Amsterdam Food & Drink Guide
From traditional Dutch stroopwafels to world-class Indonesian rijsttafel — Amsterdam's food scene is richer than you think.
Essential Dutch Food Experiences
You haven't truly visited the Netherlands until you've tried these Dutch food classics.
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Raw Herring (Haring)
The Dutch eat raw herring with chopped onions and pickles — a traditional street food with a surprisingly mild flavour. Try it at a haring stand near a market.
📍 Fish stands citywide, esp. Albert Cuyp Market
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Dutch Pancakes (Pannenkoeken)
Dutch pancakes are thinner and larger than American pancakes but thicker than crêpes — topped with syrup, bacon, apple, cheese or practically anything else. A Dutch institution.
📍 The Pancake Bakery, Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs, Café de Prins
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Stroopwafels
Two thin waffles sandwiched with caramel syrup — best enjoyed warm from a market stall, placed on top of a hot coffee to soften the caramel. Albert Heijn sells them but fresh is better.
📍 Albert Cuyp Market, supermarkets
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Bitterballen
Deep-fried breadcrumb-coated balls filled with a thick beef ragout — the essential Dutch bar snack. Crispy outside, molten inside. Always served with mustard.
📍 Every traditional Dutch café (brown café)
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Dutch Cheese (Kaas)
The Netherlands produces outstanding cheese — aged Gouda (Oud Gouda), Edam, and Leerdammer are world-famous. Visit a market cheese stall for free tastings.
📍 Albert Cuyp Market, Reypenaer cheese shop, Zaanse Schans (day trip)
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Dutch Fries (Patat)
Dutch chips are thick, golden and served with an extraordinary array of toppings — mayonnaise (the classic), satay sauce, ketchup, or 'oorlog' (war sauce: mayo + peanut sauce + onions).
📍 Vleminckx Sausmeesters (legendary frites stand near Spui)
Indonesian Food in Amsterdam
One of the best surprises for visitors to Amsterdam is the extraordinary quality and variety of Indonesian cuisine — a legacy of the Netherlands' colonial history in the Dutch East Indies. Amsterdam has some of the finest Indonesian restaurants outside Indonesia itself.
The signature experience is rijsttafel (rice table) — a feast of 15–30 small dishes served with rice, representing different regions of the Indonesian archipelago. It's one of the most sociable and satisfying meals Amsterdam has to offer.
Recommended Indonesian Restaurants
- Tempo Doeloe — Utrechtsestraat. Amsterdam's most celebrated Indonesian restaurant, known for its authentic flavours and extensive rijsttafel.
- Blauw — Amstelveenseweg. A modern, beautifully designed restaurant with excellent rijsttafel in a neighbourhood setting.
- Kantjil en de Tijger — Spuistraat. A popular, lively spot in the city centre with a great-value rijsttafel for groups.
Amsterdam Food Markets
Albert Cuyp Market
Mon–Sat📍 De Pijp
Amsterdam's largest and most famous street market — 260+ stalls selling Dutch cheeses, fresh fish, stroopwafels, flowers, and street food from around the world. A must-visit for food lovers.
💡 Go hungry. Budget €15–20 for a market food crawl.
Noordermarkt
Saturday (bio market)📍 Jordaan
The Saturday organic farmers' market in the Jordaan. Fresh organic produce, artisan bread, natural wines and local Dutch products. The neighbourhood buzz makes this special.
💡 Arrive before 11am for the best selection.
Waterlooplein Flea Market
Mon–Sat📍 Centrum
Amsterdam's famous flea market — more second-hand goods than food, but excellent Dutch street snacks and herring stands make it worth combining with nearby sights.
💡 Combine with a visit to the nearby Jewish Historical Museum.
Foodhallen
Daily📍 Oud-West
An indoor food market in a converted tram depot — 20+ food stands serving everything from Japanese ramen to Dutch bitterballen. A great wet-weather food destination.
💡 Busy on weekends. Try to visit on a weekday evening for a calmer experience.
Canalside Dining in Amsterdam
Few dining experiences anywhere match eating alongside Amsterdam's famous canals on a warm evening — watching the houseboats, the cyclists and the reflections of canal houses in the still water. Several Amsterdam neighbourhoods are particularly good for canalside restaurants.
Best Areas for Canalside Dining
- Prinsengracht, Jordaan stretch: Several restaurants with terrace tables overlooking the canal. The quieter Jordaan side is especially atmospheric.
- Keizersgracht: The 'Emperor's Canal' has several excellent restaurants with outdoor terrace seating and beautiful views.
- Reguliersgracht: The 'Canal of the Seven Bridges' — a picturesque setting for an evening meal.
Recommended Restaurants
- De Belhamel — Brouwersgracht. A beautiful Art Nouveau interior overlooking Amsterdam's most picturesque canal junction. French/Dutch cuisine.
- Café Papeneiland — Prinsengracht. One of Amsterdam's oldest and most authentic brown cafés with canal views and excellent Dutch snacks.
- Restaurant Greetje — Peperstraat. The finest traditional Dutch cuisine in Amsterdam — outstanding seasonal Dutch cooking in a beautiful setting.