Where to find the best American food in the Netherlands

As an American living in the Netherlands for a couple of years, I’ve been missing American food a lot.  More of a passion project than a real project, I’ve been compiling my favorite places to buy American food in the Netherlands to help other American expats living in the Netherlands satisfy their cravings.

I’ve been living in Amsterdam and the Hague, so I’ve done my best to include other places, however, please let me know if you have any other favorites for me to add to this list! 

I’ve opted not to make a category for American-style brunch as this is becoming more and more popular in the Netherlands. I will say that I am a fan of Kaafi in the Hague, which is run by an American entrepreneur. I also like Ted’s in Utrecht and the Hague.

American candy and snacks

American candy is significantly easier to find than any other food item in the Netherlands.  The Dutch candy chain Jamin is a good source of American candies although you can find some American candies at Jumbo.  (I’ve been able to find Reese’s at Jumbo in the Hague!) I typically hold out for Kelly’s in The Hague.

There’s a company in Dordrecht called Allenbrand’s Gourmet Popcorn that is making delicious American-style popcorn. It’s American owned if you’re missing that sweet taste of home.

American pies, cakes, and sweets in the Netherlands

For Amsterdam, consider heading to De Drie Graefjes for high tea or some sweets at this American bakery in Amsterdam.  Otherwise, check out Amsterdam Cupcake Company for American-style cakes and cupcakes in Amsterdam.

Although both are not run by Americans anymore, they might be enough to satisfy your craving if you don’t have the opportunity to get to The Hague or Rotterdam, where you’ll find more authentic options.

The Hague is heaven for American expats in the Netherlands.  We have a lot of options for finding American-style cakes and sweets made by talented American chefs.

I can recommend American Baking Company, which is run by a Texan expat and his Dutch spouse, for their authentic pies and cakes.  They even have pecan pie y’all!  It almost made my husband cry. You must order in advance, so be sure to call them at least 2 days ahead. 

There’s a vegan-friendly bakery called Alice in Cakeland in Rotterdam that serves up delicious American-style sweets! Elsa, the owner, is from Texas, and many of her sweets are vegan-friendly.

American groceries in the Netherlands

If you’re desperate for something harder an ingredient harder to find here, USgroceries.NL, USgroceries.EU, Kelly’s Expat Shop are worth checking out. All deliver directly to you after you order online.  For in-person shopping for American groceries in Amsterdam, I recommend Tjin’s Toko in De Pijp for a nice assortment of American foods.

I recommend visiting Kelly’s Expat Shop in the Hague or Wassenaar for the best American grocery store in the Netherlands.  A readers’ tip: Amazing Oriental in Duivendrecht has a good supply of American groceries.

For some items, you can go to the Albert Heijn XL near you for better assortment than the normal Albert Heijn.  I struggled to find certain ingredients, but the XL shop solved most of my issues with baking in the Netherlands.

You can find Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at almost every Albert Heijn!  Another find at Albert Heijn: Frank’s Buffalo Hot Sauce for making authentic Buffalo wings (If you can’t make it to Buffalo, New York.)  You can find turkey bacon in the Albert Heijn XL in the halal section.

American bagels in the Netherlands

It’s been tough finding good bagels in the Netherlands.  As a New Yorker, I’m very picky about my bagels.  I’ve gotten so picky that I’ve started baking my own. You can check out my latest adventure over at Netherlands Bagels. I’m based in Zuid Holland, so you can find my New York-style bagels in the Hague and Rotterdam.

I’m very biased here, but I’m not in Amsterdam and I really love Tony’s New York City Bagels in Amsterdam.  Although run by Dutchies, their bagels are surprisingly tasty. In Leiden, BetterBagels is tasty.

American food chains in the Netherlands

I can’t keep this 100% updated as the chains move quite fast in opening up new restaurants, but at the time of writing, Taco Bell, Domino’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, and Five Guys are operating in the Netherlands.

I really dislike Taco Bell, however, I know that it’s Kryptonite for many Americans living in the Netherlands.  You’ll find Domino’s and Pizza Hut easily all over the Netherlands in the major cities.

