Amsterdam Food Tasting Tour of Hidden Gems (Small Groups)

Food tours in Amsterdam work best when they mix flavor with local routine, and this one does that well. You start with Dutch cheese and end with a warm stroopwafel, with street food stops that feel like real habit, not a theme park. My favorite part is the sheer spread of tastes, savory then sweet, with a guide who keeps things moving. The one thing to consider: if you want lots of landmark talk, the focus is mainly on food culture, not big building history.

You’ll join a group of up to 12 people, and you’ll eat enough to count as a proper meal plan, not just a snack parade. You’ll also have drinks along the way, including beer options at the sweet stop, with alternatives available if you skip alcohol. On Saturday evenings in particular, the seafood timing can get tricky because some traditional fish shops close earlier, so the tour may swap in an alternative if needed.

Key highlights to expect

• 7 stops in about 3 hours with a comfortable walk between tastings
• Savory-to-sweet pacing, from cheese and fried cod to poffertjes and stroopwafel
• Local guides who adapt fast, including replacing a stop when something is closed
• Street-level Dutch flavors, plus Surinamese food with strong ties to the Netherlands
• Included drinks and meals, not just “one bite each”
• Small-group feel with a max of 12 people and a mobile ticket for easy entry

A smart way to eat your way across Amsterdam in 3 hours

This tour is built for people who want to understand Amsterdam through what people actually order, snack on, and share at neighborhood spots. At a glance it looks like “tasting menu on the go.” In practice, it functions like a guided sampler of Dutch comfort foods and a couple of international influences that show up in everyday Dutch eating.

You’re walking between central neighborhoods and hitting seven tastings, with lunch and dinner included in the overall package. That matters because it changes the vibe. You’re not constantly scanning menus, and you’re less likely to get stuck with one expensive meal that kills your budget. The price, $119.21 per person, starts to feel reasonable when you consider how many different items you taste, plus coffee or tea and drink options.

One more plus: the group size stays small, max 12. That makes it easier to get served quickly at each stop and keeps the pace from turning into a crowd shuffle.

Where you meet, where you end, and how to plan your timing

You’ll start at Stubbe’s HaringSingel 8n, 1013 GA Amsterdam. The walk ends at Hekelveld 3, 1012 SN Amsterdam, in a lively area that’s close to public transportation, so it’s easy to keep exploring after you eat.

Plan to arrive a little early and treat the first stop as your warm-up. You’re likely to get your bearings fast, but Amsterdam’s streets reward a calm start. Wear shoes you can stand in for a couple of short stretches, since you’re moving stop to stop.

The tour is offered in English, and you’ll get a mobile ticket. Confirmation comes when you book, and this activity is often booked about 50 days in advance, which is another good sign if you’re trying to lock in a time slot.

Stop 1 at Haarlemmerstraat 2: Dutch cheese that runs from young to aged

Your first tasting sets the tone in a simple, smart way: Dutch cheese, with variety. You’ll try young cheese, aged cheese, and also goat cheese. That range matters because “cheese” is not one flavor in the Netherlands. It’s a whole spectrum, from mild and creamy to deeper, more intense bites.

This is also a great first stop because it trains your taste buds for what comes next. The mild, smooth start makes it easier to notice how tangy, salty, or sharper flavors change in the later foods. Even if you’re not a cheese superfan, you’ll likely leave with a clearer sense of what you personally prefer when you shop at a Dutch cheese counter.

Possible downside? If you’re not excited about cheese at all, the tour’s early energy may feel slightly slow. It does pick up quickly afterward.

Stop 2 at Haarlemmerdijk 4: kibbeling and Dutch herring, served Amsterdam-style

Next is classic Amsterdam street food flavor. You’ll taste kibbeling, crispy fried cod bites served with a tangy remoulade sauce. Then comes Dutch herring, eaten the local way with pickles and chopped onions, typically lifted by the tail so you take a bite.

