How to celebrate Thanksgiving in Amsterdam

04 Nov How to celebrate Thanksgiving in Amsterdam

Thanksgiving in Amsterdam: Where to Eat, Shop & Celebrate

Thanksgiving in Amsterdam? Absolutely! You might not find pumpkin pie lining the shelves of Albert Heijn or turkeys in every grocery store, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip one of the best food holidays of the year, especially if you’re an American living abroad.

I’ve lived in the Netherlands since 2014, and one thing you learn pretty quickly as an American expat is that celebrating American holidays takes a little extra planning. 

Unlike in the USA, Thanksgiving is just a regular Thursday here. No day off, no Thanksgiving parade on TV, and definitely no guarantee that you’ll find everything you need for your favorite family recipes. But there are ways to make it happen!

Whether you’re an American missing a little taste of home, anyone looking for an excuse to get everyone together, or a visitor spending Thanksgiving in Amsterdam, I’ve got you covered.

A few things worth knowing before you start planning:

• Thanksgiving isn’t a Dutch holiday. Thursday is a normal working day, so don’t be surprised if you have to squeeze dinner around your work schedule.
• You might want to celebrate on the weekend. Plenty of people living abroad do this, especially when friends and family have work the next day.
• Start shopping early! Some ingredients are easy to find, some you’ll need to pre-order while others might require a little hunting around (or need a substitute).
• You don’t have to do it all yourself. Amsterdam has restaurants, bakeries, and shops that do some of the work for you.

My biggest piece of advice is to not stress about making everything exactly like it was back home. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to get a little creative with ingredients, make a few adjustments, or embrace a slightly different version of your favorite dishes. Invite some friends over, introduce them to the magic of Thanksgiving food, and enjoy the excuse to get everyone around a table. Afterwards, you’ll be ready to welcome in December!

Now, let’s figure out how to celebrate Thanksgiving in Amsterdam!

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Celebrating Thanksgiving If You’re Visiting Amsterdam

For anyone who lives here in Amsterdam, feel free to skip to the next section!

Spending Thanksgiving in Amsterdam? First of all, excellent choice! While you won’t find the city celebrating Thanksgiving the way it does in the United States, there’s still plenty to enjoy. 

Thanksgiving isn’t a Dutch public holiday, so Thursday is business as usual. Shops, museums, restaurants, and attractions operate on their normal schedules, and people will be heading to work just like any other day.

If you want to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, though, make reservations well in advance. Not every restaurant will offer a special menu, and the ones that do may have limited seating.

Where to Find a Thanksgiving Meal

If you’d like to keep a little bit of home in your holiday, take a look at the restaurants and dinner options mentioned in the next section. 

Make the Most of Your Amsterdam Visit

If you’re not particularly concerned about having a traditional Thanksgiving meal, you can simply enjoy Amsterdam. November is a perfect time to experience the city at a slower pace, with cozy cafés, museums, canal views, and plenty of seasonal atmosphere.

A few ideas for your Thanksgiving Day:

• Visit one of Amsterdam’s excellent museums, such as the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum.
• Take a canal cruise and see the city from the water.
• Explore the Jordaan neighborhood and stop for a warm drink along the way.
• Enjoy a long Dutch lunch or dinner instead of trying to recreate Thanksgiving.
• Take a day trip to Leiden to explore its connection to the Pilgrims and early American history.

Just remember to check opening times and book popular attractions ahead of time! I’ve curated a list of perfect autumn activities in Amsterdam organized by what you’re looking for (and what the weather is like that day). And don’t forget to book your hotel EARLY!

Where to Have Thanksgiving Dinner in Amsterdam

If you’re not someone who can handle preparing and cooking a full Thanksgiving dinner, don’t worry. I’m not either! Besides, some people just don’t have the kitchen space for a full turkey and all the fixins. Even worse, you might have a combi oven! Cringe We spent 3 years in a home with one and I still don’t know how to use one properly.

Anyway, there are plenty of ways to get your Thanksgiving dinner fix!

Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner

A handful of Amsterdam restaurants offer a special Thanksgiving dinner. These can be a great option if you want the traditional experience without having to source a turkey, make five different side dishes, and somehow fit everything into your oven.

Some places to keep an eye on include:

A few websites are posting old information so I wanted to also let you know of places that used to host Thanksgiving dinner but will not be doing so in 2026. These include: Wyers Restaurant, Seasons Restaurant, and Grand Cafe Lokaal doesn’t seem to exist anymore.

If you don’t need a traditional meal with turkey, but still would like a taste of home, I can recommend a few restaurants with incredible American-style food. Keep in mind that I mostly grew up on Southern food, so I apologize if it doesn’t seem like a lot of variety!

Pendergast is the place to go for delicious slow-cooked BBQ. You just have to see the menu and you’ll start salivating.

Ladybird FC is a mix of Southern-style cooking with a New York flair. Fried chicken is their specialty (it’s the FC in the name), but you can also get your fix of cheese grits, collard greens, and candied yams.

Stacks Diner prides itself on homestyle cooking with ingredients from Europe. Expect fried chicken biscuits, dry-aged burgers, mashed potatoes, and cornbread.

Book Ahead!

If there’s one thing I’d recommend, it’s not leaving your Thanksgiving plans until the last minute.

Amsterdam isn’t exactly overflowing with Thanksgiving dinners, and the places that do offer them can fill up quickly. If you find somewhere serving turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, I’d make that reservation!

Where to Buy Thanksgiving Ingredients in Amsterdam

If you’re one of those brave ones that wants to host Thanksgiving dinner. Well done! (You, not the turkey, hopefully!) Now comes the potentially stressful part: finding everything you need.

If you’re used to shopping for Thanksgiving in the US, you’ll quickly discover that Dutch grocery stores won’t have everything you’ll want.

But don’t worry! You can find most of what you need in Amsterdam. You might just have to visit a few different shops or get a little creative with substitutions.

International Grocery Stores in Amsterdam

If you’re looking for those familiar American brands and ingredients, an international grocery store is probably your best bet. These shops are particularly useful for things that aren’t commonly stocked in Dutch grocery stores. Shop early for seasonal items since Thanksgiving ingredients can sell out!

Kelly’s Expat Shopping & Tijn’s Toko

These are a great place to start when you’re looking for American groceries and familiar brands. Depending on the season and stock, you may find things like:

• Canned pumpkin or pumpkin pie filling
• Cranberry sauce
• Marshmallows (even if you find marshmallows in a Dutch grocery store, they are usually flavored and probably not what you want)
• American baking mixes and seasonings
• Familiar snacks and pantry staples

What Can You Find in the Dutch Grocery Stores for Thanksgiving?

You might be surprised by how much you can find at an ordinary Albert Heijn, Jumbo, or other Dutch supermarket. You just need to know what you’re looking for!

Most of the basics for a Thanksgiving dinner are readily available, even if the packaging looks a little different.

Here are some useful Dutch translations to keep handy:

What you’re looking for | What to search for

• Turkey | Kolkoen
• Sweet Potatoes | Zoete Aardappelen
• (Regular) Potatoes | Aardappelen
• Pumpkin | Pompoen or Flespompoen
• Cranberries | Veenbessen
• Heavy Cream | Slagroom
• Pecans | Pecannoten
• Green Beans | Sperziebonen
• Brussels Sprouts | Spruitjes
• Chicken Stock | Kippenbouillon
• Bread Crumbs | Paneermeel

Where to Find Those Hard-to-Find Ingredients + Alternatives

Some Thanksgiving ingredients are a little more challenging than others. Here are a few things I’d put on your shopping list early.

Pumpkin puree

This is probably one of the biggest challenges if you’re planning to make a traditional pumpkin pie. American recipes usually call for canned pumpkin puree, which isn’t something you’ll reliably find in Dutch grocery stores.

Your best options are:

• Check Kelly’s for imported canned pumpkin.
• Look for plain pumpkin puree at specialty food shops.
• Buy fresh pompoen and make your own puree.

