Netherlands Famous Foods: Classic Dutch Dishes and Their Stories!

Dutch cuisine might not be as globally celebrated as some of its European neighbors, but the Netherlands’ famous food offers a delightful mix of hearty comfort dishes and sweet treats. 

The Dutch culinary tradition reflects the country’s farming heritage, seafaring history, and colonial past. In this guide, we’ll explore the essential dishes that define Dutch eating habits.

1. Hollandse Nieuwe Haring

Hollandse Nieuwe Haring is the most iconic Netherlands famous food – raw herring that’s been lightly brined but not fully pickled. The Dutch eat this fish in a unique way, holding it by the tail and lowering it into their mouths. The herring has a soft texture and mild flavor, especially when it’s “nieuwe” (new) during the June harvest season. 

• Must try: Fresh herring from a street vendor during herring season (June)
• Price Range: ₹225 – ₹315 (€2.50 – €3.50)
• Best Served With: Chopped raw onions and pickles

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2. Bitterballen

Bitterballen are small, deep-fried balls that Dutch people love to eat with beer. Inside the crispy outer layer is a creamy mixture of beef or veal ragout. These savory snacks appear on nearly every bar menu in the Netherlands. 

• Must try: Freshly made with a side of mustard for dipping
• Price Range: ₹450 – ₹720 (€5 – €8) for 6-8 pieces
• Best Served With: Cold beer and mustard for dipping

3. Kroket

Kroket is the bigger cousin of bitterballen – a crispy, deep-fried roll filled with the same meat ragout but in a more substantial form. The Dutch often eat krokets as a quick lunch, served between slices of white bread with mustard. 

• Must try: The classic beef version on white bread
• Price Range: ₹180 – ₹270 (€2 – €3) each
• Best Served With: Bread, mustard, and sometimes mayonnaise

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4. Frikandel

Frikandel is a skinless, deep-fried sausage that’s a mainstay at Dutch snack bars. Made from a mixture of meat, this sausage has a unique soft texture that’s different from most other European sausages. The most popular way to eat it is “speciaal” – split open and topped with mayonnaise, curry ketchup, and raw onions. 

• Must try: Frikandel speciaal with all the toppings
• Price Range: ₹180 – ₹270 (€2 – €3) each
• Best Served With: French fries and mayonnaise

5. Ossenworst

Ossenworst is a raw, smoked beef sausage that originated in Amsterdam. This unique sausage was created by Jewish butchers who used beef instead of pork for religious reasons. The meat is seasoned with spices like cloves, mace, and nutmeg – flavors that reflect the Netherlands’ history in the spice trade. 

• Must try: Traditional Amsterdam-style with subtle spices
• Price Range: ₹270 – ₹360 (€3 – €4) per portion
• Best Served With: Pickled onions, mustard, and dark bread

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6. Hachee

Hachee is a traditional food of Netherlands that shows the country’s love for practical, hearty meals. This beef and onion stew gets its distinctive flavor from a splash of vinegar and warm spices like bay leaves and cloves. The meat becomes tender after slow cooking, creating a rich comfort food perfect for cold weather. 

• Must try: Traditional version with plenty of onions and cloves
• Price Range: ₹1,080 – ₹1,440 (€12 – €16) restaurant serving
• Best Served With: Mashed potatoes and red cabbage

7. Rookworst

Rookworst is a smoked sausage that’s essential in many Dutch winter dishes. This U-shaped pork sausage has a smoky flavor and juicy interior that makes it perfect for hearty meals. Nearly every Dutch person associates rookworst with winter comfort food, especially when paired with traditional potato dishes. 

• Must try: Traditional smoked version, either grilled or boiled
• Price Range: ₹180 – ₹270 (€2 – €3) per sausage
• Best Served With: Stamppot or pea soup

8. Erwtensoep

Erwtensoep (also called snert) is a thick pea soup that’s so dense a spoon can almost stand upright in it. This hearty soup contains split peas, vegetables, and pork products, including rookworst. The Dutch consider this soup a complete meal, especially during ice skating season. 

