged in supermarkets. Try a fresh one Mon-Sat at the Albert Cuyp market or at Nieuwmarkt.
2. Croquettes
Dutch croquettes or ‘Kroketten’ are deep fried sausage shaped snacks. They are typically filled with a meaty ragout and served warm, often accompanied with a mustard dip. They are very crispy and crunchy on the outside and super soft and smooth inside. Try one from fast food chain Febo, or they’re also usually on the menu in Dutch pubs and bars.
3. Apple Pie
The Dutch are famous for their apple pie making abilities, and for good reasons too. This sweet snack is served in many Dutch bakeries across Amsterdam, and it’s said that Winkle 43 in the picturesque Jordaan area makes the best. It’s usually served best with cream (‘slagroom’ in Dutch) and enjoyed with a hot drink.
4. Bitterballen
This classic Dutch bar snack is served pretty much everywhere in Amsterdam that also serves beer. Bitterballen are deep fried meaty snacks shaped in a ball, and although I’m pretty sure no one actually knows exactly what goes into them, they do taste delicious. Always served with a mustard sauce. Must try!
5. Stamppot
A classic main course dish, stamppot (literal translation: ‘mash pot’) broadly consists of mashed potatoes mixed with any mashed vegetable and usually served with bacon bits or smoked sausage and some gravy. The Dutch have enjoyed this dish for centuries during cold winters because it’s nutritious and easily prepared in large quantities. Not my favorite meal in the world, but worth a try if you’re vising! Try it at Moeders restaurant.
6. Pickled Herring
Raw pickled herring is a staple dish in the Netherlands. It has a slightly acquired taste and this slimy fishy snack is not for everyone! Especially in summer time, herring season is in full swing and this snack can be purchased from stalls in Amsterdam. Try Haringhandel Jonk – a fresh herring stall – selling herring on a roll, raw herring served with pickles (€3-4).
7. Pancakes
American pancakes. Dutch style pancakes are usually larger and much thinner than the thick and fluffy American pancakes. They can be topped with either savoury or sweet ingredients. The Pancake Bakery is located besides the canal and is one of the oldest pancake houses in Amsterdam, with dozens of recipes to choose from. The Happy Pig Pancake Shop also cooks up some tasty and authentic Dutch pancakes.
8. Cheese
The most popular cheeses from the Netherlands are Gouda and Edam, although there’s plenty of other types of cheese too. Head to the Cheese Museum near the Anne Frank museum for unlimited cheese and chutney samples, and go downstairs to check out the history of cheese making and have a fun photo taken…!
Not far away, on the street adjacent to Amsterdam’s floating flower market, there are many shops dedicated to cheese. Old Amsterdam is a particularly popular brand making a variety of gouda that is very tangy and has a distinctive crumbly texture.
