After advise you about your first time in Amsterdamand tell you the things that you can't miss when you arrive there, we think is the moment for you to know the delicacies that are waiting for you during your visit.
Enjoy the best Dutch food with us. Ready?... Set?... Go!
BITTERBALLEN
Very crispy and really delicious meat balls, a mixture of beef, broth, butter, flour, parsley, salt and pepper.
If you want to try them aren't going to have any problem, because they are practically at every pub of Amsterdam, where they're habitually served with mustard.
The perfect snack after a few dutch beers!
HARING
Or what is the same, raw herring. Even if you think this is an horrible idea, no dubt about giving it a opportunity and order it when you see a seller walking his cart arround the city.
Dare yourself to say the magical words ¡broodje haring! And they will serve it in a sandwich with onion and pickles.
A proffessional advise: if you have the opportunity, taste it on may or june, when the herring is sweeter.
RIJISTAFEL
Did you know that the dutch gastronomy has a strong indonesian influence? Come in to one of the numerous restaurants with this kind of food that you will find in Amsterdam and ask for a rice table or Rijistafel for live an authentic experience indo-dutch.
It consists of twenty - or even more! - meat and vegetables dishes, with varying degrees of spice and accompanied by different types of rice.
You will see them served in bowls on several brazier trays and small candles inside for preserve the temperature.
KAAS
Gouda, Geitenkaas, Maasdammer...If there is a famous food in Holland, that is the cheese without a doubt. So much so that it even has a museum of its own!
Don't leave Amsterdam without go to one of the Henri Willing Cheese and More stores or without do one of the Reypenaer sample, guided by professionals.
We dare you to count the cheese shops when you go walking around the city.
STAMPPOT
The literal translation of this recipe is: puree casserole. A traditional dish base of mashed potatoes and multitude of vegetables like sauerkraut, carrot, onion or spinach, and usually accompanied by a generous sausage.
Try it on a restaurant, buy it done at some shop or supermarket, or dare to prepare it by yourself.
You can see it in any dutch family house on a cold winter afternoon.
TOMPOUCE
This dish will delight the most sweet persons. A rectangular cake filled with cream that shares name with the actor Tom Pouce and, according to count, the sweet was named after him.
It is characterized by the layer of pink frosting that covers it, although in recent years it has been tinted with intense orange during the celebration of King's Day. But this is only an exception, as it is subject to strict regulations that guarantee its size, shape and color.
Take it with tea or coffee, the perfect snack!
STROOPWAFEL
Who has never eaten a waffle? Surely you know this crunchy sweet with a grill shape, but wach out! Not everyone is the same.
The Stroopwafel is composed of two thin waffles joined by a layer of caramel. As you can imagine, they are even better if you eat them hot, although we will never say no to this delight.
Do not hesitate to buy one in the street markets or some bakery in the capital.
POFFERTJES
If you haven't had enough sweet, we end up with some delicious Poffertjes, small fluffy clouds similar to mini-pancackes but much sweeter. They are made with fried dough, sprinkled with sugar glass on top and accompanied by a little of butter.
Are you still thinking about it? Do not hesitate any more and try them at some restaurant or house of pancackes, although our recommendation is to buy a hot bag at a street market.
You can also accompany them with stroop (molasses), slagrom (whipped cream), strawberries...
WHERE TO STAY IN AMSTERDAM
Hostel Croydon: An hostal at the heart of Amsterdam and just a feww steps from the Red Neightborhood, the Royal Palace, and the Dam Square. Prices from €29.92 per person and night.
A&O Amsterdam Zuidoost: Located at the Bullewijk district, close to the metro station and next to the Ajax Amsterdam Arena. Prices from €33.75 per night and person.
Zaanse Hostel: At the heart of Zaandam is located the first hostal of the area, that counts with 8 rooms of different kinds. Prices from €35.49 per person and night.
ClinkNOORD: An hostal with Art Deco style. Between its services stand out its live music performances, a library and its own cinema. Prices from €36.61 per person and night.
Dutchies Hostel: It's a modern hostal located at the low level of a students building, close to Amsterdam Sloterdijk. Proces from €37.05 per night and person.
Train Lodge Amsterdam: An exclusive hostel on heels, inside an old train, that counts with 132 beds. Prices from €39.00 per person and night.
Amsterdam Hostel Orfeo: It was founded in 1969 and is located at the center of Amsterdam, really close to Leidseplein, Kerskstraat and the Van Gogh Museum. Prices from €40.76 per night and person.
Meininger Hotel Amsterdam City West: An hotel inspired by the old Amsterdam with a young and multilingual staff. Prices from €44.60 per person and night.
Have we not convinced you yet to travel to this great city? Then you should take a look at this selection of its best coffee shops. Do not forget to discover our ideas fora low cost weekend in Amsterdam neither!
Cover photo by Nick Scheerbart
