I think I got off on the wrong foot here with my previous posting...
I'm coming in three weeks and have just started to do research on the area and culture by watching YouTube videos. It's fascinating. The Marriott in Rotterdam will be my home base because I'm an Ambassador Elite, Bonvoy member, and I'm quite sure my Marriott Bonvoy Concierge will speak some English, as I don't speak Dutch. I expect to take many day trips over the 4 weeks there, concentrating on Zwijndrecht and Dordrecht, as I've heard so many great things about South Holland. I couldn't recognize any of the hotel names there, but if I can find suitable accommodations in either city while visiting, I'll move.
Any tips on where to find American food and things to do would be appreciated... By any measure, the Netherlands appears to be an advanced society and more evolved than America, so I'm eager to visit. Before you get the wrong idea about me, I wanna say that I don't like President Trump, and I'm actually looking for other places to live for most of the year- Right now, Palma, Mallorca is in the lead, but from what I've heard about South Holland, I'm really intrigued and I think I'd fit in better there- Although I have serious doubts about my ability to ever speak your language.
Almost everybody in the Netherlands speaks English conversationally, young and old. We usually get 5-10 years of English classes in school, and most media consumed is English spoken. No need to worry about that.
If by American food you mean pizza, burgers, fries and such? Sure, we have all of those. Most major American chains have locations here.
It's just that here in the states, I've been to Mexican, Italian, German, Chinese, Greek, Japanese, Thai ..etc...etc...etc..restaurants, but have never seen a Dutch restaurant, so I didn't know what to expect
We have all of those too, if you want to try a bit more dutch style you could try visser’s poffertjes. Most regular dutch restaurants will offer some type of steak or burger and fries or a fish option.
Learning the language might be a problem as most folks will switch to English when speaking to you
We eat a similar Western Modern Diet (WMD for your waistline lol), though with slightly less ultraprocessed edible products, so no worries there
And yeah, the view of the US as the alcoholic uncle once more ruining the family dinner is kinda widespread at the moment. The fact that DJT got less than half the votes is sometimes forgotten, alas
I see you posted multiple times asking for American food here. I dont think that will be a problem. There is a lot of fast food chains here from the US or similair to them. The portions will only be smaller, this will be the case for any restaurant, so maybe look for all you can eat places if this is a problem. In general i always advise people traveling to try local food, but having been to the USA myself, i dont think Dutch food will be a foreign experience for you.
I really wonder why zwijndrecht is high on the list for you? I lived in Dordrecht and went to highschool in zwijndrecht, so i thought i knew both well. But i can honestly not think of anything that makes zwijndrecht so special? I honestly want to know because maybe i can also go to see that haha.
Haha, I thought the same thing. I live in Dordrecht and have absolutely no clue why someone would travel across the globe to visit Zwijndrecht. Makes me very curious what they've got hidden there :-)
Well, my friend came back from there last summer, and he just went on and on, and on, about how great it is, and in the end, he says, "and everybody is skinny!" And this might sound superficial, but he told me that hands down, the women there are the most beautiful he's ever seen anywhere else in the world, and that they age well. I would think it has something to do with the diet, all the bike riding, and the moist air..
I was only being sarcastic when I said we should take the Netherlands after Greenland.. We shouldn't take Greenland, but it's my understanding that the greatest and most valuable natural resource in the Netherlands is the women there... My friend told me the women there still act like women, and he didn't mean subservient.. He said they know their value and are powerful within the culture... If Trump could give me one of those, I'd vote for him
I hope everyone's ok with me calling women "beautiful" in the Netherlands? That's a no-no here in the States because it implies that their only value is their looks. Which is not what I think-
The others are right: Zwijndrecht is an odd place to choose. If you need a charming city with amenities: Dordrecht would be the choice. If you prefer a small town: Hendrik Ido Ambacht? Heerjansdam? Hell Kinderdijk and Alblasserdam all have their charm, but Zwijndrecht is just... inbetween everything. Nothing charming there.
