Frens Haringhandel
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This is a great little stand for a quick snack. I guess I was lucky because there was only 1 person in line when I arrived. I waited less than 5 minutes to place my order. The staff was personable. Since I only ordered the pickled herring with toppings (pickles and onions). I got my food within a minute of ordering. There was no seating, so I walked to the nearest tree for shade to eat my snack. The herring was well preserved and paired well with the pickles and onions. I'd happily order it again.
I had the chance to try Frens Haringhandel twice and my experience was inconsistent. The first was my initial passage to try herring and I enjoyed it. However, on my second visit, there were so many bones that I ended up throwing most of it away. I feel Frens Haringhandel is popular due to its proximity next to the flower market, not so much for its taste. Since Frens is only open for five hours, I'd recommend arriving the first hour it opens, as they can run out before closing time at 4 PM. Note: Just like tequila, HERRING IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. How I'd describe herring: salty & slimy. Frens Haringhandel tries to offer a little something for everyone, if herring isn't your thing. But, if this is your first time, I'd recommend going all in and getting the chopped herring, which comes with pickles & onions.
I did a lot of research before coming to Amsterdam and Frens Haringhandel was highlighted numerous times! Getting the opportunity to taste authentic treats in a new country are my jam and most nothing is off limits to me, but I have to say that I was fairly disappointed with this spot. I ordered the pickled herring sandwich and kibbling per the recommendation of all the vloggers and tik tokkers. The pickled herring had great flavor but there were just so many bones in it. Pickled herring bones are supposed to be soft enough to eat, but with each bite, there were just so many bones poking out that it made the experience unideal. The kibbling was also just alright. The fish wasn't all that soft and there were a lot of pieces that were over oily. I was bummed and only ate about half of each item. Maybe I'm the minority here and I can own that, but it just wasn't all that great to me.
Started my Euro trip in Amsterdam and I told to try the herring. A friend told me about this spot when he came to Amsterdam. Had a few bites with the delicious pickle. It was just not my thing so could not finish it. 10/10 for the pickles, 8/10 for the whole experience. More reviews from my Euro Trip to come.
Great place to try out Dutch herring, a traditional dish in the Netherlands. The cured fish wasn't overly salty, but smooth in taste and texture, almost gelatinous. It wasn't overly fishy, but fresh. Just a new taste, but I didn't dislike it nor did I really like it. It was great to try. The pickle helped clean the taste pretty well. The kibbeling was crispy, but was on the salty side.
HARING. HARING. I LOVE HARING. MUST HAVE MORE HARING. I gobble it down like a real Dutchwoman, though I am not Dutch. I love these little stands scattered about the city, and this one was clean and bright, and well stocked. Street food heaven. Haring, with pickles and onions sandwich, please! LEKKER!
We didn't actively look for a herring stand until after 6pm on a Saturday during Easter weekend. We thought we might leave Amsterdam herringless. Luckily we spotted this stand on Sunday afternoon (17:30) while we were on the tram and had time to jump off. We got a plate of the herring with raw onions and pickles. 3.20e. Now, we eat sashimi frequently enough that we didn't think it tasted fishy at all. Don't get the sandwich if you eat sashimi. We then went back and asked for a cod sandwich but they didn't have any that day, so we went with a crayfish sandwich with mayo (you can also choose cocktail sauce). 5e. We've never been to another herring stand so can't compare. Easily a 4 stars.
If you like herring, and even if you don't, I would highly recommend trying it here (or one of the many other stands around Amsterdam)! We ended up stopping at this stand a couple of times during our stay because we enjoyed it so much. The herring here is delicious and can be either ordered by itself or as a sandwich. You can get it with onions and pickles as well if you'd like. We also tried the fried cod from here that came with tartar sauce and it was also delicious. Herring is something you must try when in the Netherlands, and this spot is a great place to do it!
I had my first herring "Amsterdam style" here and immediately walked back into the stand for a broodje. The Amsterdam style herring is served with onions and pickles and eaten with a toothpick. The broodje is the sam served on a hotdog bun-like roll. A herring filet + a broodje is a good light lunch while engaging in some tourism. A single filet could be a snack. I like deli food and anchovies stateside, and I think people with similar tastes will like Dutch herring.
