Amsterdam Travel Expert. Culture, Events and Apartments

Amsterdam may not have the reputation as one of the great culinary destinations of Europe.  And the truth is it isn’t. But by trying some local dishes, including those that have bought to the country by other cultures that have made The Netherlands home, it is possible to savour a true taste of Amsterdam.

One a cold day, there is nothing more warming than a steaming bowl of Erwtensoep. This hearty soup is the Dutch version of the universal Split Pea Soup, thought to be one of the oldest dishes in existence (it is mentioned in writings of Aristophanes). In Holland, it is mixed with smoked sausage

Dutch Gouda Cheese

and served with rye bread topped with ham. Another local dish you may come across is Stamppot, a comfort food mixture of endives, mashed potato and bacon, just the thing to soak up those pints of beer.

The culinary legacy of the Dutch colonisation of Indonesia include Nasi Goreng, and a few oddities such as the Rusttafel; a Indonesian-influenced, buffet-style banquet devised by the colonists in order to appease their large appetites. Dishes from other cultures that have made multicultural Amsterdam their home include salt beef and pickled vegetables (Jewish), couscous ( from North Africa) and falafel and stuffed vegetables from the Middle East.

Breakfast and even light lunches will inevitably involve rye bread, ham and Gouda, the ubiquitous, golden-coloured cheese that you’ll see in large rounds everywhere. To satisfy a sweet craving try a onthijtkoeck, or traditional gingerbread.

Going by the name you’d think that these places were simply in need of a good scrub. But no, the ‘Brown Cafes’ of Amsterdam are similar to British pubs (minus the TV screens) and are named after their dark wood furniture, low lighting and generally cosy, congenial ambiance.

They are located in all the neighbourhoods, and I love nipping into these places on a cold afternoon and having a small glass of local beer. Food tends to be limited, but you can always find a cheese sandwich or help yourself to some free hapjes (snacks) of olives, nuts or

Coffee Shop hour in Amsterdam

bitterballs (meat croquettes).  On a really cold evening you could have a shot of jenever, a Dutch spirit similar to rum.

One of the most famous brown cafes in Amsterdam is the Three Sisters (Rembrandtplein 17, Tel. 020 6275660 www.driegezusters.nl), which has its original moulded ceiling, and leather sofas, which curve into circular conversation areas, making it an ideal place to go for an intimate evening with small group of friends. If you get hungry, there is a steakhouse upstairs.

Another one is Arendsnest, or ‘The Eagle’s Nest (Herengracht 90 1015BS Amsterdam,  020 421 20 57 www.arendsnest.nl) which sells over 100 types of Dutch beer from the country’s 50 local breweries. Proost!

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