WALKING FOOD TOUR
Although there aren’t a load of typical Dutch dishes to try, there are definitely a few traditional foods and drinks to experience on your travels. Try my recommended walking food tour below, which will take you on a short tour of Amsterdam whilst letting you try some of these snacks that are more common to locals.
A great day-time activity, start your walking tour by 2pm latest to get round all the stops before they close. It’s also a good idea to set off hungry! The food tour includes 3 savory food stops, 2 sweet food stops and 2 drinking stops.
Total time – 3 hours
Walking time – 1 hour
Total amount spent – €20-30 per person
A: Dam Square
Start in the center of the city at Dam Square. From here take a 5 minute walk through the Red Light District to the first food stop – Febo.
B: Dutch Croquette
Here you get to feel like a true Amsterdammer and experience a fast-food vending machine from FEBO. Their croquettes and burgers are prepared daily and use the best quality meat from 100% Dutch cattle from the neighborhood. So… don’t let the vending machine deceive you! Try a croquette (€2).
C: Stroopwafel
Walk 5 minutes through Amsterdam’s Chinatown until you get to Nieuwmarkt – translating as New Market. Walk past the large building in the middle of the square – The Waag – the oldest remaining non-religious building in Amsterdam, and find the stroopwafel stand (€2). These traditionally Dutch waffles are super sweet and are freshly prepared. Note – not on Sundays.
D: Herring
Next, walk 10 minutes along the canal towards Haringhandel Jonk – a fresh herring stall. Try the famous Dutch delicacy, herring on a roll, raw herring served with pickles (€3-4).
E: Dutch Liquor
Carry on 5 minutes onto a street called ‘Herengracht’ along a canal. Enter Proeflokaal A. van Wees, a former-distillery-turned-pub offering liquor tastings. Here, try jenever, a traditional Dutch liquor (€4-8). If you fancy a bar snack order some bitterballen, deep fried meaty snacks shaped in a ball.
F: Cheese Museum
Next on the stop (if you’re not staying at the Proeflokaal..!) is The Cheese Museum which sells hundreds of different cheeses. Browse the free cheese and pickle tasters, and head downstairs to learn about cheese production (tasters – €0!).
G: Apple Pie
The Netherlands is famous for it’s apple pie, and Winkel 43 is the place to get it! Enjoy a slice of apple pie right by the canal in the picturesque area of the Jordaan (€3-4).
H: Optional Stop: Cocktail Bar
Time to complete the loop and head back to Dam Square. If you’d like one more stop I’d recommend Tales & Spirits, one of the best cocktail bars in Amsterdam. The cocktails are pricey but the moody and relaxed atmosphere and innovative cocktails definitely make it worth it.