Eating out is one of the nicest ways to practise Dutch, but a menu in a language you are still learning can feel like a wall. Good news: Dutch menus are predictable. Learn the course headings and a few ordering phrases and you are set.
The structure: course by course
A menu is de kaart or het menu, and it is almost always grouped by course:
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| voorgerecht | starter |
| soep / salade | soup / salad |
| hoofdgerecht | main course |
| bijgerecht | side dish |
| nagerecht / dessert | pudding / dessert |
| tussengerecht | in-between course |
Once you spot these headings, the whole menu falls into place. Recipe and food sites like Allerhande use the same vocabulary, so it carries over from cooking at home.
The specials worth asking about
Beyond the fixed list, look for:
- de dagschotel: dish of the day.
- het dagmenu: a set menu of the day, often good value.
- de specialiteit van de chef: chef’s speciality.
- het seizoensgerecht: seasonal dish.
- vegetarisch / vegan / glutenvrij: vegetarian / vegan / gluten-free.
If allergens matter to you, the Voedingscentrum explains how Dutch eateries must be able to tell you which of the official allergens a dish contains.
Asking Wat is de dagschotel? is a friendly opener and usually gets you something fresh.
Ordering, the easy way
You do not need complex grammar. Two patterns cover almost everything:
- Ik wil graag het hoofdgerecht met kip. (I’d like the main with chicken.)
- Voor mij de soep, alstublieft. (For me the soup, please.)
To get a steer: Wat kunt u aanbevelen? (What do you recommend?). If you have an allergy, say Ik ben allergisch voor… and check, which connects to reading restaurant allergen information. For drinks: een fris (a soft drink), een biertje van de tap (a draught beer), een kannetje water (a jug of water). Ordering drinks well is its own small art, covered in the proper way to order a coffee or beer.
Paying up
When you are finished:
- De rekening, alstublieft. (The bill, please.)
- Kan ik pinnen? (Can I pay by card?)
Most Dutch restaurants expect card payment and many no longer take cash. Tipping is not obligatory; rounding up or leaving a little (fooi) is a kind gesture for good service, as newcomer guides like IamExpat note.
Where it connects
Restaurant Dutch builds on the food vocabulary you use shopping and cooking: ordering the right cut at the slagerij, choosing cheese at the kaaswinkel, and reading a Dutch recipe.
The bottom line
A Dutch menu is grouped by course: voorgerecht, hoofdgerecht, nagerecht, with bijgerechten and a dagschotel or dagmenu worth asking about. Order with Ik wil graag… or Voor mij…, ask Wat kunt u aanbevelen?, then De rekening, alstublieft and Kan ik pinnen?. Learn those, and eating out becomes a pleasure and a free Dutch lesson.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches restaurant Dutch end to end, voorgerecht, hoofdgerecht, dagschotel, voor mij graag, de rekening, in five-minute lessons built on real meals out, so ordering and paying feel natural.
Frequently asked questions
What do voorgerecht, hoofdgerecht and nagerecht mean?
They are the three courses on a Dutch menu: voorgerecht is the starter, hoofdgerecht is the main course, and nagerecht (or dessert) is the pudding. You will also see soepen (soups), salades, bijgerechten (side dishes), and sometimes a tussengerecht (an in-between course). Menus are usually grouped under these headings, so once you know them the layout is easy to follow.
What is a dagschotel or dagmenu?
A dagschotel is the dish of the day, and a dagmenu is a set menu of the day, often better value and using fresh ingredients the kitchen has in. You may also see specialiteit van de chef (chef’s speciality) and seizoensgerecht (seasonal dish). Asking Wat is de dagschotel? (what’s the dish of the day?) is a good way to eat well and practise your Dutch.
How do I order food and ask for the bill in Dutch?
To order, say Ik wil graag… (I’d like…) or simply Voor mij… (for me…) followed by the dish. To ask for a recommendation, Wat kunt u aanbevelen? When you are done, ask De rekening, alstublieft (the bill, please) and Kan ik pinnen? (can I pay by card?). Most places expect card payment; cash is less common. A tip is not required but rounding up is appreciated.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for restaurants and eating out?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches the whole restaurant flow, reading the menu, ordering with voor mij graag, asking what’s recommended, and getting de rekening, in five-minute real-situation lessons, so a meal out is relaxed instead of a guessing game.
