A Foodie’s Guide to Amsterdam

Amsterdam is so much more than its beautiful canals and biked covered streets that spill out of its shadows. Amsterdam is a city of diverse denizens and historic neighborhoods with all encompassing things to do. When visiting, you (or rather your tastebuds), will be completely awestruck by hole-in-the eateries, bistros, and cafes creating fusion fare and farm to table Dutch dishes. It’s inside Amsterdam’s kitchens that you’ll start to feel the city’s character.

So get ready to truly get to know the canal city by diving into some of its amazing food and eateries. Here is a foodie’s guide to Amsterdam!

A Foodie’s Guide of WHAT to Eat:

StroopWafel

Probably one of the most Instagrammed dish from the Netherlands, the Stroopwafel is basically heaven on earth. A stroopwafel is a waffle made from two thin layers of baked dough with a caramel filling in the middle. It is then dipped in chocolate and covered in your favorite toppings. Drooling yet?

Bitterballen

This is one of Holland’s favorite snacks always recommended by the locals. The only way to truly describe this dish is heaven on earth. Bitterballen are bite-sized Dutch beef and cheese croquettes typically served with mustard. Pair it a cold, Dutch beer, and you have the perfect snack.

Freak Shakes

Calories don’t count on vacation, and there are zero calories in this milkshake! Choose between a strawberry, banana, chocolate, or vanilla shake topped with donuts, cotton candy, or marshmallow fluff.

Fries

Known all over the world as French fries, not many people know that the best fries to be had are in the Netherlands. You will need to get used to the fact that fries are generally served in paper cups with generous dollops of mayonnaise instead of ketchup. Portions served at stands surpass those in sit-down restaurants, so choose your fries wisely!

Pancakes

Not the American kind, although you do have that option. “Hollandse Pannenkoeken” or Dutch pancakes actually originated from China and Nepal. If you order a Dutch pancake in Amsterdam, you will receive a thin pancake with a diameter of approximately 32 centimeters—huge. Pannenkoeken are made with basic ingredients, namely flour, milk, salt, and eggs. You can then decide if you want a savory or sweet filling.

Poffertjes’

Repeat after me: ‘PO-fer-jus,’ otherwise known as fluffy clouds of warm battery goodness sprinkled with powdered sugar. And that’s all I have to say about that.

Cheese

Cheese is serious business in the Netherlands, so eat all of it. Dutch cheese has more than a 600-year long tradition. Many of the names were actually taken from different cities in the Netherlands. You can check out the Amsterdam Cheese Museum, but honestly the best way to experience all the cheese is to head over to a market. It’s all just so Goud….a. See what I did there?

Stamppot

Literally translated as ‘mash pot,’ this traditional dish involves mashed potatoes, veggies, and some sort of protein. The evenings were still chilling in April, so stamppot will warm you right up!

A Foodie’s Guide of WHERE to Eat:

Corner Bakery

Home to the freak shakes, this place cannot be missed. Imagine over-the-top homemade sandwiches and cakes like you’ve never seen before. Marry that with cute décor and “grammable” pictures, you’ll neve want to leave. Yes—they do have salads, but you won’t need them. I highly recommend pulled beef sandwich, and the cotton candy shake! Card only.

Foodhallen

Ok, I love this place. Ponce City Market is one of my favorite spots in Atlanta, so Foodhallen was amazing. At Foodhallen, the Dutch celebrate flavors. “Flavors of the finest cuisines, flavors of freshness, of Thursdays and birthday, and flavors of good to see you.” Foodhallen oozes coolness with local music and art in its halls. Don’t miss this spot!

De Pijp

Jordaan might be the most beautiful area of Amsterdam, but I’d rather hang out in De Pijip. Lose yourself for hours here with the colorful mix of cuisines, terrances, and convivial cafes. De Pijp radiates beatnik flair from angle, and its bohemian spirit is perfect for foodies. Restaurants to not miss:

Pancakes

The debate over which place makes the best pancakes in Amsterdam has set the blogging world ablaze. I’m sure if you really wanted to, you could try all of the options yourself. However I took the easy way out, and went to Pancakes. Pancakes is amazing! They are located throughout the city, but we ate at the Amsterdam Central location near Central Station. The location gets quite crowded, so check out their website for some other locations.

I hope this foodie’s guide to Amsterdam helps you plan an amazing trip to canal city! Let me know your favorite dishes in the comment section.

A Foodie’s Guide to Amsterdam