An Amsterdam Food Tour of 10 Amazing Amsterdam Desserts!

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I’ll admit it, I’m a total dessert whore. Yup, anything with a ridiculously high sugar and calorie content is my Kryptonite. That’s why, when I created my Amsterdam Itinerary, I knew that I had to create my own Amsterdam food tour of all the most amazing Amsterdam desserts that I could find.

See:

Some people go to Disney World. Me? I get all giddy about an Amsterdam food tour.

But since it was my first time in Amsterdam:

I wasn’t sure what to expect since well, I knew nothing about the food or dessert scene in Amsterdam. I even wondered if maybe I was a bit too excited for my own good (dessert makes me insanely excited).

Well, I’m delighted to report that my faith in Amsterdam desserts was not misplaced! 

The Amsterdam sweets I ate were so good that even when I was full, I still kept eating because they were all THAT good. And to try them all, I may or may not have started eating ice cream and cake for breakfast.

Which is fine since calories don’t count on vacation. 

So if you love dessert ALMOST as much as I do, then read on because this Amsterdam food tour is for you! Learn about some traditional Amsterdam desserts, as well as some non-traditional ones too. Plus, find out where you can snag a late night dessert in Amsterdam after a night pure debauchery in the Red Light district (remember that what happens in Amsterdam stays in Amsterdam).

Actual footage of me eating a famous dessert in Amsterdam. 

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1. Winkle 43

You know that phrase, “as American as apple pie”? 

Yeah, it should really be, “as Dutch as apple pie” since Winkle 43 has the BEST apple pie that I have ever tasted. And back in the day, my grandmother made some amazing apple pie with homemade crust and everything!

So coming from me, this is high praise indeed.

Anyway, Winkle 43 may look like a dive bar from the outside, but ignore the plain exterior and head inside to enjoy the true dessert genius that lies within.

Once you find a table:

Sit down, relax, order an appeltaart, and prepared to be amazed.

The apples in this dessert are cooked, but not overcooked, and sweet but not too sweet. The thin and crispy crust is also delicious but not greasy, making it the perfect compliment to the apples.

Plus:

They serve this famous dessert in Amsterdam with gobs of fresh whipped cream to cut the sweetness.

Really, could it get any better?

I legit felt like I had died and gone to heaven. And the slices weren’t wimpy either since it feels like they hand you a slab of apple pie on steroids.

But if you can’t finish it:

No worries since they can always wrap the pie up for you to take home (you can also enjoy it as a late night dessert in Amsterdam since the bar doesn’t close until late).

2. Van Stapele Chocolate Cookies

Are you ready for the best cookies of your life?

Bold statement I know but these Valrhona chocolate cookies are the stuff that foodie dreams are made of. Which makes sense since this vintage style bakery only serves these tiny pieces of divinity and nothing else.

It’s like once they achieved perfection they knew that their life’s mission was complete.

But it gets better!

All their cookies are made to order, so you’ll receive a warm, moist, and delicious cookie right out of the oven. Break it open and you’ll discover some gooey white chocolate that gently oozes out of the center.

Excuse me:

I need a moment while I wipe the drool from my keyboard.

On the downside though:

Because all the cookies here are freshly baked, once they’re gone, they’re gone. Therefore, arrive early to guarantee that you get your thin slice of awesome (and to avoid the crowds since ain’t nobody got time to wait in line).

3. The Original Stroopwafel at the Albert Cuyp Street Market

Let me guess:

You have no idea what a Stroopwafel is, do you? Great because I had no clue what this traditional Amsterdam dessert was until I visited the Albert Cuyp Street Market.

While walking through this famous Amsterdam street market: 

I came across the holy grail of all Stroopwafels at the Original Stroopwafel (a ton of people sell Stroopwafels but this is the only one you should buy).

How I felt after eating this dessert. 

Why is this place so awesome?

Well, they literally create a Stroopwafel as big as your face, right before your eyes! They just make two, cinnamon flavored cookie-like waffles, place a hot and sticky, almost caramel-like toffee in the center, stick them together and boom, food crack is born!

Buyer beware though:

Since these desserts are made to order, hold your Stroopwafel vertical for too long and the hot, gooey center will drip all over you.

Therefore:

When you get your Stroopwafel, keep it horizontal until it cools. After a few minutes, you can then freely photograph one of the best desserts in Amsterdam and give all your friends an epic case of food envy.

4. Melly’s Cookie Bar

While not AS good as the aforementioned chocolate cookies, the cookies baked at Melly’s Cookie Bar are still bangin’ enough to make it on my list of the best desserts in Amsterdam.

Plus:

They serve delicious croissants, coffees, and cakes so yeah, they’ve got that going for them too.

But it’s not all about the food here. 

Melly’s Cookie Bar creates a warm and welcoming environment that makes you want to snuggle up in a nice cozy chair, with a latte and a cookie, on a cold and blustery day.

Can I move in? 

Kidding! But the staff are lovely and the cafe has a vintage, old school, general store vibe that is inviting to anyone who walks by.

And while most things here are delightful:

I tried the Nutella muffin and it was not so fab. Therefore, avoid that dessert fail and you’ll probably fall in love with Melly’s just like I did.

5. Banketbakkerij Van Der Linde

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

And honestly, I still scream for ice cream, even though I’m old. But that’s why I feel like this Amsterdam dessert list would be pretty whack if there wasn’t any sort of ice cream on here.

So if ice cream is your jam, then run, don’t walk, over to Banketbakkerij Van Der Linde. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see a huge line out the door.

Now:

If you’re expecting an assortment of 26 fancy ice cream flavors, then you’ve come to the wrong place. At this ice cream parlor they sell vanilla, and that’s it.

