Taste Europe: a tour of Europe's most delicious cities
Canals, coffee and sunshine.
Eclectic cuisine abounds in Holland's diverse hub.
Explore the unique and vibrant capital of the Netherlands.
Amsterdam’s food thrives on the city’s cosmopolitan nature, infusing the flavours and scents of diverse cuisine – from Indonesian to Surinamese, Indian and Italian (and yes, Nederlandse too).
Bart van Poll @SpottedByLocals…they say there is no city in Europe that has as many people from different countries as Amsterdam does. The many exotic cuisines is one of the main reasons I love Amsterdam so much.
Though this classic wintertime dish has many vegetable and meat variations, it usually consists of boiled potatoes mashed with kale or endive (or carrots and onion) served with rookworst sausage.
Cecily Layzell @EatAmsterdamI'm a big fan of Amsterdam's seasonal dishes, such as [...] stamppot and smoked sausage in the winter.
Rijsttafel is a Dutch adaptation of Indonesian cuisine and literally translates as ‘rice table,’ consisting of numerous diversely flavored dishes served together in tiny portions and eaten with rice.
Anya Sokha @GodfulFood…it's because of the Dutch [colonial] past the Indonesian feast rijsttafel -- rice table -- is now as Dutch as stamppot.
Though named for (and made with) ox meat in the 17th century, ossenworst today is raw beef sausage mixed with spices and lightly smoked.
Anya Sokha @GodfulFood"...don't leave the city without trying ossenworst. [I]t does sound a little freaky to eat raw sausage, but it's safe. ...it's an Amsterdam delicacy!
Granted independence in 1975, a large number of Suriname’s diverse population (predominantly Indian, Creole, Javanese, and African) migrated to the Netherlands, bringing a rich culinary tradition with them.
Bart van Poll @SpottedByLocalsSurinamese food is real Amsterdam cuisine. Low budget, very tasty and exotic!
Two thin crispy waffles sandwiching a sweet caramel-like filling, prepared with cinnamon.
Vicky Hampton @AmsterdamFoodie...for those with a sweet tooth, you must try the stroopwaffels from Lanskroon's Bakery.
Sold at street stands around Amsterdam, herring is traditionally salt-cured, served raw with pickles and onion, and eaten with toothpicks (or as broodje haring, on a bun).
Vicky Hampton @AmsterdamFoodieIf cheese and sausage aren’t your thing, there’s always raw herring – sold at the many fish stalls that pepper the city.
French fries served with mayonnaise, onions, and peanut satay sauce. Sold as a street food, some variations also incorporate other condiments
Anya Sokha @GodfulFoodPatat is Dutch for fries and oorlog means war, and unlike the real event, in this case the clash is only between peanut satay sauce (Indonesian) and mayonnaise (Dutch).
A thick traditional Dutch apple tart with sultanas (or raisins) and lemon juice incorporated into the filling along with cinnamon; apples; and, of course, lots of sugar.
Ashley Howe @thatshowefornow...there are a number of things that the Dutch do really well. On the top of that list is apple pie - I think it should be illegal not to eat it when you're in Amsterdam.
Small breadcrumb-covered fried balls filled with meat ragout, and served with mustard for dipping. Many variations exist, and fillings can range from veal to vegetable mixes.
Ashley Howe @thatshowefornow...bitterballen [is] my absolute favourite snack. It's goulash in breadcrumbs, served with a healthy dose of mustard. Absolutely delicious.
Served on a white Dutch roll, this classic sandwich is made with corned beef (or pastrami) and beef liver.
Nicole Holten - Thedutchtable.comThe influence of the Jewish community is present in a variety of traditionally Amsterdam delicacies: a broodje halfom is probably one of Amsterdam's most famous bites.
They’ve scoured the back-streets and metaphorically dredged the canals to find you the very best of Amsterdam’s dining. Here our local experts share their insights with you.
Vicky Hampton @AmsterdamFoodieDutch food hasn’t enjoyed a great reputation in the past, so Amsterdam is one of those cities where international cuisine abounds – especially from lands that were former Dutch colonies.
Monique van Loon @MoniqueVanLoonThere are new spots in town opening each week. Good concepts with great food and service last long and become booming very quickly, while bad venues with poor service don't last very long. I like that; it keeps restaurant owners and food entrepeneurs sharp and focussed.
Cecily Layzell @EatAmsterdamWhile seasonal dishes are nothing new in Amsterdam, in recent years there's been a strong move towards using and promoting local ingredients. A small but growing group of food entrepreneurs is finally making it cool to go Dutch.
An audio tour of Amsterdam's street food scene.