Two things make this stop worthwhile. First, kibbeling hits that crunchy, hot, snackable sweet spot, and the sauce adds a cool tang against the fried cod. Second, herring is one of those foods you either get instantly or never fully “click” with. The local serving style helps you experience it the way people actually eat it, not how a tourist plate might present it.

Timing matters here. On Saturday evenings, traditional fish shops can close earlier, so seafood tastings may not be possible at that exact hour. The operator’s approach, when this happens, is to adjust and swap in an alternative stop to keep your food experience complete. If seafood is your number one reason for booking, try the midday slot instead of the evening on Saturdays.

Stop 3 at Haarlemmerdijk 95: grillworst for a warm, hearty bite

At Haarlemmerdijk 95, you’ll stop at a neighborhood butcher for grillworst, a warm sausage with cheese. This is the “okay, now we’re talking” stop for a lot of people because it’s hearty, hot, and easy to eat while walking.

It also balances the earlier fried foods. Fried cod is crispy and sharp, and cheese-laden sausage is more comforting and savory. You’ll likely feel like you’ve moved from snack mode to meal mode here, which is exactly what makes the overall route feel satisfying.

Stop 4 at Prinsenstraat 19: Surinamese bara, a Netherlands staple through colonial ties

Here the tour gets interesting in a way that’s not just food for food’s sake. You’ll visit a Surinamese eatery and try bara, spiced lentil dough fritter filled with curry chicken.

This stop is valuable because it shows how Dutch eating has absorbed flavors from across the Kingdom, and Surinamese food is a real presence in the Netherlands, not an “import.” The lentil fritter brings crisp outside, tender interior vibes, and the curry chicken makes it deeply flavorful without needing a complicated explanation.

If you’re sensitive to spice, this is the one stop where I’d consider asking the guide how hot it runs. The data doesn’t say heat level, so you’re better off checking on the spot rather than guessing.

Stop 5 at Prinsengracht 191: poffertjes plus a drink break

Then comes a classic Dutch sweet: poffertjes at Prinsengracht 191. These are mini pancakes served warm with butter and powdered sugar. The tour also pairs them with a Heineken beer, coffee, or your drink of choice.

This is a smart break in the itinerary. After several savory stops, you get something comforting and shareable, and the warm sweetness resets your palate. The drink option helps too. If you don’t want beer, you can choose coffee or another drink, and that keeps the pacing comfortable.

If you dislike sweets, this is the one stop that could test you. It’s central to the tour’s final rhythm and it typically lands well, even for people who prefer savory foods. But if you truly avoid sweets, tell your guide your preference early, and expect the guide to steer you toward what you’ll enjoy most.

Stop 6 at Herengracht 90: Drop Shot licorice liqueur, very Dutch and very bold

At Herengracht 90, you’ll try licorice liqueur, also known as Drop Shot, at a bar locals go to unwind. This is the kind of stop that makes people split into two camps: love it, or try it once and move on.

Licorice flavors can be intense, and Drop Shot is salty-sweet, so it’s not a mild sip. What makes it feel authentic here is the setting. You’re not doing this as a novelty shot at a tourist bar. You’re tasting it in a place locals actually use for downtime.

Alcohol policy is clear: drinking is only for people older than 18. If you’re under 18, you’ll still have options without alcohol, but the tour includes non-alcoholic choices too.

Stop 7 at Hekelveld 3: warm stroopwafel finished fresh from the iron

You end on stroopwafel, two thin waffles with gooey caramel syrup. The key detail is freshness, still warm from the iron. That warmth is everything. A stroopwafel that’s already cooled becomes harder to love, but warm, freshly pressed caramel has a soft bite and a smoother melt.

This is also a good “wrap” to the whole tour. You’ve had crispy fried foods, rich sausage, curry, and beer or coffee. The stroopwafel is the sweet punctuation mark that makes the entire route feel complete.

Small group dynamics, pacing, and why the serving style matters

With a max of 12 people, the tour avoids the slow chaos that can happen on bigger food walks. Each stop is timed to keep you from waiting too long, and the tastings are served when the group arrives. That approach avoids the risk of pre-set food sitting around too long, losing flavor and texture.

