The price/value ratio is often too poor in the Netherlands for sustained spending on horeca during hard times. Maybe it will force cafes and restaurants to up their game. For bad service and average food I can stay at home and save money ;-)

I generally spend nothing in the NL unless I have to, cafes are no exception. Reason? Everything is overpriced above international norms and of low quality.

Few weeks ago, I had a visitor whom I took to a cafe. My visitor ordered one thing and got another. When we politely complained this is not what was ordered, the rude waitress said that was what the computer said!!! That's not the end: when I got my food, it was 1/4th of a typical dish size you would get in Canada, US, or France. Priced 25 euros though! Tasteless too!

I also don't travel out on weekends since the day tickets were scrapped. Thanks to the over-engineered technology (ov-chip card)!

Hmmm...perhaps cafes and restaurants would make more if they had better quality staff? Only 2/5 places we've been in the past month have managed to get us more than 1 drink in the time we were at their establishment even though we'd have easily bought a few more if anyone bothered to ask.

In most countries they have lowered prices and taxes to attract consumers during the economic crisis. Not so in NL, where prices and taxes just keep rising. I do everything I can to not spend money in NL, because clearly the government (in higher taxes) and business owners (in higher prices) have zero respect for my hard earned money. As a foreigner, I can't vote in elections here, but I can vote with my wallet. The Netherlands is a backward, shortsighted and greedy little country, and I have no intention to subsidise it more than absolutely required by law. I also discourage foreigner tourists to come to NL to spend their money, because this government treats foreigners living here so badly.

What do you expect with the kind of service they offer? In order to spare they all hire very young inexperienced people. On top of it in cafes&restaurants of Holland average prices are very high and hygiene standards are very low.
Consider also that most towns of Holland increased paid parking hours and fees, so is normal to have these consequences.

Really Quest? Can you name those countries where they lowered the prices and taxes? Just curious.

Welcome to Moscow, guys! And you will know the real meaning of overpricing. Every time I visit NL I safe a real amount of money. Here you understamd what you pay for. You will never get same size of food in Moscow cafes at NL price. So, guys, enjoy! The Netherlands is a very attractive country!

Low quality Services and products but prices high considering as well that entertainment level is getting worst ..so what do you expect we are maybe expats but not stupids!

Dont worry about that Quest, the government is assuring actively discouraging tourists (coffeeshops ban, redlight district ban, price increases).

I do not agree with many of these comments. I have been visiting the Netherlands every year on holiday for a number of years abd have always found good value in restaurants and the staff charming especially the young people. Come to Ireland or the U.K. for unfriendly service and expensive overrated food or America for service that it so over the top.
Quest if you dislike the country so much - I will swap places. A great country.

I am in the same camp as the above posters. I just don't bother going out to cafes/restaurants in NL because they are way overpriced, but more than that, the quality is generally very low. Rude staff, so-so food, the value just is not there. When businesses learn to up their game and become competitive to international standards they might see improvement, even if they think they can rip the Dutch off because "that's all they know".

In the UK, the term "rip-off Briton" is used frequently, it looks like "rip-off Holland" is going that way as well

@Quest

Well said, no value for money, greedy, rip off, and poor quality service. The Horeca is yet another Dutch cartel, but, they have to drop the prices, or face going out of business, time is running out.

Dork & Quest you got my respect as you couldn't of said it any better, This country is anything but consumer friendly, and it's no wonder why Holland is going down the drain. My partner wants to purchase a new car and this 50/50 deal is a joke to say the least, they offer financing at 9% which is a total rip off considering the most interest you will pay in the US is 4% with good credit not to mention I have totally refused to buy just about anything here in Holland. The restaurants are totally gross and the Dutch are mean as hell! Can't wait to go home! I guess that's what they want,2 run good people out.

You can't blame the Dutch for low quality food, because it's the only thing available to them; unless they specialise and import themselves, but you can blame them for hospitality and service, which is virtually non-existent.

I used to pay 4 guilders for a pint now it's 6€. Still comparable to NYC - Paris-Sydney. Service is what you make of it. Street food is great in NL in Cafes not so good.

I totally agree with the previous comments. I would give an example of righteous, friendly and welcoming behaviour: Austria. They know how to make the tourists to return. The services and the people attitude is what matters. Not mentioning the food and its quality. Learn, Netherlands!

It's time to get back to the old fashion way of having a family day togeher. I bike ride in the park, picknic on the graas, walk along the beach, board games, puzzles, and I am sure you could think of others.

I noticed that my local zoo went up from 17-19.75 eur this year and even children as young as 3 pay 16.75 eur (gone up from 12) which I thought was an extortionate rise. Now I bought a season ticket which worked out pretty well. Canteen prices are expensive as well but at least they let people have picnics.
Some places in the UK don’t let you eat your own food or have designated areas for picnics. Ive noticed people unpacking their picnic in the canteen!

