12 Must-Try Foods in Amsterdam

When you think of Amsterdam, beautiful canals, stunning architecture, and endless bicycles spring to mind. You would be forgiven for not immediately thinking of food; Dutch cuisine certainly doesn’t have the same prestigious reputation as nearby French or Italian.

However, in recent years, the food scene in Amsterdam has really taken off, with plenty of traditional Dutch options to try alongside more modern and international cuisine. We’ve discovered plenty of must-try foods in Amsterdam that we think you’ll love.

From mouth-watering stroopwafel to raw herring, be prepared for a real food adventure with these 12 must-try foods in Amsterdam!

1. Stamppot

• Try It: Moeders
• Location: Rozengracht 2511016, Amsterdam

Stamppot is one of the oldest and most popular dishes in the Netherlands, and possibly the closest thing the Dutch have to a national dish. The word stamppot literally translates as mash pot and is a mix of vegetables and mashed potatoes with lashings of butter. Traditionally, kale or swiss chard was added but, more recently, other greens such as tarragon have been used.

Stamppot started out as a food staple during cold weather in the 1600s and was considered a winter dish because of its warming properties. During harvest months, when potatoes were readily available, this was a cheap and filling meal option. These days, pre-prepared stamppot can be purchased from shops and supermarkets, although it’s best freshly made.

Stamppot makes an excellent side dish and is often served alongside sausages for a complete Dutch meal. Some of the most popular types of stamppot include:

• boerenkoolstamppot (kale stamppot)
• zuurkoolstamppot (sauerkraut stamppot)
• hutspot (onion and carrot stamppot)
• rauwe Andijviestamppot (raw endive stamppot)
• preistamppot (leek stamppot).

One of the best places to try stamppot in Amsterdam is Moeders, a restaurant in the Jordaan neighborhood known for its traditional Dutch food, which is served alongside plenty of other international options. Moeders (Dutch for “mothers”) opened in 1990 when the owner used to ask his guests to bring their own plates, glasses, and cutlery.

Nowadays these things will be provided for you, the only thing you will need is your appetite because portions at Moeders are huge!

2. Pannekoeken and Poffertjes

• Try It: Eetcafe Roserein
• Location: Haarlemmerdijk 52, 1013 JE Amsterdam

Dutch pancakes, known as pannenkoeken, are flat, savory, and fill the entire plate, unlike their American cousins which tend to be smaller and fluffy. Locals eat pannenkoeken at all times of the day and fill them with meat or smoked salmon to make a full meal. Some people will make pannekoeken more like a dessert by adding fruit or chocolate.

For some of the best pannenkoeken in Amsterdam, try Eetcafé Rosereijn, located on the Haarlemmerdijk shopping street, on the edge of the Jordaan. Rosereijn is a quirky, slightly old-fashioned place with a lovely warm atmosphere, and their pannenkoeken menu has something for everyone. The interior is cozy and warm and the service is friendly and enthusiastic.

Miniature pancakes called poffertjes are traditionally made with buckwheat flour and yeast, then plenty of powdered sugar is added, making them sweeter than pannenkoeken. They are then fried to make a delicious crispy treat.

Poffertjes are a popular snack and there are many stands around Amsterdam selling them. The locals tend to stick to powdered sugar and butter as a topping, but some stands offer Nutella, whipped cream, strawberries, and syrup as extras. Poffertjes are regularly found at Christmas markets all over Europe.

3. Stroopwafel

• Try It: Van Holland Stroopwafels
• Location: Kalverstraat 198, 1012 XH Amsterdam

For a true Amsterdam experience, you cannot beat a freshly-baked stroopwafel. Originally invented in Gouda, this iconic Dutch treat has gone global in recent years, and for good reason! These circular waffles are made of thin layers of dough that have been filled with hot syrupy caramel. They taste amazing hot off the griddle but will also last for several days if packaged for later.

You can find stroopwafel in the supermarkets, but they are nowhere near as good as the fresh versions cooked at old-school stroopwafel stands at the markets in Amsterdam. Favorite spots include the Albert Cuyp Market and Dappermarkt.

Alternatively, try Van Holland Stroopwafels. Located in the center of Amsterdam at the famous Kalverstraat 198, these guys have been baking stroopwafel since 1971 and really know how to make them the right way. They are open daily from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.

4. Herring

• Try It: Stubbe’s Haring
• Location: Singel 1, 1013 GA Amsterdam

Herring (or “haring” in Dutch) is a classic Dutch delicacy and is sold at specialized fish stands throughout Amsterdam. It usually costs around €3 to €5, making it an inexpensive and unusual snack. A herring sandwich, or ‘broodje haring’, is a popular year-round snack for Amsterdam residents, but is particularly popular during the summer herring season.

