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What Food To Try in Eindhoven and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Eindhoven for 2024.

National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Eindhoven cafes and restaurants
$16.4 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $10.92
$71 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $49.13
$10.9 
Combo Meal
Starting from $9.28

What to Try in Eindhoven

Must-try Dishes
Stamppot - Dutch Mash (hearty potato dish) - A comforting mix of mashed potatoes with various vegetables, often paired with sauerkraut or kale. Locals enjoy this classic dish during the colder months, especially with a juicy sausage on the side.

Kroket - Dutch Croquette (savory snack) - A deep-fried roll filled with beef or chicken ragout, creating a crispy texture outside and a creamy filling inside. You’ll find them at every snack bar, often enjoyed as a quick lunch or mid-afternoon snack.

Balkenbrij - Blood Sausage Pudding (traditional delicacy) - A unique pudding made from pork blood, cereals, and spices, served hot or sliced cold. It’s a local favorite during the winter months, commonly eaten by families around the dinner table, often with applesauce for a touch of sweetness.

Haring - Raw Herring (seafood delicacy) - Fresh herring fish, typically served with onions and pickles, eaten by holding the fish by the tail and taking a bite. This is a true street food experience, enjoyed by locals during the summer, especially at outdoor markets.

Frikandel - Spicy Sausage (snack stand favorite) - A skinless minced meat sausage, often served with a tangy curry sauce and chopped onions. It’s a popular choice at local frituurs (fry stands) for a late-night snack after a night out, a distinct flavor explosion.

Asperges - White Asparagus (seasonal treat) - Tender white asparagus is steamed and often served with a hollandaise sauce, ham, and boiled potatoes. This dish is eagerly anticipated each spring when asparagus season begins, and you can see locals delighting in its arrival.

Patat - Dutch Fries (iconic street food) - Thick-cut fries served with an extensive selection of sauces like mayonnaise, satay, or onions. Perfect for lunch or dinner, these fries are a favorite among locals when they're looking for something quick and satisfying, a go-to comfort food.

Rijstepap - Rice Pudding (comforting dish) - Creamy rice cooked with milk and sugar, sometimes topped with cinnamon and sugar. Traditionally eaten as a filling breakfast option or dessert, it's such a classic that you’ll find it served at family gatherings, bringing back fond childhood memories.

Desserts & Drinks
Wortmanns - Wortmanns (local herbal tea) - A soothing blend of various herbs, often including mint and chamomile, steeped in hot water. You’ll find it enjoyed in cozy cafes during chilly evenings, while locals appreciate it for its calming effects after a long day.

Pilsner - Pilsner (crisp lager) - A refreshing light beer made from barley and hops, often served in a tall glass to maintain its frothy head. It’s a popular choice at local pubs, especially during summer gatherings – just avoid asking for a “beer” alone; locals might assume you mean heineken.

Frisdrank - Frisdrank (Dutch soda) - A local creation of fruit-flavored fizzy drinks that come in standout flavors like cassis and orange. Often savored during annual celebrations or festivals, it's common to see families sipping frisdrank together during outdoor events.

Bossche Bol - Bossche Bol (cream-filled pastry) - A delightful choux pastry ball, filled with whipped cream and coated in rich dark chocolate. Perfect as a treat during special occasions, you might catch locals indulging in it at outdoor markets or bakeries while strolling around the city.

Ijskoffie - Ijskoffie (iced coffee) - A creamy blend of strong coffee, finished with whipped cream on top and sometimes a drizzle of chocolate or caramel. Best enjoyed during the warm summer months, pair it with a slice of cake if you want to fit in—it's the local way to take a break.

Food and Groceries in Eindhoven

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $1.83
Bananas $1.83
Oranges $1.48
Potatoes $1.78
Apples $2.34
Beverages
Water 1.5L $1
0.5L Local Beer $1.31
Imported Beer $1.95
Wine Rating >4.0 $6.55
Milk 1L $1.32

Various Groceries
Meat (Beef or Pork) $15.62
Chicken $11.02
Cigarettes $8.95
Rice $2.05
Local Cheese $11.4

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

Sitting outside at a café in the sun, I often find myself observing how locals cherish their mealtimes, especially lunch breaking into that cozy 12:00 to 14:00 window. It’s a time-honored tradition that also highlights the common practice of lingering over coffee afterward, adding an hour or two to their midday break.

In Eindhoven, expect to pay around €15 to €20 for a satisfying lunch at many restaurants, while a couple of superb street food stalls in the city center can really surprise you with deliciousness at around €5 to €8. The contrast is interesting! Occasionally, I’ll splurge at a popular dining area like the Hoven or Stratumseind, where trendy spots can charge a premium, but there's always a satisfaction in the quality when you do.

Oh, and before I forget, in terms of payment customs, cash is still popular, but most places accept card payments. Just a little heads-up here: if you plan on dining out during peak hours, like Friday evenings, expect long waits and fully booked tables. Making reservations is always a wise idea, especially if you're keen on trying a favored spot. Locals tend to plan ahead, so it’s not uncommon to see names on a waiting list at popular locations.

Tipping is generally not obligatory, but rounding up to the nearest euro or adding a 5-10% tip can always bring a smile to your server's face. A regular lunchtime custom worth embracing is sharing plates—everyone chips in, and it becomes a delightful mix of tastes. A frequent tourist mistake is underestimating this communal dining style, where sharing is part of the social experience!

Given the current focus on seasonal eating, I often see menus transform with the time of year, highlighting fresh local produce or warming dishes that fit the cooler months. With every new season, the prices can shift a bit too—think hearty stews in the winter versus refreshing salads in the summer.

In terms of newly emerging habits, I’ve noticed younger locals veering toward plant-based dining options. It's an exciting development that reflects a broader shift in food preferences and sustainability, taking Eindhoven’s food culture into a new era.