Sampling some of Amsterdam's marvellous cheeses.
amsterdamblog.co.uk
Cecily is the owner of Eat-amsterdam.com, a site dedicated to celebrating cuisine in the Netherlands’ capital. The reputation of this site alone has led her sterling work to be featured in Time Out, the New York Times and the Telegraph.
The HouseTrip TeamThank you Cecily for some amazing insights into Amsterdam's seasonal dishes!
Bart, co-founder of Spotted By Locals, is an Amsterdam-based photographer, foodie and polymath who managed to spin his hobby into a globe-straddling industry. His site has since been featured by The Times, the BBC, the Guardian and Huffington Post.
The HouseTrip TeamGreat to have your insight on the more exotic flavours of Amsterdam. Thank you Bart!
Vicky Hampton runs the enormously successful Amsterdam Foodie blog; a site recommended by Expat Arrivals, EasyJet and the Guardian Travel Network. Her fair and frank reviews have won her praise from many big industry names.
The HouseTrip TeamThank you Vicky for the great info on borrel and hapjes!
A simple tour of the Amsterdam food scene – from top restaurants to Monique's own kitchen by way of Starbucks – Monique’s Culy.nl is one of Amsterdam’s top-ranked food blogs.
The HouseTrip TeamMonique's info on the variety of cuisine available in Amsterdam has proved invaluable. Thank you Monique!
Godful Food is a blog devoted to the religion of cooking, a sacred practice extolled loudest of all by its faithful disciple Anna. Combining wit, warmth and practical advice, her blog takes cooking to a whole new dimension.
The HouseTrip TeamWe are heading straight to the farmers' market at Noordermarkt Square! Thanks Anya
Owner of a blog dedicated to all things Dutch, Nicole combines freewheeling recipes with tips on everything from photography to gardening. Her work has been featured in Dutch the Magazine, and the Idaho Woman’s Journal.
The HouseTrip TeamA great set of recommendations that cater for all tastes. Thank you Nicole!
Ashley Howe runs the popular AmsterdamBlog.co.uk, a repository of knowledge concerning all things Amsterdam – from food and drink to local culture.
The HouseTrip TeamAshley your tips for apple pie, cheese and bitterballen really got our tummies rumbling. Thanks!
Cecily Layzell @EatAmsterdam[one] of my favourite places for rijsttafel [is] Café Kadijk, which does an affordable version for one person.
Vicky Hampton @AmsterdamFoodie...for a great “rijsttafel”, my favourite venue is Blauw on the Amstelveenseweg. Great atmosphere, not as kitsch as many Indonesian restaurants, and a little off the beaten track.
Anya Sokha @GodfulFoodA decent place to indulge in a selection of as many as twenty five hot and spicy dishes served with rice on the side (hence rice table) is Tempo Doeloe.
Monique van Loon @MoniqueVanLoonAmsterdam is so multicultural that there is a great variety of cuisines in the city. Marius [serves] french table d'hote style.
Vicky Hampton @AmsterdamFoodie...for those with a sweet tooth, you must try the “stroopwaffels” (two spiced wafers sandwiching a layer of caramel) from Lanskroon’s bakery.
Anya Sokha @GodfulFoodA dozen meters off the noisy, crammed, loud Leidsestraat sits Cafe de Klos, an establishment for rib lovers. With the exception of a few appetizers, grilled meat is all there is.
Monique van Loon @MoniqueVanLoon...fine dining with vegetables from their own greenhouse and garden, this is a true dining experience
Nicole Holten - Thedutchtable.comTraditional Jewish sandwich shops, like Sal Meijer on Scheldestraat 45, have been serving [the broodje halfom] since the day they opened.
Monique van Loon @MoniqueVanLoonnice, small restaurant near Dam Square with daily changing dishes. Great Dutch apple pie.
Monique van Loon @MoniqueVanLoonI absolutely adore the fresh markets around town, like the Noordermarkt on Saturdays.
Nicole Holten - Thedutchtable.comFor local ingredients, visit one of the outdoor markets during the week, like the Albert Cuyp Markt, the Dappermarkt, the Noordermarkt and the Nieuwmarkt
Bart van Poll @SpottedbyLocalsIf you cook [Surinamese] at home, get your ingredients at the Dapper market - 50% of the stalls are run by Surinamese people!
Monique van Loon @MoniqueVanLoonVlaamsch Broodhuys: ...quite expensive [but the] best bread in town.
A fantastic selection of freshly caught fish and seafood.
Nicole Holten - Thedutchtable.comFor local ingredients, visit one of the outdoor markets during the week, like the Albert Cuyp Markt, the Dappermarkt, the Noordermarkt and the Nieuwmarkt.