If you like sushi, raw herring is nothing like it. The Dutch (or maybe just tourists) eat their herring with raw onions and pickles. As I've seen on TV, apparently, you're supposed to throw the whole fish down the hatch. Luckily, Frens Haringhandel cut it up so that wouldn't have been possible anyway. Let's just say, raw herring is not my thing. It's very fishy. The raw onions definitely do help cut some of the fishiness but you can still taste it. Although I didn't really like it, it was still a fun experience!
6 months ago
This place is ALL OVER social media, but is it worth the hype? Absolutely. We stopped here in October 2025, after an already filling late lunch. But we knew we had to try it, and life is short. It is a tiny stand located along a central canal in the heart of the city. Business is hopping here. We got the picked herring and kibbeling, which are the main staples here. The pickled herring was, well, something you either love or don't. It has somewhat of a gelatinous texture that can be off-putting, but when you take a bite with the sides of sweet pickles and onions, it shines. The Kibbeling was out of this world. Perfectly fried with a crunchy batter that had a hint of, hmmm, curry, maybe. It was amazing. Although the batter was thick and tasty, it didn't outdo the delicious cod. The staff here was friendly, and having this Dutch food along a canal in Amsterdam made for a memorable experience. There are plenty of places to sit near the stand - enjoy this tasty food and watch the world go by. read more
10 months ago
Street food in Amsterdam, does it get any better? There were three street foods I wanted to try when visiting. Herring was on the top of the list. Most herring I had eaten was Swedish herring or "sill" usually prepared in a pickled solution. We returned to this stand, located near the Bloemenmarkt, across from UNIQLO. It was quite a popular area, located on a bend over a canal with trams and trolleys rolling by. The line on the two days we were there wasn't long and waited less than 5 minutes both times to place our order. The first stop I bought one order of herring with pickles, onion and the "Nederlandse vlag." We returned two days later and purchased another order of the herring and a herring sandwich with the herring served on a simple white roll with onion and pickles. Both were excellent. Didn't sample the fried cod, eel sandwich or the mackerel. Would I return? Without a doubt! While we had some excellent food in Amsterdam, Frens topped my list as a must visit stand when walking around Amsterdam! read more
1 year ago
Holy hell - that herring sandwich today was FANTASTIC! This convenient spot is located across the street from UniQlo and there are enough benches, etc. nearby where you can sit and enjoy your food and, boy, did I! The fresh herring (soft as butter) sits in an excellent fresh bun with pickles and onions and I WOLFED that sucker down in minutes, stopping only to breathe. You know it's good, fellow Yelpers, when you don't even stop to take a picture. All this and a Coke for about 9 euros and I'd happily pay it again. For my first ever herring experience, I'm pretty sure I nailed it by coming to Frens Haringhandel. read more
2 years ago
This is a great little stand for a quick snack. I guess I was lucky because there was only 1 person in line when I arrived. I waited less than 5 minutes to place my order. The staff was personable. Since I only ordered the pickled herring with toppings (pickles and onions). I got my food within a minute of ordering. There was no seating, so I walked to the nearest tree for shade to eat my snack. The herring was well preserved and paired well with the pickles and onions. I'd happily order it again. read more
2 years ago
I had the chance to try Frens Haringhandel twice and my experience was inconsistent. The first was my initial passage to try herring and I enjoyed it. However, on my second visit, there were so many bones that I ended up throwing most of it away. I feel Frens Haringhandel is popular due to its proximity next to the flower market, not so much for its taste. Since Frens is only open for five hours, I'd recommend arriving the first hour it opens, as they can run out before closing time at 4 PM. Note: Just like tequila, HERRING IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. How I'd describe herring: salty & slimy. Frens Haringhandel tries to offer a little something for everyone, if herring isn't your thing. But, if this is your first time, I'd recommend going all in and getting the chopped herring, which comes with pickles & onions. read more
2 years ago
