Grocery Shopping in the Netherlands: What to Buy and Bring Home
- Inbal Tur-Shalom ענבל טור-שלום
- Aug 14, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 1
When traveling abroad, I always make it a point to step into a local supermarket. As I wrote in my post on Dutch Food & Dining in Amsterdam: A Culinary Guide with Restaurant Tips, “Food is one of the most authentic ways to experience a country”—and there’s no better way to experience it than by browsing the aisles where locals shop.
Shopping in a Dutch supermarket is more than just picking up snacks; it’s an immersion into daily life. And when you bring some of these flavors home, you extend your journey long after your flight lands. Below, I’ve gathered my personal recommendations of what to buy at Dutch supermarkets—items that make great souvenirs, gifts, or simply delightful treats for your own table.
Dutch Cheese 🧀
No visit to the Netherlands is complete without tasting Dutch cheese. Known for its wide
variety of hard cheeses, you’ll find them in different ages:
Young cheese (Jong) – mild, soft and smooth.
Mature cheese (Belegen) – firmer, with more flavor.
Extra mature (Extra Belegen) – sharp, nutty, complex.
Aged (Oud) – crumbly, intense, with crystalized bits that pop in your mouth.
Traditional varieties are made with cow’s milk and flavored with cumin seeds or cloves, though goat and sheep milk cheeses, as well as creative blends with pesto, garlic-dill, or black pepper, are now common.
Tip: Supermarkets sell vacuum-packed cheese, which makes it easy to travel with.
Dutch Mustard
Pair your cheese with Dutch mustard (Zaanse mosterd), available smooth or with crushed seeds. Traditionally, locals dip young cheese cubes into spicy mustard, while aged cheese pairs beautifully with honey mustard or fruit preserves.
For something unique, try Dutch mustard soup—a surprisingly delicious traditional dish. (Read my post on mustard soup, including a recipe.)
Jams, Preserves & Marmalades
Aged cheese also shines when paired with fruit preserves. You’ll find brands like Hero, St. Dalfour, Bonne Maman, or Dutch supermarket house brands. Strawberry, berry, fig, and orange marmalades balance the cheese’s richness perfectly.
Tip: Buy a Dutch cheese slicer (kaasschaaf)—essential for cutting aged cheese thinly.
Packing tip: Mustard and jam jars must go in checked luggage. Wrap them securely in bags and clothes.
Rookworst (Dutch Smoked Sausage) 🌭
One of the heroes of Dutch cuisine, rookworst is a smoked sausage often served with pea soup (erwtensoep) or stamppot (mashed potatoes with greens). Traditionally made with pork, it’s also available in beef versions. It comes vacuum-sealed—perfect for travel.
Zuurkool (Sauerkraut)
Sold in ready-to-heat packets, Dutch sauerkraut pairs wonderfully with rookworst and mashed potatoes. Look for variations with wine or herbs. A true taste of Dutch winter.
Smoked Salmon
Supermarkets stock high-quality smoked salmon, vacuum-packed and ready to enjoy. Ideal if you’re staying in an apartment with a fridge—or to take home in your checked luggage.
Stroopwafels 🍯
The ultimate Dutch sweet treat: thin waffles with a gooey caramel syrup center. Buy them fresh at a market for the authentic experience, but packaged versions make wonderful gifts. Warm them on top of your tea or coffee cup for a soft, melty indulgence.
Tony’s Chocolonely 🍫
Amsterdam-based Tony’s Chocolonely is famous not just for delicious, chunky chocolate bars, but also for its mission to fight modern slavery in cocoa production. Try the cult favorite: milk chocolate with caramel and sea salt (orange wrapper).
Hagelslag (Chocolate Sprinkles)
A Dutch childhood staple—and guilty pleasure for adults! Sprinkled over buttered bread, hagelslag comes in milk, dark, white or mixed chocolate. Look for the brand De Ruijter.
Tea
Dutch supermarkets stock teas from Twinings, Lipton, other brands as well as supermarket house brands. You’ll find fruit teas, herbal teas, and seasonal blends (warming winter teas or fresh fruity summer teas).
Packing tip: Transfer teabags into a zip-lock bag to save space.
Dutch Supermarket Chains 🛒
Albert Heijn (AH): The largest, oldest, and most premium supermarket chain. One of the biggest branches is just behind Dam Square.
Dirk: Quality products at lower prices; also near Dam Square.
Jumbo: Excellent quality and selection, with branches slightly outside the city center.
Budget options: German chains Lidl and Aldi.
Practical tips:
Dutch supermarkets rarely have public restrooms.
Some registers are card-only (contactless, phone, or smart watch payments accepted). Make sure you know your PIN code.
To find the nearest supermarket, just type “supermarket Amsterdam” into Google Maps.
Final Thoughts
Visiting a supermarket in the Netherlands is a cultural experience on its own. You’ll discover flavors that locals love, learn about Dutch traditions, and return home with souvenirs that keep your trip alive long after it ends.
Want to taste the best Dutch street food? — join me for a private food and culture tour in Amsterdam, where I’ll show you how to taste the Netherlands like a local.
🧭 Ready to explore Amsterdam? Discover my unique tours now!
🧳 Planning a trip to the Netherlands? Let’s plan your perfect vacation!
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