Gastronomic Experiences in Amsterdam

While sightseeing is one way to explore a new city, discovering a destination through your taste buds is a tantalizing experience that everyone can enjoy. Amsterdam’s culinary scene is as unique as the city itself, boasting different varieties of cheeses, beers, sausages and everything in between.

Food and wine experiences in Amsterdam enable you to expand your palette, and open your mind up to the wonderful array of dishes available in this northern stretch of Europe.

From three-course meals aboard luxury cruises to beer bike tours of the city, these gastronomic experiences in Amsterdam are as varied as they are delicious.

Cheese tastings

From Gouda to Edam, many flavorful varieties of dairy goods are produced in the Netherlands, which is the world’s largest manufacturer of cheese. While you may have tried these cheeses before, sampling the savory treat in its home country is a different food experience altogether.

There are several different types of cheese tastings in Amsterdam available for you to participate in. You can sail along the intricate web of Amsterdam canals sampling the very best of Dutch cheese and toasting your loved ones over a glass of wine.

Alternatively, take a day trip from Amsterdam where you’ll discover traditional windmills, explore the countryside and of course, try mouthwatering snacks.

Wine tours and tastings

Connoisseurs and novices alike can enjoy the relaxing nature of Amsterdam wine tours and tastings. These often take place on board a romantic cruise of the city’s canals, where you can admire the sites of Amsterdam from a new perspective.

Pass by traditional Dutch houses and ancient monuments as you sip on your beverage, and guess its subtle notes.

Or, stay on dry land and indulge in your wine alongside a variety of Dutch cheeses — the perfect salty accompaniment to the sweet flavors of the tipple.

Dinners

Amsterdam is more well-known for its coffee culture than it is for its fine dining. However, one step in the city will make you realize that the food scene is highly underrated in this corner of Europe. From pickled herring to poffertjes, Amsterdam is full of unique delicacies that you simply must try on your city break.

There are a multitude of dinners available to help you facilitate this experience, the most popular of which is a three-course dinner cruise. This enables you to feast on the true flavors of the Netherlands and enjoy a city tour of Amsterdam at the same time.

Other dinners in Amsterdam include surprise feast at a mystery restaurant, a meal in the dark — designed to heighten your senses — and a pizza cruise, which is bound to be a hit with youngsters, and adults alike.

Food tours

Food tours in Amsterdam enable you to go one step further into exploring Dutch cuisine. Rather than wasting time at the tourist hangouts, you’ll be led on a whirlwind tour of the city to discover the secret spots that only locals know.

From Gouda cheese to Dutch pancakes and bitterballen, you’ll try it all as you hop between the most esteemed food outlets in the city, with a guide on hand to teach you about how food has shaped the Amsterdam you see today.

Alongside discovering the city’s culinary scene, you’ll also participate in a walking tour in Amsterdam, which is split into several districts. Stay in the Jordaan area for an Anne Frank tour to see the harrowing house where she hid in for 761 days before being found by German authorities.

Alternatively, take a wander through the Red Light District, sampling smoked sausages and learning about the long-standing history of Amsterdam’s prostitution scene.

XtraCold Icebar

One of the most unique food and wine experiences in Amsterdam is the XtraCold Icebar. Instead of donning your finest attire for a night on the town, this famed bar requires you to slip into a puffer jacket in order to enjoy a brew.

Not just a “cool” experience temperature-wise, the XtraCold Icebar has been expertly carved completely from ice, from its walls to its furniture.

With temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius, you’ll need an inventive cocktail to warm your insides as you enjoy the company of your loved ones in this novel environment.

Many XtraCold Icebar tours in Amsterdam also include an hour-long canal cruise of Amsterdam, passing by the most spectacular city sites, including Skinny Bridge and the Anne Frank House.

Beer tastings

Alongside cheese, the Netherlands is known far and wide for its selection of locally-brewed craft beers, which can be sampled on a beer tasting in Amsterdam. These excursions take you beyond merely tasting the tipple.

Instead, you’ll visit local breweries and learn about the process of making beer, from its origins as hops to the popular end result you can consume. See how the flavors subtly change between different breweries as each artisan puts their own magic touch on their selection of beers.

Another option is to increase the fun by combining beer tastings with bike tours in Amsterdam. Pedal as fast as you can while downing unlimited beverages and taking in the sites. Or, participate in a more refined affair with a cheese and beer pairing experience.

Chocolate tastings

If you’re looking for an alternative food and wine experience, why not visit Brussels for a day of sightseeing, participate in one of the best chocolate tastings from Amsterdam?

Crossing over the border into Belgium, you’ll participate in a walking tour of Brussels, taking in its historic sights and Art Nouveau architecture, including the city’s Atomium, and Royal Palace.

Along the way, dip into a chocolaterie to see how local artisans create decadent truffles and chocolate bars from core ingredients, such as cocoa beans, and sugar. Sample some of the city’s most luxurious treats before heading back to Amsterdam laden with sweet snacks.

Cooking classes

One of the best ways to keep your Dutch vacation alive after you arrive home is by learning to cook the local cuisine. By taking a cooking class in Amsterdam, you'll expand your culinary skills and be able to easily wow your friends, and family with a feast. These gastronomic experiences in Amsterdam have something for everyone.

Plant-based eaters can opt for a vegan cooking class, where they'll learn how to imitate classic meaty dishes without any animal products. If you're visiting the city during the festive season, why not choose a French Christmas cooking class?

Or, discover the joys of the Mediterranean diet on a themed culinary lesson, where Greek, Italian and Spanish dishes are all on the menu. You'll have a professional chef at your side to show you their kitchen tips and tricks, and you'll discover a side of yourself that you may have never known existed.

The best part about these food experiences is that once you've prepared your feast, you'll sit down and put your feet up to enjoy tasting the divine flavors of your own talent.