Did you know that herring isn’t typically served in restaurants in the Netherlands? This often surprises travelers who aren’t sure where to find it. In fact, herring is a popular street food here, and these are the best spots to try it in the center of Amsterdam.
Check out our list of things to do in Amsterdam and our 2-day itinerary for first-time visitors.
Best places to eat herring in Amsterdam
Please note that opening hours can be subject to change
Frens Haringhandel
The fish stall on the Singel 470/ Koningsplein (next to the Flower Market). Open: Monday, Wednesday–Sunday 11:00–17:00. Closed Tuesday.
Jonk Volendammer Haringhandel
Spui 7a (neat Kalverstraat, Amsterdam’s most famous shopping street, at the corner of the Waterstones book store). Besides herring cut fresh daily, this stall also sells shrimp, mackerel, smoked salmon, and fried cod.
Open: Daily 10:00–17:30 (Sunday 10:30–17:15).
Stubbe Haring
Singel 8n, 1013 GA (on the Singel canal, not far from Amsterdam Centraal station).
Open: Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–18:00. Closed Sunday and Monday.
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Haring & Zo
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 200 (behind the Royal Palace). A small stand right in the historic centre, known for freshly cut herring and quick service – good for a fast bite between Dam Square and the shopping streets. Eel and smoked salmon sandwiches are also on the menu if you want to branch out.
Open: Tuesday–Saturday 09:30–18:30. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Amsterdamsche Vischhandel
Zeedijk 129, 1012 AW Amsterdam. This area, the Amsterdam Chinatown, is one of my favourire places in Amsterdam. This tiny fish shop has been run by the same family since 1938 and is well known among locals for consistent quality and fish cut fresh to order – a proper neighbourhood spot rather than a tourist-facing stand.
Open: Tuesday–Friday 09:00–17:30, Saturday 09:00–17:00. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Simon en Simon Vishuisje Prinsengracht
Utrechtsestraat 117A, 1017 JG Amsterdam. A little herring stand right on the bridge over the Prinsengracht, run by a father-and-son team. It’s popular with both tourists and locals, who rate it as one of the better broodje haring spots.
Open: Tuesday–Saturday 10:15–16:00. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Albert Cuyp market
And of course you can eat fish at Albert Cuyp market (Albert Cuypstraat 101, 1072 VV Amsterdam), the largest and most popular street market in the Netherlands. The market is open daily from 09:30 to 17:00, except on Sundays.
What is Dutch herring?
Keep in mind that many street vendors close earlier than their official hours suggest. We recommend trying Dutch herring during the day rather than waiting until the evening.
Traditional Dutch herring is typically served in bite-sized pieces, accompanied by chopped onions and pickles. For a more filling option, you can enjoy it on a bread roll, known in Dutch as a broodje haring.
Prices for Dutch herring typically range from €3,50 to €5 per portion. Enjoy discovering this local favorite during your time in Amsterdam!
See them all on the map
All seven spots cluster fairly close together in the historic centre, so it’s easy to string a few together into a herring crawl if you’re feeling ambitious. Albert Cuyp Market sits a bit further south in De Pijp, and Simon en Simon is just south of the main cluster along the Prinsengracht – everything else is within easy walking distance of Centraal Station and the Flower Market.
FAQ: eating herring in Amsterdam
What does Dutch herring taste like?
It’s mild and slightly briny rather than “fishy,” with a soft, buttery texture. It’s traditionally served with chopped raw onions and pickles, which cut through the richness and give it a bit of a bite.
Is it safe to eat raw herring?
Yes. Dutch herring sold at stalls and shops is cured, not truly raw – it’s briefly frozen to kill parasites (a legal requirement) and lightly salted, which is what gives it its characteristic soft texture and mild flavour rather than a “sushi-grade raw fish” taste.
How much does herring cost in Amsterdam?
Expect to pay roughly €3.50–€5 for a plain portion, and slightly more for a broodje haring (herring in a bread roll). Prices are fairly consistent across the stalls on this list.
What is Hollandse Nieuwe, and when is herring season?
Hollandse Nieuwe (“Dutch New Herring”) is the first catch of the season, caught between May and July, when the fish is at its fattest and mildest. The season officially opens with a charity auction in mid-June, followed by the Vlaggetjesdag festival in Scheveningen – herring caught then is widely considered the best of the year, though stalls sell herring year-round.
How do you eat Dutch herring?
The traditional way is to hold it by the tail, tip your head back, and lower it into your mouth in a few bites – a bit of a local party trick for tourists. Most people (locals included) just eat it cut into pieces on a plate with a toothpick, or in a bread roll with onions and pickles.
Can you eat herring at a restaurant in Amsterdam?
Not usually – herring is almost exclusively street food in Amsterdam, sold from dedicated fish stalls and small shops rather than restaurant menus. That’s exactly why this list of stalls exists.
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