"Bakkie doen?" What a cup of coffee says about Dutch culture

In the Netherlands, you'll see people everywhere with a coffee in hand. Walking, cycling, or chatting outside a café. Trendy coffee bars are on every corner, offering oat milk lattes, flat whites, and matcha everything.

But the real Dutch coffee culture? It’s not about being fashionable. It’s about connection, tradition, and small moments that say a lot. Let’s take a closer look at what the Dutch mean when they say: "Zullen we een bakkie doen?"

The quiet ritual of coffee time

In many Dutch homes and workplaces, coffee isn’t just a drink. It’s a daily rhythm. Around 10am and again at 3pm, it’s time for a break. At work, that usually means heading to the office coffee machine, the unofficial centre of social life. At home, it might be a quiet moment at the kitchen table.

Expect a mug of strong filter coffee (yes, it’s still a thing), possibly with milk and sugar. No fuss. No foam art. Just hot, black coffee and often, a single biscuit on the side. Only one? Yes. This isn’t stinginess; it reflects the Dutch values of simplicity and modesty.

Hospitality in a cup

When you visit someone in the Netherlands, whether it's a neighbour or a colleague, there's a good chance they'll offer you a coffee. It's automatic, part of Dutch hospitality. And that small gesture? It’s one way the Dutch show care without being too emotional or formal.

This idea of the “bakkie” is so embedded in daily life that it’s become a symbol of togetherness, a way to say “I’m here, let’s talk,” or sometimes, “Let’s just sit together.”

To get confident speaking Dutch and taking part in chit-chat over a coffee, take a course with Regina Coeli

Trendy cafés versus traditional habits

Of course, coffee culture has changed, too. Young Dutch people love cafés just like everyone else, and you’ll find oat lattes, caramel cappuccinos and sustainable blends in every city. Tea is also growing in popularity, with dozens of flavours and brewing styles.

But even with all the trends, coffee remains something deeper in Dutch culture: it’s still the drink of connection, welcome and simple comfort.

When coffee speaks your language

Coffee even shows up in the Dutch language. These expressions say a lot about how embedded the ritual is in Dutch life:

• Zullen we een bakkie doen? – Shall we grab a coffee?
• Een bakkie troost – A comforting cup
• Dat is geen zuivere koffie – Something fishy is going on
• Koffiedik kijken – To guess or speculate
• Hij lust wel een bakkie – He really likes coffee

More practically, there are the simple but useful lines that can help you talk about coffee in daily life: 

• Hoe drink jij je koffie? – How do you take your coffee?
• Zwart – Black
• Met melk en suiker – With milk and sugar
• Alleen een beetje suiker – Just a bit of sugar
• Met een wolkje melk – With a splash of milk
• Zo, dat is een straf bakkie! – Wow, that’s a strong cup!
• Zal ik koffie zetten? – Shall I make some coffee?
• Wie wil er koffie? – Who wants coffee?

These short lines are part of everyday small talk; perfect for making connections at work, in class, or even with neighbours.

Coffee and learning go hand in hand

Fun fact: In language courses, coffee is often one of the top three things learners say they “need” to succeed. It helps people relax, connect with others and feel more at home. Whether you're studying Dutch or just trying to feel settled in a new country, a warm cup can be surprisingly helpful.

For expats, coffee is a cultural key

So next time someone offers you a simple mug of coffee – maybe even with just one biscuit – say yes. It’s a small but meaningful way into Dutch life. Behind that humble “bakkie” is a whole world of culture, humour and human warmth. It might just be your first step into feeling truly at home.