What is typically Dutch food?

Every province in the Netherlands has its own unique regional products. In Limburg, for instance, you can enjoy the delicious regional vlaai (a kind of fruit tart), and in Zeeland you should definitely try a Zeeuwse Bolus, a sweet pastry. Looking at the Netherlands as a whole, we might say that savory snacks the Dutch enjoy are a kroket, bitterbal, herring, kibbeling (deep-fried cod fish), cheese, or French fries. Sweet snacks that are eaten everywhere are poffertjes (tiny pancake puffs), pancakes, licorice, and stroopwafels (syrup waffles). Winter dishes the Dutch like to serve are erwtensoep (pea soup) and stamppot (mashed potatoes and veg). For special occasions, we like to eat tompouce pastries on King’s Day, oliebollen for New Year’s Eve, and pepernoten and kruidnoten for Sinterklaas.

Where can I find typically Dutch food?

You can go to the snackbar for typically Dutch snacks such as bitterballen, a kroket or fries. Herring and kibbeling are favorites at the fish monger’s. In summer months you can also buy herring from a typical herring stall in the street in many cities. Stroopwafels may be the most typically Dutch cookie around. You can buy them in a shop or try fresh ones at the market. Going to a café restaurant is your best shot at enjoying a typically down-to-earth Dutch dinner dish, such as stamppot with a meatball, beef stew, or pea soup.

How many Dutch restaurants have a Michelin star?

The Netherlands has over 100 restaurants that possess one or more Michelin stars. As such, it is a world-class culinary destination. Amsterdam is the city boasting the greatest number of Michelin star restaurants, followed by Rotterdam, Eindhoven and Maastricht.

5x real traditional Dutch foods

Every region and every city has its typical specialties, such as the Bossche bol from Den Bosch or suikerbrood from Friesland. Traditionally, some dishes are enjoyed mainly in specific seasons, such as asparagus from Limburg and mussels from Zeeland. But what is traditional Dutch food really like? How and where is it eaten by Dutch people? Check out our not-to-be-missed top 5 and eat like a local.

Eat truly typically Dutch food, the Dutch way.
Sweet tiny pancakes... Let the poffertjes baker do his magic.
 Go for a drink at the pub and order some bitterballen, don’t forget the mustard!

Stroopwafel, street food?!

A thin round waffle is cut in half and stuck back together with a spoonful of syrup in between. Originally, these are two separate cookies stuck together with syrup: a ‘syrup waffle’. This poor man’s cookie was sold from the bakery’s back door. You can serve stroopwafels at home with your coffee or enjoy them as a snack in the street. Pretty much every market has its syrup waffle stand. They make the hot syrup waffles right in front of you. After such a delicious snack, you’ll have plenty of energy to continue shopping. The city of Gouda is more or less where stroopwafels were invented. Enjoy the ‘siroopwafel experience’ at the Goudse siroopwafelfabriek.

Poffertjes at every (children’s) party and festival

Poffertjes are tiny pancake puffs served with butter and powdered sugar. The baker drops bits of the batter into small divots in a large red copper sheet. Midway through the baking time, the poffertjes are turned over with a fork at incredible speed, requiring lots of agility. They ‘puff up’ and are a little thicker than a traditional pancake. They are actually a snack for children but to be honest, everybody loves them! It is great fun to watch a baker make poffertjes. Poffertjessalon Seth in Rotterdam is one of the places where you can have the authentic experience. You can order poffertjes at any pancake restaurant or the poffertjes stand at the zoo or amusement park.

Bitterballen with your pre-dinner drinks

The Dutch love to eat bitterballen as a snack with their drinks early or late in the evening. At a party, the pub, or the sports cafeteria. A bitterbal is is a deep-fried meat ragout ball with a lovely crust. In 2020, this typically Dutch snack was elected a cultural heritage food. Bar Bitterbal in Amsterdam has specialized in bitterballen in countless sensational flavors. Groningen, a student city, has invented its own version containing a boiled egg. Want to try one? It’s on the menu at Grand-Café De Drie Gezusters in Groningen. You cannot leave the Netherlands wishout having tried a traditional bitterbal. You can simply order a portion at the pub or terrace. Dip the bitterbal in mustard and be careful, the first one is usually piping hot!

Are bitterballen bitter?

No, the name refers to ‘bitters’, the Dutch gin with which it used to be served in the past. These days, you most often order them with a good beer.

Curious about liquors and beers?

Winter food: oliebollen and erwtensoep

When the weather grows colder and the nights grow dark, we find solace in feasting, gifts, and solid hot food until spring returns. In winter, oliebollen stands pop up in every city in the runup to New Year’s Eve. A national paper cranks up the tension with the national oliebollen contest every year: who makes the best oliebollen in the Netherlands. An oliebol consists of deep-fried batter balls with or without raisins and currants. They are covered in powdered sugar and traditionally served on New Year’s Eve. Erwtensoep or pea soup is best enjoyed after a long walk in fall or on a cold winter’s night. It reminds us of Eleven Cities skating tours, New Year’s Dives, and freezing yet beautiful winter days. Enjoy a bowl of great soup at Koetshuis De Burcht in Leiden, served as tradition warrants with rye bread and bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every province in the Netherlands has its own unique regional products. In Limburg, for instance, you can enjoy the delicious regional vlaai (a kind of fruit tart), and in Zeeland you should definitely try a Zeeuwse Bolus, a sweet pastry. Looking at the Netherlands as a whole, we might say that savory snacks the Dutch enjoy are a kroket, bitterbal, herring, kibbeling (deep-fried cod fish), cheese, or French fries. Sweet snacks that are eaten everywhere are poffertjes (tiny pancake puffs), pancakes, licorice, and stroopwafels (syrup waffles). Winter dishes the Dutch like to serve are erwtensoep (pea soup) and stamppot (mashed potatoes and veg). For special occasions, we like to eat tompouce pastries on King’s Day, oliebollen for New Year’s Eve, and pepernoten and kruidnoten for Sinterklaas.
You can go to the snackbar for typically Dutch snacks such as bitterballen, a kroket or fries. Herring and kibbeling are favorites at the fish monger’s. In summer months you can also buy herring from a typical herring stall in the street in many cities. Stroopwafels may be the most typically Dutch cookie around. You can buy them in a shop or try fresh ones at the market. Going to a café restaurant is your best shot at enjoying a typically down-to-earth Dutch dinner dish, such as stamppot with a meatball, beef stew, or pea soup.

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Category: Read

5x real traditional Dutch foods

Stroopwafel, street food?!

Poffertjes at every (children’s) party and festival

Bitterballen with your pre-dinner drinks

Are bitterballen bitter?

Winter food: oliebollen and erwtensoep

Frequently Asked Questions

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