One of the best ways to get to know a country is through its food. And, if you’re lucky, the process tends to be delicious. That’s certainly the case in the Netherlands. Dutch food includes cheese, sweets, Dutch apple pie, and a particular category of tasty fried foods called “beer snacks.” Lots of trips to the Netherlands have given us a chance to try those dishes and even more ranging from holiday treats to everyday staples.
Here’s a look at 17 foods (and one drink!) worth having on a visit to Amsterdam or anywhere else in the Netherlands.
Stroopwafel
Stroopwafels are fun to eat and to say (thanks to Wikipedia, you can hear the pronunciation). This popular food is made from two thin layers of baked dough—like very skinny waffles—stuck together with caramel syrup.
Originally made in Gouda 200 years ago, stroopwafels are available fresh at bakeries and food trucks across the Netherlands, as well as sold packaged in grocery stores. They come in mini sizes or versions the size of your face, like the one I tried.
Gouda cheese
Also originally related to the city of Gouda is…well, Gouda. This yellow cheese, a staple of Dutch cuisine, is made from cow’s milk and can be aged anywhere from about 4 weeks to over a year. The younger versions tend to be mild, and older versions may take on sweet, nutty flavors. Smoked Gouda is also very popular.
Interestingly, Gouda cheese got its name not because it is produced in the city, but because it has historically been traded there. Visitors can still see the weekly cheese market in Gouda during the spring and summer and witness the unique trading rituals.
Stamppot
Stamppot is a hearty, filling dish. Mashed potatoes are combined with other vegetables, which could include spinach, kale, carrots, or turnip greens. It’s comfort food at its best and is perfect for the winter months, especially when served with smoked sausage (rookworst).
Herring
In the Netherlands, people have eaten raw herring (haring) for hundreds of years. This fatty fish is lightly brined and salted and then served with chopped onions and pickles.
I was not itching to try herring (at all) and almost certainly wouldn’t have, but it was included on the food tour I took. And I’m glad I did. I was shocked at its light, fresh taste when I had expected strong and super fishy. A pleasant surprise.
If you’re interested in trying out the awesome, 4-hour food tour I went on see details, schedules, and pricing here. If you’d prefer a private tour, this one is highly rated.
Kibbeling
Often served at fish stands alongside herring, kibbeling is juicy pieces of fried fish. The name comes from kabeljauwwang (cod cheek), the cut of fish originally used in the popular street food. Now, you may find it made with cod, pollock, hake, or another white fish. Kibbeling is often topped with tartar sauce, and, if you order it with frites, you’ll have your own Dutch fish and chips.
In big cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, you’ll have your pick of fish carts. As popular as herring and kibbeling are in town, they’re even more popular at the beach. If you’re in Amsterdam, consider heading to nearby Zandvoort beach (or go to Scheveningen in The Hague, as I did) to join the locals.
Oliebollen
Dutch donuts called oliebollen (literally “oily balls”) are always a favorite. Fried dough doused liberally in powered sugar, they’re traditionally eaten as a Christmas or New Year’s treat. They often contain currants, raisins, or candied fruit.
Indonesian food
Some of the best Dutch food actually isn’t Dutch at all—it’s Indonesian. The food of the former Dutch colony has so many flavors, textures, and different delicious combinations to try.
A common way to sample a lot of Indonesian foods is the rijsttafel, which literally means “rice table.” This elaborate meal consists of 15+ side dishes served in small portions, accompanied by rice. Typical options for the dishes include egg rolls, sambals, satay, and vegetables. We’ve tried it at super popular Sama Sebo in Amsterdam–where you can even get a modified rijsttafel for one–and at the incredible De Lachende Javaan in nearby Haarlem, but there are many options.
Dutch apple pie
Apple pie is the quintessential Dutch dessert–it’s been part of the menu here for 500 years. Dutch apple pies are similar to American apple pies, but they’re not as sweet, and the apples are densely stacked. I didn’t miss the extra sugar at all, and the cinnamon, raisins, and fresh whipped cream pushed it over the edge to make it one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.
If sampling snacks in Rotterdam is on your list, try out this 3-hour food tour.