The Dutch often eat raw herring combined with onions and pickles. The herring has been frozen to ensure it is safe to eat, then semi-cured in salt before being aged for a few days in oak. The herring will also be filleted so you shouldn’t have too many bones to navigate!

For the best herring, head northeast from Amsterdam to Volendam, a beautiful fishing village situated on Markermeer Lake. Or head to the harbor and pick up your broodje haring from one of the little stalls there.

5. Bitterballen

• Try It: De BallenBar
• Location: De Foodhallen, Hannie Dankbaarpassage, Amsterdam

If you are heading to a pub in Amsterdam, be sure to order some bitterballen. This quintessentially Dutch snack goes really well with a pint of Dutch beer and is one of the most popular foods that you will see local people ordering.

Bitterballen is made using a meatball or vegetarian ragout, which is then chilled, before being made into a ball, battered in a breadcrumb and egg mixture, and then deep fried. They often come out piping hot, so be careful not to burn your mouth! Bitterballen is usually served with a small bowl of mustard for dipping.

Bitterballen is eaten in former Dutch colonies all over the world, including Suriname and The Netherlands Antilles.

6. Rijsttafel

• Try It: Sampurna
• Location: Singel 498, 1017 AX, Amsterdam

Rijsttafel translates as rice table and is a large meal of Indonesian and Surinamese food, served for groups at restaurants. The table will feature several small side dishes, such as egg rolls, pickles, satays, and cooked vegetables, served alongside rice-based dished. At high-end restaurants, eating rijsttafel is a real treat, especially when shared with a big group of friends or family.

Rijsttafel has a history in The Netherlands that dates back to the 17th century when the Dutch colonized Indonesia. Amsterdam imported many herbs and spices from Indonesia and so the rijsttafel was born. This colorful feast is a mixture of sweet and spicy and is guaranteed to tantalize the taste buds. It is also a great way to try lots of different dishes.

There are rijsttafel all over Amsterdam, but the locals head to Blauw where you can experience the best of Dutch-Indonesian fusion cuisine; from spicy stews to fresh salads, prepared using traditional methods and authentic ingredients.

Another great spot for rijsttafel is Sampurna, which has been operating in the heart of Amsterdam for over 35 years. They serve carefully selected rijsttafel, with each dish carefully complementing the other, as well as a la carte dishes.

For a special treat, you can order lobster or seafood, but 24 hours’ notice is required. There is a very relaxed ambiance at Sampurna, which goes well with the excellent food and wine on offer.

7. Oorlog French Fries

• Try It: Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx
• Location: Voetboogstraat 33, 1012 XK Amsterdam

The Dutch love their mayonnaise, and there’s nothing better for dipping than chunky fries! Patatje oorlog translates as ‘war fries’ or ‘war chips’, and are made of fries (or “frites”) covered in different toppings.

Like war, this can be a messy business, with ketchup, sauces, and onions all over the fries. This makes for amazing comfort food, and for a real treat, go for the spicy, satay peanut sauce as a topping. It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it really does!

For the best oorlog fries, head to Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx. This shop has been located in the center of Amsterdam since 1957 and it is just a few steps from the Spui. Fries are served in cardboard cones from a counter-service kiosk and come with a wide choice of toppings. Wash those oorlog fries down with a cold drink on a hot day. Absolute heaven!

8. Dutch Kaas (Dutch Cheese)

• Try It: Amsterdam Cheese Museum
• Location: Prinsengracht 112, 1015 EA Amsterdam

Holland is famous for its cheeses; particularly Gouda and Edam made with cow’s milk. However, there are many more varieties to try, such as Maasdammer (a trademarked Gouda-style cheese made in Huizen), Boerenkaas (“farmhouse cheese”, prepared using raw unpasteurized milk), and Schapenkaas (sheep milk cheeses).

We recommend stopping at as many cheese shops as you can during your visit to Amsterdam! Cheese is also sold at many of the city’s markets, and stallholders are often very generous with their free samples. Inexpensive daily tours can also be booked online and in person. Or check out the Amsterdam Cheese Museum for more information and more free samples!

For real cheese fanatics, try cheese tastings by Henri Willig. Henri Willig has shops on Kaashuis, Kaaskelder, Warmoesstraat, and Singel Streets in Amsterdam, all selling a wide range of cheeses produced from their own within the Netherlands.

They sell the traditional cheeses, but for something a little more unusual, try one of the unusually flavored options, such as asparagus, coconut, or honey and thyme. Amsterdam Pass holders can enjoy exclusive discounts, making it even more of a must-do.

