Food In Netherlands: A Delicious Journey Through Dutch Cuisine

An image of delicacies breakfast spread with a diverse range of popular food in Netherlands.

The food in Netherlands is diverse, flavourful and delicious, offering tourists access to a wide range of sweet and savoury dishes that are popular in the Netherlands. Tourists planning to visit the Netherlands can try out some of the best food in the country, which includes sweet treats like Stroopwafels and amazing meals like Stamppot. The Netherlands is an ideal destination for food enthusiasts and tourists seeking both unique flavours and a rich history. In this blog we will discuss the ten most famous foods in the Netherlands to try on your next trip to this flavourful Country.

Top 10 Foods In Netherlands

There are various foods in the Netherlands that tourists can sample to have a taste of the local way of life in the country. Here is a list of the 10 best food in Netherlands:

1. Stroopwafels

An image of Stroopwafels, a tourist favourite and a famous food in Netherlands.

Photo: Markus Stroopwafels / Wikimedia Commons

Stroopwafels are a famous food in Netherlands, which is an ideal delicacy for both locals and visitors. Tourists in the Netherlands can try out these thin waffle biscuits, which are filled with delicious caramel syrup and are perfect for a sweet snack. Freshly made Stroopwafels are a must-try for tourists to have a unique food experience as they are mostly served warm at the street markets. Additionally, tourists can also find them in shops where they’re sold pre-packaged.

Best Places To Try: Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam

2. Poffertjes

 An image of Poffertjes, a pancake-like dish and an important food in Netherlands.

Photo: a little tune / Wikimedia Commons

Poffertjes are a sweet, small pancake-like dish that is an important food in Netherlands. Tourists exploring the Netherlands can sample Poffertjes, which are typically served with a dusting of powdered sugar and sometimes topped with butter or syrup. Tourists can also enjoy these fluffy treats as a snack or dessert, particularly during festivals or cold weather. Moreover, Poffertjes are favourite delicacies for both children and adults looking for something sweet and satisfying.

Best Places To Try: Amsterdam, The Hague, Haarlem

3. Hollandse Nieuwe Haring

An image of Hollandse Nieuwe Haring, a traditional Dutch food in Netherlands.

Photo: Janericloebe / Wikimedia Commons

Hollandse Nieuwe Haring, or raw herring, is a traditional Dutch food in Netherlands that many tourists seek out. The herring is typically served with onions and pickles, and it’s often eaten by holding the fish by the tail and taking a bite. It’s one of the most important foods in the Netherlands, and it is mostly popular in the summer months when fresh herring is in season. This dish offers tourists a unique taste of Dutch culture and is an essential part of the local culinary experience.

Best Places To Try: Amsterdam, Volendam, Scheveningen

4. Stamppot

An image resembling Stamppot, a tourist favourite and famous food in Netherlands.

Photo: Anonymous / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Stamppot is one of the famous food in Netherlands that is made from mashed potatoes mixed with various vegetables such as kale, carrots, or sauerkraut. Tourists exploring the Netherlands can enjoy this dish, which is mostly served with sausage, making it a filling and amazing meal. The best time tourists can enjoy Stamppot is during the colder months, making it a perfect dish for warming up on chilly days. Stamppot is part of the traditional Dutch cuisine, which offers tourists a taste of the country’s rural roots.

Best Places To Try: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague

5. Bitterballen

An image of Bitterballen, a tourist-preferred dish and popular food in Netherlands.

Photo: Tnarik / Wikimedia Commons

Bitterballen is a popular food in Netherlands, and it is mostly enjoyed by both locals and tourists as a snack or appetizer. The Bitterballen are deep-fried meatballs which are typically filled with a mixture of beef or veal ragout. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them a delicious treat when paired with mustard. Tourists exploring the Netherlands can find the Bitterballen cuisine in Dutch pubs, bars, and cafes, where locals enjoy them with a cold drink.

