Eating out in the Netherlands

Practical notes for visitors and new residents on booking a table, opening hours, paying and tipping in Dutch restaurants.

Booking a table

Most restaurants in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague take reservations online or by phone. Friday and Saturday evenings fill up early, so book a few days ahead for popular places. Smaller cafés and eetcafés often take walk-ins.

Opening hours

Dinner starts earlier than in southern Europe. Many kitchens open around 17:30 and take the last orders between 21:00 and 22:00, earlier in smaller towns. Some restaurants close on Monday or Tuesday.

Paying

Debit and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, and a growing number of places no longer take cash. Ask for the bill when you are ready; staff rarely bring it unasked.

Tipping

Service is included in menu prices. Rounding up, or leaving around five to ten percent for good service, is common and appreciated.

What to try

• Bitterballen and a local beer in a brown café
• Indonesian rijsttafel, a legacy of Dutch colonial history
• Fresh herring from a street stall in early summer
• Pannenkoeken, sweet or savoury, for lunch