Pacing is another strength. The route gives you short breaks between tastings, so you’re not constantly hustling. This matters in Amsterdam because even one overlong walk can sap your energy before you get to the best bites.

One more real-world detail: at least once, a guide has successfully swapped in an alternative when a specific food place was closed, instead of leaving people with a missing tasting. That ability to handle changes is a major quality signal for a food tour.

Drinks, alcohol options, and how to handle your preferences

The tour includes coffee and/or tea, with water also available. Alcoholic beverages are included as an option for adults 18 and over. At the poffertjes stop you’ll have a drink pairing choice, including Heineken beer or coffee.

If you have dietary preferences, the tour data doesn’t spell out vegetarian or allergy alternatives. What it does say is that there are non-alcohol options and water, plus drink options at the sweet stop. For anything beyond that, I’d bring your needs up on the day, since each venue may handle substitutions differently.

And if you’re expecting a tour where every minute is a lecture about architecture and landmarks, calibrate your expectations. The tour focus is on food culture and the food venues themselves. You will get context, but it’s not set up as a full-time city history tour.

Is the price worth it for $119.21?

For most people, value here comes from three buckets: variety, included meals, and not having to plan. You’re sampling cheese, seafood, sausage, Surinamese fritter, pancakes, licorice liqueur, and stroopwafel. That’s a lot of distinct bites for one afternoon, especially with lunch and dinner included.

Also, you’re paying for execution. Someone else organizes the route, times the stops, and handles the small-group flow. In Amsterdam, that can save you from the “which place is open right now” puzzle, which is especially relevant with seafood shops that close earlier in the day.

At the same time, if you’re a strict “I only want seafood and I hate sweets” eater, this may not be the perfect fit. The route clearly includes sweet and Dutch seafood components, plus a licorice liqueur stop that can be polarizing.

Who should book this tour, and who might want a different one

Book this if you want:

• A practical food route with seven tastings over about 3 hours
• Both savory and sweet in one walk, including poffertjes and stroopwafel
• Central Amsterdam access without needing to hunt for places
• A small-group experience that supports quick serving and pacing

Consider a different option if you:

• Want a heavier focus on landmarks and building history instead of food culture
• Strongly dislike sweets and won’t touch poffertjes or stroopwafel
• Only want seafood, since seafood access can depend on opening hours, especially on Saturday evenings

Should you book Amsterdam Food Tasting Tour of Hidden Gems (Small Groups)?

If your idea of a great Amsterdam day is eating multiple Dutch specialties plus one Surinamese stop, this tour is an efficient way to do it. The mix of items, from young to aged cheese through Dutch herring and then ending with warm stroopwafel, gives you a true sampler of what locals reach for.

I’d book it if you like hands-on tasting, you’re okay with a little fried-food indulgence, and you want a guide who can keep the experience on track even when a shop isn’t cooperating with the schedule. I’d pass or look for another style if you want deep city history over food culture, or if sweets and licorice liqueur are hard no’s for you.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Amsterdam food tasting tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $119.21 per person.

How many stops are included, and what kind of food will I try?

You’ll visit 7 stops and taste a mix of Dutch cheese, kibbeling with remoulade, Dutch herring with pickles and onions, grillworst, Surinamese bara (lentil fritter with curry chicken), poffertjes, licorice liqueur (Drop Shot), and stroopwafel.

Is lunch and dinner included?

Yes. Lunch and dinner are included, along with coffee and/or tea (water can also be requested).

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Alcoholic beverages are included for people older than 18. The tour also offers non-alcohol options.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Stubbe’s HaringSingel 8n, 1013 GA Amsterdam and ends at Hekelveld 3, 1012 SN Amsterdam.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What if seafood places are closed, especially on Saturday evenings?

The seafood stops can be affected by early closures on Saturday evenings. If a seafood tasting isn’t available at that time, the operator says the guide will adapt by replacing it with another quality venue.

Do I need to tip?

Tips and gratuities are not included.