Where to drink Champagne in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands has a strong wine and restaurant culture despite not being the first country that comes to mind when you think about wine. Amsterdam naturally has the biggest concentration of places to explore, but Champagne hunters shouldn’t stop there. Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and other cities have plenty of restaurants, wine bars and hotels where Champagne can make an appearance.
Dutch drinking culture also makes Champagne feel quite natural here. A glass before dinner, a bottle shared over a long meal or a late-night celebration all fit comfortably into the local restaurant scene.
Yes, the Netherlands makes wine
This is one of the more interesting things to know before visiting. The Netherlands does produce wine, despite its cool northern climate.
There are vineyards in several parts of the country, with Limburg being particularly important. Dutch winemakers work with grape varieties suited to cooler conditions, including Johanniter, Souvignier Gris and Solaris. You’ll find still wines as well as Dutch sparkling wines, and some producers have built quite a reputation for their work.
So if you’re visiting as a Champagne lover, look beyond the imported bottles for a moment. A Dutch sparkling wine can be a much more interesting souvenir of your trip than another bottle you could have bought anywhere.
What should I eat with Champagne?
The Netherlands gives you plenty of salty, fried and seafood-based options that can work surprisingly well with Champagne.
Try it with Dutch oysters, North Sea seafood, smoked fish or aged cheeses. And if you want to go fully casual, there’s always the possibility of pairing bubbles with bitterballen – deep-fried ragout-filled snacks that are a classic Dutch bar food.
Not every Champagne pairing needs to be serious.
Good to know
If you’re travelling around the Netherlands, don’t assume Amsterdam is the whole story. The country is compact, trains are excellent and it’s easy to combine several cities in one trip.
