Before arriving in the Netherlands, the only thing we knew about local Dutch Food was cheese and apple pie. While the idea of gorging on nothing but these sounded tempting, we wanted sample a variety of delicious foods!
From tasty stews to pub grub to take-away favorites, we ate many of the most popular dishes. To help you get a taste of great Netherlands cuisine, we created this list of the Best Dutch Food to eat on vacation!
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Discovering Dutch Food Culture
Our extended visit to Nijmegen was not intended to be a lesson in traditional Dutch Cuisine. We were actually there as International Housesitters over the winter holidays.
However, we quickly took a liking to the local fare. Plus, our Christmastime Visit to Amsterdam included many hearty dishes, sweet treats, holiday specialties…and lots of cheese.
We didn’t limit our experiences to dining out; we also researched easy Dutch recipes. Then sought out the ingredients so we could devour more Dutch meals at home.
Since that first trip, we have returned to the Netherlands numerous times. No, not just because of all the cheese…but would you blame us?
On each occasion, we have taken the opportunity to gorge on our favorite nibbles, as well as explore dishes we had yet to try!
Must-Try Dutch Cuisine
In our discovery of the local fare, we tried to find real Dutch food. If applicable, we also highlight the best restaurants in Amsterdam to find each of these famous food items.
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Dutch Foodie Guide for your Netherlands trip!
#1 Kaas (Cheese)
Let’s get straight to the point: The cheese in the Netherlands is amazing. Cheese shops, delicatessens – even the grocery store – stock everything from large round slabs to tiny wedges.
Soft cheese, hard cheese, old or young…we like them all. In fact, it’s so incredibly prevalent that some think it is the National Dish of the Netherlands (it’s actually Stamppot, which is next on our list).
The Dutch cheese specialty is Gouda, named after the city where it originated. It is pronounced how-dah – and is nothing like Gouda cheese in North America.
There are different types of Gouda based on age. Our preference is the Oude (Old) that has aged 10-12 months. Crystals crunch between your teeth and the pungent taste lingers long after the cheese is gone.
Where To Eat Dutch Cheese
As cheese holds a high ranking in the Netherlands food culture, it’s fairly easy to get a taste of it. Our favorite places to sample an array of different cheeses is at speciality stores.
You will find one in every town and on nearly every corner in Central Amsterdam. In fact, one of the fun things about Netherlands cheese shops is their custom of offering free samples.
The best cheese we sampled was at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, which has several locations in the city. Want to really enhance the experience? Join one of the paired wine and cheese tastings!
#2 Stamppot (Mash Pot)
Stampot is Dutch comfort food at its best and reigns as the National Dish. It has a base of mashed potatoes and is mixed with seasonal vegetables and sausage.
Basic ingredients – white potato, sweet potato, carrots, onion and cabbage – are simmered in a pot, mashed and topped with rookworst (#4 on our list). Add a shake of salt and pepper and a typical Dutch meal is served!
Where To Eat Stamppot
In Amsterdam, there are a few traditional restaurants that are known for their Stamppot. The top place to try the dish is at Moeder’s.
That said, we made it several times at home – as it is one of the easiest Dutch dinner recipes to make. If you want to give it a try, we’ve including the recipe at the end of the post!
#3 Erwtensoep (Dutch Pea Soup)
When we reunited with our Dutch friend that we met while traveling in Southeast Asia, she came bearing gifts – including Erwtensoep. Also called Snert, this is a rich pea soup.
We’ve never been big fans, but when experts (and by that, we mean Dutch people) tell us it’s one of their favorite traditional meals, we try it. We’re glad we did, because it wasn’t like any pea soup we’ve had before!
So thick, it’s almost like a paste with a variety of vegetables. The soup is commonly served with sliced meat on top – and we couldn’t help but add a little shredded cheese. Frisian Rye Bread, is often included as a side.
Where To Eat Pea Soup
Erwtensoep is a somewhat seasonal, mostly reserved for cold winter days. That said, De Blauwe Hollander in Amsterdam usually has it on their menu.
#4 Rookworst (Smoked Sausage)
It took us a while to warm up to rookworst, which is actually hard to believe considering our affection for savory smoked sausages.
The problem was that it sits on an unrefrigerated shelf at the grocery store – and that made us a bit squeamish. Once we got over that hang up, we started indulging.
In addition to piling it on Stamppot and Erwtensoep, we’ve mixed rookworst in with pasta and rice dishes. It can also be eaten as a sandwich, called Broodje Rookworst.
Where To Eat Rookworst
You can order a Broodje Rookworst from Café Sonneveld in the Amsterdam Jordaan Neighborhood. Butcher Shop Vet in Chinatown also makes it into a sandwich.
#5 Kibbeling (Fried Fish)
We try not to make it a habit of eating fried fast food, but Kibbeling – little nuggets of deep fried fish – are too good to pass up.
This popular Dutch street food – served from trailers often parked in market squares – comes with a creamy (and caloric) mayo-based dipping sauce.
