At this time of year Dutch cities and towns begin to hum with energy again. The sun begins to warm our shoulders, and we insist on being outside! Everything has come alive and its beauty turns our head. We answer by braving the cool spring weather on bikes, on foot and especially when eating out.

I had been warned before we moved to The Netherlands - dining out in Europe is expensive. “No worries,” thought I. Truth be told dining out was never my favorite treat. I often had second thoughts when balancing the cost/enjoyment equation. Sometimes I still do.

But, these four fleeting years in The Netherlands have softened my heart towards eating out. Here is what I have discovered about the Dutch dining culture. Should you ever find yourself in this corner of the world, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect.

the Money Side

When you look at a menu, know this - what you see is what you pay. No tax, no tips. It sounds like a small thing, but what a difference that makes in the experience. Relax, because there is nothing further to calculate here. The bill is never a surprise.

Now, it is true that service in Dutch restaurants is generally less attentive than what I’ve experienced in the USA. However, I don’t really feel the need to be hovered over, and if you need something they are happy to oblige. No worries if you want to stay a really long time, either. But more on that later.

Thus cost of dining out is actually more comfortable than I expected, with the noted exception of drinks. There is no free water! Gasp! This is my personal gripe. I prefer to drink water over sugary drinks and don’t even care for sparkling. So, when what I really want is tap water (no wasteful bottles, thanks) it’s not fun to pay for that. Even tea or a glass of milk (which is never on the menu, but I am the crazy American that requests it for my kids), costs around €3. Other than drinks, the prices on the menu are no shocker.

Ice Cream + Fries

Dutch people dine out for meals, but they are just as likely to grab a quick snack while on the go. Fast food is not ubiquitous. Instead there are myriad specialty eateries. Just about anywhere in a Dutch city you are a block away from fries or ice cream.

OK, I have a big crush on Dutch ice cream. It is sooooooo good and surprisingly cheap. I was used to paying $5 per person to go out for ice cream. The other day I spent €3.20 total when Elora and I grabbed ice cream with friends. And I have to tell you that it was a proud moment for me. Elora (6) and her friend (5) each bicycled alongside her mama’s bike, traveling from our home into and through the busy city center. We were an adorable group, I do say. Ice cream cones in hand, we hopped back on our bicycles to reach a park green where the kids can run and play. I bicycled one-handed, while holding two ice creams in the other hand (mine and Elora’s), and I felt like a real Nederlander. Someday!

The fries are good too (wink). But you should probably hear that from someone who craves salty. And, really, you should try them with mayonnaise when you visit. It’s not the mayo you are expecting, and you just may come around. I did.

the Playgrounds!

Are you dining out with kids? Then you are going to wish you were in The Netherlands! Many restaurants cater to families with awesome entertainment for kids. This really needs to go viral.

Please erase from your mind Mc Donald’s style plastic playground. Not that! Imagine instead that while you are waiting for your food or enjoying your after dinner coffee, your kids can escape to your wealthy friend’s backyard replete with multiple play structures, a giant trampoline and a sandbox with sand toys. You really don’t mind if the restaurant charges a few euros extra per meal to cover those costs, do you? I didn’t think so.

As you can imagine, kids love going to these sort of restaurants. An extra bonus as a parent is that it is socially acceptable for your kids to come and go from the table at will during this dining experience. And you do not have to go with them to the playground! Really. Only if they are crying. I promise! Just relax and enjoy yourselves and let the kids do their thing. What a way nice way to while away a few hours, especially if you’re also dining outside.

The Terrace

I sense that I have much yet to learn about this phenomenon, but I do get the basic premise - when the weather is nice, it is lovely to dine outside. Almost all Dutch restaurants have outdoor seating and may even have more outdoor seating than indoors. Typically this dining experience is situated away from a car-accessible street, but adjacent to busy on-foot shopping areas.

Yep, they just love to sit outside. Even in the winter! Not raining? Sit outside! Are you cold? We have space heaters and blankets for that. Do you want to sit inside? Hmmm, not from around here, eh?

For me personally the busy pedestrian flow and cacophonous atmosphere of terrace dining can be a bit much. I like to connect with those at my table, so too much distraction is just that. However, when the terrace is situated in a garden behind the restaurant, on a boat docked in a canal or alongside the kid’s playground area (and I brought kids), then I do quite enjoy.

I have only lived here for four years and I still have lots to learn! It could be that the right dining partner will teach me more about the terrace charms. I think the key may be a good conversationalist and the opportunity the terrace brings to take as much time as you would like together. I am nothing if not a willing learner.