Ok, so I know that the unidentifiable lumpy, green sludge above doesn’t look particularly appetising. I’m not going to lie, it is hard to make something that resembles a bowl of sick look good. But, it is a national Dutch dish, so when in Amsterdam and all that…
The Netherlands were the last country I travelled to in 2015 as part of my 12 countries in 12 months challenge. My friend TJ and I went to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam. It was the first time I’d been to The Netherlands, and TJ’s first time in Amsterdam (her grandmother lives in Eindhoven, so she’s been to the country quite a bit). We had a great time exploring the city and saw in the New Year at a party in Zindaam, a suburb of Amsterdam.
Unlike other countries I went to last year (most notably Colombia), I think it’s fair to say that the Netherlands isn’t particularly renowned for its cuisine. And with such an eclectic mix of people living there, when you want to eat there’s a diverse range of restaurants to choose from. This made it pretty hard trying to find somewhere that served typically Dutch food.
There are over 1.1 million people living in Amsterdam, and more than 4 million tourists visit the Dutch capital every year. According to the 2012 census, 49.5% of the Amsterdam population were Dutch, and 50.5% were of foreign ancestory, with over half of these being Indonesian – TJ’s grandmother is actually included in the 35% of Indonesians in the city.
So, it’s not a surprise that the city’s restaurants range from Indonesian, Chinese and Surinamese to Turkish and Mediterranean. In fact, when we were roaming the Red Light District we ending up eating in a Spanish tapas bar, of all places. Amsterdam is made up of over 170 different nationalities, which makes it one of the most diverse cities in the world – so what the heck should you eat when visiting Amsterdam?
What to eat in Amsterdam.
If you’re looking for something quick and easy, you can’t get any faster than the hole-in-the-wall “cafés” that are dotted all around the city. Head into any Febo to find an array of hot snacks, including hamburgers, kroketten and frinkandellen, all steaming behind glass doors. Put your euros into the slot and dinner is served. Yum. The experience should definitely be on your list of Dutch must-tries, for the novelty value alone. It’s not Michelin star by any means, but it beats the spaghetti bolognese (if you can even call it that) from a vending machine that we were offered on our first night in Zaandam.
Food from The Netherlands may not be as well-known as French or Chinese cuisines, but there are a few dishes that are typically Dutch. These were some of our favourites:
Erwtensoep: pea soup.
Erwtensoep, or “snert” as it’s also known, is a very thick soup made of split peas, celery, leeks, carrots and pork. The waiter at the De Roode Leeuw restaurant explained in great detail about how this dish is popular in the winter, eaten with slices of rookworst (smoked sausage) piled high in the middle, and a slice of rye bread topped with a sliver of katenspek (a type of Dutch bacon which has been cooked first and then smoked) on the side.
The Dutch consider a well-made erwtensoep to be thick enough that a spoon stays upright in it. That is why it’s often eaten the next day, when the flavours have had a chance to blend and the soup thicken.
As a big fan of soup, this is not a claim I make lightly: it was the tastiest, most flavoursome soup I’ve ever had. It was thick, hearty and just what we needed to get over our New Year hangover. Here’s TJ and a massive bowl of erwtensoep, mmm… Apparently erwtensoep is traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day – coincidently that’s just when we ate it.
Stamppot: mash potato.
Another for cold winter evenings, stamppot is the ultimate Dutch comfort food, not dissimilar to the old British classic, bubble and squeak. Translated literally as ‘mash pot’, it’s a traditional dish of potatoes mashed with other seasonable veg. It’s usually made with various combinations of sauerkraut, carrot, endive, onion or kale, and served with a big sausage.
My main course at the De Roode Leeuw restaurant was a big helping of sauerkraut stamppot, served with two ginormous slices of rookworst (honestly, they were about an inch thick, each), two thick slabs of “bacon” and a sweet, red wine gravy. I might have been able to finish it, had a I not polished off a huge bowl of erwtensoep before.
Pannenkoeken: sweet and savoury Dutch pancakes.
