Hilton Amsterdam serves Hollandse Nieuwe and Italian Aperitivo on a waterside terrace

It’s a long-standing tradition: the arrival of the first barrel of Hollandse Nieuwe at Hilton Amsterdam. For the 29th time, the herring was welcomed with a big celebration on Hilton’s delightful waterside terrace. Even more fun: the hotel is honouring this Dutch delicacy with a special herring menu. Not a fan of herring? There is also an Italian Aperitivo menu with classic cocktails and Italian bites.

Herring 2.0

What made this year’s herring party special was discovering new ways to eat herring. Naturally, the classic Dutch herring with onion and gherkin was not to be missed, but there is so much more you can do with herring. How about herring Escabeche (with spicy Peruvian tomato sauce), herring Monte Cristo (on a brioche with fries) and herring “Finissima” di Aringa (thinly sliced herring with smoked salmon roe mayonnaise)?

One by one, these are special herring dishes that you can taste – until 30 September 2024 – at the Garden Terrace and in the Half Moon Lounge Bar at Hilton Amsterdam on Apollolaan. And if you prefer something a little more classic, rye bread with herring and pickles is also on the menu.

Hidden Amsterdam gem

And that terrace is a wonderful secret hideaway. Just around the corner from Beethovenstraat, you can sit here in serene tranquillity by the water. Not a fan of herring? No problem: there is also an Italian Aperitivo menu with classic cocktails and Italian bites. You can make a reservation here.

Also read:

• • Five things you shouldn’t do when you’re in France but probably do
  • Know before you go: 12 French dishes you might want to avoid
  • Grand Frais is heaven for French foodies, and these are the things you’ll want to buy there

Images: Jasper ten Tusscher, Lidian van Megen