Just don’t accidentally buy pumpkin pie filling when your recipe calls for plain pumpkin puree. They’re not the same thing!

Cranberry sauce

You can sometimes find cranberry sauce or cranberry compote in Dutch grocery stores, particularly around the festive season. Look for cranberrycompote or cranberrysaus.

If you can’t find the ready-made version, fresh or frozen cranberries can be used to make your own.

Turkey

Whole turkeys aren’t something you’ll find in every supermarket year-round. Your best bet is to contact a local butcher (slagerij) and ask whether they take Thanksgiving orders. You will want to pre-order! In the past, we’ve gotten ours from Kema or Slagerij De Leeuw and they were perfect. Just be sure to ask if it will come frozen or fresh so you can time it correctly.

If you’re cooking for a smaller group, turkey breast might be a much more manageable option and easier to find.

Stuffing ingredients

If you’re accustomed to boxed American stuffing mix, you might need to make this one from scratch. Luckily, bread, celery, onions, herbs, and stock are easy enough to find.

Sweet potatoes and marshmallows

The ingredients for a classic sweet potato casserole are generally easy. Zoete aardappelen are widely available, and marshmallows can be found in some larger grocery stores and international grocery stores.

A Few Tips for Thanksgiving Shopping in the Netherlands

Having lived here for a while, I’ve learned that a little preparation goes a long way!

• Make a shopping list early. Don’t wait until Thanksgiving week to start looking for specialty ingredients.
• Be flexible with brands. You might not find your usual American brand, but you can often find a suitable alternative.
• Don’t overlook the local markets. Amsterdam’s markets can be great for fresh vegetables, potatoes, fruit, and other ingredients.
• Ask your butcher about turkey orders. You may need to reserve a whole bird several weeks in advance.

And remember, you don’t have to make everything from scratch or recreate your family’s exact Thanksgiving menu. If you can get the turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie sorted, you’re already off to a pretty good start!

Where to Order a Prepared Turkey or Full Thanksgiving Dinner in Amsterdam

Maybe you’re happy to make the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, but the thought of preparing an entire turkey is a little overwhelming. Or perhaps you’re hosting Thanksgiving in a small Amsterdam apartment and simply don’t have room for it in your oven when you have so many sides!

Whatever your reason, you don’t have to explain it to me and you don’t have to make everything yourself. There are a few options for getting some help with your Thanksgiving meal.

Order a Prepared Turkey

If it’s the turkey holding you back, some butchers like Slagerij de Leeuw, will even cook it for you. Or have it delivered to you from Frank’s Smokehouse which are known for their delicious food.

Order a Prepared Thanksgiving Dinner

If cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal sounds like more work than fun, look for restaurants and caterers offering takeaway Thanksgiving dinners.

Some places offer complete meals that you can collect and enjoy at home, or even have it delivered. A few to look into: 

• Frank’s Smokehouse
• Hard Rock Cafe
• Slagerij de Leeuw

There’s also a website that allows you to pre-order full meals from great restaurants that are not on delivery apps. So, it might be worth looking into Sous.

Mix and Match: Let Someone Else Do Some of the Cooking!

You don’t necessarily have to order an entire Thanksgiving dinner to make things easier.

Another option is to buy a few prepared dishes and make the rest yourself. For example:

• Order a prepared turkey from a butcher.
• Buy your pumpkin or pecan pie from a bakery.
• Pick up cranberry sauce from an international grocery store.
• Make your own favorite sides.

This is probably my favorite approach for anyone who wants a homemade Thanksgiving without spending the entire day cooking. There are certain things I will always want at the table that I can’t get here, but I’m also not a fan of hanging out in the kitchen all day cooking and cleaning up while I’m doing it.

Where to Find Thanksgiving Desserts in Amsterdam

Let’s be honest: for some of us, Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without pie. Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie… I’ll happily make room for all three.

The tricky part is that these aren’t common desserts in the Netherlands. But there are a few ways to get your Thanksgiving dessert fix.

