Dutch Breakfast & Lunch Culture as an Office Icebreaker
For many internationals, one of the first cultural surprises in the Netherlands happens not in the meeting room, but in the lunch break. While lunches in many countries are warm, elaborate and social moments, Dutch breakfast and lunch culture is refreshingly simple, practical and surprisingly full of character. Understanding these habits can be a fun and useful way to connect with Dutch colleagues and even become an easy icebreaker in the workplace.
Bread, Bread and… Bread
The most typical Dutch breakfast and lunch is a boterham: a slice of bread with a topping. And not just any topping:
- Cheese: often young or mature
- Hagelslag: chocolate sprinkles. Yes, even for adults!
- Peanut butter, jam or chocolate spread
- Boiled eggs
- And of course: a strong cup of coffee to go with it
At lunch, many Dutch people simply repeat this ritual. Bringing your own sandwiches from home is very common, and lunch is often eaten quickly behind the desk, during a short walk, or together in the office canteen. Warm lunches do exist, but usually only on special days.
The Legendary Broodje Kroket
One warm exception has achieved near-legendary status: the broodje kroket. A crunchy fried meat ragout snack inside a soft bun, usually with mustard. You will often see colleagues mysteriously disappear during lunch, only to return proudly hoding one. It’s
not just lunch, it’s a cultural moment!
Why this Matters at Work
These simple lunch traditions are more than habits; they reflect typical Dutch workplace
values:
- Practicality
- Equality (everyone eats the same simple lunch)
- Informality
- Efficiency
For internationals, understanding this can help decode daily office life. And for teams,
lunch habits offer an easy way to start conversations, laugh together and share cultures.
Questions like:
- What’s on your sandwich today?
- Do you prefer cheese or hagelslag?
- Have you tried a broodje kroket yet?
can instantly break the ice and introduce a few Dutch words along the way.
A Language Opportunity in Disguise
Talking about food is one of the easiest ways to practice a new language. Even simple
Dutch phrases such as:
- Ik eet een boterham met kaas.
- Ik neem hagelslag.
- Zullen we samen lunchen?
help internationals feel more confident speaking Dutch in a low-pressure, friendly
setting.
Interested in Strenghtening your Dutch?
Creating space for simple Dutch conversations at work is a great first step, but many teams benefit from a bit of extra support. Taalthuis offers Dutch courses for internationals who want to feel more confident using Dutch in everyday
situations. From basic survival Dutch to professional communication, these courses help internationals feel more comfortable, connected and at home, both in the workplace and in the Netherlands.