The Atlas · Nº 22 ·Netherlands

Most Popular Dutch Food

Dutch food is a country of bakers and snackers: a stroopwafel softening over coffee, a paper cone of fried kibbeling at the market, a crisp kroket from a vending wall. Winters bring hearty stamppot and braised beef, but the Netherlands is happiest around cake, coffee, and something sweet.

115 dishes ranked·3 in the global top 1,000 ·3,596 diner ratings·Best rank Nº 514

Plate I — The Origins

Fig. 1 Where 115 ranked dutch dishes were born. Dish origin

Drag to pan · Double-click or +/− to zoom · Select a marker for its entry

The Signature Dishes

The twelve highest-ranked Dutch dishes, by global position.

Stroopwafel, cookie from Netherlands
Plate IICookie · Netherlands

1 Nº 514 worldwide

Stroopwafel

Cookie · Treacle Waffle · Syrup Waffle

Two thin, crisp waffle wafers pressed around a layer of warm caramel syrup, invented in Gouda as a baker's way of using up crumbs and leftovers. The classic move is to rest one over a hot cup of coffee until the caramel inside goes soft and gooey.

★ 4.2|81% positive |332 ratings

Kibbeling, saltwater fish dish from Netherlands
Plate IIISaltwater Fish Dish · Netherlands

2 Nº 716 worldwide

Kibbeling

Saltwater Fish Dish

Bite-sized chunks of white fish in a light batter, deep-fried golden and sold hot in a paper cone with a tub of garlicky sauce. It is Dutch market and seaside food, cheap and vinegary, once made from the offcuts of cod too small to sell whole.

★ 4.1|82% positive |93 ratings

Pannekoek, pancake from Netherlands

3PannekoekNº 996

Pancake · Also Pannenkoek

The Dutch pancake, plate-sized and somewhere between a crêpe and a fluffy American stack, served flat and folded rather than piled. It goes savory with bacon and cheese or sweet with syrup and apple, and a pancake house is a proper sit-down meal in the Netherlands.

★ 4.0|89 ratings

Sudderlapjes, beef dish from Netherlands

4SudderlapjesNº 1,122

Beef Dish

Slow-braised beef, the meat browned then left to simmer for hours with a splash of vinegar or red wine until it turns meltingly tender. Old-fashioned Dutch home cooking, it is Sunday food, spooned over potatoes with plenty of its dark gravy.

★ 4.0|14 ratings

Poffertjes, pancake from Netherlands

5PoffertjesNº 1,193

Pancake · Also Poffertje

Tiny, puffy pancakes made from a yeasted buckwheat batter, cooked in the dimples of a special cast-iron pan until golden domes rise. Served by the dozen under a snowfall of powdered sugar and a knob of butter, they are fairground and festival food.

★ 4.0|147 ratings

Zeeuwse bolus, sweet pastry from Netherlands

6Zeeuwse bolusNº 1,607

Sweet Pastry

A sticky, gooey coil of sweet dough rolled in cinnamon and brown sugar, close to a cinnamon bun and best eaten warm. A specialty of the province of Zeeland, the bolus is torn apart and, by tradition, eaten from the sticky side down.

★ 3.9|21 ratings

K

7KalfsvleeskroketNº 2,204

Snack

A veal croquette, a creamy ragout of meat set firm, breaded, and deep-fried into a crisp cylinder. A cornerstone of Dutch snack culture, it is pulled hot from the little windows of an automatiek vending wall or eaten on a soft white bun with mustard.

★ 3.8|4 ratings

Nonnevot, sweet pastry from Netherlands

8NonnevotNº 2,348

Sweet Pastry · Also Nonnevotten

A knotted, deep-fried pastry from Limburg with roots reaching back to at least the 1600s, its dough enriched with butter and lard and dusted with sugar. The name means nun's tail, and it belongs to Carnival season in the Dutch south.

★ 3.8|12 ratings

Zoervleis, stew from Netherlands

9ZoervleisNº 2,407

Stew · Also Zoervleisj

Limburg's sweet-and-sour stew, meat marinated in vinegar then braised low with spiced cake and syrup until the gravy turns dark and tangy. Traditionally made with horse meat, hence the sour name, though beef is common now, and it comes with fries to mop it up.