I did a lot of research before coming to Amsterdam and Frens Haringhandel was highlighted numerous times! Getting the opportunity to taste authentic treats in a new country are my jam and most nothing is off limits to me, but I have to say that I was fairly disappointed with this spot. I ordered the pickled herring sandwich and kibbling per the recommendation of all the vloggers and tik tokkers. The pickled herring had great flavor but there were just so many bones in it. Pickled herring bones are supposed to be soft enough to eat, but with each bite, there were just so many bones poking out that it made the experience unideal. The kibbling was also just alright. The fish wasn't all that soft and there were a lot of pieces that were over oily. I was bummed and only ate about half of each item. Maybe I'm the minority here and I can own that, but it just wasn't all that great to me. read more
Was it worth the wait..maybe not so much. It was good but I wouldn't wait in line for this. The herring did not taste fishy at all and the mackerel sandwich was good as well. The staff weren't too friendly and I felt rushed. read more
5 years ago
Started my Euro trip in Amsterdam and I told to try the herring. A friend told me about this spot when he came to Amsterdam. Had a few bites with the delicious pickle. It was just not my thing so could not finish it. 10/10 for the pickles, 8/10 for the whole experience. More reviews from my Euro Trip to come. read more
2 years ago
Read somewhere that you have to try herring during your visit to Amsterdam. Although it was different, I enjoyed it very much. The staff were friendly and I got my food quickly. read more
2 years ago
Melt in your mouth delicious! Super fast and great service. Right next to benches so its easy to sit and enjoy overlooking the canal read more
Great place to try out Dutch herring, a traditional dish in the Netherlands. The cured fish wasn't overly salty, but smooth in taste and texture, almost gelatinous. It wasn't overly fishy, but fresh. Just a new taste, but I didn't dislike it nor did I really like it. It was great to try. The pickle helped clean the taste pretty well. The kibbeling was crispy, but was on the salty side. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
HARING. HARING. I LOVE HARING. MUST HAVE MORE HARING. I gobble it down like a real Dutchwoman, though I am not Dutch. I love these little stands scattered about the city, and this one was clean and bright, and well stocked. Street food heaven. Haring, with pickles and onions sandwich, please! LEKKER! read more
We didn't actively look for a herring stand until after 6pm on a Saturday during Easter weekend. We thought we might leave Amsterdam herringless. Luckily we spotted this stand on Sunday afternoon (17:30) while we were on the tram and had time to jump off. We got a plate of the herring with raw onions and pickles. 3.20e. Now, we eat sashimi frequently enough that we didn't think it tasted fishy at all. Don't get the sandwich if you eat sashimi. We then went back and asked for a cod sandwich but they didn't have any that day, so we went with a crayfish sandwich with mayo (you can also choose cocktail sauce). 5e. We've never been to another herring stand so can't compare. Easily a 4 stars. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
If you like herring, and even if you don't, I would highly recommend trying it here (or one of the many other stands around Amsterdam)! We ended up stopping at this stand a couple of times during our stay because we enjoyed it so much. The herring here is delicious and can be either ordered by itself or as a sandwich. You can get it with onions and pickles as well if you'd like. We also tried the fried cod from here that came with tartar sauce and it was also delicious. Herring is something you must try when in the Netherlands, and this spot is a great place to do it! read more
I had my first herring "Amsterdam style" here and immediately walked back into the stand for a broodje. The Amsterdam style herring is served with onions and pickles and eaten with a toothpick. The broodje is the sam served on a hotdog bun-like roll. A herring filet + a broodje is a good light lunch while engaging in some tourism. A single filet could be a snack. I like deli food and anchovies stateside, and I think people with similar tastes will like Dutch herring. read more
If you like sushi, raw herring is nothing like it. The Dutch (or maybe just tourists) eat their herring with raw onions and pickles. As I've seen on TV, apparently, you're supposed to throw the whole fish down the hatch. Luckily, Frens Haringhandel cut it up so that wouldn't have been possible anyway. Let's just say, raw herring is not my thing. It's very fishy. The raw onions definitely do help cut some of the fishiness but you can still taste it. Although I didn't really like it, it was still a fun experience! read more
7 years ago