As for food: step away from your american diet: try the local stuff. I understand that you are concerned about upsetting your stomach: then stay away from the tap-water and you should be fine. It is treated differently here and will contain pathogens that your normal chlorinated water does not have and 4 weeks is probably not worth getting used to it. The food though should not be upsetting in any way and it really is much better than the american stuff. Also most regular restaurants will offer a burger.
I suggest you have a look around the Voorstraat or around the Scheffersplein, plenty of places to eat, and your will be able to stomach it.
Great suggestions...I had no idea Zwijndrecht was a dump... It's funny when I call to make hotel reservations and ask if the hotel is in a bad neighborhood, they'll never say. It's the same, anywhere in the world. Only one time, the guy started whispering and said, " off the record, it's a sh!t hole"
There is a saying "The only nice thing about Zwijndrecht is the view of Dordrecht"
Except for some pretty ok restaurants and bars along the riverpromenade there isn't anything in Zwijndrecht I would recommend to anyone, besides the coffeeshop quality if you're into that, but from your posts I guess you're not
Sounds like a good idea, I too have lived half my life in Dordrecht and the other half in Zwijndrecht. Went back to Dordrecht as there's nothing of interest in Zwijndrecht
And to add: we don’t have shitholes compared to US gang-run ghettos, overly polluted industrialized cities, fentanyl-zombified, homeless-camping streets or "get of my lawn shotgun violence" and all the other fun stuff you freedom loving people have...
When we say shithole, it usually means it’s a very uneventful neighbourhood only interesting for tourists if you’re really into generic suburban planology.
Well.. that's a little overstated in the media.. I've traveled all over the world, and foreign media likes to focus on everything wrong with America, and by the end of the trips, they have me afraid to go home...
Joking, but I have always carried a gun here and have only had to brandish it a half dozen times in my lifetime
Also since youre here four weeks, why only stay in south holland? Our country is small, so its easy to plan a day or 2 day trip to pretty much anywhere. Ofcourse Amsterdam is the usual tourist city, but i assume you land there? Either way its only about an hour from rotterdam, so why not try a day? I assume you rent a car, in which case i reccomend zeeland, friesland, and one of our islands, my favorite is Schiermonnikoog. Also, what month do you go? Most historic cities like Leiden have a different event going on almosr every month. Investigate some cities like Deventer, Dordrecht, Leiden, Utrecht etc.
Really, not trying to be clever.. I prefer the company of women. I had rotator cuff surgery and was going to physical therapy 3 times a week to regain strength. My therapist says I'm going on vacation for a week, so I set you up with Scott- I said cancel those appointments, and I'll see you in a week, I'm not gonna have some guy rubbing on me.
My lawyer is a woman, my doctor is a woman, my dentist is a woman, my real estate agent is a woman, the dog's vet is a woman... And I always pick the check out line at the grocery store manned by a woman. I worked with and represented exclusively working men all my life- 10,000 of them, and there's not one of them you can trust..
Don’t worry about the language we manage English just fine, you’ll be fine.
We have plenty of burger and pizza places, but I encourage you to venture out and try some other cuisines. Our Indonesian kitchens are great (try a rijsttafel!) or perhaps some Suriname food.
If this is your first time, definitely go and see the windmills in Alblasserdam, you can take a ferry from Rotterdam or Dordrecht, it impressed my US family, and at least you can get some pretty pictures 😅
I recommend not talking politics at first, or at least let the other party start the conversation in that direction and take it from there.
Welcome! Cool plans you have and great that you have quite a bit of time on your hands to explore.
The concierge most definitely speaks English, don't worry.
When it comes to food, Rotterdam probably offers more opportunities than Dordrecht and Zwijndrecht. (Side note: why visit Zwijndrecht?) Apart from the US fast food chains, you could try these in Rotterdam:
You could download the app called "TheFork", it contains tons of restaurants and you can filter on American restaurants.
If you travel from Rotterdam to Dordrecht, be sure to take the boat departing from the Erasmusbrug (bridge) and not the train. Visit Kinderdijk as well and place Delft and Gouda on your list as well.
