I drink alot of water and read that they do not serve tap water at meals. How do you handle this fact and what are recent prices for buying bottled water?
What types of table wine will I find here that are inexpensive, like 3-4 euro a glass?
I will try some local beer but mostly drink wine.
Can you suggest a good cup of coffee?
Besides frites, mussels, chocolate, waffles all yummy--
what types of vendor stall foods will I come across for snacks/meals?
Do all restrooms require coin to use?
"I drink alot of water and read that they do not serve tap water at meals." They usually will if you ask. Expect to pay €1-2. Various carbonated beverages are usually available as well (frisdrank). I particularly like Tönissteiner on a hot day when I don't want alcohol.
"What types of table wine will I find here that are inexpensive, like 3-4 euro a glass?" Most good Belgian restaurants will have a larger wine list than beer selection.
"what types of vendor stall foods will I come across for snacks/meals?" Most frituurs also sell various types of deep-fried "mystery meats", as well as croquettes, which are sort of like a breaded, deep-fried stick of mashed potatoes. Besides mayonnaise, you can also get various other sauces. In the Netherlands, they have a delicious peanut satay sauce for fries. You'll also see sandwich shops ("broodjes" = sandwich), kebabs, pizza, etc. Many Dutch cities have stalls selling various seafood products, like smoked herring and eel ("harring en paling") and other deep-fried fish. During the holidays and various other festivals throughout the year, vendors sell "olieballen" (oil balls), which is the Dutch variant of a doughnut.
"Do all restrooms require coin to use?" Usually only public restrooms, although some restaurants in very touristy areas will have an attendant to collect your money.
Some other regional specialties: Stoofvlees/carbonade, more or less the same idea as boef bourgingnon, but cooked with dark beer instead of wine. Stoompot (also called hotch-potch), various meats and vegetables mixed into mashed potatoes. Waterzooie, a fish or chicken soup. Aandijv met room, endive and bacon or ham buried under a creamy pastry. Pork medallions, various types of fish and steak with sauces are frequently on the menu.
In Amsterdam you'll see street vendors selling small herring that have been lightly pickled in brine, and they may be eaten in the style of a small child -- by picking one up by the tail, holding it up over the head, and dropping it into the mouth.
Actually, you see them all over the Netherlands and they are called Matjes LOVE IT!!!! I prefer eating them with lots of onions. My family lives in Germany near the Dutch border and my father always has some Matjes waiting for me when I come for a visit :-)
Eating herring is not much to my taste, but do try some Mussels. You will see these everywhere in restaurants.
Not to shock you, but I found the coffee in Belgium to be the worst coffee I have had anywhere in Europe, and I have been there about 8 times in various cities. It isn't disgusting or anything, but just not great. Sort of insipid. I'd go for some hot chocolate since you are in chocolate country.
The tap water in most of Holland taste pretty bad. If you're sensitive, fyi. 1.5 liter bottles of water are available in every grocery store or market. Pretty much any of the water is going to be mineralized - hard to find water that isn't.
As for what to try... try everything! ;) The cheese shops in Holland are a lot of fun. =)
"In Amsterdam you'll see street vendors selling small herring that have been lightly pickled in brine, and they may be eaten in the style of a small child -- by picking one up by the tail, holding it up over the head, and dropping it into the mouth." How about listing a citation when you directly quote another website?
You'll find kebab pretty much everywhere in Europe now. Just read an article in USA today that donor kebab is the most popular German fast food, and in Vietnam they actually call it "German college student food."
I'm leaving Sunday on my 1st RS tour.
I guess my best try would be to buy 1.5 liter as I move along, and keep a small thermos filled to keep water on hand.
I enjoy trying new foods but yes I have a sensitive stomach so I do it in moderation with water.
Thanks for the tips as I have some pre-tour days on my own.
Maureen brings up a topic that often gets overlooked- regional variations of non-native food. I've never been to Turkey, but a kebab in Germany doesn't taste the same as a British kebab (much spicier in Britain). Chinese food in Belgium looks and tastes very different from take-out in the US. I've had goulash throughout the continent that varies from hot and spicy to mild and creamy. The best hamburger I've ever eaten was in France. And so on...
Rather than search for some vague notion of "authenticity" (what does the word even mean when applied to food?), sometimes it is worthwhile to try food that is anything but authentic.
Is it really appropriate to eat small children by picking them up and dropping them inyour mouth? Must be a regional thing.