Where To Eat Kibbeling
Firmly a part of Netherlands gastronomy, there are plenty of places to taste Kibbeling. We often just grabbed it as a snack from Amsterdam food trucks.
As one of the best things to eat in the Netherlands, we recommend seeking it out from the fishmongers at Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp.
#6 Hollandse Nieuwe (Raw Herring)
Ready for some raw herring soaked in brine? Ya, neither were we. However, many of the same establishments that sell kibbeling also sell this popular Dutch snack.
The fish can be eaten on bread and is sometimes served alongside raw onion and pickles. The typical way to consume it is by holding the tail, throwing back your head and downing it in one fell swoop.
Where to Eat Hollandse Nieuwe
Frens Haringhandel is well known for their Hollandse Nieuwe. For more than 40 years they have been serving it, along with other seafood, from their Koningsplein location.
#7 Pannenkoeken (Dutch Pancakes)
When we first found out that the Dutch are fond of pancakes, we imagined a sweet breakfast food – and then learned how wrong we were.
Pannenkoeken are more like crepes; they can be prepared both sweet and savory. They are eaten as a typical Dutch dinner or lunch, rather than breakfast – and each one is as big as the plate!
We prefer the savory pancakes topped with cheese, ham, tomato and fried onions (but we discuss some delicious Dutch sweets next).
Eating Netherland Pancakes
To be honest, we ate the absolute best Dutch pancakes at a restaurant in the hills outside the village of Beek. I also made them at home using this recipe. Amsterdam visitors should head for The Pancake Bakery.
#8 Poffertjes (Dutch Mini Pancakes)
While Pannenkoeken are often savory, Holland Poffertjes are sweet and are an incredibly popular snack or breakfast meal.
Made of buckwheat flour and yeast, they are spongy. Typically, they are served with powdered sugar and sometimes custard.
Where To Eat Dutch Mini Pancakes
Poffertjes are also sold as street food in Amsterdam, at markets, festivals, restaurants and even served at hotel breakfasts. Otherwise, a good restaurant for Poffertjes in Amsterdam is The Pantry.
#9 Dutch Broodjes
These sandwiches are a popular quick meals in the Netherlands…and we love them! Available at Dutch bakeries, corner shops and even the grocery store, it would be a shame to not consume at least one.
The most simple Dutch sandwich is a Broodje Kaas – or cheese sandwich, which is commonly eaten for breakfast (but, really, eating cheese and bread is acceptable all day long).
However, Dutch Broodje sandwiches come with a great variety of ingredients – including beef, pork, fish, liver and tartare.
Broodjes in Amsterdam
For the best broodjes in Amsterdam, head to Eetsalon Van Dobben, a Dutch foodie institution since 1945.
Our top pick is the Kroketten Broodje – which is nothing more than a crispy meat croquette on a piece of bread and topped with mustard.
A unique broodje we ate was warm beef slathered with peanut sauce; it was a gooey mess, but oddly satisfying!
#10 Twaalf-Uurtje (Twelve o’clock)
There are several variations of this typical Dutch lunch menu item – and we suggest sampling whatever style you come across!
A 12-uurtje is served with three items on the plate, usually assembled with a couple of broodjes and a side salad.
For example, one might look like this: a slice of white bread topped with cheese, ham and a fried egg, another slice of white bread topped with a single meat croquette and a small side dish, like potato salad.
Where To Order 12-Uurtje
Although basically consisting of several simple Dutch side dishes, we struggled to find it on a lot of restaurant menus. If you’re in Amsterdam, check out Café ‘t Gasthuys.
#11 Indonesian Food
It would be impossible to spend any time in the Netherlands and not notice the copious amount of Indonesian food on offer. At first, we didn’t make the connection.
Then we remembered the 17th century spice trade and the Dutch East India Company. Indonesian cuisine was introduced under colonization and today it remains a staple.
Chicken Satay is a dish we are familiar with, but Bami Goreng was new to us. The stir fried noodles are a meal on their own – and are made even better when covered in satay sauce.
In many Indonesian restaurants in the Netherlands, eating Rijsttafel – which literally translates to Rice Table and is similar to tapas plates – is a fun way to sample the cuisine!
Where To Eat Indonesian Cuisine in Amsterdam
Sampurna, Mama Makan and Koeah are all excellent places to sample Indonesian food in Amsterdam.
Pro Tip: For a complete culinary adventure go to Foodhallen. The repurposed tram depot boasts some of the best local and international eats. We feasted on nachos, Iberico ham, sushi and a juicy burger all under one roof!
#12 Bitterballen
Deep-fried Bitterballen is one of the favorite snacks in the Netherlands. These appetizers are little round balls, similar to croquettes, and are especially prevalent at bars and taverns
Bitterballen are crispy on the outside and filled with a thick meaty gravy-like mixture. Like most bar food, it pairs well with beer and mustard!
Where To Eat Bitterballen
We believe the best Bitterballen are served in pubs alongside a pint of Amsterdam Craft Beer. Cafe de Tuin is famous for there’s, but we absolutely loved the ones from De Ballenbar at Foodhallen.