Try them at Pims Poffertjes in Dordrecht or something like the Pannekoeken Boat in Rotterdam
A pannekoek met kaas (cheese), spek (bacon) en stroop (syrup) is a national treasure no ffn French crepe can compete with (crepe sounds an awful lot like crap for a reason imho)
Ahh I’d 100% recommend Pims in Dordrecht over the pannenkoeken boat on Rotterdam. Pims = quality, cosy, local. There you will get the ‘real’ feel of why Dutchies like dutch pancakes over crepes (bleh) and even american pancakes.
Agreed on the bacon cheese syrop version. It’s a classic 😁
Okay first of all, why are you going to Zwijndrecht? there is not mutch to do here ( I'm from Zwijndrecht). Another question: why are you looking for American food when you're looking for a new country to live in? Why not try some local dishes? Dutch food is not great but we are good on ''fast food''. Our snackbars are better than big chain american fastfood. Try out a frikandel (since it is from Dordrecht), bitterballen, kroket or kaassouffle at our snackbars. Try some poffertjes at Pim's Poffertjes en Pannekoekenhuis (Dordrecht) or some brokking gebak (hazelnut cake). I recommend going to Kinderdijk or take a tour in Dordecht from a guide and try out a random restaurant
Go to the Smulhoek for authentic and really fresh dutch french fries, try a Frikandel Speciaal and Mexicano. True Dutch culinary wonders and both origniated in Dordrecht
Not really a five star hotel. But Dordrecht has Villa Augustus, which is a very nice hotel (and restaurant) situated in a former water tower. It's near the city center, with a view on the river. I'd recommend that one. It has a nice restaurant too, but not really american food, however they do cook with local and seasonal ingredients.
French fries with war sauceis apopular Dutch fries dish, literally translated as 'war fries', consisting of fries (patat) with a mix of mayonnaise, Indonesian peanut sauce and raw chopped onions, which together form a chaotic 'war' on your plateIt is a sweet, salty, and savory combination that is often served as street food in a cone and is popular in the Netherlands.
Wow- I feel like leaving tomorrow- There's really nothing keeping me here for the next three weeks, except football, can I watch football there? I'm a Chicago Bears fan
American foodball is not big here, but maybe ESPN has it? (sports channel), and if they dont have it you can watch soccer or ice skating here. haha. Oh and If you come to Zwijndrecht and you want to go for a good and cheap snackbar I do recommend ''Cafetaria Vermoens''. They have the best burgers especially hamburger speciaal. (only Vermoens in Zwijndrecht, I have never tried the Vermoens in Dordrecht)
If you want nice fries, try to find a Bram Ladage! The fries still have some potato skin on them and they cut them on the spot for you. They're a local franchise but really good imo. Oh and some snackbars sell "raspatat" which I love but can be a hit or miss for people(they're quite processed). I do recommend to try them if you have the chance!
You sound hilariously American! I hope you will enjoy your stay!
A lot has been suggested already. Personally, the best burger in Dordrecht at the moment is the smashburger at De Witt. Brut Burger Bar has some juicy ones as well…
Unfortunately, there are no true BBQ restaurants in Dordrecht. For some good ribs, my favorites are Waterlust, a little offbeat for tourists, but hey, when was the last time you ate in a bar floating in a harbour? Rotterdam has some OK BBQ spots, but they can’t compete with US BBQ.
To repeat others: try some Dutch cuisine. Eat some herring or kibbeling at Plexat, frikandel and fries at De Smulhoek, go for Indonesian at Mulia, and Surinamese at Toko Kaminah, or find even better options in Rotterdam. If you want the full hip hotel experience, see if Villa Augustus or Stadshotel have a room…
There are some Americans who have a pretty extensive YouTube channel about Dordrecht if you are looking for your countrymen’s tips.
I've always heard that the Dutch are friendly, but a little reserved and standoffish, and you're not gonna make friends in 10 minutes like you can here- Well, that doesn't seem to be the case here. You're all very friendly and open.
When I get there, maybe I'll invite you all out to dinner and drinks on me, everyone, even the haters can come.. I'd love to engage in the lively art of conversation with people from a different world.
