17 Best Amsterdam Foods To Try in 2025

If you’re visiting the capital of the Netherlands, you’ll likely be spending time admiring its renowned artistic heritage, stunning architecture and iconic canal system, leaving little time to consider the best Amsterdam food. But take it from us, it’s worth carving some time out to taste the delicacies the city is known for. 

Why, you ask? As a traveler to distant shores, you’ll find that the best foods in Amsterdam hit all the right notes for those hoping to get a flavor of somewhere new, with a hearty dose of comfort that says: “Welcome, eat as much as you like.” In other words, while you may visit the city for its canals, you’ll want to stay for Amsterdam’s food. 

 Jump to Section

• What Food Is Amsterdam Known For?
• The 17 Best Foods in Amsterdam To Eat
• Learn To Cook Amsterdam Foods

What Food Is Amsterdam Known For?

As we’ve mentioned already, food in Amsterdam, Netherlands delivers a healthy dose of comfort with every bite, making it one of the best foodie cities in the world for those who enjoy hearty main dishes and decadently sweet desserts.

Interestingly, seafood also has a firm foothold on the Amsterdam food menu, with local delicacies like raw herring and kibbeling (battered fish bites) a must-try for fans of the freshest catches. As covered, your sweet tooth will also be happy when dining in Amsterdam thanks to dishes like the iconic stroopwafel and appeltaart, a Dutch twist on American favorite apple pie.

Other delicious Amsterdam foods include freshly cooked fries loaded with toppings, deep-fried meatballs called bitterballen and a variety of local cheeses. Ultimately, if you’re looking to indulge in comforting and moreish dishes, Amsterdam has a host of options to serve up to you!  

The 17 Best Foods in Amsterdam To Eat

1. Pannenkoeken

Yes, pancakes, although not the thick, fluffy type your mom used to whip up on Sunday mornings. Instead, this Amsterdam food takes on a more crêpe-like consistency — thin (although not quite as thin as French crêpes), impossibly light and with plenty of surface area for numerous toppings.

Fruit, cream and syrup are firm favorites to enjoy atop this Amsterdam food, although savory options are common, too. However you choose to enjoy yours, the raised, puffed-up edges form something of an edible bowl for your choice of topping.

If you’re wondering where to enjoy these treats, we have good news! You can’t walk far without stumbling across a café, restaurant or street cart serving pannenkoeken, making this one of the most gettable Amsterdam foods to add to your foodie bucket list. 

2. Kaas

This next one is something of an industry in Amsterdam. If you’ve already visited the city, you’ll know that the city’s many kaas shops deal in one particular type of deliciousness, and that’s cheese.

Whether it’s Gouda (one of the Netherlands’ most renowned cheeses), geitenkaas (a type of goats cheese) or maasdammer (an Emmental-style cheese), you can’t go home without taking some of these Amsterdam foods with you. 

Alternatively, you could head to one of the many aforementioned stores or street markets and taste some as you go. You’ll come across tangy goat’s cheese, salt-studded farmer’s cheese and a whole host of others blended with herbs and spices.

You may also wish to sample kaasfondue (the clue is in the name), a creamy blend of local cheese, melted and just begging to be scooped with a chunk of crusty bread. 

In terms of the best places to try this Amsterdam food, Alkmaar Cheese Market would be a good place to start. Alternatively, Edam Cheese Market, just a 20-minute bus ride from Amsterdam, is the obvious place to try this Dutch town’s world-renowned and eponymous dairy export.

3. Bitterballen

This next Amsterdam food is perhaps the ultimate bar snack for those hoping to pair their beer with some authentic local cuisine. We’d go as far as to say you can’t visit the city without trying bitterballen!

Essentially a deep-fried meatball, this Amsterdam food could be made with beef, veal or chicken, with other ingredients including onions, nutmeg, parsley and beef broth, all combined to create an explosion of comforting flavor in every bite. They’re made by creating a roux-thickened stew with the above ingredients. The stew is then rolled into balls, breaded and deep-fried. 

You can find this Amsterdam food offered on street carts, at local food markets and at bars. Its ubiquity in the city makes it super easy to find, which is handy when you’re a little fuzzy-headed from the night before and wish to follow the path of least resistance to brunch. 

4. Stroopwafels

Stroopwafels are a globally renowned Amsterdam food and perhaps the ultimate Dutch sweet treat. Comprising a sticky-sweet caramel center sandwiched between two thin and crispy waffles, the name aptly translates to “syrup waffle.” Even if you didn’t already know that, there’s a good chance you’ve seen these on your favorite foodie Instagram channels.

This sweet Amsterdam food shares a birthplace with another renowned Dutch culinary export, Gouda, and are believed to have first been created during the 18th century. Available at cafés, bakeries and stores around the city, including at the famous van Wonderen Stroopwafels, you won’t struggle to find your fix of the sweet snack. 

To enjoy this Amsterdam food the traditional way, order it alongside a cup of hot coffee. Place the stroopwafel on top and let the steam gently warm it. It takes a few minutes, but the resultant gooey caramel is worth the wait, contrasting deliciously with the crispy bite of the waffle.

