No visit to the Dutch capital would be complete without savoring every Amsterdammer’s favorite bar snack: bitterballen. Thankfully, you needn’t look very hard to find the best bitterballen in Amsterdam. These golden-brown orbs of deep-fried delight can be found almost anywhere. Most Amsterdam restaurants, bars, and cafés serve at least one variety.
But where to find the best bitterballen, you ask? Read along as we dive into all things bitterballen in Amsterdam, discover the surprisingly posh roots of this beloved Dutch delicacy, and find out where to sample the city’s best. From its history, to the 12 places you must visit, we have created the perfect guides to all things bitterballen.
What are bitterballen?
Simply put, bitterballen are bite-sized croquettes. They are small balls of sweet or savory filling that are coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until they are golden and delicious, with a crispy outside and a soft, gooey inside.
Classic savory bitterballen consist of a thick, creamy roux-based filling made from slow-cooked beef, veal, or shrimp, delicately spiced with nutmeg, parsley, and pepper and served with mustard.
The not-so-humble history of bitterballen
Adored by Amsterdammers of every ilk today, the origins of this popular snack can be traced back to François Massialot (1660-1733), a famous French chef de cuisine, who served croquettes at the court of Louis XIV, and later published a recipe for them in his cookbook. This cookbook was extremely popular in the Netherlands at the time.
A later Dutch cookbook by the chef to King Willem I of the Netherlands also includes a recipe for croquettes. Once considered an aristocratic appetizer, nowadays, just a few centuries later, croquettes have become affordable street food for the masses, even available from vending machine walls, for just a few coins.
Meanwhile, miniature versions had crept into Amsterdam’s bars and (eet)cafés as a convenient bite-sized snack to serve with beer and bitters (herb-flavored liquors), hence the name bitterballen.
How to tell good bitterballen from bad
Not all restaurants, bars, and cafés in Amsterdam make their own bitterballen, and there’s nothing wrong with that (local specialists deliver to the hospitality industry). When you’re ordering bitterballen in Amsterdam, look out for the trusted patisserie brand names Holtkamp and Van Dobben–they are the undisputed best.
If the bitterballen you’ve ordered are housemade, the ragout should be glossy and pull away from the breading ever so slightly. They should always be served piping hot, fresh out of the fryer, preferably with deep-fried parsley, and mustard. Do feel free to send them back if any are burst open–this is an absolute no-no!
Where to eat bitterballen in Amsterdam
While you can savor the authentic taste of bitterballen at plenty of places throughout the city, we have selected the 12 best spots to enjoy this Dutch delicacy and its deep-fried cousins across Amsterdam. There are, arguably, no better bitterballen in Amsterdam than in these places, so make sure to write them down and visit them along your trip.
De BallenBar
Located in the Foodhallen, Amsterdam’s bustling indoor food hall in a former tram depot, this specialist food stand offers seven types of bitterballen “with a culinary twist”, ranging from traditional (vegan) beef to bouillabaisse, tom kha gai, goat’s cheese, truffle and more.
Food markets are definitely a thing in Amsterdam, so definitely enjoy the vibes and pay attention to what locals do when visiting these places filled with delights.
Café Luxembourg
Once called “one of the world’s great cafés” by the New York Times, this classic grand café is a good place to watch the world go by while sampling three varieties of its prize-winning bitterballen: beef stew, shrimp or Dutch cheese. Café Luxembourg is definitely a place to visit and enjoy.
Eetsalon van Dobben
Around since 1945, this iconic snack bar (Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat, 5-7-9) is the place to go for traditional Dutch snacks that have stood the test of time, including the ultimate broodje kroket, a crispy veal croquette with mustard on a fluffy white bun.
They also do a fair trade in bittergarnituur, platters of deep-fried delights (including bitterballen, of course!). Remember, this is one of the brands to keep in mind at other bars, as they distribute their delicious bitterballen around the city, as well.
Proeflokaal A. van Wees
If you haven’t already put this historical tasting room (Herengracht, 319) on your list for liqueur and jenever tastings, do stop by for the moreish bitterballen. Available in flavors such as wild boar, black tiger prawns, classic beef, and vegan mushroom-eggplant.
You won’t regret visiting Proeflokaal A. van Wees and tasting anything and everything you taste there, trust us. The only problem could be: can you try all flavors?
Café-Restaurant Amsterdam
This 19th-century industrial monument (Watertorenplein, 6) once harnessed drinking water from the coastal dunes. Now, the Café-Restaurant Amsterdam is a beloved West-side hub for brasserie classics, delivering a steady flow of dishes like steak frites, fruits de mer, and bitterballen to its dedicated patrons of all ages.
Bitterballen Amsterdam
Tucked away on the edge of the Jordaan, Bitterballen Amsterdam (Buiten Brouwersstraat, 19H) is a charming bistro that pairs three types of bitterballen (beef, veal, or vegan) with bubbly and local craft beers. It is certainly worth a visit to enjoy the traditional flavors in an authentic way.
Vegan Junk Food Bar
This zany award-winning vegan specialist offers three varieties of so-called “betterballs”, filled with what they call classic “juicy beeef”, crunchy “mac & cheeze,” and “pnut Thai chik’n,” at various locations in Centrum, Oud-West, and De Pijp. Check their website for more information about these great vegan bitterballen alternatives.
Cannibale Royale
Head to this meat specialist for beefy bitterballen that are both delicious and sustainable. You’ll find outposts of this popular chain in De Pijp, Zuid, Centrum, Jordaan, and Noord.
Cannibale Royale is a brasserie extraordinaire, so if you’re hungry for more than bitterballen, it might be a good time to try their main dishes after your snacks. But keep in mind that there are more bitterballen places to visit in Amsterdam.
Café George W.P.A.
This cozy French-style café (Willemsparkweg ,74) has that certain je ne sais quoi that draws in a well-heeled crowd of Zuid locals.
It’s the perfect place for people-watching after a visit to one of the nearby museums, while enjoying a crisp glass of Provençal rosé with bitterballen, olives, and oysters.
Kantjil & De Tijger
Amsterdammers feel the same way about Indonesian food in Amsterdam that Londoners do about Indian, and Texans about Mexican. For over a quarter of a century, this stalwart of the Centrum dining scene (Spuistraat 291-293) has been turning out traditional rice tables, but they also offer two types of Indonesia-inspired bitterballen: rendang (coconutty beef stew) and ajam rita (spicy chicken). It is definitely a must-try for the bitterballen connoisseur. Kantjil & De Tijger won’t leave you indifferent.
Café-Restaurant Hesp
Watch the sunlight dancing off the River Amstel at this century-old East-side bruin café (Weesperzijde, 130), where a large waterside terrace offers plenty of room to breathe. There’s a decent beer and wine list and reliably good beef or veggie bitterballen. Café-Restaurant Hesp is a great place for a sunny summer day in Amsterdam, but also to enjoy any day you want to be near the river.
Café Noorderlicht
This unique urban beach bar-restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere and stunning views of the IJ River from the Noord-side. Café Noorderlicht offers, in addition to a diverse veg-led menu, delicious beer bitterballen. An interesting experience to close off this list of the best bitterballen in Amsterdam.
If bitterballen have opened your appetite for Dutch food and you’re curious about learning more, make sure to check out our Ultimate Amsterdam Food and History Tour, where you’ll demystify Dutch cuisine and learn about its many dishes, including bitterballen and jenever, while exploring three of Amsterdam’s most historic and picturesque neighborhoods. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy over 10 different tastes from authentic family-run businesses in the city. Let Dutch cuisine surprise and delight you.