As the most popular city in the Netherlands, street food in Amsterdam is equally as amazing! Of course, Dutch street food can vary from place to place, but there is plenty of delicious Amsterdam street food you can try during your visit to the Netherlands.
Dutch cuisine is relatively diverse and it can be hard to decide what to eat. Here are some of the best street foods in Amsterdam to try!
What’s Special About The Street Food In Amsterdam?
Amsterdam’s street food scene is a mouthwatering charcuterie board of flavors and textures, just waiting to be devoured by hungry travelers. The city is a melting pot of cultures, and its street food reflects that diversity beautifully.
You’ll find a good mix of Dutch traditional classics, Indonesian delights, Turkish treats, and more in the capital. It is almost like a culinary world tour when you dig in. This is, after all, a very popular and international destination. From the piping hot bitterballen to sugary sweet stroopwafels, the options are endless.
Best of all, street food in Amsterdam can also be easier on the wallet, making it perfect for budget-conscious travelers in this rather expensive destination. Regardless, the multicultural Dutch food scene is definitely not one to be missed.
Grab a snack, find a picturesque canal-side spot, and enjoy the mouthwatering magic of this incredible city.
Fast Food In Amsterdam
Bitterballen (Dutch Meatballs)
Bitterballen is a kind of fast food in Amsterdam that you should totally try when you visit the capital! These crispy snacks are popular throughout the entire Netherlands and are often served at parties as well.
Bitterballen is made from finely chopped beef that’s seasoned with various spices. They coat these balls of meat in breadcrumbs, after which they are deep-fried. You can find Bitterballen in pretty much every bar you go to as they are the perfect finger food with some cold beer, so be sure to try it!
Kibbeling (Fried Battered Fish)
Another fast food in Amsterdam is called ‘kibbeling’ and it’s perfect if you love fish! This Dutch street food is made from cod or cod’s cheeks and you can consider it to be a kind of fish version of chicken nuggets.
The cod or cod’s cheeks are made with a type of batter into a smaller, bite-sized piece and then deep-fried. This is a very popular street food in Amsterdam so be sure to try it during your stay in the Netherlands.
Also, be careful when you are served freshly fried kibbeling, because it can be very hot! Take a small bite first before chowing down on a full piece.
Patatje Oorlog (Loaded War Fries)
Patatje oorlog is a kind of fast food in Amsterdam that’s really popular! This Dutch street food consists of patat (Dutch fries/Belgian fries) that are then topped off with a kind of peanut satay-style sauce, chopped onions, and mayonnaise.
The way patatje oorlog is made can differ from place to place as some also make this street food in Amsterdam with mustard, tomato sauce, or even lemon.
The name ‘patatje oorlog’ can be translated into ‘war fries’ or ‘loaded fries’ in plenty of restaurants. This is because of the whopping amount of ingredients and sauces that are added on top of the fries themselves.
Kroket (Dutch Croquette)
There are plenty of convenient yet fulfilling foods in Amsterdam, like the kroket for example. This is a Dutch croquette and it’s very similar to the bitterballen. The filling from the kroket and the bitterballen is the same, but the shape is very different.
A kroket is larger and has a cylindrical shape. It serves as a more filling snack than bitterballen and also tastes amazing on a bun if you’re looking for a quick and delicious lunch! As you take a break from exploring all the attractions in Amsterdam, grab yourself a Kroket and refuel.
Bamischijf
A bamischijf is a kind of fast food in Amsterdam that’s popular throughout the entire Netherlands! This is one of the many snacks and dishes in Dutch cuisine that comes from the Indonesian influence.
This fried snack is filled with the same bami from the dish called Bami Goreng and it tastes amazing! These fried noodles are coated with breadcrumbs, after which they deep-fry in hot oil. Bamischijf is a popular kind of street food in Amsterdam for a night of going out, but they are also eaten as a side dish with fries (or patat).
Dutch Street Food
Hollandse Nieuwe Haring (Dutch Herring)
Another amazing kind of street food in Amsterdam is Hollandse nieuwe haring. This is basically soused herring, but then Dutch. As one of the well loved things in Amsterdam, locals enjoy this pickled food with onions as a snack during the day.
In order to make Hollandse nieuwe haring, raw herring is cooked in spices and apple cider vinegar, which gives the Dutch street food its distinct, sour taste.
Gouda Kaas (Dutch Cheese)
One of the things the Netherlands is best known for is its cheese. That’s why you should try their Gouda kaas (a Dutch kind of cheese) when you visit Amsterdam! The Netherlands is actually the world’s third-largest producer of dairy so their cheese is absolutely delicious!
One of the most popular street foods in Amsterdam is this Gouda kaas. It’s made from cows’ milk and traditionally traded in a small town called Gouda, which is where it got its name. You can eat the Gouda kaas on its own or pair it with some nice red wine for an even better snack!
