Amsterdam is known for many things: a liberal lifestyle, scenic canals, and picturesque homes. It also has countless long-term rentals, allowing tourists to fully immerse themselves in the city’s vivid culture and lifestyle.
Its food culture, however, remains relatively unknown, with fewer people visiting the area for its foodie scene compared to other European cities such as Paris and Barcelona. Nonetheless, the city has plenty of culinary offerings that await the discovery of travelers’ taste buds, ranging from freshly caught seafood and meatballs to its own version of waffles and pancakes. It even offers its own take on food that most people would normally associate with Asia, as well as fries with a twist. Whether you’re a fan of sweet or savory food, you’re sure to find something in the city that your tastebuds will appreciate. Take a look at this list of food to try while in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Patatje Oorlog
“Patatje Oorlog” is evidence that the Dutch take their potatoes seriously. This offering is translated to “fries at war”, a description that is oddly fitting, considering what goes on in this offering. Dutch-style fries are served with a generous topping of a special sauce, which is a combination of mayonnaise, raw onions, and peanut satay sauce. This mix might seem strange, but the number of hawkers selling it serves as a silent testament to the popularity of Patatje Oorlog. If you’re leery about buying this from a street vendor, try this dish at Mannekenpis, which earned the top spot for the best fries in the Netherlands.
Mannekenpis
Address: Damrak 41, 1012 LK Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: Mannekenpis
Price: 2.50 EUR (2.84 USD) for large
2. Stroopwafel
Stroopwafels did not originate from Amsterdam, but in Gouda, a nearby town. In fact, this food item was only made there until the 1870s. Amsterdam, however, has since become the known home of this sweet treat. The stroopwafel may have become popular worldwide, but unlike in other places where you get commercialized versions, you can get it freshly baked in Amsterdam. Loosely translated to “syrup waffle”, this treat is made of caramel sandwiched between two thin waffles. Stroopwafel is also sold by street vendors, as well as bakeries, grocery stores, and in markets. For the best stroopwafel in Amsterdam, head on over to Landskroon.
Landskroon
Address: Singel 385, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Price: 2 EUR (2.27 USD)
3. Poffertjes
Poffertjes are smaller, fluffier versions of pancakes that are traditionally slathered with butter and powdered sugar, although it may also be served with other toppings such as syrup, strawberries, and cream. Locals will attest that the best option will be buying this from street vendors. However, if you want to enjoy it at a restaurant, there are establishments such as Pancakes! that serve this dish ah well.
Pancakes!
Address: Leidsebosje 5, Stadhouderkade 11, 1054 ES, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Price: 5.50 EUR (6.24 USD)
4. Broodje haring
Trying out broodje haring, or herring sandwich, can be your first step to tasting one of Amsterdam’s famous specialties, raw herring. The fish itself has been fully frozen and then salted and aged in oak prior to being sold. Tourists who don’t want to risk eating the fish on its own, try out the herring sandwich instead, which is served with pickles and onions to help lessen the fishy taste. A stroll around the city may lead you to spot a number of haringhandels (herring carts), where you can try this food item. You can also buy it from stores such as Haringhandel Jonk.
Haringhandel Jonk
Address: Spui 7A | Tegenover Esprit Cafe, 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Website: Haringhandel Jonk
Amsterdam Tour Guide
Locally Louke
Hi, my name is Louke and I live and work in the historical city of Amsterdam. My style of guiding is custom. That feeling you get from meeting up with a friend that shows you around their city. Obviously, I will take you to see the things on your bucket list and I will help you get the lay of the land and share tips and tricks of how to get the most out of your stay in my city.
Tours by Locally
5. Satay
Originally an Indonesian specialty, satay has since become a mainstay in Dutch cuisine. Sliced pork or chicken is skewered on a stick and served with spicy peanut sauce, along with fries and/or salad. Kartika is one place where you can try out Amsterdam’s version of satay if you don’t want to buy some from street vendors.
Kartika
Address: Overtoom 68, 1054 HL Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Website: Kartika
Price: 11-20 EUR (12.50-22.72 USD)
6. Bossche bol
Here’s another treat for sweets lovers. Bossche boll is a ball-shaped pastry filled with cream and covered in either dark chocolate or brittle milk, making it similar to eclairs, except that it’s roughly the same size and shape as a tennis ball. The sweet treat originated from Den Bosch (hence the name). You can buy a bossche bol from patisseries such as Van Avezaath Beune. While there, feel free to try some of their other delectable pastries and cakes as well.
Van Avezaath Beune
Address: Johannes Verhulststraat 98, 1071 NK Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: Van Avezaath Beune
7. Tompouce
Tompouce is another Dutch dessert that you can sink your sweet tooth into. This treat is essentially a rectangular-shaped puff pastry filled with cream and topped with icing, usually colored pink. During King’s Day, however, the color of icing used for this dessert is changed to orange in honor of the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. According to legend, this pastry is named after Tom Pouce, the stage name of a performer who became famous. According to those in the know, the best tompouce in Amsterdam is sold in Blommestein.
Blommestein
Address: Churchilllaan 26, 1078 EG Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: Blommestein
8. Bitterballen
Bitterballen is considered a traditional bar snack, enjoyed together with beer. While its name is literally translated to “bitter balls”, this food actually resemble croquettes. Deep-fried snacks are commonly made of chopped beef, herbs and spices, butter, and beef broth and covered in flour. This snack is often served with mustard for dipping. Bars and certain cafes, like BallenBar, serve bitterballen.
BallenBar
Address: Foodhallen, Bellamyplein 51, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: BallenBar
Price: 6.50 EUR (7.38 USD) for 5 bitterballen
9. Dutch cheese
The Dutch take their cheese seriously - in fact, Amsterdam even has a cheese museum. The city has over 50 varieties of this dairy product, with the most popular variant being Gouda cheese and the most famous, Old Amsterdam, an aged version of Gouda cheese. There are a number of other variants as well, differing from each other in terms of age and flavor (including some combined with herbs). You can try just about every kind of cheese in Amsterdam at De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam. Full meals are also served here, so you don’t have to worry about nibbling solely on cheese if you happen to drop by during mealtime.
De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam
Address: Runstraat 7 1016 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam.
Price: Starts at 45 EUR (51.13 USD)
Visited this place?
10. Stamppot
Stamppot can be translated to “mash pot”, a fitting name considering that it is a mix of mashed potatoes, carrots, onions, sauerkraut, and/or kale. This dish is usually served during winter and is traditionally served together with rookwurst, a type of sausage. You can enjoy a serving of stamppot at establishments such as Moeders, which serves traditional Dutch dishes.
Moeders
Address: Rozengracht 251, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: Moeders
Price: 16 EUR (18.18 USD)
Delight in Dutch delicacies
Amsterdam’s foodie culture may just be emerging - as can be seen in the number of restaurants that sprouted in the city in the past years - but its native delicacies have been enjoyed by residents and those in the know for quite some time already. Use this guide to help you discover which Dutch delicacies the locals are feasting on.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
