Fresh from the land, from the sea or even from the dunes: the Wadden Islands are a paradise for foodies who love pure, local and special. Each island has its own character and its own taste. What do they have in common? The influence of the Wadden Sea. The salty sea air, fertile soil and artisanal makers create products you won't find anywhere else. From lamb to seaweed cheese, from cranberry liqueur to home-brewed beer: the Wadden taste like more.
The strength of the Wadden Islands is in its nature. Salty winds blow across the meadows where sheep and cattle graze. Farmers grow potatoes and mustard seed on fertile land. Mullet, sea bass and cockles swim in the sea, and samphire and sea lavender grow on the mud flats. The flavours are pure and intense: sometimes a touch salty, sometimes creamy or spicy. And the great thing is: the products are often produced sustainably and on a small scale by makers who love their trade and their island.
Texel is famous for its tender lamb, thanks to its salty meadows and fresh air. Also special are the salty vegetables like glasswort and beach beet, as well as the Texel asparagus, which grows on virgin soil. Want a taste? You can do so in numerous restaurants, or on a bicycle tour of the farm shops. And don't forget Texel's beer, brewed with dune water and passion.
Vlieland is serving you a culinary surprise. Cheesemaker Nils ripens his seaweed cheese in an old bunker, beehives scattered across the island provide unique Vlielander honey and the famous cranberries - once washed up on the beach - are now an integral part of the menu. At Fortuna Vlieland, you taste local beers with herbs, dune water and even sea lettuce.
Terschelling lives from and with the Wadden Sea. Oysters, cockles, sea lavender and samphire can be found in the salt marshes and on your plate. Cranberries are the red gold here, used in pies, chutneys and liqueurs. Also on the menu: game from the island, such as hare and goose, or fresh sea bass from the North Sea.
On Ameland, taste and pride come together in the hallmark Amelands Produkt;. Here you will find an impressive list of local products: beef from the Blaarkop cow, dry sausage from natural cattle, rye bread from local grain, homemade mustard, potatoes from fields by the sea and even catfish from an islander farm. Restaurants serve dishes with the label and you can visit the producers via a special cycle route or during the annual event the ProefRoute.
On Schiermonnikoog, you taste the island in full layering: the soft, spicy cheese from Van Schier carries the salty air of the National Park. In hotel Duinzicht they serve home-made blackberry port, robust and full of character. And oyster mushrooms pop up on the menu of several restaurants - grown on coffee grounds from island restaurants: surprising, local and sustainable. Fancy something sweet? At Bakkerij Donders, get beach cake and shortbread for with your coffee or in your beach bag.
On the Wadden Islands, culinary enjoyment is all about experience and authenticity.
On Texel, for example, you can join a luxury picnic at unique locations such as the beach, the woods or the sheep pastures, enjoying local delicacies without having to bring anything yourself.
Vlieland offers the culinary walking route Stappen & Happen, where you walk past four catering establishments and are surprised each time with a delicious dish in tasting format .
On Terschelling, you can taste surprising honey delicacies at the Bijenpark. From honey ice cream and hothoney to sea buckthorn tea and chocolate honey paste - all made with award-winning island honey. Sweet, local and served with pride.
Ameland offers the ProefRoute during Art Month, where you enjoy 5 or 10 Ameland amuses with matching wines at various locations
See them all
No island visit without bringing back something tasty. In farm shops, local shops and via webshops, you will find everything from herbal bitters to wool from island sheep and from cranberry jam to beer brewed with dune water. The perfect way to enjoy your Wadden moment at home.
You can order regional products online, e.g. via:
Feel like putting the flavours of the Wadden on your table at home too? With a basket full of local produce and a pinch of island inspiration, you can make something special in no time.
Try stew with Texel beer, a sweet recipe with Terschellinger cranberries or dive into the kitchen for an Amelander mustard soup or stew with mustard and beer.
Check out the recipes and be surprised:
Whether you like savoury or sweet, seaweed or cranberry chocolate: the Wadden Islands let you taste, experience and appreciate what is truly local. Let your taste buds do the work and discover the rich, honest flavours of the islands. Welcome to the Wadden Islands!