Pancakes are common around the world, and not really specific to any country. But Dutch pancakes are a lot larger than American and English pancakes, but thicker than a French crêpe.
Pancakes are eaten throughout the day in The Netherlands (though typically for dinner), unlike in the US where they’re only really served for breakfast, or in UK where they’re considered a dessert. Another difference is that a Dutch pancake is more akin to a pizza. The pancakes are covered in toppings, like bacon, cheese, apple or raisins.
Of course we had to have pancakes in Amsterdam, it would’ve been a crime not to. So after we’d queued for hours in the freezing cold to get into the Anne Frank House, we rewarded ourselves by heading to the Pancake Factory on Prinsengracht.
With eyes bigger than our bellies, we ordered a pancake each from the daily specials board, our waitress mocking that we wouldn’t be able to eat it all. They arrived, covered in hot chocolate sauce, stroopwafel pieces, cinnamon ice cream, whipped cream, icing sugar and chocolate curls.
Just 15 minutes later, we sat there in a sugar-induced food coma, feeling sorry for ourselves. We were determined not to let the waitress win, but alas, we were defeated. I blame the boozy hot chocolates we had before the calorific pancakes came.
*****
If you’ve visited Amsterdam, what did you eat while there? Have you tried any of the foods above? Drop me a comment in the box below – I’d love to hear from you.
The food looks delicious!
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Honestly, best soup I’ve ever eaten! Have you been to The Netherlands/Amsterdam? Definitely try the soup if you do go 🙂
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I was so intrigued by those burger vending machines! I was in Amsterdam last month and we tried Indonesian food which was amazing and visited Foodhallen because I’m veggie and my friend isn’t so it was the perfect compromise! x
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My friend TJ is half Indonesian, so no need for us to try the food – we get it every time we’re at her mums house anyway lol! My Grandma’s a veggie (allegedly), but told me I had to try the smoked sausage in Amsterdam, because the “smell was too delicious” for even her to resist! She’s a rubbish veggie lol xx
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Been to Amsterdam with family – stayed on a houseboat and sustained ourselves with grocery items and simple meals reflective of American cuisine. I wish now we had made an effort to eat out! Rotterdam and Keukenoff Gardens (sp?) were great – still , you’re making me see that we could have made it even better!
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Yeah some of the local food was amazing 🙂
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Erwtensoep is not so difficult to make – it’s my husband’s favorite soup! Check out my recipe….
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Thanks Tamsin – I’ll give it a whirl x
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Wow, Hole in the world Cafes! That Pancake looks simply amazing.
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The hole in the wall cafes were definitely something you don’t see everyday! x
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I went to Amsterdam last month and also went to the Pancake Factory. We opted for breakfast as it was always so busy so we got there for opening and had the Dutch pancakes which were very sweet but amazing x
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It was busy when we went, but we were that hungry we waited for the waitress to clear a table! The pancakes were HUGE! x
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Those Macaroons Look Absolutely Gorgeous Oh My Goodness!
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Unfortunately I can’t say I tried them, but they were very colourful x
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I’ve been to Amsterdam 6 times so love this post. Febo machines are fun and don’t forget mayonnaise with fries! I like the Indonesian cuisine in Amsterdam, so tasty and cheap too.
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Yes frites and mayonnaise is delicious in Amsterdam! x
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I have never been to Amsterdam, but would love to go. The pancakes sound amazing! Kaz
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You should pop over there if you can Kaz, even if it’s just for a long weekend x
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This looks so good! I was pregnant when I went to amsterdam so had to battle a lot of nausea!
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Oh no! I hope you’ll be able to return to Amsterdam one day soon to try the food! x
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I didn’t see the hole in the wall cafes when I went – they look fun. I might try a proper restaurant though as I’m not sure the food would be that healthy.
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Next time you go you should try both the traditional Dutch cuisine and the hole in the wall cafes x
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Oh my gosh we are heading to Amsterdam in May and I’m hunting down that vending machine
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Hahaha! They have to be tried! Such a weird thing! X
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Ooh now we ate so many amazing thing but mainly the chips and mayonnaise which was incredible x
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The Dutch frites are goooood x
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I love this post! We are planning a family trip there soon so I will be revisiting this before then!