★ 3.8|11 ratings

Suikerbrood, sweet bread from Netherlands

10SuikerbroodNº 2,506

Sweet Bread · Also Sugar Bread

A soft, sweet bread studded with lumps of pearl sugar that stay whole and crunchy through the bake, a Frisian specialty tied to Easter. Sliced and spread with butter, the melting sugar pockets are the whole point.

★ 3.8|61 ratings

Appeltaart, sweet pie from Netherlands

11AppeltaartNº 2,860

Sweet Pie

The Dutch apple pie, taller and sturdier than most, a thick shortcrust case packed with spiced apple and raisins under a lattice or crumb top. It is café food above all, cut in generous wedges and served with whipped cream and, always, a cup of coffee.

★ 3.8|107 ratings

Boerenkool stamppot, side dish from Netherlands

12Boerenkool stamppotNº 2,936

Side Dish

Winter comfort food, potatoes mashed together with kale until the two become one green-flecked mound, enriched with bacon and onion and a smoked sausage laid on top. Stamppot is the plainest, coziest of Dutch dinners, made for a cold, dark evening.

★ 3.8|24 ratings

The Departments

Every Dutch dish in our ranking, grouped the way you'd order them.

The Complete Ledger

All 115 Dutch dishes in the world ranking. Every entry, leaf by leaf.

