Haring Happen (Herring), Amsterdam

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Your visit to Amsterdam cannot be complete without trying a "Hollandse Nieuwe" a.k.a. "Zoute Haring" (Salty herring).

My favorite stand was at the Waag on the Nieuwmarkt square (but the owner told me he would stop in 2009, and so he did).

My # 2 choice is in front of the Westerkerk (near the Anne Frank house). They also sell a fabulous crab salade.

My #3 is Stubbe´s at bridge to the Haarlemmerdijk. Like #2, there´s more than just raw herring.

Favorite Dish: "Broodje Haring" (White bun with raw herring), with some onions.

The fact that it's in the midst of the tourist area, should be a warning.
I've had the herring at a couple different stands, this wasn't the best.

At its best, it's kinda' like sushi; at its less than best, it's just plain 'fishy'.

Favorite Dish: We had the herring with onions; they've got more to choose from though. I'd probably suggest trying something cooked.

OK, if anyone ask me what is the most celebrated national snack of Holland I'd have to say "Haring".

What is it? Well, it's raw, salted, slimy herring fish either eaten on its own or with some onions and bread.

Is it tasty? Not in a million years.
Is it filling? Not at all.
Is it cheap? Not really.

So uhm why would I recommend you to try it? Well it's a novelty, isn't that partly why you travel to strange places? :)

A warning to hungry VT's!!! I went to the Van Gogh at the end of June when I noticed The Van Altena was closed down for an unknown reason, and I was starving to death when I reached there!!!! So dont count on it (maybe at least a month??) it didnt seem to be functional in the neardays.

I didn't fancy the seafood here as it was only mid morning but had it been nearer lunch time I might have been tempted. The other off-putting factor was that me and P only had 5E left between us and I wanted to get rid of my small change. She had a Snickers bar and a coke.
Oh and if you are here and have a bit more than 5E in small change and feel like doing a bit of shopping, don't forget to visit the Tax Free Winkelen :)

Favorite Dish: I had the freshly squeezed orange juice - it's prepared right in front of you...like in some of those chinese restaurants - the only difference is I wasn't asked to choose my oranges personally... oh well.. can't have everything. It was still delicious and I used up 2.50E in 20 cent pieces :))

This is not a restaurant but a seafood stall. Here they only have herring and other seafood. No fried fisch. It was the best herring I've ever tasted. It is next to the Rijksmuseum across the canalbusstop.

Favorite Dish: Try the herring just plain, no onions like lots of people do. Onions are only for not so tasty herring to disguise the taste according to the owner of this stall

Very kindly and gentle staff. The food was excellent, ask them for the "catch of the day" or let them recommend you their speciality. One disadvantage is that all the tables are smokers tables, and if you have problems with smokers, it could be a problem. Try the eel soup with their tasty bread and end your meal with ICE cream and fresh berry.

Really pleasingly cooked fish which they say is cooked in the Italian way - but don't think spaghetti! Whatever, it provides good food and a relaxed and quiet place to eat. The best fish I have ever tasted.

Favorite Dish: Any of the fish!

Just to the right of this photo is a little takaway stand. I never the name of the proud owner, but most of Amstedam probably does. He was a local legend surrounded by newspaper clippings and articles in praise of his humble deli stand. He spoke just about every language in the book or used animated gestures if a stray language managed to slip by his well trained ears. His stand was filled with seafoods covered in mayo, salads covered in mayo and snacks - probably covered in mayo too.

Favorite Dish: Raw herring

You are joking! Me and my friend bought beer, some seafood salads and enjoy our eating directly on the embankment. But as I've noticed there are a lot of that kind places,so try ,in this city I prefer such picnics as we've done.