In my opinion, the best thing about travelling abroad is getting to sample the national cuisine. That’s why, when I visit hotels in Amsterdam, I make sure I hunt out those little restaurants and cafes where I’m guaranteed to taste the local gastronomy.
Like many countries, the food of the Netherlands is shaped by the ingredients produced here and depending on where you stay, you can expect to tuck into mouth-watering seafood or locally-reared meat. Here are my tips for the dishes you should try at different mealtimes.
Breakfast
Like most places in Europe – apart from the UK of course – traditional breakfast in Amsterdam consists of bread, cold cuts of meat and cheese. Dutch cheese is world renowned, although its taste and texture is very different to that produced in back home. Here you can enjoy Edam, which you’ll recognise from its spherical shape and wax coating. This is quite a mild cheese that can be transported easily, so bring some to try back home.
A few slices of Edam will taste great with the rye bread that is popular here, while many other loaves are quite dense and feature nuts and seeds to give you an additional energy boost. Should you order white bread, expect it to be richer than what you would get in the UK as it is sometimes made with milk.
Lunch
Speaking of dairy, you are never far from cheese when you are in Amsterdam. As mentioned earlier, this is a popular ingredient in Dutch mealtimes, with other famous makes including Gouda and Leyden.
In the heart of Amsterdam, you will find the Reypenaer Cheese Tasting Room, which is a great place to visit when you start to get peckish around lunchtime. Here you will be able to taste numerous different cheeses – accompanied by a glass of wine or port if you book the Connoisseur Tasting session.
Dinner
Of course, it’s not all about cheese so don’t worry of it’s not your favourite snack. There are numerous other tasty Dutch dishes to enjoy, so be certain to hunt out the restaurants that serve them once evening comes.
Start with a healthy pea soup and rye bread, or a savoury pancake – covered in some delicious melted (you guessed it) cheese – before ordering a plate of herring or beef. You may be surprised at the spicy kick some of the dishes have, but the Netherlands is influenced by Indonesian cooking techniques and you will often find the likes of satay sauce on the menu.
For pudding, treat yourself to a plate of pofferjes, which are small pancakes made from buckwheat. They are surprisingly light despite their rich taste, so you shouldn’t feel guilty about eating them smothered in butter or powdered sugar.
Drink
If you love a refreshing alcoholic beverage, you’re in luck as Amsterdam is home to the both the House of Bols and the Heineken Experience. At The House of Bols, you can learn about the oldest brand of distilled liqueur in the world – Bols – while at the Heineken Experience you can find out more about your favourite Dutch beer.
Wynaand Fockink’s tasting bar is another popular attraction, as here you can taste liqueurs from the 17th and 18th century, including the Bruidstranen – or Bride’s Tears to give it its English translation.
Have you been to Amsterdam recently? Share your tips on where’s – and what’s – good to eat below.
