Dutch cuisine isn’t exactly something people talk about. Italian food, absolutely. Spanish food, most definitely. Chinese food, uhh duh! But Dutch food doesn’t typically rank high in the Michelin world. Of course, being the food-loving traveler that I am, I sought out to find the best street foods in Amsterdam. 

The Top 7 street foods in Amsterdam

1. Vlaamse frites

Sober or hungover, everyone loves Belgian style fries stacked in a cone and smothered (or barely dipped) in sauce. The best Vlaamse frites in Amsterdam are at Vlaams Friteshuis VleminckX. They are known as the sausmeesters “sauce masters” for their 25 varieties of homemade sauces. Traditional Belgian style mayo, curry, Hawaiian, even pickle sauce!

VleminckX always serves their frites in a cone, and no, you may not get your sauce on the side. After living here for years, this is still where I take all my visitors. They are located just off the main shopping street, making it a great spot to stop for a snack mid-shop. The restaurant next door allows you to enjoy your fries indoors if you order a drink to wash them down. 

Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx Voetboogstraat, 33 

2. Pillowy poffertjes

Poffertjes are caught somewhere between a beignet, a pancake, a crepe and heaven smothered in powdered sugar. Need I say more? Just search for the sweet scent of sugar and you’re sure to find em. The best I’ve had are waiting for you at the Albert Cuyp Market. If there’s no market on, you can also stop by the Pancake Bakery. 

3. Decadent stroopwafels

The sweetest of all street foods in Amsterdam are the stroopwafels. Get ready for your new favorite cookie. It’s bigger than your face and is oozing in caramelly goodness. Stroopwafels are to Amsterdam what the Oreo is to America. A crisp waffle cookie split in two and glued back together with a caramelesque syrup.

They sell them by the dozen in the supermarket, but the best ones are served warm and made to order at the Albert Cuyp Market. It’s a completely different cookie when you get it warm on the street versus in a package. Just look for the red and white checkered flag. That’s your guy.

Stand 134

4. Piping hot bitterballen

After downing a few Belgian style tripels I advise popping a few bitterballen in your mouth before embarrassing yourself on the bike ride home. What’s a bitterballen you ask?

It’s a deep-fried and somehow creamy mystery meatball served with a spicy mustard dipping sauce at practically every drinking establishment in the city. Sincere apologies for this terrible photo, too many tripels. Just be careful. When you bite in they are always piping hot. Don’t burn your mouth. 

My favorites are from Gollem on Overtoom

5. FEBO for fast eats

America’s got the drive-thru fast food scene on lock, but Amsterdam’s made for bikers so it only makes sense that they would have a hole-in-the-wall stocked with fresh eats around the clock. FEBO. The croquettes may not be the most tasty on the planet but they sure are satisfying. Best part is you don’t even have to talk to anyone to get your food. Go up to the glass windows, insert a few coins and boom – fresh food fast. My favorite are the cheese croquette stick things for less than a buck. 

All over the city 

6. Signature herring

If you’re going to talk about street foods in Amsterdam, herring simply must be on the list. It’s a Dutch specialty and not everyone’s favorite. Beginners usually opt for the “Broodje Herring” or herring on bread served with pickles and onions, but true herring lovers order theirs straight up and start at the tail. There are lots of stands spread out throughout the city. Personally, this is not my favorite snack, so I can’t recommend the best. 

7. Dutch cheese

Cheese is a way of life in Holland. You can’t wander the streets without passing a stinky cheese shop or two. Be sure to try the Gouda and the Maasdammer and pop your head inside the famous Old Amsterdam Cheese Shop or the Cheese Museum for some tasty free samples. So many samples. At the cheese museum, you can try absolutely every cheese they sell and then head downstairs to take some corny photos with a cheese wheel. 

The Cheese Museum

That’s it for my favorite street foods in Amsterdam. Want to extend your eating beyond snacks? Continue with

• Recommendations for brunch
• The best places to eat and drink in Amsterdam
• The best restaurants and bars in Jordaan
• The best cafes in Jordaan

Or start here for every article I’ve written about Amsterdam.