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Bitterballen are a peculiar type of Dutch meatball, generally eaten to soak up large quantities of beer. These crispy, fried delicacies traditionally contain molten beef and a savory white sauce that mixes together to form a delicious, creamy roux. The Dutch have a long love affair with these spherical delights and Amsterdam is no stranger to their meaty charms.

Winkel 43

Winkel 43 specializes in warming Dutch delicacies and is renowned for its hearty winter grub. Its snack menu revolves around tasty fried morsels and includes a large platter of crispy bitterballen. While at Winkel 43, its worth checking out their dessert menu as the restaurant’s apple pie is beyond amazing.

📍 Winkel 43, Noordermarkt 43, Amsterdam +31 20 623 0223

Winkel 43’s apple pie

Eetsalon van Dobben

This classy snack bar adds a pinch of panache to Dutch street food. Like other similar establishments, most of Eetsalon van Dobben’s food comes straight from the deep-fat frier and is coated in a thick brown batter. Their bitterballen are absolutely delicious and can be ordered alongside other crispy treats or a portion of french fries.

📍Eetsalon van Dobben,Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5-7-9, Amsterdam +31 20 624 4200

http://instagram.com/p/BImqGzqB5iI/?taken-at=1613007&hl=en

De Ballenbar

De Ballenbar is helmed by a Michelin star chef and its kitchen cooks up a wide variety of artisan bitterballen. The restaurant has honed this Dutch classic to perfection and infuses their creations with international flavors. Chorizo, veal and saté meatballs are all available from de Ballenbar’s stand at de Foodhallen and its team regularly sets up stalls at local food events.

📍 De Foodhallen, Hannie Dankbaarpassage, Amsterdam +31 57 551 0005

http://instagram.com/p/6E_bCThZUc/?taken-by=deballenbar&hl=en

FEBO

Amsterdam has several unconventionally designed cafés that use enormous vending machines to serve food. The chain FEBO is probably the most famous of this type and its stores can be found throughout the city. Customers at FEBO are presented with a vast wall of food enclosed behind glass plates. After receiving a handful of change this strange contraction opens its doors presenting a plate of fried snacks.

📍 Over 22 cafés around Amsterdam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxVzlRgIHlA

Café-Restaurant Plantage

Café-Restaurant Plantage is actually part of Amsterdam’s Artis Zoo and its terraces lead onto a large pavilion that overlooks the institute’s flamingo paddock. The café resembles an enormous conservatory and is based around an ancient tree that towers over its main indoor seating area. Like most Dutch eateries, Café-Restaurant Plantage’s menu features several borrel hapjes– small hors d’oeuvres that are traditionally enjoyed with a beer, and bitterballen are among their specialties.

📍 Café-Restaurant Plantage, Plantage Kerklaan 36, Amsterdam +31 20 760 6800

Café-Restaurant Plantage’s bar

Café de Tuin

This typical Dutch brown café attracts huge scores of locals everyday and is one of the most beloved watering holes in Amsterdam’s de Jordaan district. Like other traditional Dutch pubs Café de Tuin keeps its food menu simple and stocks a large supply of lager, ale and IPA. Its kitchen cooks bitterballen from 16.30- 22.00 and presents these tasty treats with a side of spicy french mustard.

📍Café de Tuin, Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 13, Amsterdam +31 20 624 4559

http://instagram.com/p/BD-7PupQZ6X/?taken-at=2542648&hl=en

About the author

Tom Coggins writes about culture and travel. He'd really like to own a dog someday.

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