Last Updated on April 8, 2023

Wondering what the typical Dutch foods and snacks are and what you definetely should try when visiting the Netherlands? Here, in this article we have listed 11 typical Dutch things that you can find in Amsterdam. #2 and #11 are our favorites of this list!

Description of the Dutch Cuisine

Okay let’s be honest, comparing to the Italian and the Japanese cuisine, our Dutch cuisine sucks. Like real bad. And except for “stampot” (mashed potatoes with vegetables) we don’t really have a lot of typical Dutch dishes. That is why you often won’t find many typical dutch dishes on the menu in restaurants.

However, we produce lots of good, fresh and affordable vegetables in the Netherlands. Our home-made meals contains lots of potatoes, vegetables and meat (now more often, we replace the meat with a vegetarian plant-based alternative).

Dairy products, such as cheese, butter, and milk, also play a prominent role in Dutch cuisine, reflecting the importance of the country’s dairy industry. Spices like nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, which were introduced through the Dutch East India Company’s trade routes in the 16th and 17th century.

Dutch cuisine is a reflection of the country’s agricultural roots, maritime history, and trading connections. It is a cuisine that with simple, hearty, and flavorful dishes made from local ingredients.

Dishes with lots of potatoes

The Dutch are known for their love of potatoes, and they have a variety of dishes that can be made with them. Some of the most popular potato dishes include stamppot, which are mashed potatoes served with vegetables or smoked sausage, called “rookworst”.

Another popular potato dish is called hutspot, which is a potato, carrot, and onion dish that can be served with a beef stew, for example.

We also eat a lot of thick potato fries in the Netherlands!

“Haring”: You either love it or hate it

Dutch cuisine also includes a variety of fish dishes. Some of the most popular fish dishes include Kibbeling (deep-fried cod) and smoked haring (hering). Shellfish, such as mussels are also popular, and they are usually served steamed or in a cream sauce.

Our famous Dutch Cheeses

Cheese is another staple of Dutch cuisine, with the most popular cheese being Gouda. Gouda is a semi-hard cheese that is usually sold as pre-cut pieces. It is often used in sandwiches and salads, and it is also a popular cheese to snack.

Other Dutch cheeses include Maasdammer, and Edammer cheese.

Lots of different fried snacks

Snacks are also a big part of Dutch cuisine, and the most popular snack is bitterballen. Bitterballen are deep-fried balls of beef or veal, usually served with mustard. Other popular snacks include kroketten (croquettes), kaassouffle (cheese souffle), and frikandel (deep-fried sausage).

Sweet snacks and dessert

Finally, Dutch cuisine also includes a variety of sweet things. The most popular dessert is stroopwafel, a waffle cookie filled with caramel. Other popular desserts include oliebollen (Dutch donuts), poffertjes (small pancakes), and appeltaart (Dutch apple pie).

Dutch cuisine is a unique cuisine with many snacks that has been enjoyed in the Netherlands for centuries.

Our list with 11 Must try Dutch Foods and Dutch Snacks

Here below, you can find a list with all the must-eat Dutch foods you need to try when you are visiting the Netherlands.

1. Stamppot (Savoury Dutch Food)

Stamppot is a hearty blend of mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables such as kale, carrots, or sauerkraut (in Dutch:”zuurkool”), it is often accompanied by an array of meats like smoked bacon, “rookworst” sausage, or tender chunks of beef. This dish is typically only served during cold winter months. Only just a few specific restaurants in Amsterdam serve this typical Dutch dish whole year round.

Places where you can eat stamppot in Amsterdam:

“Moeders” – Rozengracht 25 11016 SX Amsterdam

“Bistro Bij Ons Amsterdam” – Prinsengracht 287H, 1016 GW Amsterdam

2. Bitterballen – (Savoury Dutch Food)

A popular Dutch bar snack, these small yet flavorful deep-fried croquettes feature a rich and savory filling of shredded beef or veal, immersed in a flavorsome beef broth with butter, flour, and an aromatic blend of spices. Best enjoyed piping hot, they are served with a side of tangy mustard for dipping. Perfect for sharing with friends over drinks at a local pub.

3. Poffertjes – (Sweet Dutch Food)

Experience the sweet side of Dutch cuisine with these mini, pillow-like pancakes. Made from a batter of flour, milk, eggs, and yeast, they are baked to fluffy perfection on a special cast iron pan with tiny wholes. Typically served with a generous dusting of powdered sugar and a pat of melting butter, poffertjes are a delightful treat to enjoy at outdoor markets, street food stalls, or charming pancake houses.

4. Kroketten – (Savoury Dutch Food)

Another beloved deep-fried delicacy, kroketten are crispy on the outside and creamy (savoury) on the inside. The filling is a mouthwatering ragout containing beef, pork, or veal. Often served with a side of mustard, they can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or even as a filling for the classic Dutch broodje kroket sandwich. Nowadays, you can also find the vegetarian versions on the menu.

5. Kaassouffle – (Savoury Dutch Food)

Cheese lovers will love this delicious Dutch snack. A kaassoufflé (cheese soufflé) is made with rich and flavorful Dutch Gouda cheese. The kaassoufflé is encased in a light, flaky pastry and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The kaassouffle is a nice treat best enjoyed at a local café or at FEBO (the local Dutch snack bar from Amsterdam).

6. Haring – (Savoury Dutch Food)

Haring is an interesting Dutch food experience. Haring is salted raw herring that is traditionally served with finely chopped onions, tangy pickles, and a slice of bread. You can buy haring at stands throughout Amsterdam, or at one of the many markets that you can find in Amsterdam.

