Which Dutch icons do people love most? Based on our 2026 order data, and more than 225,000 tiles shipped since 2023, the most popular Dutch icon on a tile this year is the humble cone of Dutch fries, followed by Amsterdam's canal houses and the stroopwafel. Food, the city and the bicycle dominate the top of the list. Here is the full ranking and what it tells us about how people picture the Netherlands.
The most popular Dutch icons of 2026
- A cone of Dutch fries (patatje): the number one Dutch icon of the year. Nothing says the Netherlands quite like friet in a paper cone.
- Amsterdam canal houses: the sunlit rows of leaning canal houses, a favourite for anyone with a soft spot for the city.
- Stroopwafels: the caramel-filled waffle that has quietly become a national symbol abroad.
- The windmill: the timeless picture of the Dutch landscape.
- The bicycle: practical, everywhere, and unmistakably Dutch.
- Bitterballen: the crispy bar snack that Dutch people abroad miss most.
- The tulip: the flower that put the Netherlands on the map.
What the data tells us
Two themes run through the top of the list: food and the everyday. Fries, stroopwafels and bitterballen show that, for many people, Dutch identity is something you can eat. Canal houses, windmills and bicycles capture the rest: the city, the landscape and the way people get around. It is a portrait of the Netherlands that is warm, unpretentious and instantly recognisable.
Dutch food leads the way
If there is one takeaway, it is that Dutch food travels. The cone of fries, the stroopwafel and bitterballen all rank near the top, often ordered as a gift for someone who lived in or loved the Netherlands. Browse the food and drinks collection to see them all.
The city, the landscape and the bike
Beyond food, the icons that resonate most are the ones you see on any trip: the canal houses of Amsterdam, a windmill on the horizon and a bicycle leaning against a bridge. You will find these in our Dutch heritage collection.
How we made this ranking
This ranking is based on our own order data from 2026, across our ready-made design tiles. Since we started in 2023, we have shipped more than 225,000 tiles in total. Personalised tiles (your own photo, pet or house) are our most ordered products overall, so here we have focused on the ready-made Dutch-icon designs to show which cultural symbols people choose most.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Dutch icon?
Based on our 2026 orders, a cone of Dutch fries is the most popular Dutch icon on a tile, ahead of Amsterdam canal houses and the stroopwafel.
What Dutch food is the most popular gift?
The cone of fries leads, with the stroopwafel and bitterballen close behind. Dutch food consistently outsells other themes as a gift.
Are these tiles a good Dutch gift?
Yes. A Dutch icon on a Delft Blue tile is a lasting, unmistakably Dutch keepsake, popular with expats, tourists and anyone with Dutch roots.
Curious what makes Delft Blue so special? Start with What is Delft Blue? Or see this year's overall top 10 best-selling tiles. Ready to pick your favourite icon? Browse all designs.
