Grocery Shopping in Amsterdam: A Guide for Americans

My first trip to Albert Heijn, I stood in the dairy aisle for ten minutes trying to find regular milk.

There were 47 types of milk. None were labeled in a way I understood. Some weren't even refrigerated. I grabbed one at random, got home, and discovered I'd bought buttermilk.

Grocery shopping in the Netherlands is different. Here's everything you need to know to shop at Dutch grocery stores without ending up with buttermilk.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• Breakdown of major Dutch grocery chains
• How to handle the checkout process
• Where to find American products
• Real costs compared to the US
• Tips for successful shopping

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The Major Grocery Chains

Albert Heijn (AH)

The most common Dutch grocery store.

What it's like:

• Clean and well-organized
• Good quality products
• Wide selection
• More expensive
• Locations everywhere

Best for:

• One-stop shopping
• Quality products
• Convenience
• When you can't find something elsewhere

Costs:

• Most expensive option
• But worth it for selection and quality

Our take: This is our main store. Yes, it's pricey, but it has everything and the quality is consistent.

Jumbo

Albert Heijn's main competitor.

What it's like:

• Similar to AH
• Slightly cheaper
• Good selection
• Clean stores
• Friendly staff

Best for:

• Same as AH but saving a bit
• Weekly shopping
• Good produce section

Costs:

• 5-10% cheaper than AH
• Still not budget

Our take: If there's a Jumbo near you, it's a great alternative to AH.

Lidl

Budget German chain.

What it's like:

• No-frills
• Limited selection
• Good basics
• Rotating special items
• Much cheaper

Best for:

• Budget shopping
• Basics (bread, milk, eggs)
• Saving money
• Weekly specials

Costs:

• 30-40% cheaper than AH
• Best prices

Our take: We go to Lidl for basics and staples, then AH for specialty items.

For more on monthly living expenses, see Is Amsterdam Expensive for Americans?.

Aldi

Another budget German chain.

What it's like:

• Similar to Lidl
• Very cheap
• Limited brands
• Efficient layout

Best for:

• Maximum savings
• Basic groceries
• Bulk items

Costs:

• Comparable to Lidl
• Cheapest option

Specialty Stores

Marqt:

• Organic and sustainable
• Expensive
• High quality
• Like Whole Foods

Ekoplaza:

• Organic chain
• Mid-range prices
• Good selection

Asian supermarkets:

• Amazing Orien tal
• Wah Nam Hong
• Great for Asian ingredients

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The Checkout Process

This is different from the US.

How It Works

Step 1: Scanning

• Cashier scans items FAST
• Much faster than US
• Items pile up quickly
• Don't try to bag while they scan

Step 2: Pay

• They tell you the total
• Pay with card (PIN) or cash
• Contactless works
• Credit cards accepted but debit preferred

Step 3: Bag

• Bag your groceries AFTER paying
• Move to bagging area
• Don't hold up the line
• Be quick

Important Differences

Bring your own bags:

• Stores charge for bags (€0.25-0.50)
• Everyone brings reusable bags
• Keep bags in your bike panniers
• Or buy once and reuse

No small talk:

• Cashiers are efficient, not chatty
• This is normal
• Don't expect "How are you today?"
• Just transaction

Self-checkout:

• Available at most stores
• Easier for beginners
• Can take your time
• Still need to bag quickly

Pro Tip: Bring multiple small bags instead of one big bag. Easier to carry on your bike and faster to pack at checkout.

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Finding American Products

Some things are easy to find. Some are impossible.

Easy to Find

Available at most stores:

• Peanut butter (several brands)
• Breakfast cereal (limited selection)
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Rice
• Canned beans
• Bread (different but available)
• Coffee
• Tea

Hard to Find

Rare or expensive:

• Ranch dressing (doesn't exist)
• Root beer (specialty stores only)
• Graham crackers (impossible)
• Canned pumpkin (seasonal, expensive)
• Maple syrup (real stuff is €15+)
• Mexican ingredients (limited)
• BBQ sauce (limited selection)

Where to Find US Products

Kelly's Expat Shopping:

• Amsterdam location
• American products
• Expensive but worth it
• Peanut butter cups, Pop-Tarts, etc.

