Top 11 culinary specialities in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has more than one secret recipe in its grimoire of typical cuisine. If, by any chance, you can spontaneously name typical specialities without ever having been there, you can refrain from reading this article. On the other hand, for all the others – and there will be plenty of them – prepare yourself for gustatory amazement!

The countries of south-west Europe hold the top spots on the culinary scene. This casts a shadow over their neighbours, including the Netherlands. Not that it matters! Popular cities like Amsterdam have not said their last word!

You’ll agree that the main reason people travel to Amsterdam is for its cultural, historical and architectural heritage. However, stimulating your taste buds will be the unexpected icing on the cake of your trip. Start with mini pancakes, crispy wafers and ever sweeter pastries. Then move on to grandma’s good stews, street food, still-burning croquettes or… vending machine food! Yes, vending machines are now an integral part of people’s eating habits. Don’t worry, they’re nothing like French vending machines.

The capital of the Netherlands is sure to offer food-lovers culinary experiences they won’t soon forget. To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the Dutch culinary highlights, here is our selection of must-taste specialities in Amsterdam.

What to eat in Amsterdam Our selection of 11 Amsterdam specialities

Amsterdam’s popularity is built on its canals, but you’ll need to fill your belly generously to explore them from end to end! A thriving and authentic gastronomy, made up of ancient specialities and cultural crossovers from around the world, awaits you in the capital. Whether you prefer sweet, savoury or Indonesian-influenced dishes – and let’s not forget that the deep bond between the two countries is also reflected in their cuisine – you’ll find a whole host of delicious Amsterdam specialities. It’s up to you to rediscover your adventurous spirit!

1. Bitterballen

When the aperitif rings or to start a meal, these little balls of breaded beef can be found on every table. They are eaten without moderation, while the creamy interior is still steaming. Bitterballen are usually accompanied by a portion of chips and a beer on the terrace. The locals are crazy about them, and you’ll soon understand why! Bear in mind that you won’t be making a full meal of it, as it’s just a savoury snack to tide you over until dinnertime.

2. Raw herring – Amsterdam speciality

Surprising, but very common in Amsterdam, ‘raw’ herring is caught locally in the city’s cold waters. The fillets are prepared simply, salted and frozen to preserve their tenderness. The fish is the star of the dish, so it’s best served with a few thin gherkins and onions. You can also eat it on the go, in the form of a sandwich. Raw herring is very easy to find as street food in Amsterdam’s “haringhandels” and eating places.

3. Thick chips

Fries aren’t just popular in Belgium! In Amsterdam, generously loaded trays of chips are everywhere. Eat your chips ‘plain’ or topped with sauce. The ultimate condition is that the fries are fresh, of course. Don’t hesitate to try out new flavours of sauce with your fries – there’s no shortage of innovations: curry sauce, satay, peanuts and the classic ketchup/mayo. Try them all and make your choice!

4. Indonesian dishes

The Netherlands has strong links with Indonesia, whose influence can now be felt throughout the city. So when you’re in the Netherlands, you’ll want to try an Indonesian restaurant! For a cross between Dutch and Indonesian flavours, order a “rijsttafel”, also known as “rice table”. It’s a mishmash of small dishes from all the islands. You’ll see, it’s a treat that we recommend to all hungry travellers who want to try Indonesian cuisine.

5. Stamppot

This is Amsterdam’s beloved Dutch winter speciality. This popular dish, with potatoes as its main ingredient, has a reputation for instantly warming you up after a chilly day. Stamppot” simply translates as “mashed potato dish”, yet it is more akin to Dutch sauerkraut. The recipe is simple, consisting of mashed potatoes with a few vegetables. In particular, carrots, onions and spinach. Just before serving, the stew is accompanied by a juicy sausage. Now that’s something to keep your tummy going!

6. Poffertjes

Very popular in Amsterdam, these tiny, fluffy Dutch pancakes are ideal for eating on the go, between two visits. They measure around 4 centimetres in diameter, but that doesn’t mean they’re anything like pancakes. Before being served, they are sprinkled with icing sugar and a lick of butter to keep them soft. Where can you eat them in Amsterdam? Just about anywhere, especially in the street, as they are designed to stop you getting hungry.

7. Apple tart

Enjoy this Dutch pastry, halfway between an apple pie and an apple cake. The appeal of appeltaart lies in its deliciousness and its regressive, warm apple flavour. It is made with a thick sweet pastry, lots of crunchy apples, spices and other ingredients such as hazelnuts or sultanas. When baked in the oven, it takes on the appearance of a cake or pie, the antithesis of the fine apple tart made in France. When it’s time to serve, your large slice of tart will be covered with a big cloud of whipped cream. Be warned: deliciousness guaranteed!

8. The cheese

You can’t walk through the centre of Amsterdam without finding yourself surrounded by Gouda cheese. The yellow wheels of cheese are glued to the shop windows, from floor to ceiling – as well as all over the walls of the cheese shops. Goudas are semi-hard cheeses, plain or flavoured in many ways: cumin, truffle, pesto, rustic, flowery… There’s something for everyone! Dutch cheeses are emblematic of Amsterdam’s gastronomy. For gourmets who prefer pasta with a more distinctive flavour, there are many other types of cheese to choose from. These include maasdam and edam.

9. Dutch pancakes

To get your day off to a good start, opt for a sweet note with Dutch pancakes! Thanks to their light but satisfying batter, Dutch pancakes offer a multitude of different flavours. The pancakes can be topped with bananas, chocolate or sugar and almonds. Alternatively, in a savoury version, Dutch pancakes are topped with cheese, bacon, smoked chicken and onions.

10. Stroopwafel

This is the must-have sweet for your stay in Amsterdam! Stroopwafel is a thin waffle filled with melted chocolate or a more traditional Dutch syrup. The latter is made from brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. You’ll see them all around you, with some shops making them live from morning till night, and long queues forming in front of the most prominent shop windows. The wait makes this refined preparation even more delicious… Don’t forget to try these wafers several times, to try out the new local or unusual flavours.

11. Le Tompouce

This popular little pastry is named after a short actor whose stage name was Tom Pouce. Rectangular in shape, the Tompouce obeys strict rules regarding its shape, size and colour. So it’s easy to see why it plays such a central role in the country’s sweet cuisine. It’s made up of layers of puff pastry separated by very sweet cream and topped with pink icing. Although this cake will remind you of the French mille-feuille, its elegant pink colour on top will quickly put you off that idea. Although pink is its original colour, an orange icing has been tolerated for some years now in the run-up to King’s Day. Beware, the melting cream and icing make the Tom Thumb particularly difficult to eat properly. So take the time to enjoy it at the table rather than walking down the street.