5. Frietjes

We told you that Amsterdam foods often feel familiar, and who doesn’t love French fries? Actually, such a simple description fails to do justice to this next dish. Traditionally served piping hot in a paper cone with your choice of tasty toppings, this Amsterdam food raises the bar in terms of what’s possible with simple potatoes.

A fantastic variation of this Amsterdam food that we’d recommend to anybody is “patatje oorlog,” which translates as “war fries.” With a name that stems from the chaotic pile of ingredients on top of the fries, reminiscent of the chaos of battle, this Dutch version of loaded fries is a must-try. Expect layers of mayonnaise, peanut satay sauce and raw onions, resulting in a spicy, savory flavor quite unlike anything else on this list. 

Perhaps a dish of chips and satay sauce is a little too much for your palate? If so, you could have your frietjes as they come or opt for patat speciaal (special chips), which come topped with your choice of mayonnaise, ketchup or curry sauce, plus chopped onions. 

6. Haring

If you’re a fan of fish, this Amsterdam food is certainly one for you. This Dutch specialty can be ordered from any one of the many haringhandels (herring carts) around the city as well as virtually every street market. Known as a “broodje haring,” the best way to enjoy this delicacy is in a sandwich with onions and pickles.

The herring itself is prepared by first being cleaned, often on the boat on which it’s landed. The pancreas is left in, which releases enzymes that mature the fish’s flavor, and the fish is then salted for a few days, reducing the moisture and further enhancing its flavor. 

Although many prefer this Amsterdam food served in the aforementioned sandwich, the fish is traditionally enjoyed by holding it by its tail and dunking it in onions — just don’t dangle it by its tail into your mouth, as it’s considered bad manners! In terms of the best time of year to enjoy it, it’d have to be Hollandse Nieuwe Haring Day — a celebration of the year’s first North Sea herring catch, which is held in June with the exact date varying each year. 

7. Jenever

Who among you enjoys a gin every now and then? Especially if you’re on vacation in the Netherlands, you could be forgiven for indulging in a tipple or two. And if that sounds like your idea of heaven, you can enjoy it whilst ticking yet another Amsterdam 'food' off your list.

While not strictly an Amsterdam food, per se, jenever is more than deserving of a place on this list. After all, you need something to wash everything else down with, right? Protected by the U.K. and EU Protected Designation of Origin, if you’re thirsty for a glass or something authentically Dutch, this gin-like, juniper-forward beverage will hit the spot. 

While it’s often called “Dutch gin,” this addition to our list of Amsterdam foods is actually a precursor to the spirit we know and love today. In fact, it’s often called “the father of gin,” since gin was distilled in Britain after jenever’s introduction to the isle in the 16th century. Jenever is best enjoyed sipped from a traditional tulip-shaped glass or over ice. 

8. Appeltaart

As you’ve probably already guessed, appeltaart is simply a Dutch apple pie. It’s more than that, though, and before you ask whether anything could possibly beat your grandma’s famous recipe, hear us out.

Filled to the brim with cinnamon apples, made with a delightfully crispy brown-sugar crust and best served with an indulgent dollop of whipped cream, those with a sweet tooth will want to add this Amsterdam food to the very top of the foodie hit list. You’ll certainly find it at the top of dessert menus at cafés and restaurants throughout the city.

9. Kibbeling

If you love seafood but don’t feel adventurous enough to try the herring we mentioned earlier, then kibbeling may be more to your taste. These battered and deep-fried fish bites are one of the most popular Amsterdam foods for a reason.

Thought to have originated in the city of IJmuiden to the north, these moreish morsels have nevertheless found a happy home on the Amsterdam food scene, available at many kiosks, restaurants and fishmongers. They’re typically served as a snack with tatar sauce or garlic and herb mayonnaise. 

10. Kroketten

Another of the Amsterdam foods that have variations in other places, kroketten simply translates to croquette. You can find a classic potato version but those filled with meat are the most common.

The meat (traditionally beef or veal) is seasoned and ground, before binding with mashed potatoes or béchamel. From there, it’s a simple process of breading and frying this comforting Amsterdam food until golden and absolutely delicious.

Contemporary takes on this counterpart to France’s croquette include core ingredients like seafood and even cheese, making this an Amsterdam food family all in itself. Again, it’s easy to find kroketten in Amsterdam, with hosts of street carts and hole-in-the-wall vendors putting their stamp on this fried Dutch favorite. 

11. Oliebollen

With a name that literally means “oil balls,” you could be forgiven for moving swiftly on to the next Amsterdam food. But don’t skip this one just yet. While we’ll admit that oliebollen is deep-fried, the translation is something of an exaggeration.

These deep-fried, sugar-dusted doughnuts, which often contain small pieces of fruit, are a once-a-year kind of treat. In fact, they’re traditionally eaten on New Year’s Eve, so if you’re in the city celebrating the occasion, what better way to prepare your stomach for the night ahead (jenever, anybody?) than with some oliebollen? 

Various food stands, trucks, cafés and restaurants sell this sweet Dutch doughnut, although the locals may raise an eyebrow if they catch you munching on this Amsterdam food outside of the New Year.

