Netherlands · month by month
Amsterdam food calendar
What is in season in Amsterdam, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Amsterdam
A hard monthThe best of January: Stamppot and erwtensoep.
In season
- Stamppot and erwtensoep
Mashed potato stews and thick pea soup in the cold months.
Nov–Feb
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Amsterdam
A hard monthThe best of February: Stamppot and erwtensoep.
In season
- Stamppot and erwtensoep
Mashed potato stews and thick pea soup in the cold months.
Nov–Feb
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Amsterdam
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
Nothing special on our calendar for March yet. The city guide has what is good all year.
April in Amsterdam
Shoulder seasonThe best of April: White asparagus from Limburg and King's Day.
In season
- White asparagus from Limburg
Asperges with ham, egg and butter.
Apr–Jun
On the calendar
- King's Day27 April
The city turns into a street party and flea market.
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Amsterdam
Peak seasonThe best of May: Hollandse Nieuwe herring, White asparagus from Limburg and Rollende Keukens.
In season
- Hollandse Nieuwe herring
The new season's herring, eaten raw with onion and pickles from the street carts; first barrel sold in June.
May–Jul - White asparagus from Limburg
Asperges with ham, egg and butter.
Apr–Jun
On the calendar
- Rollende Keukenslate May
The food truck festival in Westerpark, usually around Ascension weekend.
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Amsterdam
Peak seasonThe best of June: Hollandse Nieuwe herring, White asparagus from Limburg and Vlaggetjesdag, Scheveningen.
In season
- Hollandse Nieuwe herring
The new season's herring, eaten raw with onion and pickles from the street carts; first barrel sold in June.
May–Jul - White asparagus from Limburg
Asperges with ham, egg and butter.
Apr–Jun
On the calendar
- Vlaggetjesdag, ScheveningenJune
The herring flag day on the coast near The Hague.
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Amsterdam
Shoulder seasonThe best of July: Hollandse Nieuwe herring.
In season
- Hollandse Nieuwe herring
The new season's herring, eaten raw with onion and pickles from the street carts; first barrel sold in June.
May–Jul
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Amsterdam
Shoulder seasonNothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
Nothing special on our calendar for August yet. The city guide has what is good all year.
September in Amsterdam
Peak seasonNothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
Nothing special on our calendar for September yet. The city guide has what is good all year.
October in Amsterdam
Shoulder seasonThe best of October: Mussels from Zeeland.
In season
- Mussels from Zeeland
The mussel season runs from July to March, best in autumn.
Oct–Dec
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Amsterdam
The best of November: Mussels from Zeeland, Stamppot and erwtensoep.
In season
- Mussels from Zeeland
The mussel season runs from July to March, best in autumn.
Oct–Dec - Stamppot and erwtensoep
Mashed potato stews and thick pea soup in the cold months.
Nov–Feb
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Amsterdam
The best of December: Pepernoten and chocolate letters, Oliebollen.
In season
- Mussels from Zeeland
The mussel season runs from July to March, best in autumn.
Oct–Dec - Stamppot and erwtensoep
Mashed potato stews and thick pea soup in the cold months.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- Pepernoten and chocolate letters5 December
Sinterklaas treats from mid-November.
- Oliebollen31 December
Fried dough balls with raisins, sold from stands all December.
Plan around
- Holiday hours5 December and Christmas
Shops close early.
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.