Marqt:

• Some American brands
• Organic focus
• Pricey

Online:

• Amazon.de ships to Netherlands
• American Food Store (online)
• British Corner Shop (ships here)

Our strategy:

• Accept you won't find everything
• Learn to like Dutch alternatives
• Stock up when visiting US
• Order online for special occasions

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What's Different About Dutch Groceries

Package Sizes

Everything is smaller:

• Milk in 1-liter cartons (not gallons)
• Smaller packages of everything
• Less bulk buying
• Shop more frequently

Why:

• Smaller refrigerators
• Less storage space
• Fresher food culture
• Bike transportation

Milk Situation

Types of milk:

• Volle melk (whole milk)
• Halfvolle melk (2% milk)
• Magere melk (skim milk)
• Karnemelk (buttermilk - not regular milk!)
• Houdbare melk (shelf-stable milk)

The confusion:

• Shelf-stable milk is common
• It's UHT pasteurized
• Doesn't need refrigeration until opened
• Tastes slightly different
• Dutch people use it regularly

Our preference: We buy refrigerated milk (koelvers) from the cold section.

Bread

Dutch bread is different:

• Dense and hearty
• Whole grain common
• Sliced thin
• Less sweet than US bread
• Fresher (no preservatives)

Types:

• Wit brood (white bread)
• Bruin brood (brown bread)
• Volkoren brood (whole wheat)
• Tijger brood (tiger bread - delicious)

Where to buy:

• Fresh from bakery (best)
• Grocery store bakery section
• Pre-sliced packages

Cheese

The Netherlands is cheese heaven:

• Gouda everywhere
• Aged varieties
• So many options
• Cheaper than US
• Higher quality

Try:

• Young Gouda (jong)
• Aged Gouda (oud)
• Goat cheese (geitenkaas)
• Cheese from the market

Produce

What's different:

• Smaller selection
• More seasonal
• Better quality
• Reasonable prices

What's cheap:

• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Onions
• Apples

What's expensive:

• Berries
• Avocados
• Exotic fruits

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Real Costs

Our weekly grocery bill (2 people): €90-125, so €360-500 per month.

That's about 20-30% more than what we spent in the US. Meat is noticeably more expensive, produce is comparable, and cheese is actually cheaper (and better).

We split our shopping between Albert Heijn for most things, Lidl for basics, and markets for fresh produce. For the full picture of all living expenses, see How Much Money Do You Need for DAFT?.

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Shopping Tips

Best Practices

Shop multiple stores:

• Lidl for basics
• AH for specialty items
• Market for produce
• Saves money

Go to markets:

• Saturday markets in most neighborhoods
• Fresh produce
• Cheaper than stores
• Fun experience

Use bike panniers:

• Easier than backpack
• More capacity
• Weight distributed better
• Essential for regular shopping

Shop more frequently:

• Smaller trips
• Fresher food
• Less to carry
• Dutch way

Money-Saving Tips

Buy store brands:

• AH Huismerk
• Jumbo Huismerk
• Same quality, lower price

Check weekly specials:

• "Bonus" items at AH
• Rotating deals
• Plan meals around sales

Use loyalty apps:

• Albert Heijn Bonus Card
• Jumbo app
• Digital coupons

Shop at Lidl/Aldi for basics:

• Milk, eggs, bread, pasta
• Save 30-40%
• Stock up on staples

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Dutch Grocery Vocabulary

Essential words:

Dutch	English
Melk	Milk
Brood	Bread
Kaas	Cheese
Vlees	Meat
Groente	Vegetables
Fruit	Fruit
Eieren	Eggs
Boter	Butter
Kassa	Checkout
Tas	Bag
Bon	Receipt

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FAQ

Q: Do I need to speak Dutch to grocery shop?

A: No. Most products have English on the packaging, and checkout is straightforward. Self-checkout is available if you're nervous about interaction.

Q: Can I find Mexican food ingredients?

A: Limited. Basic items like tortillas, salsa, and beans are available at Albert Heijn. For authentic ingredients, visit specialty stores like Toko or order online.

Q: Why isn't the milk refrigerated?

A: It's UHT (ultra-high temperature) pasteurized milk that doesn't need refrigeration until opened. It's safe and commonly used in Europe. If you prefer regular milk, look for "koelvers" (refrigerated fresh) in the cold section.

Q: Where can I find peanut butter?

A: Every grocery store has peanut butter. Look for brands like Calvé or American brands like Skippy. It's in the bread/spreads aisle.

Q: How do I know which checkout line to use?

A: Any line is fine. Some stores have express lanes for fewer items. Self-checkout is available at most stores. Just pick the shortest line.

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Ready to understand how Dutch healthcare works? Learn about the system, costs, and how it compares to the US. Read the Healthcare Comparison →

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We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.