Amsterdam eats far better than its reputation for fries and pancakes suggests. Here is what to try, where to find it, how dining works in the Netherlands, and how to eat well on any budget.
Last checked: September 2026
Crispy deep-fried balls of creamy beef ragout, served with mustard. The classic snack with a beer in a brown café.
Lightly salted herring, often with chopped onion and pickles, eaten from street stands. Best from June, when the new season’s “Hollandse Nieuwe” arrives.
Two thin waffles with a caramel syrup filling. Eat one warm and freshly made at a market.
Small, fluffy pancakes dusted with powdered sugar and a knob of butter.
Large, thin pancakes with sweet or savoury toppings such as apple, bacon or cheese.
An Indonesian “rice table” of many small dishes, a legacy of Dutch colonial history and a favourite for a special dinner.
Battered chunks of white fish with a garlic or remoulade sauce, sold at fish stands and markets.
Gouda and Edam in every age, from young and creamy to old and crumbly. Try it with mustard or at a cheese tasting.
Deep Dutch apple pie with cinnamon and a generous dollop of whipped cream.
From neighbourhood bistros to fine dining and Indonesian rijsttafel.
Explore →Brown cafés, coffee bars and all-day spots for lunch.
Explore →Markets, food halls and herring stands for quick bites.
Explore →One of Europe’s easiest cities for plant-based eating.
Explore →One of the largest daytime street markets in the Netherlands, open Monday to Saturday, with stroopwafels, cheese, fish and snacks.
An indoor food hall in a former tram depot (De Hallen) with dozens of stalls under one roof. Great for groups who can’t agree.
Traditional pubs with wooden interiors and candlelit tables. Order a beer and bitterballen and stay for the atmosphere.
Walking food tours through the Jordaan and De Pijp are a fun way to try cheese, herring, bitterballen and stroopwafels with a local guide.
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Bitterballen, raw herring, stroopwafels, poffertjes, Dutch cheese, apple pie and Indonesian rijsttafel are the classics to try.
Tipping is not required because service is included. Many people round up or leave around 5–10% for good service.
For popular restaurants, yes, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Cafés and food halls usually don’t take reservations.
Some places still take cash, but many are card-only. A debit or credit card, or your phone, is the safest option.