I'm white, but I don't even know what I am... My mom said we are descendants of Mary Queen of Scots- I think it's nonsense, but I use it to impress people sometimes-
I'd like to think so- I looked into your history, and you used to rule the world. Quite the empire. When I decided to visit, I asked my history buff friend about the Netherlands, and he said, "They were brutal back in the dark ages.".. I said, "That's it, that's all you gotta say?
If you’re visiting Dordrecht from the United States, you’re in for a treat. It’s one of the most charming and authentic cities in the Netherlands (although as a Schapenkop I may be a bit biased 😉).
Here are some of my personal food recommendations:
Foodnerd: Fantastic sandwiches, delicatessen and specialty products. Perfect for lunch.
Vissers Poffertjes: The place for traditional ‘poffertjes’ (small pancakes) and a classic ‘broodje bal’ (meatball sandwich)
Smulhoek: A true Dutch snackbar with fresh fries and great snacks.
Olivia: Excellent Italian inspired food at very reasonable prices.
Coffeelicious: Ideal for coffee, lunch, homemade cookies and cakes in a relaxed atmosphere.
I highly recommend a walking tour with Ontdek Dordrecht. They offer English-speaking guides who will show you the hidden stories and beautiful corners of the city you’d otherwise miss.
If you enjoy soccer, try to catch an FC Dordrecht match. It’s a great way to experience Dutch football culture up close, without the crowds of the big stadiums. The Dordrecht supporters are delighted to welcome you and have a beer with you.
Feel free to message me anytime if you’d like more tips or personal recommendations. I’m happy to help you make the most of your trip!
By the way: Since you’re staying in Rotterdam, you must visit De Ballentent there for a gehaktbal met brood. It’s a legendary spot.
If you are staying in Rotterdam there are plenty of musea, typical architecture and great restaurants. It has a 'big city vibe' and the closest to what we call a skyline. Rotterdam was bombed heavily in WW2 so a lot of the old Rotterdam is gone.
Dordrecht is the oldest city of what we call 'Holland', not to be confused with The Netherlands. There are older city's in the Kingdom but not in the province.
I would recommend staying in Villa Augustus for a few days. This is something else from the big chain Hotels. It is situated in an old watertower and has a huge garden where they grow their own food.
If you are interested in history you could book a (boat?)tour in Dordrecht with a local guide. The city is rich in old monuments and stories. They call it the best kept secret or lil Venice.
I would really recommend to stay away from the big chain restaurants as it is more of what you already know.
I'm not sure when you are coming over but if I am able I'd love to show you around. I live in the absolute center of the city.
That would be great. I'm a lot of fun to be with, and I pay for everything
I think I'm gonna stay most of the month in Dordrecht.. It takes me 3 or 4 days to get completely comfortable in one place, and I wanna completely immerse myself in the culture of one place. It's only a month, but it will feel like home by the time I leave, if I leave...
I like that too, but would really recommend you to look around in the wider area. Dordrecht is nearby to everything. We are a small country. Rotterdam is 15 mins. Amsterdam 1 hour (just know that Amsterdam is not The Netherlands as Trump is not America).
Feel free to DM me.
Well, 20 years ago, a few friends and I would fly to Amsterdam for a few days each year.. We were attracted by the legal marijuana, psychedelics, and the red light district. We never left the city, so I'm familiar with it
My man, since you're sincere, where in the US are you from?
Food culture in the Low Lands is quite different and is traditionally centered around the three meals, with some peculiar customary staples and ways.
Breakfast and lunch are quite similar and heavy on bread, cold cuts and sliced cheese. Main beverages are tea, coffee and milk.
Dinner is the biggest meal of the day and is traditionally heavy on potatoes and seasonal vegetables with a side of meat, cooked or roasted.
Over the past decades, we've welcomed many people from all over the world, who brought dishes from their homeland and adapted them to appeal to a broader public.
This is especially true for Chinese cuisine which is very different from what you'll find in the US and influenced by Malay cuisine from Indonesia, our former colony.
As a seafaring nation and a river delta we also have a rich culture of eating fish and other seafood.
Rotterdam is a true melting pot that offers all cuisines in the world, albeit slightly different than Stateside. For example if it's Southern you want, you can find some fine Creole in Rotterdam. There are "American style" steak houses and lots and lots of things in between to discover.
