No visit to Amsterdam is complete without walking through the Albert Cuyp Market. It’s full of locals and visitors who visit for their everyday items, groceries, gifts, and food to go. That’s why we thought it was important to share with you the 5 foods you absolutely must try when you visit the Albert Cuyp Market in the de Pijp neighborhood.
Locals will go to this market JUST to get the goodies we’re telling you about here. Some may be obvious and some might surprise you. That’s the great thing about Amsterdam, you know a little bit of what to expect before you come to visit, but the best parts are the other bits you discover along the way!
Foods to try at the Albert Cuyp Market
Some foods are staples when visiting Amsterdam and, whether you visit the Albert Cuyp Market or not, you should definitely find a way to eat them. But eating at the market is an experience in itself and it’s just so much fun to browse all the stalls because there is something for everyone. While it’s mostly geared towards locals, you’ll find some great souvenirs along the street. When I took my mom and grandma, they were in awe pretty much the whole time. As a local, I’ll grab some fruits and veggies before I head home, and usually a bunch of flowers because they are so much cheaper at the market than in the stores.
I suggest starting at the end and working your way back to the metro or the main shopping area. I’ll explain how to get there so you know exactly where to go. But now, let’s talk food.
Fries
Flemish fries are huge here in Amsterdam. While Americans call them French fries, they were actually created in Belgium…but to be fair, it’s the French-speaking part of Belgium which is why the mis-nomer, I guess. Flemish fries are unique because they are fried twice at different temperatures to keep the potato fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
It’s less common in Europe to eat fries with ketchup, but it’s totally acceptable, because, to each their own. But, try the mayo. It’s way better than the American version! If you want to try a local favorite, get Oorlog Fries. This translates to War Fries and is topped with peanut satay, mayo and raw onions. It’s a fun combination!
Kibbling
This battered and fried fish is a well-loved treat at markets. These are smaller pieces than a British traditional fish & chips, and they don’t come with chips (though some places may offer that as an option). The dish comes with a garlicky mayo or tartar sauce for dipping and is always served in a to-go friendly container so you can walk and eat.
Fish, in general, is very popular here, so if this isn’t your jam, see what else is on the menu, because you must have some fish! I do suggest you give kibbling a chance because it’s fresh, moist, and wonderfully flaky and perfect on a chilly day.
Stroopwafel
I have far too many favorites on this list, but I’m going to declare the stroopwafel my absolute favorite. While the stroopwafel actually started in Gouda (yep, the city known for cheese) but it’s very much a Dutch thing now-a-days. The best ones in Amsterdam are at Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels at the Albert Cuyp Market. I will hop off the metro, walk two blocks, and wait in line for these fresh babies.
Stroopwafel literally translates into syrup waffle, but I want to make sure you understand that this isn’t maple syrup or pancake syrup. It’s not really caramel either, though that’s the easiest way to describe it. What you’ll see at this stand is your stroopwafel being made in front of you. That means, the ball of dough will go in the waffle iron to create a super thin round waffle that they will then slice in half lengthwise and add the stroop in the middle (like a sandwich). Hold it flat when they give it to you or you’ll have a syrupy mess on your hands! I suggest the regular size for one person and don’t bother with chocolate. The flavor of the waffle and the syrup is perfection on its own.
Poffertjes
It’s my blog and I make my own rules so I’m claiming this as another favorite 🙂 But, I’ll caveat that these are my favorite during festivals and I don’t go out of my way to eat them at the market. HOWEVER, if you’re here and not going to food festivals, you should definitely eat them here! While a few restaurants will have them, part of the experience is watching them being made and eating them outside.
These are tiny, fluffy pancakes topped with butter and powdered sugar. It will leave your sweet tooth satisfied without being too sweet. It’s really a sensory experience. So much so that I’m currently going through the motions in my head of how I eat these. They are such a treat!
Herring
This doesn’t top everyone’s list, but when in Rome, right? Herring isn’t exactly raw in the way you might think. I think people just like to say “raw” to freak people out. It’s soused which basically means it’s preserved in a mild vinegar pickle or brine. It’s safe to eat and grows on you. Ok, I’ve had a few years of working on it. But if you try it with the onions and pickles, the combination is very nice.
This is a food that you can find all around the city at herring stalls (yep, that’s a thing), and fishmongers around town. Like I said, fish is a big deal. If you’re here in June/July, definitely try the new herring. It’s almost a celebration because it’s the freshest herring you can get all year!
Chicken
Didn’t think chicken was going to show up here, did you? No, chicken isn’t really a Dutch thing, but there’s a cart at the market that everyone loves…and there are two competitors next to each other, so you can take your pick or compare the two. Sean is a big fan of Chris Kip (which just means Chris Chicken) and their chicken wings, but it’s always fun to ask people in line what their favorite is.
This is definitely more of a local’s favorite kind of entry, then a you-must-eat-this one, but I thought you’d appreciate it!
Drop
Dutch licorice is called drop and is a must-try and you’ll definitely find at least one stand with a bunch of different flavors. The person running the stall will help you to figure out which drop to try, or they can create a bag full of different flavors for you to try later or to take home as souvenirs for your friends and family.
How to get to the Albert Cuyp Market
Trying to figure out where to find the Albert Cuyp Market? It’s so easy now that we have the Noord-Zuid metro line 52. If you are near Amsterdam Centraal Station, hop on metro 52 in the direction of Zuid, and get off at the De Pijp stop. From there, you’ll see signs for the Albert Cuyp Market and it will have you exit at one end of the market. This is where I suggest taking the street to your right (it’s pedestrianized at this point) to the end of the market and starting from that side and working your way back.
In case tram 24 is near you, take it to either the Marie Heinekenplein stop or the De Pijp stop, then just walk a few blocks until you get to the Albert Cuypstraat.
For all public transportation options, you can check 9292.nl for the official information, but Google Maps and CityMappers are usually pretty good as well. Of course, we have Uber as well if you need that service.
Looking for more Amsterdam inspiration?
Since we live in Amsterdam, we write a lot about it, and we also make a bunch of videos that you can check out. Check out our nice big list of things to do in Amsterdam, top airbnb experiences, what to do if it rains, what to wear for all seasons, and how to use public transportation. We want you to feel all set when you can finally visit our favorite city in the world! If you have other ideas that you’d like us to write about, leave us a comment and we’ll get right on it!
Wishing you joy and travel 🙂
