Skip the touristy traps and join us on a flavorful journey through Dutch cuisine. From crispy stroopwafels to buttery poffertjes, Dutch food is all about comfort, tradition and surprising variety. Here’s your bite-sized guide to eating like a local.
Sweet, crispy, and iconic: Stroopwafels
The best? Freshly made, warm from a waffle iron at a street market. You’ll find them at places like the Albert Cuyp Market. Prefer pre-packed? Skip the overpriced tourist shops, try a local bakery or even the supermarket (yes, Albert Heijn has great ones).
Bitterballen & fries
For savory cravings, nothing beats a portion of bitterballen crispy, golden meat-filled bites. Locals enjoy them around 4 or 5 p.m., with a beer or wine in hand at a cozy café. It’s the ultimate Dutch borrel snack, relaxed, social, and delicious.
Fries are everywhere, served with mayonnaise or curry ketchup. No need to queue at the trendiest spot: Dutch “snackbars” do them right. Want to try it like the locals? Ask for a patatje oorlog: fries with mayo, satay sauce, and chopped onions. Or go for patatje vrede (peace fries), the same but without the onions. A quirky name for a delicious mess.
Fish the Dutch way
The Netherlands loves fish, especially fried or raw. Try kibbeling: crispy battered cod, sold at fish stalls and local markets. Feeling brave? Sample haring (raw herring, often with onions and pickles) or smoked eel, a traditional delicacy.
Tip: Go to a stall like Volendammer Vishandel at Ten Katemarkt for fresh, local fish snacks.
A dinner full of stories
Dutch dinner traditions are simple but filling: boiled potatoes, vegetables, and meat. But that’s just one side of the plate. Thanks to Dutch history, flavors from Indonesia and Suriname have found a home here. Try an Indonesian rijsttafel—a table full of small, flavorful dishes or a spicy Surinamese roti. Local tip: check Google Maps for well-reviewed spots near your hotel.
Pancakes anytime
Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken) aren’t just for breakfast they’re a full meal. You’ll find them served for lunch or dinner, topped with bacon, apple, or raisins. Prefer bite-sized? Go for poffertjes, dusted with powdered sugar and butter, best enjoyed at a market stand.
Say cheese!
Cheese is everywhere in the Netherlands, but not all cheese is created equal. Skip the flashy tourist shops and step into a traditional local store.
Tip: Try De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam, Fromagerie Kef, or Kaasland all offer rich flavors and will happily let you taste. Dutch locals love aged cheese, especially varieties with cumin.
Want to pair your cheese with the perfect wine? Join Michael’s City Walk & Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour. It’s the ideal way to explore Amsterdam’s hidden corners while sampling truly artisanal Dutch cheeses expertly matched with European wines.
👉 Book the tour here