Amsterdam is well known for their canals, the tulips in bloom and windmills but also for their delicious foods.
On this guide you will find all the foodie hotspots, visited by both tourists and locals.
The best food experiences in Amsterdam
The best way to learn about the culture of the place we’re visiting is joining a group guided by a local.
These are our recommended food tours in Amsterdam:
- Boat cruise with cheese & wine tasting
- Heineken experience
- Icebar entry ticket including 3 drinks
- Henri Wiling cheese tasting with wine
Van Wonderen Stroopwaffles
Location: Kalverstraat 190
Welcome to Van Wonderen Stroopwaffles, the most famous waffles in Amsterdam and claimed to be the world’s best stroopwaffles!
There’s a line at all times so if you want to avoid waiting in line, I’d recommend visiting for breakfast! They open everyday at 8:30am.
They’re perfect to bring back home as a souvenir or as a gift for your beloved ones. They have different types of boxes and you can even purchase the balloons they have displayed at their windows to decorate your own home.
If you don’t have any room left in your luggage, don’t worry: they ship internationally, too! You can order online here.
Van Stapele Koekmakerij cookies
Location: Heisteeg 4
I’m not lying when I’m saying these are the most delicious cookies I’ve ever had, EVER!
Van Stapele sells one type of cookie: it’s made of a dark chocolate dough with a delicious white chocolate filling. The cookie is crispy on the edges but soft and gooey on the inside and they’re still warm when you pick them up.
They open at 10 am and sell cookies until they run out of them – so run for yours!
Prices start from 2,50 for a single cookie, or 12,95 for a box with 6 cookies. If you have a sweet tooth, buy more than you initially planned to! The cookies can be kept up to 4 days, or you can store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Tip: to avoid the queue, you can preorder them online here for a certain time slot. If you choose this option, make sure to preorder them at least 2 days in advance.
Het Koekemanneetje cookies
Location: Runstraat 3
Het Koekemanneetje produces the most irresistible cookies. They produces fresh dough every morning and each cookie is made by hand, with 100% natural ingredients and high quality Belgian chocolate.
You can choose between dark, milk, or white chocolate – ask them to make it warm for you.
It’s located right next to Fabel friet fries, so I’d recommend visiting both on the same day!
Koekjeswinkel – Belicio cheats
Location: Heiligeweg 20h
I casually found this place while looking for a dinner spot on Google maps and the photos looked so good I had to try it myself!
There’s a wide range of lava cookies and brownies and they’re always producing new products so there’s always something new to try! I had a “kinderella” lava cookie made with Kinder bueno white. So delicious!
They also sell vegan cookies & donuts.
Are you traveling around the Netherlands? You will also find this shop in other cities such as Rotterdam and Utretch.
Fabel friet fries
They sell high quality Dutch fries and follow a unique process where they cut the fries fresh, let them cool down for a few minutes and fry them again. The result is delicious, obtaining crispy fries on the outside and soft in the inside.
You can select the toppings you prefer from a wide selection. We recommend the Parmesan + truffle mayo combo!
The waiting line may look intimidating, but they’re very quick.
Manneken Pis Damrak
Location: Damrak 41
Manneken Pis Damrak is the most famous fries store in all Amsterdam. They have a long line at all times!
We didn’t try this one because Vlaamse frites was just steps away with a shorter line, but I plan to come by next time I’m in Amsterdam. It’s supposed to have the best fries in Holland!
Vlaamse frites
Location: Damrak 58
Voted as the best Flemish fries by many, but you’ll have to try the other spots as well to make your decision.
We really loved the fries at Vlaamse. The line was long, but not as long as in Manneken Pis which is just steps away.
Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx
Location: Voetboogstraat 33
This is another spot I didn’t try myself but it was on my list. The line is not as long as in the other 3 aforementioned places, and it’s ranked high as one of the best places for fries in Amsterdam. It’s next to Belicio cheats in case you want to have both!
Moak pancakes
Location: Jodenbreestraat 144
Moak has the best pancakes in Amsterdam and the fruit juices are delicious!
You can choose either sweet or savory toppings on their fluffy pancakes. They’re so filling I couldn’t finish mine, so keep that in mind when ordering.
The local has a very cool vibe, beautiful instagrammable corners and even a shop! The staff is very friendly, too.
Toastable
Location: Nieuwendijk 6
Toastable is a hidden gem loved by the locals in Amsterdam.
They have a wide variety of sandwiches and toasts with reasonable prices.
Their staff was super nice and friendly – highly recommended!
Blue Amsterdam
Location: Kalverpassage
Blue Amsterdam is a café and restaurant with an amazing 360 degree view of Amsterdam inside a futuristic mall.
We tried this place but there was a long line – we checked that their views are indeed beautiful, but we left to the next spot on this list as we didn’t want to wait too long.
Calf & Bloom
Location: Kalverpassage
If you’re looking for a place to have a drink or lunch with a view to Bloemenmarket, this is the one!
You will love it for breakfast, lunch or brunch!
Pizzeria La Zoccola del Pacioccone
Location: Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 22HS
We randomly found this little place and I’m so happy we ended up here! After we sat on the terrace, a long queue started.
Their pizzaiolo is from Naples and all the staff is Italian and friendly so you will feel like you’re in Italy eating their delicious pizzas.
Highly recommended if you’re craving pizza!
Ter Marsch & co
Locations: Kalverstraat & Bloemenkarket
If you love burgers, instead of the typical places you can find elsewhere, choose Ter Marsch & co instead.
You will love their award-winning burgers and delicious fries made with high quality Dutch ingredients topped with Old Amsterdam cheese!
Cheese stores
There are many cheese stores in Amsterdam city center. Many of them make it possible to taste the different types of cheese before you buy!
Flavours go from beer, red or green pesto, truffle, fenugreek…
Make sure to visit the following cheese stores in Amsterdam:
- Old Amsterdam Cheese Store
- Henri Wilig Cheese Store
- Kaashuis Tromp
Tony’s Chocolonely superstore
Location: Oudebrugsteeg 15
Did you know Amsterdam is the biggest cocoa harbor in Europe? That’s why Tony’s Chocolonly superstore is located here, steps away from Amsterdam Central station and Damrak.
Here, you can taste the different types of chocolate they create and make your own chocolate bar.
Dutch pubs at Spui
Looking for a place to have a beer by the canals?
We loved this area with lots of beer pubs and little terraces. We had Amsterdam brewed beers every sunset in this area, much more relaxed than the Red Lights district.