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I’m sure they’ll be something for all the family in Amsterdam food-wise, it’s such an eclectic mix x
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Whilst that soup doesn’t look too pretty it sounds delicious with some fab flavours. Jo x
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Looks can be deceiving, I agree – it tasted amazing x
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never been to Amsterdam and it’s interesting the things you learn from others that travel there, really would eventually like to travel some more !
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You should if you can Clarissa – there’s a whole big world out there waiting to be discovered x
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Oh my, that pancake looks so delicious, but it is huge! I don’t blame you for not being able to finish it. The Febo’s are very interesting, a “cafe” of vending machines!
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Such a weird concept, isn’t it. I’d expect it in somewhere like Tokyo or Japan, but not in Amsterdam lol! x
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That dessert looks like its to die for.
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It was amazing! I won’t lie! x
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Ooh wow the food looks so different to what I tried when I was in Amsterdam. I’m going back in June so I’ll certainly check out your recommendations xxx
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I hope you had a fabulous time when you went back Laura! x
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Those hole-in-the-wall cafes look amazing, what a brilliant idea! I absolutely love the look of stamppot too, it looks like it would be a firm favourite with me. We’re considering Amsterdam for my sister’s hen do next year and you’ve definitely just put a few items in the ‘pros’ column for me x
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Ahhh great, glad the article was helpful for you! If you choose Amsterdam for the hen do let me know, I can definitely suggest a few places to go! x
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I’ve not been to Amsterdam or tried any of the foods but it sounds amazing and the food looks delicious! I’d love to go there one day.
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Fingers crossed you make it there one day! x
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I’m hoping to make it to Amsterdam this year and I’ll definitely be trying the soup and mash pots!
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Both excellent choices if you make it over there Danasia x
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Can’t say I was amazed by the food in Amsterdam when I went, but it seems you ate it far better places than me!
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I think it was because I was determined to try something Dutch while I was there, so hunted out the places serving traditional food. To be honest, there wasn’t many, but if you look hard enough, you’ll find some x
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I LOVED the little ducts pancakes when we visited! They were delicious! I never saw the vending machines though- how strange!
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They’re a weird concept aren’t they! I’d imagine them elsewhere, in a more hi-tech city like Tokyo, but not Amsterdam lol x
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I’ve never been to Amsterdam and wouldn’t been able to name any Dutch food, but you can’t go wrong with mash potato.
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Haha very true! x
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All of the food looks brilliant, when we went to Amsterdam the whole family thought the food was fantastic pretty much everywhere we tried.
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What kind of food did you eat when you visited Emily? Anything Dutch? x
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All the food is great but the desserts look fabulous.
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The pancakes were AMAZING!! x
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I’ve been trying to get over to Amsterdam with my girls for the last year and everyone I’ve spoken to talks about the lack of traditional Dutch food. WHat’s noce to see is that the traditional food you have found looks delicious and even better is probably something my kids would enjoy
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If you can take a trip over there Anthea, do! And even better if you can take the kids. I won’t lie, there is a lack of traditional Dutch eateries in Amsterdam, because the city caters for so many tourists the food choices are vast and varied. But if you do a bit of research I’m sure you can find some good places like we did x
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The food presentation looks lovely. Not sure I’d eat many of those meals, but I’m sure I’d find something for my taste 🙂
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There’s a pretty eclectic mix of food in Amsterdam Lubka, I’m sure you’d find something you like 🙂 x
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There’s only one thing I’ve ever been told to try in Amsterdam and it’s not their food! 😂 It’s on my list of places to go and now I’m more excited, the food looks delicious.