Drop
Drop (licorice) comes in a variety of flavors and is a favorite of Dutch people, who eat an average of over four pounds (2kg) per person each year. You will find traditional, anise-flavored black licorice, salty drop, honey-flavored, and mint. It’s available all over the country and is commonly sold in pharmacies because it’s believed that it has medicinal properties.
Poffertjes
Puffy pancakes known as poffertjes are one of my favorite breakfasts. These simple, fluffy treats are made with yeast and buckwheat flour. Most often, they’re topped with the perfect combination of butter, powdered sugar, and syrup.
Poffertjes are also popular at festivals, fairs, and events where you’ll likely find a greater range of toppings for the tasty snacks. At several festivals, the Christmas markets, and the Gouda cheese market, I saw them served with a cinnamon and sugar mix, chocolate syrup, or whipped cream. My favorites were topped with fresh strawberries.
Pannekoeken
You might gather that the Dutch love their pancakes. And I’m with them on that! Unlike the small poffertjes, pannekoeken are dinner-plate-sized specialties. Traditionally, they are eaten with a type of syrup called treacle, but you can find them served with any number of things at any time of the day. The gem in the photo above is from dinner at Amsterdam’s The Pancake Bakery—a delicious option made with bacon, cheese, and mushrooms.
Speculaas
A spiced shortcrust cookie, speculaas is one of our favorite foods to have in the Netherlands. Even though it’s most traditional around Christmas time, it can be found year-round.
The crispy brown cookie usually has flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and other seasonal spices, which have been part of the recipe for centuries thanks to the Dutch East India Company spice trade. You will often find them in the shape of windmills, but molds for Christmas are elaborate and can get very large–it’s not uncommon to see a giant St. Nicholas a few feet tall.
Bitterballen
Bitterballen are a traditional beer snack. The breaded balls filled with gravy are fried to a perfect golden brown and are available at most pubs you come across. The bite-sized snacks are served with mustard and are great on their own or with one of the local craft beers.
Hachée
Beef and onions cooked low and slow are the basis for hachée. Cloves, bay leaves, and a bit of vinegar amp up the flavor on this simple, filling stew. Often accompanied by boiled potatoes and red cabbage, it’s an excellent dish to have in the colder months.
Patat frites
Patat frites are French fries. But perfectly fried and coated in one of the dozen or so sauce choices, they can be a little bit of heaven. Mayonnaise is the condiment of choice, but I’m partial to curry sauce.
Kroketten
Similar to bitterballen, croquettes (kroketten) are a popular fast food. They’re cylindrical in shape and have a molten center made of a thick gravy with pieces of meat (beef or veal) covered in breadcrumbs and deep fried. While they don’t win any awards for health, they’re usually a tasty and filling option. You’ll often see kroketten served on bread as a sandwich (broodje kroket).
Hopjes coffee candy
Hopjes candies, sweets with a coffee and caramel flavor, have been popular for over 200 years. Their origin story traces to Baron Hendrik Hop, an envoy of the States of Holland, who was a coffee lover and happened to live over a confectionery in The Hague. One night, he left a cup of coffee with milk and sugar on the stove and woke to find it had turned to caramel.
Living above a candy maker had its privileges, and the Baron enlisted his neighbor in producing the candy that now bears his name. It ultimately made the confectionery world-famous, and the candy was frequently copied.
We were served the candies in several restaurants in the Netherlands alongside coffee or as an after-dinner sweet (like you might receive a peppermint in other countries). We loved them so much that we brought a bag home.
Genever
The last Dutch food to try is, well, a drink. Genever (jenever) is the traditional spirit of the Netherlands. This clear liquor is made from distilled malt wine that is flavored with juniper and spices. The result is similar to gin but smoother with a malty flavor and a hint of sweetness. If your trip also includes Belgium, you’ll find genever there, too, thanks to the countries’ common history.
There are three traditional kinds of genevers— old (oude), young (jonge), and superior—plus a huge variety of liqueurs. The liqueurs can get a little crazy, ranging from normal flavors like blackberry to those with names like Hansel in the Cellar and My Aunt’s Perfume. These 400-year-old products are still available in tasting rooms throughout Amsterdam that date back centuries. Visiting one is an experience not to be missed.
We were the guests of Eating Amsterdam. All opinions of the sweet and savory are our own.
Do you have a favorite typical dish or one you can’t wait to try?
Laura Longwell
Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.
In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.