Best place to try the Dutch delicacy, herring. The pickled herring usually comes whole with the topping of pickles and onions. A tip when consuming herring is to not have the fish cut, but to rather lift it up in the air and consume it whole. It is a soft and sweet taste to it similar to a salmon sashimi. Be cautious that your breath will Smell after this! Everyone should try herring from frens haringhendel when visiting Amsterdam - Ansel Ponce Diama read more
8 years ago
Fabulous, delicious herring. I've always been a fan of pickeled herring, which is fairly easy to find back home in the States. This herring is completely raw. It is served with onions and pickles, which gives it a bit if a pickeled taste. This is served out of a large street booth. There is seating available at nearby public benches and in the canal. read more
6 years ago
7 years ago
fresh herring near fresh flowers! an acquired taste but if you enjoy sashimi then this should be a walk in the park. the taste is stronger, more akin to the pacific saury. they prepare them fresh, carefully removing the bones. you can choose to have it with a sandwich bun or in my case have it sashimi style. a generous sprinkle of diced white onions, slices of tangy pickles and a tooth pick, holland flag style. they also serve other fish like eel and deep fried morsels of mussels, etc. for me, it is always along the road to my final lunch destination. a cheap snack to keep me fueled for the trip, especially in such cold wintery conditions. read more
6 years ago
Best herring I've EVER tried in my life. Before this life changing experience, I'd only tried pickled herring in a jar back in the states and didn't know what to expect. I found the herring here to be less salty compared to other vendors around the area and by far my favorite. We also tried the kibbeling and croquette as well but the herring was the star of the show lol. I definitely agree with the review below, sushi and sashimi lovers would 100% enjoy! read more
One herring was enough for me but I'm glad I tried this specialty while visiting Amsterdam. There are many food stalls selling "haring" all over the city and I have no idea whether they mostly taste the same or not but the brined herring from Frens was salty and smooth, with surprisingly less of a fishy taste than I expected. It can be ordered in a sandwich or plain with pickles and onions. Get extra pickles - the sweet, tart flavor goes nicely with the fish. My only negative of this street snack was how long this taste lingered in my mouth for hours afterward! read more
Not sure what else I can say about this place except that it was part of our itinerary to eat like a dutch and try some raw herring. Just think of it as sushi...kind of like raw mackeral or saba if that's what you call it. The fish still has little bones in it but they are thin enough to be able to chew through. Not sure this was really my thing but I'll give credit that the fish was definitely fresh. I can now cross Dutch Raw Haring off my list. read more
I don't care what anyone says, Herring is the way to go in Amsterdam, and this is the stall where you should being snacking on that oh, so Dutch treat. Fresh and savory with every bite..yum! I only wish that I that I could have had gotten more pickles with my order, but the picturesque dinning setting more than made up for it. If iI lived here, I am certain that I would eat this herring by the bucketful...Maybe I am part seal or something, but that is ok, because Frens Haringhandel has me covered. read more
£3.20 for some raw herring and onions and pickles. I was surprised! If you don't love sushi or very fishy flavor, this isn't for you. Otherwise, I really loved the strong flavor of fish. It does leave a bit of bad breath, but it's worth a try! read more
8 years ago
If you're in the area, this is a must try! Various choices other than the herring. Perfect balance of sour, crunchy and citrus. I also tried #10, the salmon. read more
8 years ago
Fresh, raw herring. Gotta try this at least once in Amsterdam. Good snack but I'll probably stick with sashimi. read more
11 years ago
I knew I had to try herring in Amsterdam, but it was a lot better than what I was expecting! This food stand is located right at the end of the flower market and seemed pretty popular. You can order a traditional or non-traditional one. I ordered traditional and it came in a sandwich with onions and pickles. It was as if I was eating salted sashimi. I loved it and almost bought a second one if I wasn't already so full. read more
9 years ago
Affordable and somewhat filling. Good snack. Very fishy. Would return if in the mood for quick fish snack. read more
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More info about Frens Haringhandel
Koningsplein
1017 AW Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Centrum
Directions
020-3627923
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http://www.frens-haring.nl
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Frens Haringhandel - streetvendors - Updated May 2026
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