I just visited the Netherlands for the first time — a country I’d been meaning to explore for years. Despite several past opportunities to join friends on trips, something always seemed to get in the way. But after studying abroad and meeting people from all over the world, new chances for spontaneous travel started opening up.

Two of those friends, Mireia and João, have been living in the Netherlands for a few years and often encouraged me to visit — even suggesting I move there. But one thing had always put me off: the food. Another friend, also called João, bluntly told me he hated living there because of the food. And if I’m honest, I had no real idea what Dutch cuisine even was.

Still, curiosity won out. After a few drinks and some much-needed holiday talk, I booked the trip. I finally got to see the chaos and charm of Amsterdam, while staying in the quieter beauty of Leiden — The whole trip was full of surprises — from a last-minute invite to a Hey Dude (sister brand of Crocs) event, to bizarre museums near the Red Light District, and the natural beauty scattered all around — but what caught me off guard the most was just how much I ended up enjoying the food.

I jumped into the deep end and tried everything that was on offer. Some dishes I was excited to try, some a bit nervous (looking at you herring), and some I had never heard of. This post is all about that part of the trip: my personal deep dive into Dutch cuisine. From traditional street snacks to hearty mains and modern bistro bites, here’s everything I tried — and everything I think you should too.

Dutch Street Food & Traditional Snacks You Can’t Miss

Herring with Pickles

Starting with the most divisive, herring. A Dutch delicacy made from raw, lightly cured herring fillets, usually served with pickles. Think sashimi, but oilier, saltier, and far less glamorous. The pale, almost translucent flesh doesn’t exactly scream Instagram-worthy either.

That said, this was one of the biggest surprises of my trip. The herring on its own is intense—oily and quite rich—but the magic happens when it’s paired with the sharp pickled gherkins and those slightly sweet onions. They cut through the oil perfectly. Add a little mayo on the side, and it suddenly all makes sense. If you’re unsure, I’d recommend trying it at a sit-down Dutch restaurant where they usually take more care in the preparation. Don’t skip this one—it might just surprise you too.

Bitterballen

Bitterballen came highly recommended, and I now understand why. These crispy balls are filled with savoury beef (or veal) creamy stew in breadcrumb form. They are deep-fried until golden until warm and crunchy.

I had mine at a bar with a cold beer, which I think is the ideal setting. The sharpness of the mustard served alongside—usually Dijon or something very similar—really makes the dish. The spice cuts through the richness and brings everything together. You’ll find bitterballen everywhere, from cafés to snack bars, and even on the McDonald’s menu in the Netherlands. Definitely one of the easiest Dutch snacks to fall in love with.

Stuffed Chips (Satay Chicken)

This one’s for the brave (and very hungry). Dutch chip shops take fries to the next level—serving them in a cone and absolutely stuffing them with toppings. Think loaded fries, but heavier.

I chose the satay chicken topping, chopped pieces of chicken thigh smothered in a thick, peanut-based sauce, layered over crispy fries. The chips were perfect, golden on the outside and fluffy inside, with a satisfying crunch. The chicken was juicy and the satay sauce added a nutty, slightly sweet kick. The only downside? It was so overloaded I nearly dropped half of it in the street. If you try this one (and you should), find somewhere to sit down and eat—it’s chaos in a cone, but so worth it.

Kapsalon

If there’s one dish that defines Dutch post-night-out food, it’s Kapsalon. Literally meaning “hair salon,” it was invented by a Rotterdam hairdresser who asked his local kebab shop to layer doner meat over fries, top it with cheese, salad, and garlic sauce, and then bake the whole thing in the oven. The name stuck—and so did the dish.

It’s messy, indulgent, and exactly what you want at 2 a.m. after a night of drinks. I had mine after a night out in Amsterdam, and it hit the spot. The doner meat was tender, the chips soaked up the sauce, and the salad on top gave it just enough freshness to keep you going. You’ll find it in late-night kebab shops all over Dutch cities—and if you’re going to try it, go big and get the full version.

Comforting Mains: Dutch Home-Style Cooking

After a few days of grabbing food on the go, I really wanted to sit down to something more traditional — a proper Dutch meal, like what locals might eat at home. We found a small, cosy spot called De Hollandaise Pot, which was only a short walk from De 9 Straatjes and not far from the Rembrandt Museum. It wasn’t flashy, just simple food done well.