But I promise:

This vanilla ice cream is unlike anything you’ve ever eaten. Instead of being heavy and dense, this ice cream is light and fluffy and tastes almost like eating a heavy whipped cream.

So if you’re in Amsterdam:

Be sure to stop by and see what all the fuss is about. Because not gonna lie, I may have eaten this ice cream once or twice for breakfast since it’s that good.

6. Sweet Bob Amsterdam

I’ll be really blunt:

I’m not a huge chocolate person. Blasphemy I know but if I’m gonna have dessert, I’ll generally choose a slice of cake or cookie over a piece of chocolate.

That was until I visited Sweet Bob Amsterdam.

O-M-G!

Where has this chocolate been my whole life? Not only do they create fantastical flavors like creme brulee, but the chocolate is light, buttery, smooth and lick the wrapper level delicious.

So what kind of sorcery is used to create this deliciousness?

Well, since this shop is Brazillian, the chocolate sold here is actually Brigadeiro, a famous Brazilian delicacy that is made from butter, condensed milk, and a variety of other ingredients that give each chocolate its unique flavor.

But it gets better!

They serve fresh Brazilian coffee too! And as we all know, coffee + chocolate = heaven.

Only Downside?

The chocolates here are a bit expensive at €2 a piece but whatever. It’s vacation so treat yourself at one of the best dessert places in Amsterdam.

7. Petit Gateau

Looking for an authentic French pastry shop where everything is made to order right before your eyes?

If you answered yes then you may just want to camp out in Patit Gateau.

Not only do they make some of the best pastries in Amsterdam (or the world for that matter):

But Chef Meike Schaling also creates over a hundred different pastries that include everything from miniature tarts to macarons, madeleines, and éclairs. Crazy awesome right?

Yeah, I’ll take one of everything. And throw in a pair of elastic waist pants!

However, maybe you’re looking for an experience that’s a bit more interactive? Then try out one of their exciting, pastry-making class that is offered at their shop on the Haarlemmerstraat.

Me?

Yeah, I can’t cook for beans so I’ll stick with the fully prepared pastries that you’ll find at Foodhallen Amsterdam.

8. Sweetella (the sign outside says, Sweetness)

One of my favorite dessert restaurants in Amsterdam!

Why?

Umm, you get to make your own dessert!! Kind of like a make your own sundae bar except better since not only do you get to choose your ice cream and toppings, but you get to choose your baked goods too!

Basically like two desserts in one, so how can you go wrong?

Just embrace your inner super freak and create a truly unique dessert that includes waffles, crepes, poffertjes, churros or any combination thereof.

Next:

Choose from an assortment of syrups, toppings, and ice cream flavors and tada, you have the perfect Amsterdam dessert! A great addition to any secret food tour through Amsterdam.

As for me:

I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to waffles, so I kept it simple and stuck with a traditional waffle that I topped with strawberries, whipped cream, and white chocolate. FYI, their chocolate sauce is super sweet so don’t slather your dessert in it.

9. Chocolaterie Pompadour

This restaurant has some of the best Amsterdam food to try!

From the classically decorated tea room to the handcrafted chocolates, everything about Chocolaterie Pompadour is absolutely exquisite; making this chocolaterie the perfect addition to any free food tour of Amsterdam.

Here:

Chocolate makers use only the finest, French Valrhona chocolate to create an exquisite assortment of candies that come from simple, high quality, raw ingredients.

I mean: 

Their Financiers are made using fresh, Spanish almonds and beurre noisette, not that I have any idea what that second ingredient is but it tastes delicious and comes with every coffee served here so I’ll roll with it (the coffee cups are kind of small but not a deal breaker).

They also only serve Catanambu coffee! Fancy huh?

Apparently, these coffee beans are from a Catalan company that roasts some of the finest coffee in the world.

Feel free to cheer at will.

They also serve some fantastic cakes and hot chocolate, and even have a variety of savory items, like quiche, to choose from, making this the perfect stop for anyone who doesn’t have a sweet tooth (I like those people because it means more dessert for me).

10. Upstairs Pannenkoekenhuis

Seriously one of the best pancake restaurants in Amsterdam.

Plus:

The owners are super duper nice and squeezed me in even though I didn’t have a reservation.

So yeah:

Per usual, don’t be like me and make a reservation. Also, bring cash since they are old school here and don’t accept any major credit cards.

Now not shockingly:

Upstairs Pannekoeken is duh, UPSTAIRS! However, the stairs are ridiculously steep so pretend you’re a limpet and cling onto that railing and don’t let go!

Once You Make it to the Top (you might need to take a brief intermission for breathing):

You’ll find an eclectic but cozy restaurant that is decorated with an assortment of heartwarming, Dutch paraphernalia that is quite literally strung up to the ceiling. Just be prepared for an “intimate” dining experience since this restaurant only has about 6 tables

Now, while I was there:

I didn’t get to try a dessert pancake since I was trying to be mildly healthy. Womp, womp, womp. So instead, I ordered a pineapple and cheese pancake because well, fiber and protein are healthy yeah? Yup, we call that denial.

Anyway:

I’ve heard through the pancake pipeline that the dessert to order here is the pear, eggnog, and chocolate sauce pancake since its supposed to be glorified heaven on a plate.

Just something to consider before you visit. Remember though, choose wisely…Anyone? Indiana Jones?

 

There you have it friends, a fantastic Amsterdam food tour of ten divinely delicious Amsterdam desserts! Now I need to go eat something, stat!

So if you’re an Amsterdam foodie like me, then save this ultimate Amsterdam dessert bucket list so that you can add these 10 amazing Amsterdam desserts to your Amsterdam itinerary!

From ice cream to waffles, to cookies, and cakes, this dessert list has it all! So if you’re ready to create your own Amsterdam food tour then pin this now and read it again later!