Amsterdam Food Tour: Jordaan, Canals & 10 Tastings Walk

Summary

Walk Amsterdam’s canals tasting Dutch cheese, stroopwafels, poffertjes and local stories in Jordaan

You’ll wander Amsterdam’s UNESCO canal ring with a local guide who actually knows which cheese shop basement has the good stuff. Expect warm stroopwafels from an ancient bakery, fresh herring if you’re early enough, poffertjes in Jordaan cafés and plenty of stories between bites. It’s three hours that feel like hanging out with friends who happen to feed you every few blocks.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you step into a city and it smells like rain and coffee at the same time? That’s how Amsterdam greeted me — and before I’d even finished my first confused attempt at “goedemorgen,” our guide Sanne was waving us down into a cheese shop cellar near Spui. The walls were cool and old, lined with wheels of Gouda stacked like golden bricks. We tasted young cheese, then one so aged it crumbled in my fingers, chased by a tiny glass of something sweet that burned just a little. Someone joked about breakfast being overrated if you can start your day this way. I didn’t disagree.

The walk between stops is half the fun — the canal houses leaning at odd angles, bikes rattling past, locals calling out to each other over the water. In the Nine Streets we ducked into a bakery older than most countries (no kidding), where stroopwafels came off the iron hot and sticky. The smell was ridiculous — caramel and butter everywhere. I tried not to get syrup on my camera but failed spectacularly. Then there was herring from a family stall by Spui market (only if you’re early; they pack up by late afternoon). Salty, slippery, eaten with onions and pickles — I kind of loved it, though I wasn’t sure at first bite.

We wandered through Jordaan next, where brown cafés spill their laughter onto cobbled lanes and someone’s always got a dog underfoot. Sanne pointed out the tiniest house I’ve ever seen wedged between two shops, then led us to poffertjes — those pillowy pancakes drowning in butter and sugar. She told us about how students used to sneak into university bars for jenever shots before exams (Dutch courage is real). At some point we passed the Anne Frank House; she paused but didn’t make a speech — just let us stand there for a moment if we wanted.

By the end I’d lost track of how many things I’d tasted (definitely more than ten), but I remember chocolate that snapped when you bit it, bitterballen that nearly burned my tongue because I got impatient, and an apple pie in a brown bar where everyone seemed to know each other. It wasn’t perfect — sometimes we squeezed into tiny spaces or stood on wobbly steps balancing plates — but honestly? That made it better. Even now when I smell cinnamon or hear bike bells somewhere else, part of me goes right back to those canals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Amsterdam food tour and historic sites

• Start in cheese shop cellar tasting Gouda
• Visit historic brown bar for sailors
• Explore Spui market and fishmonger
• Watch stroopwafels made fresh
• See 15th century hidden garden
• Taste Dutch herring at family seafood shop
• Stroll past floating Flower Market stalls
• Taste Dutch pralines and chocolates
• Pass 400 year old university
• Discover Jordaan district and eat poffertjes
• Enjoy canal views and Dutch cuisine
• Drink local beer and apple pie in brown pub
• Pass royal palace of house of Orange
• Hear stories of Amsterdam’s food history
• Pass Anne Frank House

Top questions

How long is the Amsterdam food tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours and covers approximately 2.5 km (1.5 miles) on foot through several neighborhoods.

Are vegetarian or pescatarian options available?

Yes, vegetarian and pescatarian alternatives are available at most stops—just let your guide know your preferences when booking and at the start.

Is this food tour suitable for children?

Yes, kids are welcome! You can bring strollers/prams but may need to park them outside briefly at some stops.

Does the tour include drinks?

Your ticket includes Amsterdam local liquor (like jenever), wine or port at certain stops plus coffee, tea or soda—and bottled water too.

Where does the Amsterdam food tour start?

The tour begins inside Gastrovino cheese shop in its wine basement near Spui—about 8 minutes’ walk from Dam Square.

What foods will I try on this Amsterdam food tour?

You’ll sample things like aged Gouda cheese with liquor pairing, freshly baked stroopwafels, Dutch chocolates, herring (before 4pm), poffertjes pancakes and more.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

The route covers about 1.5 miles on foot with some steps/stairs; private tours offer shorter routes or better accessibility if needed—contact ahead for details.

Does this Amsterdam food tour include pickup from my hotel?

No hotel pickup is included for standard group tours; private tours can arrange pickup upon request.

What’s included

Your day includes all tastings—over ten bites ranging from artisanal Gouda in a historic cellar to poffertjes pancakes in Jordaan—plus drinks like Dutch liquorette or wine at select stops along the way. A friendly local guide leads your small group (max 10 people) through three neighborhoods beside UNESCO-listed canals; dietary needs are accommodated if mentioned ahead of time. You’ll leave full—with stories as well as an insider “Where to Eat in Amsterdam” guide to keep exploring on your own.