Baskin-Robbins has just opened a shop in Utrecht if you miss their ice cream (I don’t). Similarly, Dunkin Donuts has recently started expanding all over the Netherlands.  Cinnabon has started to dominate the Netherlands after opening locations outside of Rotterdam and Amsterdam

Five Guys, a D.C. burger chain that is a favorite of mine, has recently come to the Netherlands.  They have branches currently in Utrecht and the Hague.  Free refills and pure Americana.

Mexican food in the Netherlands

There have been many debates about this in the various expat forums, however, KUA in Rotterdam is considered to the best Mexican restaurant in the Netherlands by Mexican-Americans living here. (Some people say the KUA in the Hague has authentic Mexican food, but apparently the one in Rotterdam is better.)

The newest Mexican place in the Hague that is supposed to be really good is Ruiseñor.  Expect high-quality ingredients, experimental Mexican food, and upscale dining experience. You’ll pay for the privilege and make a reservation if you intend to go…

For home cooks DIYing their own Mexican food, La Doña in Rotterdam is considered to be best Mexican supermarket in the Netherlands although DeliMexico.com is another good option. I’ve heard that Mis Amores in Eindhoven is good!

For hot sauce, I recommend El Jefe, a locally made hot sauce that is really good.  You can now find it at some Albert Heijn supermarkets as well as other specialty stores (including Marqt).

For quick Tex-Mex to-go, I personally like Salsa Shop, an affordable Dutch burrito chain that reminds me Chipotle. Their salsas are decent and you can find their locations all around Amsterdam (the first location is next to the Heineken Experience).  They have branches in in the Hague, Utrecht, and Leiden. It’s not entirely the same, but it’s good enough for a burrito craving.

Thanksgiving & American turkey in the Netherlands

Having spent every Thanksgiving in the Netherlands since I moved here, I’ve been looking for different options for finding American-style turkey in the Netherlands.

The first year, I ended up buying a pre-made turkey in Amstelveen (outside of Amsterdam) for around 50 euros.   You can buy a cooked turkey in Amstelveen (outside of Amsterdam) at Slagerij G. Stronkhorst on Amsterdamseweg or Traiteur Wagenaar Poelier en Wildhandel on Lindenlaan.  We got ours at Stronkhorst and it was delicious!  In Amsterdam, you can also order Turkey from the Andaz, Hergo, or the Marriott.  A readers’ tip: You can also get a cooked and dressed turkey at Slagerij de Leeuw in Amsterdam.

The best way to get your Thanksgiving Turkey in the Netherlands? Make it yourself. We ended up going to our local butcher to request a turkey that was cleaned out with the giblets placed in a tidy bag inside.  I ordered the turkey about one week in advance specifying the weight.

Beyond that, you can simply ask your neighborhood butcher whether the turkey is free-range or organic (it will be extra).  Most butchers don’t stock an entire turkey without it being pre-ordered, so be sure to plan ahead.

For up to six people, you’ll want 3kg although 5kg is enough for 10-12 people (with leftovers). It was far cheaper than ordering it premade and baking the turkey was surprisingly easy.

I followed this recipe for making the turkey although we had to buy a thermometer from Blokker.   We followed this recipe for the stuffing and it turned out incredibly.  We ended up spending less than the fifty including all the ingredients for the turkey (meant for 10+ people), sides, and apple pie from a local shop.

I definitely recommend DIYing yourself and inviting friends over to enjoy Thanksgiving potluck style.  Jacob’s mother helped us with the cranberry sauce a few days beforehand, which she made using something similar to this recipe.  We made vegan gravy using a similar recipe to this one.    Much of it will keep, so it’s best to prepare most of it beforehand and to ensure that your bread is ready for the stuffing.

A lot of American side dishes are very easy to make here, besides cornbread, so you can expect to easily make corn, sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole if you’re into that.  Kelly’s carries everything that you need for pumpkin pie!

Other American style foods in the Netherlands

American-style Chinese food in the Netherlands

A lot of people miss American-style Chinese food in the Netherlands. I grew up in New York, so although I definitely ate standard American-style Chinese food, I also had the good stuff from Flushing.

For authentic Dim Sum in the Netherlands, I recommend Full Moon City in the Hague for authentic Dim Sum.  I’ve been here a number of times and the dim sum is just like home–and the menu is quite large.

If you know another favorite place for American food in the Netherlands, please let me know! I’m happy to update this list as I found it very difficult to find authentic food after moving here!