Patat (Belgian Fries)
Patat is a different version of the French fries you probably know. They are often referred to as Belgian fries, as these fries are a lot thicker than French fries. Patat is quite popular in the Netherlands and is eaten everywhere, not just in Amsterdam.
However, the name for this Dutch street food may vary from place to place. Some people call it patat, although many people also simply refer to it as ‘frieten’ (fries in English). The reason they are also often called Belgian fries or Vlaamse friet is because of their origin in the Northern Belgium region.
You can eat patat with different kinds of toppings and sauces, like mayonnaise, ketchup, or even a type of peanut sauce in a patatje oorlog!
Worstenbroodje (Meat Puffy Pastry)
A worstenbroodje is a street food in Amsterdam that can be found in pretty much every supermarket in the Netherlands! Many people eat it as a snack, but if you’re in a hurry it also serves as a quick, convenient, and delicious lunch.
Worstenbroodje is actually simply a pastry filled with meat on the inside. The pastry itself is a puff pastry combined with spices and eggs. However, this Dutch street food gets its amazing taste from the savory meat on the inside that’s seasoned with all kinds of spices.
Poffertjes
Poffertjes is a kind of sweet street food in Amsterdam that you should really try! Some people call these Dutch snacks ‘mini pancakes’, since they are often made from the same dough as the Dutch specialty pannenkoeken (Dutch pancakes).
Poffertjes are a small and fluffy snack that’s made in a pan that’s designed for poffertjes. This Amsterdam street food is often eaten with some powdered sugar and melted butter on top to improve the flavor even more! However, you can also enjoy this Dutch street food with jam, chocolate, syrup, or even grated cheese!
Dutch Pastry
Pannenkoek (Dutch Pancake)
You’re probably already familiar with American pancakes, but when you go to the Netherlands, you should definitely try the Dutch version. Dutch pancakes are known as ‘pannenkoeken’ and this is one of the best street foods in Amsterdam you’ll find!
Pannenkoeken is quite different from American pancakes, as they are a lot thinner and bigger. They usually fill up an entire frying pan! Pannenkoeken is not only eaten as a quick snack but is also really popular during lunch or even breakfast in the Netherlands.
You might even be surprised to hear that pannenkoeken is often eaten during dinner time as well. It’s the perfect side dish for pea soup, which is eaten a lot during wintertime in the Netherlands. You can enjoy your pannenkoeken with some powdered sugar or syrup, but it also tastes amazing with bacon, apple, cheese, or spinach.
Stroopwafels (Caramel Syrup Waffles)
One of the most popular Dutch pastries you’ll find as street food in Amsterdam is called stroopwafel. Stroopwafels consist of two really thin waffles made from baked butter that are stuck together thanks to the sticky syrup, the ‘stroop’, in the middle.
Because of this caramel-like syrup in the middle, the two thin waffles have become one big cookie that tastes absolutely amazing! You can find this Dutch street food in pretty much every supermarket in the Netherlands, but it’s also popular at local markets!
Appeltaart (Dutch Apple Pie)
Apple pie is popular all around the world of course, but the Dutch version called ‘appeltaart’ is a street food in Amsterdam that you should also try! It’s made from sliced apples and then covered in a lattice pastry, which makes the pie so sweet.
Appeltaart is often served on birthdays, but it’s popular as a kind of Dutch street food as well on markets for example. This Dutch pastry is also often served in restaurants or cafes as a dessert. Try the appeltaart with some whipped cream or even ice cream if you want to treat yourself!
Oliebollen (Doughnut Balls)
Oliebollen is a kind of snack that’s especially popular in the Netherlands around the holidays. The name of oliebollen translates directly to oil balls in English. The reason the popular Dutch pastry got this name is that the dough is fried in oil.
You can consider the oliebollen to be a kind of doughnut ball as they are made from the same dough. This street food in Amsterdam is especially popular during Christmas and New Year’s.
The people in the Netherlands eat oliebollen topped off with powdered sugar, although they are available with raisins in them as well.
Boterkoek (Dutch Butter Cake)
Boterkoek is another kind of sweet street food in Amsterdam that you should try at least once. This is a cake made from flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Sometimes, they add some lemon zest, almond extract, or almond shavings for extra flavor too.
In order to give the boterkoek its unique look, bakers brush the sticky dough with some beaten eggs and decorate the cake in a criss-cross pattern on top. You should try this street food in Amsterdam paired with some coffee on the side when you visit!
Discovering Must-Try Street Food In Amsterdam
Now that you know more about the different kinds of street food in Amsterdam, you’re all set to take a trip to the Netherlands! Whether you love different pastries or sweet Dutch street food, like the pannenkoeken or poffertjes, or if you want to try fast food in Amsterdam, there are many unique foods to try.
