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
The meal ends with a bill that is usually split: tipping vs Tikkie. The ordering phrases themselves are in the everyday Dutch set, the view from behind the bar is working an Amsterdam bar, and eating at someone’s house is a different ritual again, with its own expectations about punctuality and second helpings.
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.
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.
