7 Best Vegetarian Street Foods in Amsterdam You Have to Try!
Discover the ultimate culinary adventure with our guide to the 7 best vegetarian street foods in Amsterdam.
This is a special guest contribution from Taylor of Traverse With Taylor.
The bustling capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, is a foodie’s paradise waiting to be explored.
Not to be outdone by other major European cities, the street foods in Amsterdam are some of the best I’ve had in my travels, with many vegetarian street foods available with ease.
Whether this is your first time traveling abroad or you’re an expert traveler looking for some new things to try, I’ve rounded up the best vegetarian street foods in Amsterdam.
What to Know About Amsterdam’s Food
You should know that Dutch food is severely underrated. Have you ever heard of someone raving on and on about just how great food in the Netherlands is?
Not particularly. At least, not like everyone raves about German beer, Spanish tapas, or French bread.
But Dutch food, and the food in Amsterdam in particular, is to die for. Imagine yourself just biking around the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam, the smell of caramelized sugar and freshly-baked treats wafting through the air.
A lot of the food Amsterdam is famous for are carb-licious Dutch recipes that make my mouth water just thinking about them.
You’ll find yourself surrounded by delicious fries, Dutch stamppots full of hearty ingredients like cabbage and potatoes, and some of the best apple pie you can get your hands on.
Beyond the delights of Dutch food in general, you’ll find Amsterdam’s street foods all over the place. You’ll be stuffed before you know it!
7 Vegetarian Street Foods in Amsterdam to Try
As it happens, the majority of street foods in Amsterdam are vegetarian by nature! And, a tour around Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without tasting your way along.
Here are some of the amazing vegetarian street foods in the city that you absolutely must try:
Frites
Far and above, the most fantastic street food in Amsterdam that you have absolutely GOT to try are frites.
Although these are technically Belgian fries, they’ve become insanely popular in the Netherlands, with tons of various places to grab a piping hot handful all over the city.
In the proper Amsterdam way, make sure to top yours with mayonnaise, frietssaus (fry sauce), or with the typical peanut sauce and onions.
My favorite place to eat my face off with frites is at Mannekenpis. There are a few locations throughout the city, but there is one right on the Damrak outside of Centraal Station- you can’t miss it!
Poffertjes
You’ve likely heard of the delightful pannekoeken that are prevalent in the Netherlands, but another take on these fantastic pancakes is poffertjes.
These tiny, sphere-like pancakes can be found in many of the markets and cafes in and around Amsterdam, as they are easily one of the most popular vegetarian street foods in the area.
If you’re looking for a particularly delicious treat, top yours with the typical powdered sugar. Then, add Nutella, strawberries, and whipped cream- yum!
Bitterballen
While many of the street foods in the Netherlands are sweet, there are some fantastic savory options, too…like bitterballen!
These fried balls are typically made with beef and gravy, then coated in a breadcrumb topping and fried. However, you can find vegetarian bitterballen made of mushroom or eggplant without much trouble!
These irresistible poppers are often served with some local mustard for dipping.
You’ll find upscale Hollander restaurants and street food stalls alike frying up these true Dutch delicacies.
Oliebollen
Oliebollen are a must-try food during your time in Amsterdam. Just think of this Dutch treat like a small, fried donut hole.
While these are peppered around all year long, you’ll find this food pops up much more around Christmas time and during the winter months.
Oliebollen are traditionally made of dough packed with currants, raisins, or sometimes even coated in cinnamon and sugar.
Try a few versions of this fantastic street food.
Stroopwafels
You basically can’t scroll through a post about Amsterdam without it mentioning the ever-popular stroopwafel.
This caramelized waffle-like cookie has been defining the Netherlands for ages. Original stroopwafels are just two small waffle cookies with a layer of caramel in the middle. Though, now you can sample one with all kinds of toppings.
Although stroopwafels are everywhere, you can also pop into the Insta-popular Van Wonderen Stroopwafels to try one dipped in chocolate with candy on top!
Pro Tip: Make sure that whatever stroopwafel you try is warm and straight from the oven! They are SO much better when they’re gooey and fresh!
Dutch Cheese
No matter where you walk in Amsterdam, you’ll come across some Dutch cheese- more fondly called Kaas.
The Netherlands is famous for its cheese-making ability, so you don’t want to leave without sampling some. In particular, the region proudly boasts its fantastic gouda and edam cheeses.
All throughout Amsterdam, you’ll find various cheese shops offering samples of their wares. Try the traditional gouda, or venture out a bit and try one made with pesto, lavender, or even truffle!
I’ve tried my fair share of kaas, and I can confidently say that no matter where you grab some…it’ll be the best cheese of your life!
Waffles
Amsterdammers take on Belgian waffles has also become a popular street food in the area.
On just about every street in the center of the city, you can find warm waffles with all types of toppings just waiting in bakery windows to be devoured.
These sweet desserts have become a staple of the Dutch culture, topped with all things from chocolate to Nutella, whipped cream, and candy, to everything in between.
They’re served in little snack trays- perfect for your next grab-and-go treat!
Wrapping Up: Best Vegetarian Street Foods in Amsterdam
There you have it! Seven of the top street food dishes that you don’t want to miss trying in Amsterdam!
Each of these amazing dishes has been a tried and true part of Dutch (and Amsterdammer) culture for decades, and they’ll definitely tempt you into indulging more than once!
Regardless of which ones you try, enjoy your time boating through the canals and strolling along cobblestones in this amazing city, and have the time of your life!
Taylor Beal is the owner and author of Traverse With Taylor, a travel blog focused on helping others experience Europe easily. Taylor is obsessed with unique stories, quaint bookstores, fantastic food, craft beers, all things afternoon tea, and her favorite places: Amsterdam and Scotland.