I also cut my expenses in NL, not because of the crisis, but because of quality and prices.
I go to few restaurants I like, where I am sure I will get good food, good drinks, good service and the price will be right. And there I do not mind to spend way more than 10 euros!
The other restuarants and cafes can all bankrupt for me.
I want to buy quality, who sells it will get my money.

Have to agree with many of the comments here - going out in The Netherlands just leaves me feeling poor, hungry, and disappointed because prices are so high, and food quality and service so low. In Japan, they say the customer is God. In The Netherlands, it seems the customer is an annoyance!

I agree with you all, is not about cheapness, is about the worst service you can imagine everywhere. Rudeness, expensive and tasteless(specially the tomatos)
Nobody cares about Customer Satisfaction!
How come a capuchino in italy is 1.30 when in the netherlands is 2.50, I thought rotterdam was the biggest port in europe?

Beautiful country but very true comments above. I visit there about 2 to 3 times a year and each time I go out eating less and less. Take advise from tourists and lower your prices and up your standards. Feel sorry for residents as going out is unaffordable by the average family.

I am not a rich guy but the quality of services is killing me ,i don't mind to pay for something i like/want ,but i want at least a smile...
Anyway after spending a lot of money and feeling like s*** we decided to spent more time together and eating "thuis" with friends,i swear it's better.
And btw,quit smoking,not because of the price but believe me you don't want to go to the doctor here.

@pepe About countries lowering taxes and prices, there is not enough space to list the countries. NL has offered no stimulus package, no growth plans, and only tax increases. The business sector has responded by increasing prices. It's a no win situation for the average consumer.

@Gary Mayne - Okay, I will take you up on your offer and swap places. I lived in the UK previously also, along with a few other countries. Be prepared that you get my employees that you must be responsible for at minimum of 2 years, 52% income tax on top of the soon to be 21% VAT and and the highest petrol tax in the world. Although 20 years ago I would have agreed that UK unfriendly service and expensive overrated food sucked, the UK has moved on (or at least tried to), and the Netherlands has not. Have fun!

@dork@highlander@quest - nothing to add, agree with everything you've written.
@RussianFan - I 've been working in Moscow for 18 months now, and there are loads of places with better food ,service, prices & decor. Yes, Moscow is most certainly extremely expensive city, however, it beats NL ( at least that's my peronal opinion).

The comments about the Uk are true, prices are reasonable because of competition from pubs like wetherspoons 6pounds for curry and a pint, if you're really hungry eat two!
I would have thought a chain like the 'spoons could clean up here...I did ask them once if they had plans and got a no as response :(

As the Netherlands becomes more conservative, they have lost thier own identity. As they lose their identity things that are readily available for anyone to enjoy get increased scrutiny. This has resulted in a dissatisfication with Dutch Foods. The restaurants are set up for the tourists, but the Dutch don't want them here. They are becoming a closed society. I wish the Netherlands well but the days around 2006 were the best and the Netherlands is now a different country. I won't be going back

The Dutch idea of "everyone is equal" as explained by my Dutch neighbour, seems to mean in practice, that many people resent working in service industries as they feel this is beneath them.

My husband and are lucky to have a good income but still find it difficult to go out for an evening in Holland without it hurting our wallet! Just a "3-gangen" menu with drinks is way overpriced (especially at the beach areas) and I agree with the many comments of terrible service to boot! Business owners best take some advice and start listening to the consumers regarding poor service and high prices.

i really assumed that it was only me who thought everything is way overpriced here in NL. you even lose a fortune at an albert hein everytime you visit. someone mentioned tomatos. indeed, this is far from how tomatos are supposed to taste. i really believe this country has too many serious issues and i can't lose the impression that the dutch are overstrained. it sometimes also kills me when going out for food, besides these outrageous price performance ratios, the choice of good food is really poor. thanks everyone, it was not only me percepting this. ^^

Well, I never Go out to eat because I'm a cheapskate to begin with. :)

Okay then Quest, can you please name three countries that have lowered their taxes and prices?

One thing I can say about this country...it has motivated me to learn how to cook my favourite takeaway recipes! And they taste way better...

I agree with most of the comments here, I am always shocked by the business' attitude that THEY are the ones doing ME a favour simply by existing, and that the customer is an annoyance---most stores, restaurants, anywhere.
Anyway, the business owners will never read these comments here, so we can gripe about the situation, but they will never know (or care!). I shop in other countries.

@Pepe 4 countries that have lowered taxes = Sweden, Denmark, US, New Zealand. For countries that have lowered prices, all you need to do is walk by restaurants and retails establishments in almost any country to see the deals that are being given do to the recession. There are few OECD, IMF, etc. reports on this, but it is obvious if you go to other countries and compare what you pay for a meal out, and the type of deals that can be had in retail relative to the Netherlands.

@Quest, interesting that you name Sweden and Denmark. Both countries are much more expensive than the Netherlands. VAT is higher there, even after the Dutch raise to 21%. Income tax is also higher there.
As for the Netherlands being more expensive then other countries. Please explain that to the Germans and Belgians who flock the Dutch border towns each weekend to do their shopping and groceries.