Dutch food doesn't announce itself the way French or Italian does, but it carries a practical kind of deliciousness that the Dutch have been proud of for hundreds of years. Raw herring cured in salt and a little vinegar and crisp, fragrant stroopwafel are two things you genuinely cannot leave without trying. Kinderdijk itself has few restaurants, but Rotterdam — just 30 minutes away — has markets and good dining in every direction, making it the natural choice for a meal before or after the windmills.
#1 Stroopwafel
The Dutch snack that went global — and the number-one edible souvenir from the Netherlands. Two thin crisp waffle discs are sandwiched together with a sticky caramel filling called <em>stroop</em>. The recipe traces back to the city of Gouda in the 19th century. The traditional way to eat one is to rest it on top of a cup of hot coffee or tea, wait for the steam to soften the caramel, then bite in while it's still warm. The flavour is a gentle sweetness of vanilla and lightly burnt sugar — nothing like the thick Belgian waffle people often confuse it with.
- A fresh stroopwafel from a market stall or artisan shop (<em>ambachtelijk</em>) is dramatically better than the packaged version in a supermarket. If you spot one being made on the spot, buy it immediately.
- Rest it on your hot coffee or tea cup for 1-2 minutes before eating — that's how the Dutch have always done it.
- Great as a gift: long shelf life, low price. Pick up a large box at Albert Heijn or Jumbo supermarkets.
#2 Bitterballen
The go-to Dutch snack with a beer or a drink at the bar, found in pubs the length of the country. Each is a bite-sized fried sphere — braised beef or chicken bound in a thick butter-based sauce that sets firm, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Bite in and the filling is extremely hot and flows out, so don't bite straight through. The flavour is savoury and buttery, and it pairs perfectly with the Dutch mustard served alongside. Don't skip these when you stop at a Rotterdam bar.
- Wait about half a minute before biting in — the filling traps heat and stays very hot.
- Dip in Dutch mustard, not ketchup — that's the traditional way.
- Frozen bitterballen from the supermarket, brought home and fried, are a popular gift the Dutch take to friends abroad.
#3 Soused herring
The oldest Dutch seafood tradition, going back to the 14th century. Herring caught in May-June is briefly cured in salt and a small amount of vinegar, then served cold and raw with chopped raw onion and pickled cucumber. The classic way to eat it is to hold the fish by the tail, lift it above your mouth and take bites downward. The flavour is mildly salty, the flesh smoother and finer than Japanese salted fish, and there is no fishiness when it's genuinely fresh. Every Dutch person grows up eating this. Cheap and filling.
- Try the <em>Hollandse Nieuwe</em> in season (May-June) — the fish is noticeably fresher and better than outside the season.
- If eating it raw feels like a stretch, ask for a <em>broodje haring</em> (herring in a bread roll) instead — same flavour, more familiar format.
- Street herring carts in Rotterdam are cheaper than those in tourist markets, and the quality is the same.
#4 Poffertjes
The most charming small snack in the Netherlands. Made from a yeast-and-milk batter that rises before being poured into small round moulds — each disc is about 3-4 cm across — and cooked in butter until puffed and golden on the underside. They arrive hot, buried under powdered sugar and a generous amount of fresh butter. The flavour is a gentle fresh-dough sweetness, softer than a standard pancake. Popular with all ages, but especially children. Found at outdoor markets and festivals, affordable as a snack any time of day.
- Eat them immediately — poffertjes cool down fast, and cold ones lose their softness.
- The Saturday-Sunday Blaak Market in Rotterdam usually has a stall making them fresh, not heating frozen ones.
- You can order them with strawberries or whipped cream, but the traditional version is just butter and powdered sugar — try that first.
#5 Gouda cheese
The Netherlands is the world's largest cheese exporter, and Gouda is its most famous variety. Made from cow's milk in South Holland, it comes in several ages: <em>jong</em> (young, mild, soft) through to <em>oud</em> (long-aged, sharp, crumbly). Aged Gouda develops tyrosine salt crystals that give it a complex flavour close to Parmesan. The cheese market in the city of Gouda — held every summer — is an experience worth going out of your way for if you're in the area. The city of Gouda is just 20 minutes from Kinderdijk by car.
- Taste several ages side by side: <em>oud</em> (1-2 years) is the most intense and makes the best souvenir.
- A <em>kaaswinkel</em> (cheese shop) at any fresh market will always offer samples — don't hesitate to ask.
- Vacuum-packed cheese at the supermarket is significantly cheaper than at tourist-facing shops. Prima Donna, Old Amsterdam and Beemster are reliable brands found everywhere.
#6 Pancake
The Dutch pancake is nothing like an American one. It is thin, plate-sized and works equally well as a sweet or savoury dish. Sweet versions come with <em>stroop</em> (Dutch caramel syrup), jam or Nutella; savoury versions are loaded with bacon, cheese, onion, salmon and more. The Dutch pancake restaurant (<em>pannenkoekenrestaurant</em>) is a family dining tradition that spans every age group. The atmosphere is relaxed and the prices are reasonable.
- Order the <em>spekpannenkoek</em> (bacon pancake) with <em>stroop</em> drizzled over the top — the salty-sweet combination is what Dutch children grow up eating, and it works.
- One pancake is a full meal. Don't over-order.
- Pannenkoekenboot in Rotterdam is a well-known pancake restaurant on a boat — book ahead if you want to try it.
Where to stay in Kinderdijk for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Kinderdijk — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Villa Augustus
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details
Leonardo Hotel Papendrecht
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details
Van der Valk Hotel Rotterdam Ridderkerk
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details
Hotel Restaurant Kinderdijk
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details
Tours, tickets & activities in Kinderdijk
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Kinderdijk — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Before You Pack
Dutch food is easy to eat and easy to find — at markets, supermarkets or roadside stalls. If you're doing Kinderdijk as a day trip, pick up stroopwafel and Gouda cheese on the way back as gifts. The prices are fair and both travel well.