115 entries
  1. 514 Stroopwafel Cookie Gouda ★ 4.1
  2. 716 Kibbeling Saltwater Fish Dish Netherlands ★ 4.1
  3. 996 Pannekoek Pancake Netherlands ★ 4.0
  4. 1,122 Sudderlapjes Beef Dish Netherlands ★ 4.0
  5. 1,193 Poffertjes Pancake Netherlands ★ 4.0
  6. 1,607 Zeeuwse bolus Sweet Pastry Zeeland ★ 3.9
  7. 2,204 K Kalfsvleeskroket Snack Netherlands ★ 3.8
  8. 2,348 Nonnevot Sweet Pastry Limburg ★ 3.8
  9. 2,407 Zoervleis Stew Limburg ★ 3.8
  10. 2,506 Suikerbrood Sweet Bread Friesland ★ 3.8
  11. 2,860 Appeltaart Sweet Pie Netherlands ★ 3.8
  12. 2,936 Boerenkool stamppot Side Dish Netherlands ★ 3.8
  13. 3,353 Hazenpeper Stew Netherlands ★ 3.8
  14. 3,609 Gevulde koek Cookie Netherlands ★ 3.7
  15. 3,768 G Grutjespap Porridge Netherlands ★ 3.7
  16. 4,142 U Uitsmijter spek en kaas Egg Dish Netherlands ★ 3.7
  17. 4,276 Tijgerbrood Bread Netherlands ★ 3.7
  18. 4,378 Stoofpeertjes Dessert Netherlands ★ 3.7
  19. 4,387 Appelbeignet Deep-fried Dessert Netherlands ★ 3.7
  20. 4,484 Haagse bluf Dessert The Hague ★ 3.7
  21. 4,500 Jachtschotel Stew Netherlands ★ 3.7
  22. 4,695 Speculaas Cookie Netherlands ★ 3.7
  23. 4,723 Vegetable Soup with Meatballs (Groentesoep met balletjes) Vegetable Soup Netherlands ★ 3.7
  24. 4,789 Boterkoek Cake Netherlands ★ 3.7
  25. 4,841 Gehaktballen Meatballs Netherlands ★ 3.7
  26. 4,845 R Rundvleeskroket Snack Netherlands ★ 3.7
  27. 4,849 Gebakken mosselen Mussel Dish Netherlands ★ 3.7
  28. 4,947 Spekdikken Pancake Groningen ★ 3.7
  29. 5,036 Wentelteefjes Breakfast Netherlands ★ 3.7
  30. 5,055 Metworst Sausage Netherlands ★ 3.7
  31. 5,099 Arretje nof Chocolate Cake Netherlands ★ 3.6
  32. 5,101 Groninger koek Sweet Bread Groningen ★ 3.6
  33. 5,151 Rijsttafel Feast Netherlands ★ 3.6
  34. 5,164 Hangop Dessert Netherlands ★ 3.6
  35. 5,232 Ijzerkoekje Cookie Vlaardingen ★ 3.6
  36. 5,307 Brabants worstenbroodje Snack North Brabant ★ 3.6
  37. 5,498 K Krentjebrij Porridge Groningen ★ 3.6
  38. 5,510 S Stip Porridge Netherlands ★ 3.6
  39. 5,720 Gerookte paling Eel Dish Netherlands ★ 3.6
  40. 5,902 Worstenbroodje Snack North Brabant ★ 3.6
  41. 5,912 Mosterdsoep Soup Groningen ★ 3.6
  42. 5,920 Lekkerbekje Saltwater Fish Dish Netherlands ★ 3.6
  43. 6,082 Arnhemse meisjes Cookie Arnhem ★ 3.6
  44. 6,111 Vlaai Sweet Pie Limburg ★ 3.6
  45. 6,123 Rookworst Sausage Netherlands ★ 3.6
  46. 6,196 Poffert Sweet Bread Groningen ★ 3.6
  47. 6,207 Fryske dúmkes Cookie Friesland ★ 3.6
  48. 6,208 Letterbanket Sweet Pastry Netherlands ★ 3.6
  49. 6,238 Oliebol Sweet Pastry Netherlands ★ 3.5
  50. 6,505 Krentenweggen Sweet Bread Netherlands ★ 3.5
  51. 6,616 Patatje oorlog Potato Dish Netherlands ★ 3.5
  52. 6,730 Ananasbeignets Deep-fried Dessert Netherlands ★ 3.5
  53. 6,794 Broodje haring Sandwich Netherlands ★ 3.5
  54. 6,866 Kroket Snack Netherlands ★ 3.5
  55. 6,911 Fries roggebrood Rye Bread Friesland ★ 3.5
  56. 6,927 Hachee Stew Netherlands ★ 3.5
  57. 6,940 Andijviestamppot Side Dish Netherlands ★ 3.5
  58. 7,009 Broodpap Porridge Netherlands ★ 3.5
  59. 7,313 Jan Hagel Cookie Netherlands ★ 3.4
  60. 7,542 Blinde vink Meat Dish Netherlands ★ 3.4
  61. 7,570 Dutch Macaroni Pasta Netherlands ★ 3.3
  62. 7,603 Kruidnoten Cookie Netherlands ★ 3.3
  63. 7,611 Joppiesaus Sauce Glanerbrug ★ 3.3
  64. 7,624 Kerststol Sweet Bread Netherlands ★ 3.3
  65. 7,649 Huzarensalade Salad Netherlands ★ 3.3
  66. 7,651 Slavink Meat Dish Netherlands ★ 3.3
  67. 7,654 Boerenjongens Fruit Salad Groningen ★ 3.3
  68. 7,742 Appelflap Sweet Pastry Netherlands ★ 3.3
  69. 7,767 Vla Custard Netherlands ★ 3.3
  70. 7,782 Balkenbrij Offal Dish Netherlands ★ 3.3
  71. 7,817 Hete bliksem Side Dish Netherlands ★ 3.3
  72. 7,829 Braadworst Sausage Netherlands ★ 3.3
  73. 7,862 Bitterballen Snack Amsterdam ★ 3.3
  74. 7,876 Kaassoufflé Snack Netherlands ★ 3.3
  75. 7,921 Jodenkoek Cookie Netherlands ★ 3.3
  76. 7,928 Bokkepootjes Cookie Netherlands ★ 3.3
  77. 7,936 Rodekool met appeltjes Side Dish Netherlands ★ 3.3
  78. 7,953 Tompouce Cake Netherlands ★ 3.2
  79. 7,955 Snert Soup Netherlands ★ 3.2
  80. 8,010 Broodje kroket Sandwich Netherlands ★ 3.2
  81. 8,019 Zuurkoolstamppot Side Dish Netherlands ★ 3.2
  82. 8,021 Moorkop Sweet Pastry Netherlands ★ 3.2
  83. 8,037 Griesmeelpudding Pudding Netherlands ★ 3.2
  84. 8,038 N Nasibal Snack Netherlands ★ 3.2
  85. 8,044 Bamischijf Snack Netherlands ★ 3.2
  86. 8,050 Rijstevlaai Sweet Pie Limburg ★ 3.2
  87. 8,120 Berenklauw Street Food Netherlands ★ 3.2
  88. 8,125 Satékroket Snack Netherlands ★ 3.2
  89. 8,126 Kletskop Cookie Leiden ★ 3.2
  90. 8,128 Kaasstengels Snack Netherlands ★ 3.2
  91. 8,140 Eierbal Snack Groningen ★ 3.2
  92. 8,164 Bossche bol Sweet Pastry 's-Hertogenbosch ★ 3.2
  93. 8,244 Borstplaat Dessert Netherlands ★ 3.1
  94. 8,262 Krentenbollen Sweet Bread Netherlands ★ 3.1
  95. 8,309 Bitterkoekjes Cookie Netherlands ★ 3.1
  96. 8,313 Kipcorn Snack Netherlands ★ 3.1
  97. 8,326 Hutspot Vegetable Dish Netherlands ★ 3.1
  98. 8,346 Banket Sweet Pastry Netherlands ★ 3.1
  99. 8,368 Saucijzenbroodjes Snack Netherlands ★ 3.1
  100. 8,434 Roze Koek Dessert Netherlands ★ 3.0
  101. 8,454 Space Cake Cake Amsterdam ★ 3.0
  102. 8,483 Kapsalon Street Food Rotterdam ★ 3.0
  103. 8,509 Krakeling Cookie Netherlands ★ 2.9
  104. 8,576 Stamppot Vegetable Dish Netherlands ★ 2.9
  105. 8,633 Ontbijtkoek Sweet Bread Netherlands ★ 2.8
  106. 8,701 Taai-taai Cookie Netherlands ★ 2.6
  107. 8,715 Pepernoot Cookie Netherlands ★ 2.6
  108. 8,753 Beschuit met muisjes Snack Netherlands ★ 2.5
  109. 8,933 D Dikke koek Sweet Bread Netherlands
  110. 9,403 Weesper moppen Cookie Weesp
  111. 9,686 Gemberbolus Sweet Pastry Netherlands
  112. 9,848 J Jan in de zak Pudding Netherlands
  113. 10,208 Hoornse broeder Sweet Bread Hoorn
  114. 10,352 Karnemelksepap Porridge Netherlands
  115. 10,794 H Humkessoep Soup Overijssel
Leaf 1 of 4

