First things first: finding a table
Congratulations! You’ve finally made it to the Netherlands and are ready to take on Dutch culture, starting with ordering in a Dutch restaurant or cafe. But before you can do that, you need to find a table. If you see a table with no reserved sign, just take a seat! Dutch people love to share tables, so don’t be surprised if someone else sits with you.
The menu
Now that you have a table, it’s time to look at the menu. Dutch menus are usually in Dutch, but don’t worry, most places have an English menu as well. You can ask for an English menu by saying “Mag ik de Engelse menukaart, alsjeblieft?” which means “Can I have the English menu, please?”.
Ordering food in a Dutch restaurant
When you’re ready to order food in a Dutch restaurant, make sure to get the attention of the server by saying “Excuse me” or “Pardon”. Then, you can start your order by saying “Ik wil graag” which means “I would like”. For example, “Ik wil graag een bitterballen, alsjeblieft” means “I would like a bitterballen, please”. Bitterballen are a Dutch specialty, so don’t forget to try them!
Ordering drinks
Drinks are just as important as food in the Netherlands. If you want to order a drink, simply say “Ik wil graag een [drink], alsjeblieft” which means “I would like a [drink], please”. For example, “Ik wil graag een biertje, alsjeblieft” means “I would like a beer, please”. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a local beer like Heineken or Grolsch.
Paying the bill
When you’re finished with your meal, you can ask for the bill by saying “De rekening, alsjeblieft” which means “The bill, please”. Dutch people usually split the bill, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked to pay only for what you ordered. If you want to pay together, just say “We willen graag samen betalen” which means “We want to pay together”.
Congratulations! You now know how to order food and drinks in a Dutch restaurant or cafe like a local. If you want to learn more about Dutch culture and language, LS Institute offers Dutch classes for expats in the Netherlands. Check out our Dutch courses page for more information.