Dutch Street Food Decoded: Herring, Stroopwafels and Bitterballen

A tasty guide to navigating Dutch markets: raw herring etiquette, hot caramel stroopwafels, and deep-fried bar snacks.

Written by ETH Editorial Team

Published: Aug 12, 2026 • Fact-checked by ETH Editorial Team

• Street Food in the Netherlands

Street Food in the Netherlands

Dutch street food is hearty, unpretentious, and budget-friendly.

Top Dutch Street Food Items

Hollandse Nieuwe Haring (€4.00): Raw herring cured in mild brine, served with diced raw onions and pickles. Eat it the traditional way holding the tail above your mouth, or order a "broodje haring" in a soft bun.
Fresh Stroopwafels (€3.50): Two thin baked waffle layers sliced horizontally and filled with hot cinnamon-caramel syrup at street markets.
Bitterballen (€6.50 for 6): Crispy breaded deep-fried croquette balls filled with savory beef ragu, served piping hot with sharp mustard alongside beer.
FEBO Automat (€2.50 to €3.50): Coin and contactless operated heated vending walls dispensing kroketten and kaassouffle across Dutch cities.

About the Author

ETH Editorial Team

The ETH (Euro Travel Hacks) Editorial Team researches European travel costs, transport, accommodation, and trip-planning information using official sources and structured Euro Travel Hacks data. Changing prices and travel information are dated and reviewed against cited sources where practical.

Experience: Structured research and verification across official European transport operators, municipal transit authorities, and national tourism offices.

Dutch Street Food Decoded: Herring, Stroopwafels and Bitterballen

Street Food in the Netherlands

Top Dutch Street Food Items

ETH Editorial Team

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