With senses filled with the scent of colourful tulips and the sight of towering windmills, food may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think about the Netherlands. But much like France and Germany, the country is positively filled with delicious culinary delights just waiting to be tried. From the aptly named ‘Cheese Valley’ to the sweet treats of speculaas and stroopwafels, your mouth will be watering after reading our food lover’s guide to the Netherlands.
Local cheeses in The Netherlands
Cheese has been important to the Netherlands since the Middle Ages, with some of their most famous cheesy exports named after the cities in which they were created. You may already be familiar with the likes of Edam, Leyden and Gouda – and across the country shelves in local shops and delicatessens are filled with artisan cheese, so wherever you go, you won’t be far from delicious ‘kaas’.
Located just north east of Rotterdam, and split into four regions, Cheese Valley encompasses Gouda, where visitors can still attend the city’s legendary cheese markets, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, the nation’s cheese trading centre, and Woerden, which holds a cheese feast every Saturday. To the south of Gouda, Krimpenerwaard is a place of rolling country hills where the region’s dairy cows roam – the best place to buy authentic, farm-made cheese straight from the source.
Try unique Dutch specialties
What could be better than starting the day with hot toasted bread, slathered with a delicious spread of creamy butter? Well, if you’re in the Netherlands, you’re likely to top that breakfast off with sprinkles too. Named hagelslag, these toppings are dusted liberally over buttered toast, and come in a variety of flavours – from chocolate to fruit. You can pick up a box for yourself from many local supermarkets, and many cafés and restaurants offer up their own twist on the dish.
For lunch, Hollandse Nieuwe or ‘raw herring’ is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike. Available from street stalls and traditional eateries, the fish is frozen, before being rolled and placed in salt for a couple of days – so technically this dish is soused rather than raw. Though often eaten on its own, you can also try it in a sandwich (broodje haring) at most typical Dutch food markets.
If you’re after something warm and comforting, be sure to sample a steaming plate of stamppot, which is essentially sausage and mash with vegetables – perfect after a day of city exploring.
Decadent fried foods in the Netherlands
If you prefer your fish fried, kibbeling are battered bites of cod, served at most street market stalls with a herb-infused sauce. Bitterballen, which is essentially deep fried gravy and meat, are a similar savoury treat served as a precursor to drinks among locals – the name is derived from bitters, a botanical ingredient common in cocktails. For something a bit sweeter, Oliebollen are sweet fried dumplings dusted in powdered sugar. They’re generally only available around New Year’s Eve – so grab them while you can. For a sweet delicacy available all year round, head to one of the country’s pancake houses for a poffertjes (pronounced po-fer-jus). These small buttery morsels are best served with powdered sugar, and are also available from street vendors around the Netherlands.
Head to a local food market
One of the best ways to see the local side of a city is by taking a trip to its local food market. Amsterdam in particular is known for its multicultural influences, something you can see in the dishes served up in their many markets. One of Amsterdam’s most famous food markets is Albert Cuypmarkt, which has been open since 1904 and is the Netherlands’ largest example with around 260 stalls to explore. Albert Cuypmarkt is open throughout the year between Monday and Saturday, and you’ll find everything from Dutch delicacies to international snacks here. The market also sells non-food items, such as shoes and luggage, so you’ll easily be able to spend a few hours wandering around as you take in all that there is on offer.
Rotterdam also has a thriving food scene, which you can fully experience at the city’s popular Markthal. With over 100 food stalls to choose from, you’ll find baked goods, sweet treats, hot drinks, and plenty of local produce, plus a number of food shops and restaurants too. If you’ve taken your car to the Netherlands with you, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a four-level underground car park beneath the Markthal which you can use, making your trip seamless and stress-free.
Treats to take home with you
Speculaas are the perfect treat to take home to loved ones, especially at Christmastime when these spiced, caramelised biscuits are available in an abundance of festive shapes. Stroopwafels are another safe bet to survive the journey home – hailing from Gouda, these sweet waffles are essentially two thin wafers that have been fused together with delicious caramel. You find stroopwafels almost anywhere in the Netherlands, and they’re best enjoyed after they’ve been resting on a cup of steaming coffee as this makes them turn deliciously gooey. Be sure to also stock up on Ontbijtkoek, a delicious ginger bake that’s ideal for elevenses, even though the name literally translates to ‘breakfast cake’.
Fancy taking a foodie trip now that you’ve read our food lover’s guide to the Netherlands? Book your ferry crossing from Hull to Rotterdam today and try these tasty treats for yourself.