• Must try: Traditional thick version after a cold day outdoors
• Price Range: ₹450 – ₹720 (€5 – €8) per bowl
• Best Served With: Rye bread with bacon (katenspek)

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9. Kapucijners met Spek

Kapucijners met Spek offers another glimpse into everyday Dutch home cooking. These brown beans (similar to pinto beans) are cooked with bacon pieces and served with pickles, onions, and sometimes a drizzle of sweet syrup. 

• Must try: Traditional preparation with a mix of sweet and savory elements
• Price Range: ₹900 – ₹1,260 (€10 – €14) restaurant serving
• Best Served With: Pickled onions and a slice of dark bread

10. Hutspot met Klapstuk

Hutspot met Klapstuk is a best food to try in Netherlands that combines mashed carrots, potatoes, and onions with a piece of braised beef (klapstuk). Legend says this dish originated during the 1574 Siege of Leiden when residents found pots of this vegetable mixture left behind by fleeing Spanish soldiers. 

• Must try: Traditional recipe with slowly braised beef
• Price Range: ₹1,080 – ₹1,350 (€12 – €15) restaurant serving
• Best Served With: Gravy and pickles on the side

11. Zeeuwse Mosselen

Zeeuwse Mosselen highlights the Netherlands’ connection to the sea through fresh mussels steamed with vegetables and white wine. These mussels from the Zeeland province are known for their plump, tender meat and sweet flavor. 

• Must try: In season (September to April) when freshest
• Price Range: ₹1,620 – ₹2,250 (€18 – €25) per pot
• Best Served With: Fries, mayonnaise, and bread for soaking up the broth

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12. Lekkerbekje

Lekkerbekje brings the ocean to your plate with battered and deep-fried white fish that’s similar to British fish and chips. This popular fish dish uses white fish like cod or haddock in a light, crispy batter. The name translates roughly to “tasty mouth,” reflecting how much the Dutch enjoy this simple seafood treat. 

• Must try: Fresh from a fish stand near the coast
• Price Range: ₹450 – ₹630 (€5 – €7) per portion
• Best Served With: Fries and tartar sauce

13. Saucijzenbroodje

Saucijzenbroodje satisfies hunger on the go with a flaky puff pastry roll filled with seasoned minced meat. This Dutch take on a sausage roll makes a perfect quick lunch or snack. The meat filling is flavored with herbs and spices, creating a savory treat that’s available at nearly every bakery in the Netherlands.

• Must try: Freshly baked from a local bakery
• Price Range: ₹180 – ₹270 (€2 – €3) each
• Best Served With: Mustard on the side and coffee

14. Stamppot

Stamppot stands as the ultimate authentic food in Netherlands for vegetarians – a comforting dish of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables. The most popular versions include boerenkool (kale), zuurkool (sauerkraut), or andijvie (endive). Each variety offers different flavors while maintaining the hearty, comforting nature that defines Dutch home cooking.

• Must try: Boerenkool (kale) version in winter months
• Price Range: ₹720 – ₹1,080 (€8 – €12) restaurant serving
• Best Served With: Vegetarian gravy or meat substitute

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15. Poffertjes

Poffertjes bring joy with their tiny, puffy pancake form that’s impossible to resist. Made from buckwheat flour, these small, light pancakes puff up when cooked on a special dimpled pan. They’re served warm with a pat of butter melting on top and a generous dusting of powdered sugar. 

• Must try: Freshly made at a market stand
• Price Range: ₹270 – ₹450 (€3 – €5) per portion
• Best Served With: Butter and powdered sugar, sometimes with chocolate sauce

16. Dutch Cheese

Dutch Cheese represents one of the top dishes in Netherlands that’s recognized worldwide. The country produces outstanding semi-hard cheeses, with Gouda and Edam being the most famous. Young cheese (jong) has a mild, creamy flavor while aged cheese (oud) develops a deeper, sometimes slightly crunchy texture with caramel notes.

