Amsterdam Food Guide | Eating Europe

Dutch food sometimes gets overshadowed by some of the other big-name cuisines in Europe, like Italian and French. But as the people who’ve gone on one of my Amsterdam food tours will tell you, the city’s culinary landscape is incredibly diverse and much more than Dutch fries.

Whether you like to dine cheaply at street-side food markets or prefer a sit-down meal at a local restaurant, a wealth of gastronomic delights awaits in the capital of the Netherlands. This guide will show you all of the tastiest Dutch bites to sample when you visit and my favorite places to try them.

The Essentials of Dutch Cuisine

Dutch cuisine is usually simplistic but comforting, bursting with flavor, with plenty of fried snacks like crispy, meat-filled bitterballen. Beyond the local classics, the food scene has been heavily influenced by old Dutch colonies like Indonesia and Suriname, adding even more variety to the gastronomic scene.

No matter where you like to eat, you’ll find great food all around, from Dutch fries in cozy brown cafés to raw herring with onions at markets, and satisfying servings of stamppot in modern restaurants.

Where to Try the Best Local Dishes in Amsterdam

Restaurant ‘t Zwaantje

A charming throwback to old Amsterdam cafes, Restaurant ’t Zwaantje on Berenstraat has been serving visitors since 1973. The vibe here is that of an authentic Dutch eatery, picture crisp white tablecloths covering the tables and polished wood interiors. I always come here for their hearty, traditional pea soup, a rich bowl of goodness packed with earthy flavors. This spot is by no means a hidden gem, so book ahead, or you might end up being turned away.

Restaurant ‘t Zwaantje – (€20-€30) – Berenstraat 12 – Closed every Sunday and Monday and open every Tuesday to Sunday from 4:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

Hollands Hap Hmm Restaurant

Photo credit: Hollands Hap Hmm Restaurant

For some comforting Dutch food in Amsterdam, head over to the intimate Hollands Hap Hmm Restaurant near Vondelpark, which has won awards for its dishes like stamppot. I settled into the snug vibe of the place, eyeing up all the tempting specialties on the menu, but in the end, I went for the deep-fried schnitzel. It came out golden, crispy, and every mouthful had butteriness to it with a balanced zesty edge.

Hollands Hap Hmm Restaurant – (€20-€30) – Eerste Helmersstraat 33 – Open every Monday to Friday from 5:00 pm to 9:15 pm and closed every Saturday and Sunday.

De Haven van Texel

Photo credit: De Haven van Texel

Looking out over the beautiful canals of Zeedijk, De Haven van Texel is a canalside terraced restaurant brimming with character. Here, they whip up all sorts of traditional Dutch dishes, but I wasn’t that hungry and wanted something sweet, so I opted for the stroopwaffel pie. It was nothing short of phenomenal, loaded with sweet syrup and a side of luscious whipped cream that tied it all together. Plan your timing properly to sit outside on the terrace, or you’ll be left disappointed.

De Haven van Texel – (€20-€30) – Sint Olofssteeg 11 – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Thursday from 1:00 pm to 11:30 pm, Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Café Restaurant van Kerkwijk

Photo credit: Café Restaurant van Kerkwijk

A short stroll from the infamous Red Light District, Café Restaurant van Kerkwijk is one spot on our Amsterdam food guide you just have to try. It has a sleek, up-to-date feel with the option to sit outside and people-watch, which makes eating here even better. I couldn’t resist the sound of their Indonesian-style burger, so I gave it a shot. The beef was incredibly juicy and tender, and the prawn crackers added a nice bit of crunch.

Café Restaurant van Kerkwijk – (€30-€40) – Nes 41 – Open every day from 11:00 am to 12:00 am.

Moeders

Photo credit: Moeders

If you find yourself near Rozengracht, pop into Moeders, which translates to ‘mothers.’ The food in this quirky cafe/restaurant tastes just like it came from a Dutch mom’s kitchen, and the whole place is a tribute to mothers everywhere with pictures of them all over the walls. I ordered the insanely delicious stamppot, made with creamy mash melded with smoky meats like sausage and bacon. Even if you’re stuck waiting for a table, they’ll set you up with a drink and some bites outdoors to make the wait more bearable.

Moeders – (€20-€30) – Rozengracht 251 – Open every day from 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm.

Snacks, Street Food & Sweet Treats

Should you find yourself getting peckish and need a quick pick-me-up between meals, keep an eye out for these sought-after street foods in Amsterdam:

Bitterballen: Wash down these deep-fried meatballs with an ice-cold beer and a tangy mustard at a cafés.
Stroopwafels: Munch on a roasted syrup-soaked confection at a street stall.
Poffertjes: Dig into a serving of mini sugar-coated pancakes at Albert Cuyp Market.
Dutch fries: Walk along one of the city’s many canals with a paper cone of Dutch fries topped with ketchup or peanut sauce.

Food Halls, Markets & Multicultural Gems

Photo credit: De Foodhallen

If you want to branch out and have a unique dining experience, hit up one of Amsterdam’s food halls like De Foodhallen and try a variety of cuisines such as Indonesian and Turkish specialties. Both the Albert Cuyp Market and Ten Katemarkt are also very authentic and provide a great mix of must-try food in Amsterdam. That way, you can sample an array of flavors from around the world in a single sitting.

When & How Locals Eat

Across Amsterdam, dinner is the main meal of the day, while lunch is more focused on bread-based meals as they’re easier to eat throughout the workday. Just because somewhere is labeled a coffeeshop, doesn’t mean that a warm cup of arabica is all they sell, and most cafés in the Dutch capital serve full meals as well.

When the weather is pleasant, and you’re wondering where to eat in Amsterdam, you’ll find the Dutch dining outdoors. You’ll see signs of this all over Amsterdam, with plenty of restaurants offering alfresco settings. Most establishments that open for lunch or drinks and snacks don’t require a booking, but for fancier places that open for dinner, you’ll most likely need a reservation. Always carry some money with you, as select local favorites only accept cash payment.

Final Thoughts: Eating Your Way Through Amsterdam

The food scene in Amsterdam is one of incredible flavors and casual vibes, making it a delight to explore. A typical day for a foodie here is spent snacking on herring along the canal or enjoying a rijsttafel with friends. Even though it may be the capital city, you can have a good feed here without spending big on meals at a fancy restaurant.

Sources:

Eating Europe. (2025, August 12). Traditional Dutch food: A taste of Dutch heritage. Eating Europe Blog. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/traditional-dutch-food/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Amsterdam food tours. Eating Europe. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/amsterdam/

‘t Zwaantje. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://zwaantje-restaurant.nl/

Hap-Hmm. (2025, August 12). Amsterdams restaurant Hap-Hmm. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.hap-hmm.nl/ Hap-Hmm

Haven van Texel. (2025, August 12). Haven van Texel. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://havenvantexel.org/ Haven van Texel

Café Restaurant van Kerkwijk. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.vankerkwijk.com/en/

Moeders. (n.d.). Traditional Dutch cuisine Amsterdam. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://moeders.com/en/home Moeders