In one of his earliest masterpieces, Van Gogh referred to the people of Holland as a population of ‘potato eaters’, striving in his work to depict their faces as “the colour of a good, dusty potato, unpeeled naturally”. While this may not be the most flattering description, it’s possible he meant it well. After all, Van Gogh regarded “The Potato Eaters” as his most successful painting. Nonetheless, Amsterdam’s food scene today has evolved to include far more than just potatoes; it boasts a vibrant mix of creamy, nutty cheeses, Texel lamb, international inspirations, colonial-era influences, and delightfully fresh fish straight from the North Sea.
Although the Amsterdam of previous years never acquired a particularly prestigious reputation for its food scene, the city today is on an upward trajectory with a new generation of chefs engaging in playful experimentation, culinary creativity, and a less fussy, more modern approach to fine dining. This new wave reflects the city’s spirit — fun, risqué, with an emphasis on sustainability and a culinary calibre all its own (which has only recently begun to reclaim its own locavore larder). That said, it remains easy to make a culinary misstep in the capital known for bachelor parties gone wrong and overhyped tourist-trap restaurants. However, as long as you know where to look and what to avoid, the city can be quite a tasty delight — so when in Amsterdam, here’s what to add to your dinner plate.
Also, follow our guide to the top things to do in Amsterdam when visiting the Dutch capital.
Must-try food in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s culinary landscape today showcases a fusion of indigenous and international influences, with quintessential Dutch delicacies and ingredients coexisting alongside global imports and remnants of the colonial era. Various Indonesian and Surinamese warung eateries have emerged throughout the city, offering fresh roti (bread), bami (stir-fried noodles), pom (a traditional Surinamese casserole), and Indonesian rijsttafel, a banquet of small dishes bursting with flavour. The Dutch capital also boasts exceptional Turkish kebabs and fresh baklava, hearty Ethiopian stews served with injera, and arguably some of the finest pizza in the world at nNea (though securing a reservation at the restaurant can be pretty challenging – the good news is that they also welcome walk-ins). For aficionados of sweet or salty Dutch liquorice, known as zoute, a visit to Jacob Hooy & Co. is a must – this charming old shop with antique interiors and warm wooden flooring originally opened as a pharmacy in 1743.
Also, read about Europe’s best culinary destination here.
As you stroll through Amsterdam, it’s impossible to overlook the haring (herring) stalls, charming pockets of blue adorned with flags triumphantly protruding from the rooftops. These street stalls offer Hollandse Nieuwe, or “new herring,” caught early in the summer — a slippery, briny snack of raw herring with onions and pickles, traditionally consumed by gripping the fish by the tail and dangling it precariously above one’s mouth before taking hearty bites of the oily, pickled delicacy. Yes, it’s an acquired taste, but one that the Dutch hold dear; entire festivals are dedicated to these silvery little sea delights, celebrated to herald the arrival of the new season of spring herrings. For those less inclined to indulge in raw fish, smoked red herring serves as an alternative, or if you’re all herring-ed out, you might try the smoked eel — a musky, salty tribute to the North Sea.
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Best Dutch food in Amsterdam
It is only relatively recently that Amsterdam has found itself swept up in the waves of a culinary renaissance, reclaiming its Dutch heritage through the vast food offerings of its abundant larder. As a country of farmers and fishermen, Dutch cuisine mainly comprises seafood and simple dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. A typical home-cooked meal — with simplicity as the keyword — would include potatoes, vegetables, meat or fish, often followed by a milk-based dessert.
But why is Dutch cuisine so simple? After all, wasn’t the Netherlands an international trading hub for hundreds of years, and didn’t the Dutch once control the spice trade? Yes, but once the Dutch lost their colonial prowess to the British in the 17th century, frugality became the order of the day due to financial necessity and the strain on natural resources. A trend began to emerge at the turn of the 20th century when families sent their young daughters to Huishoudschool (housekeeping school) to learn to be proficient and efficient domestic housekeepers. Goodbye haute cuisine, hello simple, efficient meals. Many traditional family recipes were also replaced with more economical alternatives.
While specialities today vary from region to region, the Dutch are known to indulge in rich, creamy cheeses (from Gouda to Edam) and snack on French fries (patat) with mayonnaise (a surprisingly delicious combination). They also enjoy lunching on uitsmijter (bread topped with cheese, meat, and fried eggs), and of course, there’s always time for a borrel (a drink), perhaps a beer or Dutch jeneva. The Dutch have seemingly perfected the art of the bar snack with bitterballen, deep-fried meatballs typically served with mustard, and kaastengels, a popular Dutch-Indonesian snack made of golden crispy cheese sticks. For a hint of gingery sweetness, try speculoos cookies; or if you’re willing to risk diabetes, grab a streetside stroopwafel, waffles filled with Dutch molasses syrup (keukenstroop), brown sugar, unsalted butter, and cinnamon.
