Amsterdam isn’t just famous for picturesque canals and vibrant culture – it’s also a great destination for foodies. But don’t let it cut into your sightseeing time! Many of the best Dutch delicacies are street foods, designed to be enjoyed while wandering the streets, or relaxing amongst Amsterdam’s bustling atmosphere.
In this guide, I’ll take you through the best Dutch street food in Amsterdam that you can try on your next visit. From warm, gooey stroopwafels and fluffy poffertjes to salty herring sandwiches and crispy bitterballen, you’ll find a diverse range of traditional Dutch foods with something to suit every taste.
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Stroopwafel
Taste one of the most quintessential traditional Dutch foods in Amsterdam with a stroopwafel. These moreish snacks consist of two thin waffle cookies sandwiching a caramel filling. At food stalls they’re made fresh in front of you, resulting in a crispy, chewy, warm treat to enjoy on the streets of Amsterdam.
Legend dates the stroopwafel back to the 1800s when bakers used leftover scraps and sugar to create the first versions of these sweet treats and avoid waste in their bakeries.
You can enjoy stroopwafel plain or with toppings such as chocolate, nuts or crumbled biscuits (speculoos are a popular choice!)
Where to try: Van Wonderen Stroopwafel, Hans Egstorf, Albert Cuypmarket
Bitterballen
Bitterballen are a Dutch croquette, usually comprised of a small deep-fried ball of thick, beefy stew. They’re a popular bar snack, so it’s best to try them at a cosy pub with a local beer to wash them down! If you order bitterballen in a bar, you can expect a generous portion of the fried snacks, alongside some mustard for dipping.
Alternatively, head to Foodhallen, one of the best food markets in Amsterdam, to try Bitterballen with a twist. At De Ballenbar, you’ll find 7 different bitterballen on the menu, inspired by the likes of French bouillabaisse, Thai soup, and Dutch oude kaas – it’s a culinary adventure around the world! You can also try a bitterballen flight to sample their best flavours.
Where to try: Café Tuin, Foodhallen, most bars in Amsterdam!
Patatje (and Patatje Oorlog)
Like their neighbours in Belgium, the Dutch also love fries. You’ll find many frites stands across Amsterdam, serving up the snacks in paper cornets with a wide variety of sauces to dip them in.
Fries (or patatje) served in this way are one of the best street foods in Amsterdam, as they’re designed to be eaten on the go! You can stroll along the canals while enjoying your handheld snack.
For a typical Dutch experience, try patatje oorlog. These are fries topped with mayonnaise, satay sauce and diced raw onions. Patatje oorlog roughly translates to “war fries” and the dish got its name from its messy nature – with the different sauces mixing together over the top of the fries!
Where to try: Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx, Fabel Friet
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Poffertjes
Another sweet offering from the Netherlands are poffertjes. These bite-sized fluffy pancakes are usually served up on a paper plate and dusted with sugar, but you may find other toppings on offer too, such as Nutella.
You can find poffertjes at street food stalls in Amsterdam year round, but traditionally they’re a festive treat and a staple of any Dutch Christmas market visit. So if you’re visiting the Netherlands at Christmastime, make sure you try some poffertjes.
Poffertjes are made in a special pan filled with dimples for each drop of pancake batter, that allows them to be easily flipped. It’s fun to watch these being made, especially at market stalls!
Where to try: Albert Cuypmarket, most street markets!
Broodje Haring
It’s no surprise that a country full of ports and coastal borders loves fish! You’ll find seafood in many forms around Amsterdam, but perhaps the most famous is broodje haring – a pickled (or salted) herring sandwich.
Typically served in a hot dog bun and topped with raw onions and pickles, broodje haring is one of the most classic street foods in Amsterdam and can be found at market stalls and dedicated kiosks around the city. It makes for a great lunchtime snack!
If you’re not feeling quite brave enough to taste broodje haring, try kibbeling – a dish of battered fish nuggets and sauce.
Where to try: Albert Cuypmarket, stalls at Nieuwmarkt, Kras Haring
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Oliebollen
If you visit Amsterdam during winter, look out for Oliebollen. These Dutch fried doughnuts are a traditional New Year treat in the Netherlands, but you’ll find them around the city for the whole festive season.
The little round doughnuts sometimes have raisins inside and are best served covered in icing sugar. And although the most authentic way to try oliebollen is at a street vendor or Christmas market, many bakeries add the doughnuts to their menu during the winter.
Where to try: Christmas markets, Bakker’s Oliebollenkraam
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