Order a Thanksgiving Pie & Other Desserts

If you’d rather leave the baking to someone else, look for American-style bakeries and specialty cake shops in Amsterdam. Some may offer seasonal pumpkin, pecan, or apple pies around Thanksgiving, but it’s worth checking their social media and ordering ahead rather than assuming they’ll have them available. The desserts may not be exactly what you are expecting, but I think that’s part of the experience of living abroad. Maybe you get a pumpkin cheesecake instead of pumpkin pie, or a Dutch appeltaart instead of apple pie. I love the mish-mash of cultures for holidays.

Some places to check for seasonal desserts:

PieCraft Bakery offers a classic pumpkin pie for delivery.

Brittons Bakery offers a selection of pies to pre-order and pick up closer to Thanksgiving.

American Baking Company offers a non-traditional Caramel Apple Walnut Cheesecake that sounds divine. But also, meets your Thanksgiving needs with Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Pie.

Cheesecake Project has the best cheesecake and they offer seasonal flavors so you might find one that fits whatever you’re feeling for Thanksgiving.

Sea Salt & Chocolate has my favorite cake in the world, Salted Caramel & Chocolate Cake, but they also have seasonal flavors in cakes and cheesecakes.

And remember, Thanksgiving dessert doesn’t have to be a perfect recreation of the meal you grew up with. If you can get your hands on a good pie, fantastic. If not, a table full of delicious treats is still a pretty excellent way to end dinner because it’s the company around the table that’s most important!

Thanksgiving in Amsterdam: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thanksgiving celebrated in the Netherlands?

No, Thanksgiving isn’t a Dutch public holiday or a traditional Dutch celebration. It’s primarily celebrated in the United States and Canada, although American expats and international communities in the Netherlands often organize their own dinners and gatherings.

Is Amsterdam open on Thanksgiving Day?

While Amsterdam isn’t an attraction itself, I get what you mean, and yes! Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, and it’s a regular working day in the Netherlands. Shops, restaurants, museums, and attractions operate as usual, although it’s always worth checking individual opening hours before you visit.

Can you get turkey in Amsterdam?

Yep! You can find turkey in the Netherlands, particularly through butchers. However, finding a large whole turkey may take a little more planning than it would in the US. Contact a butcher ahead of time to ask about ordering one.

Where can I have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in Amsterdam?

Some Amsterdam restaurants, caterers, and expat groups organize special Thanksgiving dinners. These offerings change every year, so check current menus and event listings in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Book early if you find something you like!

Where can I buy American Thanksgiving ingredients in Amsterdam?

American specialty shops such as Kelly’s Expat Shopping and Tijn’s Toko are a good place to start for harder-to-find ingredients. Larger Dutch supermarkets also carry many of the basics, including sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cranberries, and baking ingredients. Some items, like canned pumpkin puree and boxed stuffing mix, may require a little more searching.

Can I find pumpkin pie in Amsterdam?

Yep! You should be able to order pumpkin pie from an American-style bakery or specialty cake shop around Thanksgiving, but don’t assume it will be available without ordering ahead. You can also make your own using canned pumpkin puree or fresh pumpkin.

Do Dutch people celebrate Thanksgiving?

Generally, no. Thanksgiving isn’t part of the traditional Dutch holiday calendar. However, some Dutch people celebrate with American friends, partners, or family members, and international communities sometimes organize Thanksgiving events.

Is Thanksgiving a good time to visit Amsterdam?

Well… November weather can be a bit temperamental in Amsterdam. But, if you enjoy museums, cozy cafés, and exploring without the busiest summer crowds, then, yes!. 

When is Thanksgiving in 2026?

Thanksgiving in the United States falls on the fourth Thursday of November. In 2026, Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 26.

Can I celebrate Thanksgiving on a different day?

Of course! Since Thanksgiving isn’t a public holiday in the Netherlands, many people celebrate on the weekend instead. A Saturday or Sunday dinner can be much easier for shopping, cooking, and getting friends together. And some restaurants offer their Thanksgiving specials a few days after the official holiday.