Best Places To Try: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht

6. Oliebollen

 An image of Oliebollen, deep-fried dough balls, which are among the foods in the Netherlands.

Photo: Michelle_Boon / Wikimedia Commons

Oliebollen are a popular Dutch food in Netherlands which tourists can mostly enjoy around New Year’s Eve, offering them unique experiences. They are deep-fried dough balls that are mostly filled with raisins or currants and dusted with powdered sugar. They are a warm, sweet treat that tourists and locals can sample during the cold weather and festive occasions. Oliebollen is an ideal delicacy for any tourist visiting the Netherlands during the winter season.

Best Places To Try: Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam

7. Pannenkoeken

 An image of Pannenkoekon, a large pancake and popular food in Netherlands.

Photo: Zairon / Wikimedia Commons

Pannenkoeken are large, thin pancakes that are a popular food in Netherlands. Tourists visiting the Netherlands can sample the Pannenkoeken, which can be served sweet or savoury and has a wide range of toppings such as fruit, cheese, bacon, or syrup. Tourists can enjoy the Pannenkoeken, which is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, offering a flexible meal option for travellers exploring the Netherlands. Tourists can find these cuisines in pancake houses throughout the country.

Best Places To Try: Amsterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht

8. Erwtensoep

An image resembling Erwtensoep (Snert), one of the ideal tourist food in Netherlands.

Photo: RitaE / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Erwtensoep, also known as Snert, is among the food in Netherlands which is a split pea soup that’s mostly enjoyed by tourists and locals during the winter months. The Erwtensoep is a thick, warming soup made with peas, pork, and vegetables and is perfect for tourists exploring the Netherlands during a cold day. Erwtensoep is an important food in Netherlands, as tourists can find it at outdoor markets and in Dutch homes during colder weather. Additionally, the Erwtensoep is traditionally served with rye bread and bacon.

Best Places To Try: Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam

9. Kibbeling

An image of a Kibbeling fish dish, a tourist favourite among the famous food in Netherlands.

Photo: Dhdewit / Wikimedia Commons

Kibbeling is a famous food in Netherlands which is made from battered and deep-fried fish, mostly cod. Tourists can enjoy this delicacy, which is a crispy fish bite that is mostly served with garlic sauce or tartar sauce and is perfect as a snack or light meal. Tourists visiting the Netherlands can find Kibbeling at various fish stalls and markets throughout the country, making it a must-try for seafood enthusiasts.

Best Places To Try: Amsterdam, Scheveningen, Volendam

10. Dutch Cheeses

An image of Dutch Cheeses (Gouda and Edam), among the best food in Netherlands.

Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk / Wikimedia Commons

Dutch cheeses, such as Gouda and Edam, are among the best food in Netherlands. Tourists exploring the Netherlands can sample these cheeses, which are well-known worldwide for their smooth textures and rich flavours, making it a great destination for food enthusiasts. Some of the ideal options tourists can try out include Gouda, often creamy and mild, and Edam, a bit firmer and slightly salty. The Dutch cheeses can be enjoyed on their own or as part of a meal and are mostly paired with bread or crackers.

Best Places To Try: Gouda, Edam, Amsterdam

The Netherlands offers a wide variety of food, from famous treats like Stroopwafels to hearty dishes like Stamppot. Exploring the food in Netherlands offers tourists a unique taste of the country’s culinary local way of life. Tourists in the Netherlands can enjoy sweet snacks or savoury meals. Plan your trip today with TripXL and sample some of the best local cuisines and famous food in Netherlands.

Cover Photo: Amanda Coutinho / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Stroopwafels (thin waffles with caramel syrup) and raw herring served with onions and pickles are must-try street foods.
Bread topped with butter and sprinkles is a common and beloved choice.
Yes, Dishes like stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables) can be vegetarian-friendly.
Bitterballen (crispy meat-filled balls) are a savoury treat often enjoyed with mustard.
The Alkmaar and Gouda cheese markets are iconic places to taste and purchase Dutch cheese.

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