Every city has it’s own special foods, unique to that particular place, and Amsterdam is no different. Here’s a list of five must-try foods that piqued my interest while I was there. Number one is kind of out-there, and I still have yet to try it, but it gives me an excuse to return to this awesome city sooner, rather than later.
1. Pickled Herring
Sounds weird, probably is. I actually didn’t eat this although it is a quintessential Dutch snack. I was told pickled herring is to Amsterdam what a hot dog from a street cart is to NYC. However, I’m not sure if that analogy holds, as you can’t miss spotting hot dog carts everywhere in NYC yet not one time in Amsterdam did I come across a pickled herring cart or stand or even just a small ‘haring’ sign in a shop.
But according to this Dutch Review article about traditional Amsterdam food, tourists like to buy them whole and let them slide down their throat. Well, okay then.
2. Stroopwafel
Unlike pickled herrings, stroopwafels are easy to find in Amsterdam. This sweet snack is made of gooey caramel sandwiched between two thin waffles that are crispy on the edges and soft in the middle. There is a stroopwafel shop on practically every corner and they’re made fresh to order in a waffle press, while you watch. These are different from the pre-packaged kind you find in grocery stores, and they taste way better. For one, they’re warm!
The filling is traditionally caramel although you can find places that will bastardize it with all sorts of weird mix ins like Twix and Oreo. Those are mostly in the tourist areas, surprise, surprise. For a classic, delicious stroopwafel, I recommend Hans Egstorf and if you go mid-morning on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday you probably won’t have to wait in line.
3. Saint Jean Bakery in Jordaan District
Pistachio Cruffin. Full stop. This bakery is vegan but before you non-vegans scroll down in a huff, hear me out. For one, I’m not a vegan anyway. But this bakery makes a pastry that is so unique, not found anywhere else, and out of this world, dream about it, delicious. <– I went into a cruffin trance and look what happened to my sentence!
Imagine a muffin, made with croissant dough, and filled with a sweet pistachio nut butter. Oh, then cover the entire thing in coarse sugar crystals. I would come back to Amsterdam just for this. DO. NOT. MISS. THIS. (Unless you’re allergic to pistachios, then just grab an extra stroopwafel and be happy you’re alive.)
Saint-Jean regularly sells out of their pistachio cruffins and when they do, they’ll sub in a “twice baked” cruffin which has been split in half and filled, then cooked again. It is nowhere near as good as the real deal. You’ve been warned!
4. Bitterballen
Traditionally, these fried up balls are made of a meat/stew mixture, although you can find vegetarian versions just about everywhere you go. This Amsterdam food is similar to a croquette, but instead of oblong, it is round like a meatball. The exterior is crunchy fried breading and inside is a kind of thickened gravy mixed with meat or cheese or veggies.
Like pickled herring, bitterballen is more of a snack food than a full meal but you can find these at any casual restaurant and for sure at pubs as something savory to enjoy with your beverage. In fact, the “bitter” in bitterballen refers to the fact that they were often served alongside a glass of bitters.
5. De Kas
To balance out all this casual snacking, I’m including an amazing restaurant on the edge of the city, called De Kas. Set in a beautifully repurposed greenhouse, it is a one-of-a-kind Amsterdam food experience.
De Kas is a good splurge for a night that you want to linger for a long (long) time over a meal. Be sure to make reservations for this Michelin Star restaurant as the seating is limited and it’s really popular. They offer a set menu only, made with ingredients that they grow right there in their restaurant garden, much of which is harvested earlier in the day to be served that evening.
They can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose free, and nut-free dietary restrictions. (But you are out of luck if you’re allergic to garlic and onions!)
The dress code, like most everywhere in Amsterdam, is dressy to casual (jeans are okay). Expect to spend at least 3 to 4 hours on your meal. This is a perfect restaurant to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or just being alive and having tastebuds.
Amsterdam is chock full of amazing food and drinks (and other surprises) and I can’t begin to cover it all. Did I miss something? Leave me a comment and let me know. 🙂
Except for the herring, a good list, but you can’t forget Poffertjes. Cheers. Allan