Restaurants and cafés in the Netherlands

There are fine restaurants, ordinary restaurants, international restaurants, street-food places (such as fries with mayonnaise at a frituur) and fast-food stands, and traditional neighbourhood pubs (bruin café) where beer and light meals such as bitterballen are served.

• On weekend evenings book a table in advance by phone or on sites such as TheFork, since popular restaurants fill up. Tell the restaurant the number of people and any needs, and try to arrive precisely on time.
• In cafés and small places you often choose your own table or ask Is hier nog plek?
• meaning is there space here, and wait for the waiter to bring the menu, and you are not expected to be led to a table except in smart restaurants.

A menukaart is usually served and drinks are ordered first.

• You can ask for tap water (kraanwater) which is clean and safe, and in some restaurants it is served free or at a symbolic price, while mineral water is paid for.
• Then you order the dishes.
• A full meal consists of a starter (voorgerecht), main course (hoofdgerecht) and dessert (nagerecht), and many are content with a main course.
• Bread with butter may be served at the table.
• The waiter sometimes comes without being called, and is called with a hand signal or a look without raising the voice.
• Dutch people like to have coffee with a piece of sweet pastry called gebak after lunch.
• In popular restaurants the day menus (dagmenu) vary at reasonable prices.

Halal restaurants are widespread in big cities, especially Turkish, Moroccan, Arab, Pakistani and Indonesian, and you find them on Google Maps or apps such as Zabihah.

• In ordinary restaurants ask the waiter Is dit vlees halal?
• meaning is this meat halal, and about alcohol in sauces, and say Ik eet geen varkensvlees meaning I do not eat pork.
• Most restaurants offer vegetarian alternatives, and vegetarian dishes are called vegetarisch and vegan.
• For those with allergies state it clearly, since European law obliges restaurants to inform about fourteen main allergens.
• At weddings and events you can ask politely in advance for special food.

When finished ask for the bill by saying De rekening, alstublieft or with a hand gesture as if writing in the air, since the waiter usually will not bring it on his own.

• He usually asks Samen of apart?
• meaning together or separately, and separate payment is very common and not embarrassing.
• The bill is paid by card at the table via a portable machine, and cash is only sometimes accepted.
• The tip (fooi) is not compulsory because prices include service, but about five to ten per cent is often given when you are satisfied or by rounding the amount up. There is no need to give much.
• Check that cards are accepted before sitting.
• And keep the receipt, and review the bill for items and prices.

When the meal begins Dutch people say Eet smakelijk meaning bon appétit, and raise glasses with Proost while looking the other in the eye.

• The fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right.
• Do not start eating before everyone.
• When invited to a home bring a small gift such as flowers, sweets or a bottle of juice, be punctual, and tell your host about your dietary restrictions beforehand, and they understand.
• The borrel is organised, a short evening gathering to drink and eat light snacks, and is a common social occasion at work and in neighbourhoods, and you can drink juice or tea.
• And the verjaardagsfeestje is held, a birthday party where those present sit in a circle and everyone is congratulated with Gefeliciteerd.

How do you ask for the bill?