One of the most exciting things about visiting a new country is trying all of the delicious local food there is on offer. Travelling provides the perfect opportunity to try new flavours and tasty combinations that you may not have had before, and indulging in street food in Europe is one of the best ways to experience as many options as possible.
Here, we share some of the best street food options that you can find when you visit the Netherlands, France, or Belgium, and the reasons why they simply cannot be missed!
Street food in the Netherlands
There’s no better way to explore some of the Netherlands’ top cities than with a tasty treat in hand, and stroopwafels are a very popular option. These cookie-like delights are made by sandwiching together two flat dough discs using caramel syrup and a waffle iron. When made on the spot, stroopwafels are deliciously warm and the caramel centre is hot and liquid – the perfect way to enjoy them!
Another sweet treat that is popular in the Netherlands is poffertjes. These small puffed pancakes have a light and spongy texture and are normally no larger than an inch in diameter. They can be enjoyed with sweet toppings, such as syrup or apple sauce, or as a savoury snack with cheese or bacon. However, the traditional way to eat them is with butter and sugar!
A less calorific street food option is herring. Served after being salted and frozen, the herring that you will find on stall in the Netherlands tastes wonderfully fresh and has a great texture. Often served with onions or pickles, the best herring that you will find is called Holland Nieuwe. This is herring that has been caught at the optimum time and prepared according to the Dutch custom.
Street food in France
Famous around the world for its cuisine, it may surprise you to know that the most popular street food in France is a jambon-beurre, or ham baguette! Made with just three ingredients: baguette, French ham, and French butter, over a billion of these traditional snacks are sold in France every year. Also known as Le Parisien, the jambon-buerre found its fame back in the 19th century when people chose it for their lunch knowing that its protein rich filling would keep them going until dinner time.
Almost as surprising is the fact that Paris is home to some of the best falafel you’ll ever taste, making this another top street food option in France. Created by combining chickpea balls, fresh vegetables, tahini, and hummus in pitta bread, you’ll find falafel in Paris that has been inspired by the variations found in Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. To find the tastiest falafel, head to Rue des Rosiers in the Marais district.
No trip to France is complete without a crêpe, and these thin pancakes can be enjoyed by those with a sweet tooth or those or prefer a savoury option. Made on a cast-iron griddle, batter is spread across the heated surface using a rake (called a rozell) and then flipped using a spanell, which is a type of spatula. Traditionally crêpes are enjoyed with butter and sugar, but you can choose from a whole range of toppings, including everything from chocolate spread and jam to cheese and mushrooms.
Street food in Belgium
No doubt you’re going to need a constant stream of snacks in between trying all of Belgium’s delicious beers, and there are lots of fantastic street food options that are sure to entice you. One of the most satisfying treats is the famous Belgian waffle, which is easy to eat on the move if you choose the traditional topping of powdered sugar. However, you could opt for a messier option, such as fruit, chocolate, or whipped cream which you might need to eat while sitting down!
Alternatively, you might like to wander around Belgium’s streets eating delicious chunky chips (or frites) from a cone. Best enjoyed covered with mayo and ketchup, these chips are double-fried and always taste superior when bought from a stand. Fancy something a bit more substantial? Try a mitraillette, which is a baguette topped with frites, fried meat, and your favourite sauce.
Those craving a meaty treat should look no further than a sausage in a warm bun. Choose from a black sausage, which is made using animal blood, or a white sausage, cover it with onions or sauerkraut, and smother it with ketchup and mustard. Delicious!
Now that you know where to find the best street food in Europe, book your ferry crossing and prepare to have fun eating your way around one of these amazing countries today.
