Food & Dining

What to Expect:

• Dutch cuisine includes hearty sandwiches, fresh seafood, and pancakes.
• Breakfast is typically bread, cheese, and coffee.
• Lunch is light, often a sandwich ("broodje") or soup.
• Dinner is served early-most restaurants close by 10 PM.

Local Specialties to Try:

• Stroopwafels – If you try one Dutch sweet treat, make it a stroopwafel. Two thin waffles stuck together with a layer of sweet syrup; these delectable delicacies are best enjoyed hot and gooey from a street market or bakery. Several hotspots in the city have become hugely famous on social media in recent years, but there are plenty more alternative spots that are favourites of locals where you can also enjoy them.
• Poffertjes – (pronounced puff' ur jis) or Dutch Mini Pancakes are small, fluffy yeasted treats made in a special cast iron pan. They are sold throughout the Netherlands, and are traditionally served hot with a pat of butter and a good sprinkling of confectioners' sugar.
• Haring – Raw herring may sound a little scary to the uninitiated, but every visitor to Amsterdam should give it a go. You'll spot a "haringkar"  (herring carts) serving up this Dutch speciality all over the city and at every street market - ask for a 'broodje haring' to get the fish served in a small sandwich with pickles and onions. The best time to try raw herring is between May and July, when the herring is said to be at its sweetest.

• Bitterballen – So you went out for a few drinks. You forgot to eat dinner. Those 8% Belgian beers are beginning to take their toll. What to do? The answer is in the bitterballen. Delicious, deep-fried crispy balls traditionally served with mustard for dipping – they're the ultimate in Dutch pub snacks and can be found on the menu at most drinking establishments. 
• Tompouce - This cream-filled rectangular pastry. This cream-filled rectangular pastry is characterised by a layer of smooth pink icing. Tompouce is strictly regulated to ensure consistency in size, shape and colour – although, for the past few years, the icing has turned bright orange in Amsterdam around King's Day. 
• Jenever - Not a food but holding a no-less important role in Dutch gastronomy is jenever, the precursor to gin. This spirit, distilled from juniper berries, has a malty flavour similar to whisky and was traditionally used for medicinal purposes before becoming one of the country's signature drinks. Served in a tulip-shaped glass, often served alongside a beer, a combination known as a kopstootje, meaning "head butt".
• Dutch Liquorice - This is not liquorice as you know it, but a more salty, black version known as 'drop'. Approach with caution, and don't say we didn't warn you
• Apple Pie - Dutch apple pie (appeltaart) is widely popular in the Netherlands. Every bakery, restaurant or cafe serves Dutch apple pie with fresh whipped cream and a good cup of coffee. It is served for a mid-morning or afternoon treat and is great for any occasion or gathering. With its tall crumbly crust, thick apple filling and a large dollop of whipped cream, it's no wonder it is the preferred dessert in the Netherlands. In fact, any time I offer to bake for my husband's colleagues the request is always the same…apple pie. So if you happen to be in the Netherlands, be sure to order a slice of appeltaart.

• The currency is the Euro (€).
• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but some shops and cafés prefer Maestro or contactless debit payments over credit cards.
• ATMs are widely available, but some smaller stores may not accept cash.

• 112 – General emergency (police, fire, ambulance).
• 0900-8844 – Non-emergency police line.
• Pharmacies ("Apotheek") – Open during business hours; emergency pharmacies operate in larger cities.

Health & Travel Insurance

• EU residents can use their EHIC card for medical care.
• Non-EU travelers should have travel insurance covering healthcare.

Cultural Tips & Etiquette

• Punctuality is important – Be on time for meetings and events.
• Tipping is optional – Service charge is usually included, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is appreciated.

• A waterproof jacket – Sudden rain showers are frequent.
• Comfortable shoes – Delft's cobblestone streets can be tricky.
• Layers – Weather changes quickly.
• An umbrella – A windproof one is best!
• Adapters & Power Plugs – The Netherlands uses Type C & F plugs (230V, 50Hz).