9. Appeltaart (Apple Pie)

• Try It: Winkel 43
• Location: Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam

Appeltaart is another of the local favorites in Amsterdam. A classic Dutch dessert, appeltaart is simple but delicious, and you will find it on the menu at most bakeries and cafes. In the Netherlands, appeltaart looks like more of a cake than a pie but has many of the same ingredients — thick-cut apples, butter, flour, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. For even more of a treat, have yours with whipped cream or ice cream.

One of the best places to try appeltaart has to be Winkel 43. This lively cafe/bar is situated on the bank of the Westerstraat Canal, in the heart of the Jewish Quarter known as the Jordaan. Winkel 43 is an Amsterdam institution and their homemade appeltaart has become a well-known delicacy.

Winkel 43 opens early in the morning until 10 pm, but the bar stays open until midnight. We recommend ordering a cup of tea or coffee to go with your appeltaart, and grabbing a seat on the terrace on a sunny day.

10. Kroketten (Croquettes)

• Try It: Patisserie Holtkamp
• Location: Vijzelgracht 15, 1017 HM Amsterdam

Kroketten are crispy meat-filled, sausage-like snacks and are one of the most popular fast food dishes in the Netherlands. A little like bitterballen, but oblong in shape, most krokets will be filled with either a lamb or beef ragout, which is then breaded, deep-fried.The Dutch eat kroketten as a meal as well as a snack: especially at lunchtime.

Kroketten will be on the menu at lots of restaurants and cafes in Amsterdam. They are often served with some bread and pickles, alongside the dipping mustard. Try Patisserie Holtkamp for a hot and steamy version as well as an assortment of other local pastries.

But if you’re in a hurry, you can always find takeaway kroketten at snack bars. You can even get them from vending machines at FEBO, a Dutch chain of automatic fast-food restaurants.

11. Kibbeling

• Try It: Frens Haring
• Location: Koningsplein/Singel, 1017 AW Amsterdam

Kibbeling comes from the word kabeljauwwang, which is the Dutch word for cod cheek, but it actually refers to any waste products from cod. In the 18th and 19th centuries, cod scraps were food for peasants but, by the 20th century, fishmongers had realized their value and started frying kabeljauwwang and selling it as street food.

IJmuiden, in North Holland, claims to be the home of kibbeling, but it can now be found all over Amsterdam.

One of the things that set kibbeling apart from other Western fish and chips is the spicy mix used for the batter. It usually includes cayenne, ground mustard, and paprika but ginger and nutmeg are also often used.

Kibbeling is convenient to grab on the go, so if you’re busy exploring the beautiful streets of Amsterdam, it may be the snack for you. Modern kibbeling might not be made from cod: pollock, hake, whiting, and haddock are also used. Be sure to complete the experience with some dipping sauces. Some of our favorites are remoulade, cocktail sauce, or knoflook saus (garlic aioli).

For some of the best kibbeling in Amsterdam, check out Frens Haringhandel, a traditional corner shop fishmonger with a wooden interior located near the Bloemenmarkt. The shop is decked out in red, white, and blue stripes (the colors of the Dutch flag) and it serves up a number of high-quality Dutch fish specialties, including herring sandwiches, smoked fish, and fried herring.

12. Jenever

• Try It: Proeflokaal van Wees
• Location: Herengracht 319, 1016 AV Amsterdam

The Dutch have been drinking jenever since early in the 16th century, and it is widely viewed as a predecessor to gin. Jenever is traditionally produced by distilling grains and malt wine and is typically served in a small tulip-shaped glass.

Don’t be fooled by the small glass — jenever is not shot but is supposed to be drunk slowly to enjoy the complex flavors. Young jenever has a hint of juniper, whereas old jenever is more aromatic and malty.

There are tasting rooms all over Amsterdam where you can try many different varieties. The phrase “Dutch courage” is thought to originate from soldiers who drank jenever to boost their courage before going into battle.

For an excellent tasting experience, try Proeflokaal A van Wees, which is located in a former distillery on the Herengracht Canal. This place is the center of Amsterdam’s jenever culture and has been serving traditional drinks and snacks for nearly 50 years.

Proeflokaal A van Wees has 17 different varieties of jenever, 60 old Dutch liqueurs, and an extensive craft beer selection. During a tasting experience here, you will learn about the distilling process while sampling the produce.

Enjoy Your Amsterdam Eating Tour

You could easily lose a few days in Amsterdam trying all the different foods available. But for a good insight into Dutch cuisine and a chance to meet like-minded travelers, an Amsterdam food tour might be the way to go. Small groups and experienced local guides will show you around the best food spots in Amsterdam, and let you enjoy the most delicious Dutch food and drink on offer.

For a real treat, you could always consider a private experience, or perhaps combine your food tour with a Dutch craft beer tour. Rest assured, no matter how you choose to discover these 12 must-try foods in Amsterdam, you’re in for a true culinary treat.