• Must try: Aged Gouda with its caramel-like flavor crystals
• Price Range: ₹107 (€1.19) per 100g in stores, more in specialty shops
• Best Served With: Dark bread, mustard, or apple syrup

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17. Kaassoufflé

Kaassoufflé offers vegetarians a delicious option at Dutch snack bars – a rectangular pocket of crispy dough filled with melted cheese. This simple but satisfying snack is a cheese lover’s dream, with a crunchy exterior giving way to molten cheese inside. 

• Must try: Fresh and hot, so the cheese is perfectly melted
• Price Range: ₹180 – ₹270 (€2 – €3) each
• Best Served With: Mustard or chili sauce for dipping

18. Stroopwafel

Stroopwafel offers a sweet taste of Dutch ingenuity – two thin waffle layers sandwiched together with caramel-like syrup. These treats originated in Gouda but are now beloved nationwide and recognized globally. 

• Must try: Fresh from a market stand where they’re made to order
• Price Range: ₹90 – ₹180 (€1 – €2) each
• Best Served With: Coffee or tea, using the cup to warm the stroopwafel

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19. Appeltaart

Appeltaart has earned its place as a must try food in Netherlands through its perfect balance of sweet and spice. Unlike American apple pie, Dutch appeltaart is deeper, filled with chunks of apple (not slices) and raisins, and heavily spiced with cinnamon. 

• Must try: Traditional recipe with chunky apples and plenty of cinnamon
• Price Range: ₹270 – ₹450 (€3 – €5) per slice
• Best Served With: Whipped cream and coffee

20. Pannenkoeken

Pannenkoeken bridge the gap between sweet and savory with their versatile nature. These large, thin pancakes are bigger than American pancakes but not as thin as French crepes. The Dutch enjoy them with both sweet toppings (syrup, powdered sugar, fruit) and savory options (cheese, bacon, vegetables). 

• Must try: Both sweet and savory versions to experience the range
• Price Range: ₹540 – ₹900 (€6 – €10) each in restaurants
• Best Served With: Sweet: syrup and powdered sugar; Savory: cheese and vegetables

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Dutch Dining Culture

Understanding how the Dutch approach food helps you appreciate their cuisine more fully:

• The Dutch typically eat three meals a day with minimal snacking
• Breakfast is often simple: bread with cheese, cold cuts, or sweet toppings
• Lunch is usually sandwiches (boterhammen), often packed from home
• Dinner is the main hot meal of the day, typically eaten between 6-7 PM
• Restaurant portions tend to be moderate – the Dutch value quality over quantity
• “Going Dutch” (splitting the bill) is the normal practice when dining out
• Tipping is appreciated but not expected – rounding up or adding 5-10% is common
• Many Dutch people eat seasonally, with special dishes for winter and summer

FAQs

What is the Netherlands’ signature dish?

The Netherlands’ signature dish is Hollandse Nieuwe Haring (Dutch New Herring). This lightly brined raw fish is eaten by holding it by the tail and lowering it into your mouth, or chopped with onions on a soft roll. Herring stands as a symbol of Dutch food culture and the country’s long relationship with the sea.

What is the most popular street food in the Netherlands?

The most popular street food in Netherlands includes fries with mayonnaise (patat met mayo), stroopwafels, and herring. These quick eats are available from food stands in markets and city centers. 

What are some vegetarian options in Dutch cuisine?

Vegetarian options in Dutch cuisine include cheese-based dishes like kaassoufflé, vegetable stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables), pannenkoeken with sweet or savory vegetarian toppings, and numerous Dutch pastries and desserts. 

Where can I find the best traditional Dutch food?

To experience the Netherlands’ famous food, visit small, family-run eateries called “eetcafés,” traditional brown cafés (bruin café), and seasonal food markets in major cities. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague all have excellent food scenes, but smaller towns are renowned for their traditional recipes and authentic cooking methods.