7. Erwtensoep – (Savoury Dutch Food)

Also known as “snert”, this thick and hearty green pea soup is a winter staple in the Netherlands. Packed with robust flavors from smoked bacon, potatoes, and a medley of herbs and spices, erwtensoep is a warming and satisfying dish best enjoyed with a slice of rye bread and a dollop of butter. In the winter you can buy erwtensoep at the “HEMA”.

HEMA, an iconic Dutch retail chain, is known for offering a wide variety of affordable, high-quality products under its own brand name. Founded in 1926, it has become a staple of everyday life in the Netherlands, with its stores carrying everything from clothing and home goods to stationery and food items.

8. Rookworst – (Savoury Dutch Food)

This iconic smoked sausage is a traditional Dutch product, distinctly different from its German counterpart. Made from ground meat mixed with spices and salt, it is smoked to impart a deep, rich flavor. Typically served alongside stamppot or in a hearty erwtensoep (see above), rookworst plays actually an important part of Dutch dishes in the winter. If you want to try good “rookworst” as a snack, we would again recommend HEMA. Their “Rookworst” with bread is really famous and delicious.

9. Dutch Apple Pie (Appeltaart) (Sweet Dutch Food)

The Dutch apple pie (“appeltaart”) is a dessert loved by both locals and tourists. Made with tender slices of apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and plump raisins, the pie is covered in a buttery and soft baked dough. For an extra touch of indulgence, enjoy a warm slice topped with a generous amount of whipped cream at a traditional Dutch bakery or café.

The best place in Amsterdam to try Dutch apple pie is at “Winkel 43”. They are famous for their apple pie and everyone local in Amsterdam knows that. If you want to eat a slice of apple pie here, you will need to be lucky, as often full means full and they don’t take any reservations.

Winkel 43 – Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam – Open from Mon – Sun

10. Oliebollen – (Sweet Dutch Food)

A festive treat typically served during the New Year season, oliebollen are deep-fried dough balls that are the Dutch answer to doughnuts but without a hole in it. Made from a simple batter of flour, milk, eggs, and yeast, they are fried to golden perfection and dusted with a generous coating of powdered sugar. Often they contain raisins or currants.

Oliebollen can be found at outdoor holiday markets or specialty bakeries during the festive season, and are best enjoyed when they are still warm. Just take care that you don’t burn your mouth when trying to eat them!

11. Stroopwafels – (Sweet Dutch Food)

Stroopwafels (in English: “syrupwaffles)” consist of two thin, crispy waffle-like layers, made from a delicate blend of flour, butter, sugar, and a hint of cinnamon. Sandwiched between these golden discs is a luscious caramel filling, made from brown sugar, butter, and syrup.

Crisp waffles with a hint of cinnamon, combined with creamy caramel, make for a delicious snack that both locals and tourists enjoy.

Originating in the Dutch city of Gouda, stroopwafels can now be found at street markets, specialty bakeries, and even supermarkets across the Netherlands. To truly savor the stroopwafel experience, place one atop a steaming cup of coffee or tea, allowing the caramel to soften slightly, resulting in a warm treat that perfectly captures the essence of Dutch sweetness!

You can buy stroopwafels at every Dutch supermarket. If you have enough time in Amsterdam, we would recommend you to go to the Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam. Here, you can buy a big and freshly made syrupwaffel. Those fresh ones are really, really nice and you should definitely try them.

Albert Cuyp Market – Albert Cuypstraat, 1073 BD Amsterdam – Open from Mon-Sat

So! These were the 11 typical Dutch foods we wanted to share with you. To experience the Dutch culture, we would recommend you to try at least one of these when you are visiting the Netherlands! “Eetsmakelijk”! (This is how we say “Enjoy your meal” in Dutch).

Others also read:

Amsterdam Travel Guide: Best money saving & travel tips for Amsterdam

Every year, Amsterdam is visited by millions and millions of visitors around the world. Without booking your trip in advance, it will be very hard to find the best place to stay in Amsterdam or do the things you want to do.
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Find your Flight
Since airfare costs will be a significant part of your trip expenses, we recommend you to use Skyscanner as it gives you a list with the cheapest flights. You may also want to check out the website of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. KLM is the main airline of the Netherlands and has besides convenient connections (Amsterdam Schiphol Airport), also competitive prizing and good In-flight experience (e.g. extra legroom; we Dutch are tall, that’s why).
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Find your Train Ticket
Amsterdam is well-connected with other European cities. Use NS International to purchase your train ticket to the Netherlands. NS is the main train operator in the Netherlands. Planning to see more than Amsterdam during your stay in Europe? You may want to consider buying an Eurail Interrail Pass which gives you unlimited train travel across Europe for a specific period.
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Book your Accommodation
The best platform to book a hotel room in Amsterdam is Booking.com as nearly every big and small hotel are listed on this platform, making it very easy to find your preferred hotel. All the costs are listed on the site so you won’t need to pay any unexpected costs such as tourist taxes at arrival.

Booking.com’s Genius loyalty program offers attractive discounts, meaning that you will pay less for your accommodation.

HostelWorld is your to-go platform to book a bed in a hostel. Every hostel in Amsterdam can be found on HostelWorld, making it easy to compare prices and availability.
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Buy your museum and attractions tickets in advance!
Amsterdam is a very very popular tourist attractions and if you want to visit certain attraction it is nearly a MUST to reserve and purchase your tickets online. Otherwise you won’t be able to get in. Especially if you want to visit the Anne Frank House, in high seasons the tickets are already sold out 1.5 months in advance (not a joke).

GetyourGuide is the best platform to buy your tickets online, as they offer free cancellation with full refund. Purchase your tickets first is the smartest thing what you can do before coming to Amsterdam.
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