From my experience after moving here, the Dutch have three types of restaurants.
1. Cheap snack food hole in the walls that sometimes sell pizza too. Döner/kebab/fries etc. These are family owned and operated and generally just hanging on by a thread financially and it shows.
2. Slightly upscale bistros that are only open for lunch-5pm or dinner-10pm. The prices are such that they can support wait staff and skilled cooks but fall short of fine dining. Popular with middle class folks for a date night. Expect nicer serviceware and to spend €100 for two people after 1 drink each and dessert.
3. Fine dining with all the bells and whistles.
As a tourist, you often get lured into #2. If you’re coming from the US, it can seem quite fancy when you compare it to chains like Chilis and Olive Garden but the trends become very easy to spot after you see it enough times.
But what’s nice about #2 is that the staff do actually somewhat give a shit about their jobs and make an effort to provide an atmosphere that is inviting (gezelligheid). This also extends to the food which is artfully plated, even if the ingredients aren’t anything special.
1. Cheap snack food hole in the walls that sometimes sell pizza too. Döner/kebab/fries etc. These are family owned and operated and generally just hanging on by a thread financially and it shows.
2. Slightly upscale bistros that are only open for lunch-5pm or dinner-10pm. The prices are such that they can support wait staff and skilled cooks but fall short of fine dining. Popular with middle class folks for a date night. Expect nicer serviceware and to spend €100 for two people after 1 drink each and dessert.
3. Fine dining with all the bells and whistles.
As a tourist, you often get lured into #2. If you’re coming from the US, it can seem quite fancy when you compare it to chains like Chilis and Olive Garden but the trends become very easy to spot after you see it enough times.
But what’s nice about #2 is that the staff do actually somewhat give a shit about their jobs and make an effort to provide an atmosphere that is inviting (gezelligheid). This also extends to the food which is artfully plated, even if the ingredients aren’t anything special.
Enjoy your trip!