Food destinations within easy reach of Amsterdam. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.

Worth the trip

Haarlem ★ 4.5

15 min by trainDirect trains from Amsterdam Centraal every 10 minutes

Famous for: Saturday Grote Markt, Jopen brewery in the old church

Haarlem is a 15-minute train ride from Amsterdam, a smaller, quieter Dutch food day-trip: Grote Markt on Saturdays, Jopenkerk brewery in the converted church.

Haarlem

Edam (Cheese Market) ★ 4.4

30 min by bus 314Bus 314 from Amsterdam Centraal, every 30 minutes

Famous for: Wednesday morning cheese market in July and August, wheels weighed on the Kaaswaag scales

Edam runs an Amsterdam day-trip cheese market on Wednesday mornings in summer, traders weighing the wheels on the Kaaswaag scales since the 17th century.

Edam (Cheese Market)

Zaanse Schans (Windmills) ★ 4.2

20 min by trainDirect from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk-Zaanse Schans

Famous for: Cheese and clog demonstrations, working windmill cocoa and mustard production

Zaanse Schans is the working Amsterdam day-trip windmill village 20 minutes by train, the mills still grinding cocoa and mustard, cheese and clog demonstrations nearby.

Zaanse Schans (Windmills)

Volendam (Smoked Eel and Harbour) ★ 4.2

35 min by bus 316Bus 316 direct from Amsterdam Centraal

Famous for: Smoked eel sandwiches at the harbour, fresh kibbeling from the herring stalls

Volendam is the Amsterdam day-trip harbour village known for smoked eel, fresh kibbeling and pickled herring, the wooden houses around the IJsselmeer waterfront.

Volendam (Smoked Eel and Harbour)

Utrecht ★ 4.5

30 min by trainDirect intercity from Amsterdam Centraal every 10 minutes

Famous for: Canal-side wharf restaurants on Oudegracht, Sunday market

Utrecht is the Amsterdam day-trip Dutch second city, the Oudegracht wharf restaurants set below the canal's level, the Sunday market on Twijnstraat for produce.

Utrecht

Gouda (Cheese Town) ★ 4.3

50 min by trainDirect intercity from Amsterdam Centraal

Famous for: Thursday morning cheese market April to August, stroopwafels from the bakery on Markt

Gouda is the Amsterdam day-trip cheese-trade town an hour by intercity, the Thursday morning cheese market on Markt square running April through August.

Gouda (Cheese Town)

Food Day Trips in Amsterdam, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Amsterdam?

Peak food season in Amsterdam is year-round.

What time do people eat in Amsterdam?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Amsterdam?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Amsterdam?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Amsterdam rewards trust.

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