Foodie Tip: Bar food in the Netherlands extends well beyond Bitterballen. On our recent trip, we noticed that nachos are the current craze and they were shockingly delicious!
#13 Patatje Oorlog (War Fries)
The Netherlands can hardly take credit for fries, but what makes Patatje Oorlog an authentic Dutch food is the assembly of toppings that are slathered on top of them.
This begins with a heaping gob of mayo and a peanut satay sauce (nearly drowning the fries). Then raw, diced onions are sprinkled over the sauces. Eating this dish requires a fork and a strong stomach!
Where To Eat the Best Dutch Fries
When in Amsterdam, a popular spot for the best fries is at Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx. This small fry shop has been around for more than 50 years.
That said, there are places all over Amsterdam where you can get this classic snack – most often served in a paper cone with a small fork or toothpick. We personally like Heertje Friet.
#14 Borrel Nootje (Drink Nuts)
Borrel Nootje are cocktail peanuts with a twist. While they don’t rank as traditional Dutch cuisine, they should still be on your list of things to try.
Rather than being salted, each individual nut is coated with a crispy, spicy layer of flavor. There are several varieties including garlic and paprika. Just a warning: they are highly addictive; once we start eating them, we can’t stop!
Where To Find Borrel Nootje
Some pubs have them as a bar snack, but you can also find these tasty morsels at the grocery and convenience stores.
#15 Netherlands Stroopwafel (Dutch Waffle)
Not everything in the Netherlands is savory – and stroopwafels are proof of that! These sweet traditional Dutch cookies are made of two thin waffle wafers and stuck together with caramel syrup.
When heated slightly they become gloriously gooey – and rank as one of our favorite Netherlands desserts!
Best Stroopwafels in Amsterdam
At one time, the best place in Amsterdam for Stroopwafels was van Wonderen Stroopwafels. However, recent reviews indicate otherwise. Try FA. Stroop, Van Holland or Melly’s.
#16 Hagelslag (Sprinkles)
Remember as a kid, how sprinkles made ice cream so much better? Well, in the Netherlands, they aren’t just reserved for kids or ice cream.
Hagelslag is consumed – usually topping a slice of buttered bread – as a snack or at any meal. It is even eaten as a typical Dutch breakfast.
We would smear peanut butter on sweet Dutch pastries then top it with chocolate hagelslag. There are no rules…and sprinkles are fun!
#17 Appeltaart (Dutch Apple Pie)
When it comes to Dutch desserts, none is perhaps more famous than apple pie. It is, however, not like American apple pie.
Appeltaart is made in a spring-form pan, not a pie dish, and the consistency is more like a cake. The apples are also sliced thicker and stacked high and the filling is sturdy.
Where To Eat Apple Pie in Amsterdam
The most famous restaurant in Amsterdam for Appeltaart is Winkel 43. They serve their slices topped with a dollop of cream – and the taste is simply out of this world!
#18 Dutch Ice Cream
Summers in the Netherlands can be hot – and there’s no better cure than ice cream! While there’s not a definitive answer to what makes this ice cream ‘Dutch,’ it is certainly prevalent throughout the country.
Some makers offer unique flavors – such as Dutch Apple Tart and an inventive (but we think perhaps not-so-tasty) Raw Herring Ice Cream.
Where to Eat Dutch Ice Cream in Amsterdam
At Van der Linde they have only one flavor: Vanilla. Don’t let that discourage you!
The family-run shop features fresh-made frozen cream, which is closer to cold whipped than traditional ice cream – and has earned it the nickname of Mr. Whippy!
Final Tip: Looking for a guide to lead the way to the most delicious Dutch cuisine? Embark on an incredible discovery of must-try Dutch food on this highly-rated Amsterdam Food Tour!
Planning a Vacation to the Netherlands
We know there is a lot more to planning a trip than deciding what to eat in the Netherlands! Those visiting Amsterdam can use these specific travel guides to help plan your time.
- Free Self Guided Amsterdam Walk
- Amsterdam Itinerary for 3 Days
- Best Craft Beer in Amsterdam
- How To Spend Christmas in Amsterdam
- Take a Day Trip to Haarlem
Travelers to the Netherlands from abroad can also find useful tips in our article on Planning a European Vacation.
As you begin to make bookings and reservations, stay on top of all the details with our Printable Travel Planner.
Stamppot Recipe
Hungry for delicious Netherlands cuisine? There’s no better way to satisfy that craving than to feast on the iconic Dutch national food dish: Stamppot.
Ingredients
- 1 lb white potatoes
- 1 large sweet potato
- 2 large carrots
- 2 medium yellow onions
- ½ lb fresh cabbage
- 1 garlic clove
- ½ red pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 package smoked sausage (rookworst if you can find it!)
- ½ stick of butter
- ½ cup of milk
- salt and pepper
Fun Fact: In our education of typical Dutch food, we learned the word ‘lekker’. It translates to ‘tasty’ and we can assure you, Dutch cuisine is indeed lekker!
Start planning your trip to the Netherlands! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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