Potatoes, stews and zuurkool: winter season specialities in Amsterdam

Game

Winter is all about game dishes in Amsterdam, and there are numerous ways to enjoy this rich, savoury tradition. Game meats bring depth and richness to winter dishes, and Amsterdam’s chefs know how to make the most of these seasonal delights.

• Eat local - Pop-up Predetarier Wild & Deli serves game meats in sandwich form, a nod to Dutch street food culture with a gourmet twist. Their hearty combinations of wild boar, venison, and other game offerings are perfect for a quick and warming winter bite. You can also buy your local meat here.
• Fine dining - For a refined culinary experience, Restaurant Wilde Zwijnen and Restaurant DenC offer dedicated game menus during the colder months. In particular, Wilde Zwijnen (Wild Boars) emphasises locally sourced and sustainable game, often featuring dishes like slow-cooked wild duck or venison stew paired with earthy vegetables.

• Buying local - Home chefs can source their game meats from Wild van Wild, a local producer in Amsterdam that offers everything from tender venison to succulent wild boar. Whether you’re preparing a holiday feast or simply looking to experiment, their products are an excellent place to start.

Zuurkool

Fermented foods are a classic winter staple, and the Dutch are especially big on sauerkraut. Or, as the locals call it, zuurkool, translating as 'sour cabbage'. Its tangy, fermented flavour is a perfect counterpoint to hearty meats and potatoes.

• Local restaurants - Even though zuurkool is the type of food people will eat at home, some restaurants have a more culinary, creative way to incorporate this winter staple in their dishes. At Restaurant Elixer in Zuidoost, you can sample sauerkraut in imaginative forms. This community-driven spot combines creativity with a commitment to sustainability. For a classic Dutch winter experience, De Blauwe Hollander offers traditional zuurkool stamppot – mashed potatoes mixed with sauerkraut and often served with smoked sausage or pork belly. Meanwhile, Restaurant Carstens elevates sauerkraut by incorporating it into fine-dining dishes that balance acidity with complexity, showing that even a humble ingredient can be gourmet.

• Make it yourself - For those inspired to make their own sauerkraut, Eigen Krachtvoer runs hands-on workshops where participants learn about fermentation and take home their own jar of homemade sauerkraut.

• Delis - Prefer ready-made options? Thulls Deli offers freshly made zuurkool and various other fermented foods. You can also buy them at SauerCrowd, a local producer. These products have earned a loyal following thanks to their vibrant, tangy profiles and commitment to sustainable practices, which are perfect for adding a probiotic boost to winter meals!

Potatoes

Few ingredients are as versatile and beloved in Dutch cuisine as potatoes. Amsterdam offers countless ways to enjoy this humble produce in every shape and form, from comforting street food to high-end gastronomy.

• Best fries - Probably the easiest way to eat potatoes in Amsterdam is by going for fries. Especially in the city centre, there seems to be a place on every corner. But if you’re searching for the city’s best fries, you can’t miss Vleminckx Sausmeesters, as they’ve been making fries for 67 years already. Their hand-cut, perfectly crispy fries topped with sauces of your choice have earned a legendary status among locals and visitors alike.

• Mashed up - For a more traditional Dutch winter dish, try stamppot, which combines mashed potatoes with vegetables like kale or carrots. It’s hearty, nostalgic, and often paired with smoked sausage. Visit eateries like Moeders for authentic, homemade-style stamppot that feels like a warm hug on a cold day.
• Going gourmet - Riot Restobar is where potatoes meet culinary innovation. Here, chefs create gourmet potato dishes with unexpected flavours, such as truffle-infused potato gratin or crispy potato skins topped with luxurious toppings. In Nieuw-West, you’ll find inventive takes on loaded potatoes, comfort food with endless customisation options.

• Stare at them - If you’re going for the complete potato experience, visit the Van Gogh Museum. The museum offers a unique take on the humble potato, and it’s the ultimate proof that the Dutch have always been obsessed with this winter staple. Go see the famous painting De Aardappeleters (“The Potato Eaters”), a portrayal of rural life in the 19th century that honours the simplicity and necessity of this root vegetable in Dutch culture.