Category: Where to eat and drink

Amsterdam street food delicacy: Herring

Without a doubt, the Dutch street food most frowned upon by tourists, expats, and immigrants, is herring. Squeamish tourists often assume the fish is eaten raw, but that is not the case.

Herring is the Netherland’s national snack: If you’ve never tasted fresh herring you don’t know what you’re missing.

You’ll have plenty of opportunity to eat this Amsterdam street food delicacy. The 2023 Hollandse Nieuwe — ‘New Herring’ — season starts on June 23. Hollandse Nieuwe is sold until September 30. But herring is enjoyed all year long.

Coffeeshops and Coffeehouses

Upon their return home from Amsterdam many tourists recount colorful stories of how they ‘accidentally’ visited a coffeeshop (just like they ‘innocently stumbled into’ the infamous Red Light District).

If you don’t want to make the same mistake – or conversely, if you do – pay attention.