10 Dutch foods you should try when in Amsterdam

Dutch fries

In the Netherlands, we call chips ‘patat’ or ‘friet’. In Amsterdam, ‘patat’ is the most common appellation. Traditionally they come served in a paper cone, topped with your favourite sauce(s). We Dutchies love ‘patatje oorlog,’ which includes peanut sauce, mayonnaise, and onions, or ‘patatje speciaal,’ with a topping that marries curry ketchup, mayonnaise, and onions.

Bitterballen

Imagine you’re having a beer in any bar and you’re scanning the menu in search of snack to go with your refreshing beverage, then ‘bitterballen’ are the ultimate Dutch finger food. These deep-fried, crispy, round croquettes are served with mustard.

Stroopwafel

The ‘stroopwafel’ is two thin waffles stuck together with sweet syrup. The best place to get them is a bakery or street market, but it gets even better: you can buy them in every supermarket to take home as a souvenir.

Raw herring

Herring season is from March to July and is the best time to get the most scrumptious fishy morsels. But don’t worry if you miss it: you can find herring carts all over the city throughout the year. But how to  eat herring? There’s really nothing to it: grab it by the tail, lift it up, tilt your head backwards, and enjoy that perfectly fatty bite!

Croquettes from a vending machine

Chip shop FEBO can be found all over the city, including the hole-in-the-wall cafés where you can use your pocket money to buy a quick snack for on the go.

Cheese

A typical lunch for us Dutchies is a simple cheese sandwich. But don’t let that simplicity fool you! Cheese-making is big business in the Netherlands, and you can buy your own at any market, such as the Albert Cuyp market, or in one of the many cheese shops. We love ‘De Kaaskamer’ in the ‘Negen Straatjes’ – the nine streets flanked by Prinsengracht to the west and Singel to the east that are packed full of cute boutiques!

Poffertjes

Think fluffy, batter-rich, mini pancakes and there you have it: ‘poffertjes’. You can order them in any pancake house, but they’re even better when bought from one of the street vendors. Simply sprinkle them with powdered sugar and you’re good to go.

Stamppot

This traditional Dutch dish includes nothing more than potatoes mashed with other vegetables, usually kale or carrot, and is served with gravy and a juicy sausage. It’s the perfect comfort food during the colder winter months!

Liquorice

In the Netherlands, we call liquorice ‘drop’. And if you said we were addicted to it, you’d probably be right. Our salty, black version is absolutely delicious. You can get it in any supermarket.

Snert

Besides our ‘stamppot’, ‘snert’ or ‘erwtensoep’ is another typical Dutch dish. It’s a thick pea soup made with split peas, celery, onion, leek, and pork. It might not look like or sound delicious, but please believe us when we say it really is!
Smakelijk! (Bon appétit!)

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