Street food in Amsterdam: 10 dishes to try on your next trip
Amsterdam is famous for its canals, museums, and bikes , but it's also a paradise for food lovers 🍴. Wander through the city's markets and streets, and you'll discover everything from warm stroopwafels and crispy fries to fresh herring and flavours inspired by cultures from around the world.
Dutch street food reflects the city's rich history and multicultural spirit, making every bite part of the Amsterdam experience. Here are 10 must-try street foods you shouldn't miss during your visit. ❤️
🧇 1. Stroopwafel
📍 Where: Markets, bakeries & food carts across Amsterdam
🕒 Best Time: Anytime.
Stroopwafel is probably Amsterdam's most famous sweet treat 🧇. It consists of two thin waffles sandwiched together with gooey caramel syrup and tastes even better when served warm.
Golden stroopwafels are one of the traditional street foods in Amsterdam
The secret to a great stroopwafel is freshness. Freshly made waffles are soft and chewy, while packaged versions can become brittle and lose their magic.
• Amsterdam's most famous sweet snack 🧇
• Best eaten warm and freshly made ❤️
• Filled with gooey caramel syrup 🍯
• Found in markets and bakeries everywhere 🛒
🐟 2. Herring
📍 Where: Traditional herring stands near canals
Herring is one of the most traditional foods in the Netherlands 🇳🇱. The fish is lightly cured and usually served with chopped onions and pickles.
You'll find these salty fish at haringhandel (herring stands) around town
Locals often eat it "Amsterdam style" — cut into small pieces and eaten with toothpicks. It may sound unusual, but it's a true Dutch experience.
• One of the oldest Dutch street foods 🐟
• Served with onions and pickles 🧅
• Found at traditional herring stands ⚓
• A real taste of Dutch culture 🇳🇱
🥘 3. Bitterballen
📍 Where: Pubs, bars & snack shops
🕒 Best Time: Evening drinks
ℹ️ Info: Deep-fried meat snacks served with mustard.
Bitterballen are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside 😍. They are made from slow-cooked meat ragout that is breaded and deep-fried until golden.
Crispy-soft bitterballen are rooted in Amsterdam pub culture
You'll find them in almost every Dutch pub, usually served with mustard and a cold beer 🍺.
• Dutch comfort food at its best ❤️
• Crispy outside, creamy inside 😍
• Served with mustard 🌭
• Perfect with beer or jenever 🍺
🥞 4. Poffertjes
📍 Where: Albert Cuyp Market & food festivals
🕒 Best Time: Afternoon snack
ℹ️ Info: Mini fluffy pancakes with butter and powdered sugar.
Poffertjes are tiny Dutch pancakes that are light, fluffy, and incredibly addictive 🥞. They're usually served with melted butter and a generous layer of powdered sugar.
Fluffy poffertjes pancakes make a great sugar hit as you explore Amsterdam
Watching vendors make them on special cast-iron pans is half the fun.
• Mini Dutch pancakes 🥞
• Served with butter and sugar ❄️
• Great market snack ❤️
• Freshly made right in front of you 🍴
🐟 5. Kibbeling
📍 Where: Fish stalls and markets
🕒 Best Time: Lunch
ℹ️ Info: Dutch-style battered fried fish.
Kibbeling is made from chunks of cod that are battered and fried until perfectly crispy 🐟. It's usually served with garlic sauce or tartar sauce.
Kibbeling is the Dutch style of fried fish, usually made with cod
This is one of Amsterdam's most popular savoury snacks and perfect for seafood lovers.
• Crispy battered cod 🐟
• Served with garlic sauce 🧄
• Popular at markets and fish stalls ⚓
• Perfect quick lunch 🍴
🍟 6. Patatje Oorlog
📍 Where: Snack bars and fry shops
🕒 Best Time: Late afternoon or evening
ℹ️ Info: Dutch loaded fries with mayonnaise, satay sauce and onions.
Patatje Oorlog literally means "War Fries" 🍟 because all the sauces are mixed together on top.
Patatje oorlog is finished off with savory peanut satay sauce and mayo
The combination of mayonnaise, peanut satay sauce, and onions might sound strange, but it tastes absolutely amazing.
• Dutch loaded fries 🍟
• Peanut satay sauce and mayo 🥜
• Popular local comfort food ❤️
• Found in every friteshuis 🏠
🧀 7. Kaassoufflé
📍 Where: Snack bars and food carts
ℹ️ Info: Deep-fried pastry filled with melted Gouda cheese.
Kaassoufflé is simple but delicious 🧀. A crispy pastry shell filled with gooey melted cheese makes this one of Amsterdam's favourite late-night snacks.
Find this cheesy fried treat at Amsterdam's food carts and snack bars
• Filled with melted Gouda 🧀
• Crispy and cheesy 😍
• Popular after a night out 🌙
• Found in snack bars everywhere 🍴
🍩 8. Oliebollen
📍 Where: Winter food stalls across Amsterdam
🕒 Best Time: October–March
ℹ️ Info: Deep-fried dough balls dusted with powdered sugar.
Oliebollen are a Dutch winter tradition ❄️. These deep-fried dough balls are soft, warm, and often contain raisins or apple pieces.
Sugar-dusted oliebollen are one of Amsterdam's sweet street food treats
They're especially popular around New Year's Eve 🎆.
• Traditional Dutch winter snack ❄️
• Served warm with powdered sugar 🍩
• Popular during New Year celebrations 🎆
• Found at seasonal food stalls ❤️
🍢 9. Indonesian Satay (Sate)
📍 Where: Food markets and Indonesian eateries
ℹ️ Info: Grilled meat skewers served with peanut sauce.
Due to the Netherlands' colonial history, Indonesian food became part of Dutch cuisine 🌍.
Amsterdam's marinated satay skewers are a popular street food across town
These grilled meat skewers with rich peanut sauce are one of the most loved fusion foods in Amsterdam.
• Indonesian-Dutch favourite 🍢
• Served with peanut sauce 🥜
• Great street food meal ❤️
• Popular all over Amsterdam 🌍
🌯 10. Roti Rolls
📍 Where: Surinamese restaurants and food trucks
ℹ️ Info: Flatbread filled with curry, potatoes, beans and egg.
Roti Rolls are another example of Amsterdam's multicultural food scene 🌯. Inspired by Surinamese cuisine, they are filling, spicy, and absolutely delicious.
Roti rolls are made from Surinamese roti and topped with curry
• Surinamese-Dutch street food 🌯
• Filled with curry and vegetables 🍛
• Great meal on the go 🚶
• One of Amsterdam's hidden food gems
Explore Amsterdam by Electric Pedicab
Private rickshaw tours · From €12 · Local guides · Mon–Sun 8AM–6PM
Before heading out on your day trip, explore Amsterdam the fun way — by private electric pedicab. Cruise through canals, Jordaan, and hidden streets with a friendly local guide. No crowded trams, no tired legs — just a relaxed Amsterdam experience.