Amsterdam for

Foodies

Raw herring and bitterballen, street food from four continents and some of the finest restaurants in Europe - Amsterdam really is a mecca for foodies looking to tickle their taste buds. Here we look at some of the city’s must-eats.

t A stall serving Moroccan dishes

Eat on the Street

Asian, South American, Caribbean, African and Middle Eastern influences converge in street food hotspots, such as Albert Cuypmarkt, where you’ll find everything from Turkish kebabs to Indonesian nasi goreng (egg-fried rice with pork and mushrooms). Meet the people behind the stalls on a walking tour of the city with Hungry Birds (www.hungrybirds.nl) or join a celebration of street food at the annual Rollende Keukens festival.

Dutch Classics

Smelling of the sea, with a soft texture inside the crispy exterior, haring (salted raw herring) has been a popular Dutch snack since the Middle Ages. It’s best savoured in June when the first fish of the season land on street stalls, such as Stubbe’s Haring. Bitterballen is another local pick-me-up. These deep-fried meatballs are filled with comforting gravy and dipped in a bowl of mustard. For lunch or dinner, order erwtensoep, also called snert – a thick soup of split peas and sausage – or stamppot – a hearty dish of mashed potatoes, crispy bacon and winter greens. Looking for something sweet? Pannenkoeken (pancakes) are the answer.

Fine Dining

French and Japanese restaurants dominate Amsterdam’s gourmet scene, but the city’s Michelin-starred chefs use local produce: North Sea fish, artisanal cheeses, responsibly raised meat and poultry, and heritage vege-tables. Dutch ingredients are celebrated at RIJKS in the Rijksmuseum.

Amsterdam for Foodies

tipples to enjoy

Genever

Sip this gin-like spirit at Café ‘t Smalle.

Heineken

Head to the Heineken Experience.

Artisan beers

Sample ales like IJbok at Brouwerij Het IJ.

New Dutch wines

De Kleineschorre makes white wines (www.dekleineschorre.nl).

Curacao

Bols offers tastings (www.bols.com).