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).
Our tip:
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. 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.
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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.
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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.
Our tips:
- The Pantry
- De Hollandse-pot
- Sampurna (Indonesian)
- De Hapjeshoek (Surinam)
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.
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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. Dutch locals love aged cheese, especially varieties with cumin.
Our tips:
Most cheese shops will happily let you taste.
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