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Best restaurants in Amsterdam
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Great food and some of the trendiest restaurants are just a free ferry ride away in Amsterdam. Noord is an uber-chic district emerging as one of the city’s most exciting culinary nerve centres with restaurants like Hotel de Goudfazant — an old garage that’s been turned into a restaurant serving modern Dutch meets French cuisine. De Kas — set in a greenhouse from the 1920s — is an incredible ode to farm-to-table dining, surrounded by lush herb/vegetable patches and verdant stretches of greenery that journey from the gardens to your dinner plate. Rijks in the Rijksmuseum pays tribute to the vast contents of Dutch ingredients with plating that rivals the works of fine art in the museum. Finally, Flore, with its two Michelin stars and Michelin green star, features a scintillating selection of biodynamic ingredients on its menu, with an emphasis on Dutch produce.
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Best drinks spots in Amsterdam
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From heritage tasting rooms to centuries-old pubs and inviting, dimly-lit cocktail bars, Amsterdam’s drinking culture has truly arrived. Café ‘T Smalle is steeped in history, having first opened its doors in 1786, making it an excellent starting point to sample jenever, a juniper-flavoured Dutch spirit quite similar to gin but maltier — it is the Dutch predecessor to modern-day gin. There is both young (jonge) and old (old) jenever, with various grains — wheat, barley, and spelt — used in the production process. Similarly, serving ales and jenever since 1519, In’t Aepjen is a traditional bruin café (brown café). This term originates from the venue’s cosy, snug wooden interiors, regarded by the Dutch as an extension of their own living rooms.
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Pulitzer’s is a stylish Art Deco cocktail bar in trendy Jordaan, while Flying Dutchmen Cocktails boasts an extensive selection of local spirits blended into exceptionally high-end cocktails. If you prefer wine, Café Parlotte offers a fantastic selection and is popular with locals. Meanwhile, Fabus is a women-led wine bar in Amsterdam featuring an exquisite selection of natural wines, delicious food, and an intriguing array of biodynamic wines.
(Feature image credit: Bert Kaufmann/Flickr)
Related | The Best Times To Visit Amsterdam For Great Weather, Smaller Crowds, And Tulips
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
In Amsterdam, the best places to try street food are Foodhallen, a trendy indoor market with diverse vendors, or the Albert Cuyp Market for Dutch classics like poffertjes and herring. Check out the street food stalls around the NDSM Wharf in Amsterdam Noord for a more local vibe.
In Amsterdam, some traditional Dutch dishes to try include stamppot, a hearty mashed potato dish typically served with sausage; haring (raw herring), usually eaten with onions and pickles; poffertjes, fluffy mini pancakes dusted with powdered sugar; and bitterballen, crispy meatballs often served with mustard.
For local Dutch cuisine, visit De Silveren Spiegel for traditional dishes in a historical setting, or sample The Pancake Bakery for a range of Dutch-style pancakes. Moeders provides a cosy atmosphere and home-style cooking, serving classic Dutch comfort food.
Amsterdam offers several unique culinary experiences: sample Dutch street food like haring (raw herring served with onions and pickles) and poffertjes (mini fluffy pancakes); explore local cheese markets showcasing varieties like Edam and Gouda; and experience Indonesian Rijsttafel, which reflects Amsterdam's colonial past, as Indonesian cuisine is quite popular in the city.
Amsterdam’s international food scene is vibrant, featuring popular options such as Indonesian, Surinamese, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, Greek, and Turkish cuisine.
Some of Amsterdam's most famous food markets include the Albert Cuyp Market, celebrated for its diverse street food and Dutch snacks, and Foodhallen, an indoor market offering a wide array of international and local culinary options. The Noordermarkt also showcases fresh organic produce and artisanal delights.
Amsterdam has a thriving vegetarian and vegan scene, featuring places like De Bolhoed, a quirky cafe serving hearty plant-based dishes, and the Vegan Junk Food Bar, renowned for its indulgent fast food. Meatless District also presents a trendy menu brimming with delicious vegan and vegetarian options in a stylish setting.
In Amsterdam, desserts and sweets to try include stroopwafels (a scrumptious waffle cookie), Dutch apple pie (Appeltaart), and poffertjes, which are tiny, fluffy pancakes dusted with powdered sugar.
In Amsterdam, it is customary to greet your server with a polite "hello" or "goedemiddag" (good afternoon) and to wait for them to bring the menu. A tip of around 5-10% is appreciated when the service is good to show your gratitude, although it is not obligatory as service charges are often included in the bill.
For a traditional Dutch breakfast, visit Bakkerij 't Vlaamsche Broodhuys for freshly baked bread, cheeses and spreads, or The Pancake Bakery, which offers classic Dutch-style pancakes, a breakfast staple.
Written By
Nirupama Belliappa
Nirupama Belliappa is a features journalist and a classical harpist. She has previously worked at NDTV ..Read More
