What are the best food delivery apps in the Netherlands?

For expats settling into the Netherlands, finding reliable food delivery apps is often one of the first steps toward feeling at home. Maybe you’re too tired to cook after a long day of unpacking, you’re craving international food, or you just want to explore Dutch food culture from your serviced apartment. Either way, the right app makes all the difference. From traditional Dutch snacks to top international restaurants, it’s all at your fingertips.

Knowing which platforms operate in your area, how pricing works and what delivery times to expect saves you frustration and money. This guide covers the main delivery apps in the Netherlands, so you can order food like a local from day one.

Thuisbezorgd.nl: the market leader

Thuisbezorgd.nl is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com and is the largest and longest-established delivery platform in the Netherlands. It has the widest restaurant selection in the country and covers almost every Dutch city, plus many smaller towns. You’ll find thousands of restaurants, from local pizzerias and Chinese takeaways to more upscale places.

The app and website are available in English, which makes them especially expat-friendly. You can filter by cuisine, dietary preferences, minimum order amount and delivery time. You can pay with iDEAL (the Dutch standard), credit card or PayPal, among other options. Delivery fees vary by restaurant, and many restaurants deliver for free above a certain order amount.

Keep an eye on the total price. Besides delivery fees, you may pay service fees and extra charges for things like bags, packaging or sauces. According to the Dutch consumer association (Consumentenbond), these charges add €2 to €4 to an average order. They often only appear at the end of checkout.

Many restaurants on Thuisbezorgd.nl handle their own delivery, which often means faster service and food that arrives in better condition.

Uber Eats: global convenience with local reach

Uber Eats has a strong presence in the major Dutch cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Eindhoven. If you already use Uber at home, the app will feel familiar right away, which makes it an easy choice for newcomers.

The platform offers real-time tracking of your delivery and shows prices, including delivery fees, before you order. You can also use the same account and payment method you may already use for Uber rides. Uber Eats focuses mainly on trendy restaurants and international chains, but it has plenty of local favourites too. You can also order groceries through the app.

Delivery fees depend on distance and demand. An Uber One subscription costs €8.99 per month or €89.99 per year. With it, you pay no delivery fees on orders from €18 at participating restaurants and from €40 at supermarkets, and you earn credit back on Uber rides. The app is fully available in English and accepts international credit cards, which helps if you don’t have a Dutch bank account yet.

Flink: groceries delivered fast

Flink is a rapid grocery delivery service. It doesn’t deliver restaurant meals; instead, it brings groceries from local warehouses within 30 minutes at most. Flink operates in dozens of Dutch cities, including Amsterdam, Utrecht, Groningen and Zwolle, and you can order every day from 8:00 until midnight.

If your serviced apartment doesn’t have a fully stocked kitchen, Flink is ideal for a quick breakfast, drinks, snacks or ingredients for a simple meal. It’s especially handy when you arrive late and the supermarket has already closed, or when you only need a few things. Besides everyday basics, Flink stocks ready-made meals, salads and a selection of international products. The app is available in English.

Supermarket delivery: for bigger grocery runs

If you want to fill your fridge in one go, supermarket delivery services are a good option. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Picnic deliver groceries in a time slot you choose. It’s slower than Flink, but the range is bigger and prices match those in the store. You can also order from several supermarkets through Uber Eats.

Payment methods and practical tips

Most delivery apps in the Netherlands accept several payment methods, but expats should keep a few things in mind:

• iDEAL: The most widely used payment method in the Netherlands, linked directly to your Dutch bank account. Set it up as soon as you open a local account, because some restaurants and services only accept iDEAL.
• International credit cards: Widely accepted on platforms like Uber Eats and Thuisbezorgd.nl, though this can vary by restaurant.
• Cash on delivery: Increasingly rare, but still possible with some restaurants on Thuisbezorgd.nl. It’s useful in your first days, before your banking is sorted.
• PayPal: A good stopgap until your Dutch bank account is set up.

Always check the total price before you confirm your order, because delivery fees, service fees and surcharges can add up quickly. Many restaurants have a minimum order amount, usually between €10 and €20.

Delivery times and tipping culture

Meal delivery usually takes 20 to 60 minutes, depending on distance, preparation time and demand. The apps show an estimated delivery time, which is generally reliable. Expect longer waits at peak times (usually 18:00–20:00), especially at weekends.

Tipping isn’t required in the Netherlands, but people appreciate it for good service. Most apps let you add a tip when you order or after delivery. A tip of €1–2 for a standard delivery, or 5–10% on larger orders, is considered generous. You can also give the courier a cash tip.

If you live in a serviced apartment building, add clear delivery instructions in your order notes: the building name, your floor, and whether there’s a reception desk or intercom. This keeps deliveries smooth, especially in the larger apartment complexes common in Amstelveen and Amsterdam.

Restaurant variety and cuisines

Delivery apps give you a surprisingly varied choice of food in the Netherlands, especially in the cities:

• Dutch specialities: Local restaurants offer stamppot, bitterballen, kroketten, poffertjes and pancakes.
• Indonesian cuisine: Indonesian food is hugely popular because of the historical ties between the two countries. Try a rijsttafel or nasi goreng.
• Surinamese food: Another Dutch favourite, with roti, bara and unique flavour combinations.
• International options: The major cities have plenty of Turkish, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern and American food.
• Healthy and diet-specific: A growing number of vegan, vegetarian, organic and health-focused restaurants cater to specific dietary needs.

Use the app filters to browse cuisines and dietary options. Customer reviews help you find good restaurants, especially when you don’t know the neighbourhood yet.

Comparing costs and finding the best deals

Food delivery in the Netherlands can be cheap or expensive, depending on how you go about it. Here’s how to get the most out of it:

• Compare Thuisbezorgd.nl and Uber Eats: The same restaurant may have different prices or delivery fees on each platform.
• Watch for promotions: New-user discounts and restaurant deals come up regularly. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss them.
• Consider Uber One: If you order regularly through Uber Eats, the subscription can pay for itself through waived delivery fees.
• Order together: Order with housemates or colleagues to reach the minimum order amount and split the costs.
• Lunch vs. dinner: Some restaurants offer better-value lunch menus.
• Pick up yourself: Collecting your own order saves the delivery fee, and you may even get a discount.

A meal typically costs €8–15 for budget options like pizza or Chinese food. Mid-range restaurants cost €15–30 per person, and premium meals delivered to your door cost €30 or more.

Key takeaways

• Thuisbezorgd.nl has the widest restaurant selection in the Netherlands and is available in English. Watch out for service fees and other extra charges.
• Uber Eats is strong in the major cities, feels familiar to international users and accepts foreign credit cards.
• Flink delivers groceries within 30 minutes in dozens of cities. For bigger grocery runs, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Picnic are convenient.
• Setting up iDEAL through a Dutch bank account gives you access to the full range of restaurants and services.
• Uber One (€8.99 per month) can save you money if you order often through Uber Eats.
• Tipping is optional but appreciated, and €1–2 or 5–10% is considered generous for good service.