In the Netherlands, a borrel is a casual social gathering centered around drinks and snacks. It can happen at a café, at someone's home, or even at the office on a Friday afternoon. The snacks - known as borrelhapjes - are the stars of the show.
The classics include bitterballen (crispy, round croquettes filled with a rich beef ragout), kroketten (the elongated version), frikandellen (Dutch minced-meat sausages), and kaassoufflé (cheese puffs). These are almost always served with a generous portion of mustard on the side.
For many Dutch people, borrel snacks are tied to specific moments: a birthday celebration, a Friday afternoon drink with colleagues, watching football, or just having friends over. The snacks are simple, satisfying, and deeply social.
How to Enjoy Borrel Snacks
- With a generous dab of mustard - this is non-negotiable for most Dutch people
- As party snacks for gatherings, birthdays, or game nights
- During a traditional borrel with drinks and good company
- Some items are frozen or chilled - available for local pickup or delivery