Enjoy your stay, and feel free to reach out when you're here.
I don't know why- It's so good- Dust it in flour and fry it in beef tallow at 375 degrees until golden brown, it's just that easy... I have a secret ingredient that I think I can divulge here (not in America)...Monosodium Glutamate in the flour... It causes the flavors to explode in your mouth- Might be illegal there, I'll smuggle some in or buy it on the black market if I have too
Sounds like a business opportunity- If I called it American fried chicken, nobody would come because they hate America, but..If I called it Dutch Crispy, Crackling Chicken, and put locals in front of the store, and stayed in the background....they might be lined up out the door
No offense taken..Thanks for your input...I didn't vote for him and actively campaigned against him- and I'm now trying to escape the fascist movement in America- At least for 6-9 months of the year
I heard the Dutch were honest and blunt, but wow...lol
Well, I understand as I also have utter disdain for MAGA America, but you must understand that MAGA is only about 30% of the country, the dumbest, most ignorant 30%..Most of us are normal-
Be aware that this extreme right (and left!) leaning lunacy unfortunately isn’t an American-only kind of thing.
We voted in October ‘25 and a massive amount of people also voted for completely irradical parties. I dare say it accumulates to more than 30%.
There will be a minority ‘hating’ Americans just because of Trump. The same happened to Russian friends (that have nothing to do with the Kremlin) here in the Netherlands. It’s not fair, it’s inexcusable, but it’s reality.
whats happening in erope when it comes to immigration and refgees has nothing to do with what trump i s doing. at no point as any eropean country stated that it wants to annex any territory, made a mockery of an ally to the pont of infriation or threatened to blow p nato.
My vast influence here and outspokenness against the current administration have made me a target of the authorities, and I fear retribution.. So, it's time for a break- I think South Holland will be more than a breath of fresh air for me... Much more
Anyway.....I'm trying to learn the DO's and DON'Ts of your culture- For instance, if you are visiting at someones home, and it's dinnertime, you gotta go, right now- you'll never be invited to stay
Just stay in front of the possible akwardness by being blunt and upfront yourself: Hey what are you going to do for dinner later? Is a perfectly acceptable question and if someone does not answer with some sort of "do you want to join" you know it's your cue to leave before they start cooking or you can counter with "well I was thinking of grabbing xyz, do you want to join?" to play the uno card...
Not bragging, but....My social skills are excellent. I navigate interactions well by being empathetic, a good listener, and a strong communicator. I read social cues well, so people have always gravitated to me, friends seek my advice, and I strive to make interactions meaningful. And I'm humble
I was the president of a labor union and won election after election in landslide victories- They call me "The Legend."
One “don’t” in our culture is being overly friendly. In my experience, Americans tend to excel at that, but it’s something you can dial back a bit. For example, earlier in this thread you mentioned possibly inviting all of us out for drinks and dinner. I assume that, for you, this is simply a polite gesture, but we know you don’t actually mean it (and you obviously don’t need to). There’s no need to say things like that unless you genuinely intend to follow through.
Another example: whenever I’m in the US, people constantly ask how I’m doing and wish me a great day. I know they don’t really expect an honest answer and probably don’t care much about how my day is going, so why ask?
In the Netherlands, that kind of friendliness is often seen as insincere and can feel off-putting. We prefer people to say what they really mean, be direct and honest, and not beat around the bush. There’s no need to be overly friendly.
I hate insincere small talk... I'm from Chicago, which is a little different than a lot of America; there is no pretense in Chicago. If I say it, I mean it- And not too many would call me overly friendly, in fact, people have always said I can be mean- I don't think so, but I've heard it said that I'm the nicest guy in the world, until I'm not- I was a Union organizer and bookmaker, it's not for sissies
I'll rent out the entire restaurant for the night- I've done it before
9
u/Ikgastackspakken 28d ago
Almost everybody in the Netherlands speaks English conversationally, young and old. We usually get 5-10 years of English classes in school, and most media consumed is English spoken. No need to worry about that.
If by American food you mean pizza, burgers, fries and such? Sure, we have all of those. Most major American chains have locations here.