Dutch Pea Soup (Erwtensoep)

To be honest, I didn’t expect much from this one. When it came to the table, the colour wasn’t the most inviting — kind of a murky green — but it actually ended up being one of the nicest things I had that day.

It’s a super thick soup, made with split peas and slices of smoked sausage. It’s the kind of thing you’d want on a freezing cold evening, and you can tell it’s a proper winter staple. It came with a thin slice of rye bread, which I wasn’t mad about — it fell apart too easily and didn’t really add anything. But the soup itself was full of flavour and had that slow-cooked, hearty vibe I was after.

Traditional Mains: Meat, Mash & Gravy

The mains were about as classic as it gets. You pick your meat, and it comes with mash, some boiled veg, and gravy — simple and comforting.

Between us, we ordered all three options on the menu:

• Chicken schnitzel with mushroom sauce

• Braised beef with cabbage mash

• A giant meatball in gravy

The mash varied a bit depending on the dish — the beef came with cabbage mixed through it, while mine had some kind of crispy veg garnish on top. Texture-wise, it wasn’t super smooth, but that kind of worked with the home-cooked style.

The braised beef was probably the best of the three. It was really tender and had loads of flavour. The meatball was massive — enough to fill you up on its own — and although the seasoning was quite mild, it did the job. The schnitzel was just okay. It was a bit greasy, but I think that’s because the kitchen had to redo it quickly after a mix-up with our order.

All in all, the food was nothing fancy, but that’s kind of the point. It was warm, filling, and felt like something you’d be served at a Dutch family dinner table.

Sweets & Brunch Treats

Stroopwafel

These are the kind of things that look simple but completely win you over. Stroopwafels are thin waffles with a caramel filling in the middle — sounds basic, but when they’re served warm from a street stall, it’s something else. The edges had a bit of crunch, the centre was gooey and stretchy like melted toffee, and it was so sweet. Almost too sweet on its own, but with a strong coffee to balance it out? Perfect combo. You’ll see them sold everywhere, but I’d say go for the fresh ones whenever you can — it makes a big difference.

Poffertjes – Mini Dutch Pancakes

I had honestly never heard of poffertjes before this trip. They’re tiny, fluffy pancakes — like little bites of sponge, soft with just a touch of chew. They’re usually served with butter and a dusting of icing sugar, and a few places have big jars of maple syrup and toppings at your table so you can go wild. We tried one plate the traditional way and another with Nutella (obviously). I liked both, but if I’m being honest, I kept going back to the Nutella ones — rich, chocolatey, and so moreish. You can easily finish a portion on your own without even realising.

Chicken Thigh & Smashed Avo Brunch

One of the best things about being in Europe is how many cafés spill out onto the streets. It just hits different. In the UK, we don't really do outdoor dining quite the same way, so seeing full tables lining the pavement always gets me excited — it usually means the food is going to be good.

On the Sunday morning of my trip, we stumbled on a little café literally one minute from João and Mireia’s place. It was packed, always a good sign, and the brunch menu was full of things I actually wanted to eat. I went for the chicken thigh on smashed avocado toast, topped with a heap of parmesan. It was so good — the chicken was juicy, the cheese was over the top in the best way, and it all worked perfectly on the crunchy sourdough underneath. Probably one of my favourite bites of the whole trip, even though it wasn’t strictly “Dutch cuisine.” Just goes to show how international café food has become — and how good they are at it over there.

A Real Taste of Dutch Cuisine

My eventual trip really did live up to expectations — the Netherlands is a fantastic country full of chaos, charm, and surprisingly decent food. I’m not going to suddenly claim that Dutch cuisine is the best in the world, but it definitely has its moments and a kind of homely appeal that’s hard not to like.

If you do visit, I’d really recommend giving the local dishes a proper go. Bitterballen are a must, fresh herring might surprise you more than you expect, and stroopwafels — especially warm from a street stall — are just pure joy. Kapsalon is also worth a try if you find yourself out late and hungry.

There’s plenty to discover if you’re open to trying something new. I had a great time catching up with friends, eating my way around, and seeing a different side of the Netherlands.

I hope this post gave you a few ideas for your own trip. Let me know in the comments if you try any of these dishes, or if there’s something great I missed!