Gazetteer

A Regional Tour of Dutch Food

Where Netherlands's ranked dishes were born, and what to order there.

Questions, Answered

Dutch food, frequently asked. Answered from the data.

What is the most popular Dutch food?
The Stroopwafel leads on both counts, the best-ranked Dutch dish at #514 worldwide and the most-rated, a caramel-filled waffle cookie warmed over coffee. Behind it come the spiced Speculaas biscuit and Poffertjes, the puffy little fairground pancakes buried in sugar. All 52 Dutch desserts & sweets →
What food is the Netherlands known for?
Sweets, snacks, and fried street food. The Dutch bake and fry more than they stew: the caramel Stroopwafel, sugar-lumped Suikerbrood, and deep café Appeltaart on the sweet side, and savory bites like the battered fish Kibbeling and the veal Kalfsvleeskroket pulled from a vending wall.
What is the Netherlands' national dish?
There is no single one, but hearty stamppot is the closest national comfort dish, mashed potato blended with kale or endive and topped with smoked sausage. In summer, raw herring eaten by the tail is the national street snack, while our top-ranked Dutch food is the sweet Stroopwafel.
What is the most famous Dutch street food?
Fried and handheld. Kibbeling, battered chunks of white fish with garlic sauce, is the seaside favorite, while the Kalfsvleeskroket and its round cousin the bitterbal are pulled hot from an automatiek wall. Sweeter options include the caramel Stroopwafel and sugar-dusted Poffertjes.
What should I eat in Limburg?
The Dutch south does things sweeter and richer. Limburg is home to Zoervleis, a sweet-and-sour braised beef stew served with fries, and Vlaai, a broad open fruit tart. For Carnival, look for Nonnevot, a sugar-dusted knot of fried dough.