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I’m sure I can guess what you were told to try 😉 the food was definitely different to other European countries I’ve been to, but you have to hunt around for something authentically Dutch x
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I’ve never been to Amsterdam before the food looks so delicious hope to go there one day and try out all these dishes
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You should try and get over there soon – it’s such an easy trip 🙂 x
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nice dishes to eat but i am worried whether they are halal or not, if you can create a list of halal meat providers, then its well and good
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I’m not sure whether these are halal, and as I’m not religious I wouldn’t spend time researching this. I’m sure there are some restaurants in Amsterdam that are, though I’d be surprised if they served Dutch cuisine that is halal.
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Wow! Those are delectable! The hole-in-the-wall cafe’s are interesting. It would be awesome to try those.
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They’re an interesting concept aren’t they! x
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I love Amsterdam. I was last there in the summer, so mostly had drinks and nibbles on a terrace by the canals. I loved the mature cheese and mustard combo. I also ate my body weight in poffertjes when I was there. Ha!
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That sounds idyllic Elodie – cheese and bread and wine by the canal 🙂 ❤
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Oh my that pancake looks amazing!!! I love the sound of the soup too minus the meat.
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The pancakes were huge!! Definitely only needed one between us haha! x
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You see I thought that cover image was delicious looking! Ha, I am a big lover of nice sludge soups though I have to say. I loved this! I have never beeen so it’s really interesting to get a food low-down!
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Well if you ever get to Amsterdam Donna, definitely order this soup – it is so thick and sludgey! x
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The vending machine looks so cool, I’d definitely need to try it for the novelty factor. The soup – although it doesn’t look that appealing – actually sounds delicious.
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Yeah it doesn’t look too great, but the flavours were delicious! x
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Amsterdam has been pretty high on my bucket list although admittedly never thought about the cuisine. I do like the sound of the pea soup as I am a fan of soup x
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Yeah, food isn’t really something you associate with Amsterdam – but if you hunt it out, you can find some traditional stuff x
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I last went to Amsterdam a few years ago but would love to head back there x
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Yeah me too Stephanie – what did you eat food wise when you visited? x
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The Febo vending machines look intriguing but so not sure we’d want to give the soups a go.
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Don’t knock it til you fried it hun – it was so tasty! x
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The only meal I remembered eating in Amsterdam was breakfast and it was waffles which I loved but looking forward to trying some more.
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The waffles in Amsterdam are pretty spectacular x
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Those hole in the wall cafes look so interesting, never seen anything like it!
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Me either Shannon! Pretty unique! x
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Oh my goodness, it all looks so good! I’m hoping to visit Amsterdam next year, but now I’m thinking I need to go in the winter so I can try that soup, it looks amazing.
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Yeah, I definitely think the soup would be better in Winter, but there are still things to try if you visit in summer (so many waffles to choose from!) x
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I would also highly recommend bitterballen! They’re not healthy, in the slightest… But my god, they are delicious!
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I never tried them when I was there, but will definitely check them out next time I go! x
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Ahhh Febo! I have such happy memories of eating nothing but Febo on a uni trip to Amsterdam 🙂
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Hahahaha glad to bring back some happy memories 🙂 x
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The febo hot foods place looks amazing and definitely on my list of places to grab a bite when I visit!
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Definitely check it out when you go to Amsterdam Francesca 🙂 x
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It all looks delicious, and I especially love the idea of the hole in the wall cafes. Every year I say I must go to Amsterdam and it hasn’t happened yet, maybe next year will be the one
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Fingers crossed that you make it next year 😛 x
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I’ve never been to Amsterdam before, but it looks like such a lovely place to visit. And the food looks amazing! I’m not at all jealous 🙂
Louise x
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Hehe! Hopefully you’ll get to go there soon Lou x
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I’ve been to Amsterdam a number of times and the frittes with mayo were always a popular choice! xxx
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Ooooh yeah, you can’t beat mayo smothered fries x
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So many delicious places to eat in Amsterdam. I’ve been to the Pancake Factory too, it was so yummy! xo
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Isn’t it just! I will definitely be heading back there next time I go to Amsterdam! x
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I really want to visit Amsterdam so bad! All my friends told me the food is amazing there 🙂
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I hope you get to visit soon Kristina – it’s a really cool city! x
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It was amazing, I won’t lie! x
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