12. Rijsttafel

If it’s your first time embarking on a tour of the Amsterdam food scene, it may come as a surprise that Indonesian cuisine also has a firm foothold there. Its popularity is believed to have originated as a way for Dutch colonists to enjoy an abundance of dishes in one sitting — an apt way to describe the appeal of this next Amsterdam food.

Otherwise known as “the rice table,” when you order rijsttafel at your chosen Indonesian restaurant, you’ll be presented with a smörgåsbord of small dishes, all coming together to represent the archipelago best known as the “Spice Islands.” Typically featuring a medley of sweet, sour, bitter and salty flavors, with varying levels of heat, this is perfect for those looking at this list of Amsterdam foods and struggling to know where to start. 

13. Poffertjes

Think fluffy clouds of fried batter dusted with powdered sugar and you’ll have a good grasp of what to expect from this next Amsterdam food. Found in restaurants, street markets and pancake houses throughout the city, a portion of these bite-sized treats is enough to satisfy even the most ravenous sweet tooth.

In terms of their origins, some hold that they were originally made as a type of communion bread in Dutch monasteries during the 18th century. Another, perhaps more entertaining story is that their creation was a happy accident after a street vendor unintentionally dropped some batter onto a hot plate. Either way, they are now a staple on Amsterdam’s food scene, known for their light and airy texture and indulgently sweet flavor. 

14. Ontbijtkoek 

If you’re looking for an Amsterdam food to enjoy at the start of the day, this one’s for you. This is a crucial part of the traditional Dutch breakfast table, serving as a hearty and subtly sweet replacement for regular bread. It’s also a popular mid-afternoon snack, often enjoyed with a cup of tea as a means of tiding you over until dinner time.

It's somewhat similar to gingerbread cake but with less ginger, often spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Ontbijtkoek is best enjoyed sliced with a hearty slathering of butter.

And just because it’s traditionally enjoyed in the morning, that doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself. Simply head to a nearby supermarket or bakery, buy yourself a loaf and enjoy this Amsterdam food whenever hunger strikes.

15. Stamppot

Have you ever tried British bubble and squeak? If so, you’ll have an idea of what to expect from this next Amsterdam food. Translated as “mash pot,” it takes mashed potatoes and mixes them with other vegetables, including sauerkraut, onions, kale and carrots.

The best part? The addition of a deliciously juicy sausage on top. If you’re visiting the Netherlands during the winter, this Amsterdam food — served at most restaurants — is sure to warm you after a cold day’s exploring. 

16. Dutch Licorice

Given that the Netherlands eats more licorice per capita than any other country in the world, it would be strange not to include it on this list of Amsterdam foods. Interestingly, licorice isn’t actually grown in the Netherlands — it’s grown and harvested in Southern Europe — yet the country remains the largest licorice producer on the continent.

If you want to take a little taste of Amsterdam food home to share with your friends, licorice is the perfect choice. Just be sure to pack it in your suitcase — any left in your hand luggage is unlikely to last the flight home.

17. Snert

An icon of Dutch winter cuisine, snert is essentially the Dutch version of pea soup — a thick, stew-like concoction of split peas, pork, celery, leeks and onions. While the name is hardly tempting, the smell from the kitchen as it bubbles away most certainly is.

The name comes from the Dutch word “snerten,” which means cooking a dish very well, and this one, in particular, is thought to date back as far as the 16th century. Few Amsterdam foods will help you to shake the winter cold like a bowl of snert, and if you’re feeling extra hungry, you could order “snert met struif” — the same delicious dish, but served with pancakes. 

Discover the Best Amsterdam Foods

If the above list of foods in Amsterdam, Netherlands has you contemplating a trip there to curb your cravings, we may be able to save you a flight. There are lots of cooking classes near you that can teach you everything you need to prepare the above Amsterdam foods like a pro.

You can also take online cooking classes, should you prefer to learn from the comfort of your own kitchen. Either way, classes are led by renowned expert chefs, who’ll teach you the techniques, tips and tricks to prepare your favorite Dutch foods, all without the expense of international flight.

Of course, if the call to travel is too strong to resist, who are we to stop you? After all, what could be more exciting than sampling the best food in Amsterdam, in Amsterdam? To help make the most of your trip, consider taking a guided food tour in Amsterdam.

Led by local experts who know the city’s foodie map like the backs of their hands, you’ll be introduced to some of Amsterdam’s most renowned culinary hot spots. They’ll also take you away from the well “eaten” track, introducing you to hidden gems and giving you the chance to enjoy Amsterdam food like the locals. 

Amsterdam is near, if not at the top of the list of places to visit for travelers the world over, and for good reason. It’s one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Its canals and historic architecture inspire awe in all who lay eyes on them; its museums and galleries provide endless inspiration and insight into one of the most diverse populations on the continent.

What people don’t always consider when planning a trip there is Amsterdam’s food. But as this list of must-try dishes demonstrates, the food is as much of a draw as any other attraction this city holds. 

For even more ways to explore Amsterdam and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.