Amsterdam Food Tasting Tour of Hidden Gems (Small Groups)

Amsterdam tastes better when you skip the menus. This 3-hour, small-group crawl strings together Dutch classics and Dutch-influenced international bites, from cheese shop samples to sweets at the end. I like that the tour is built for real eating, not dainty “one bite and off you go” stops.

My other favorite part is the pacing and variety: you get lunch and dinner across seven tastings, plus coffee/tea (and other drink options) at the breaks. The one drawback to consider is focus. This is primarily about food culture at each venue, so if you want lots of stories about landmarks and buildings, you may find it lighter on that front.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Small groups (up to 12) keep the experience friendly and easy to ask questions.
• Seven tastings cover savory, fried snacks, hot sausage, curry chicken, and classic Dutch sweets.
• Lunch and dinner are included, so you can treat it as a meal plan for the evening or afternoon.
• Alcohol is optional and only for guests 18+, with non-alcohol choices available.
• The route adapts on Saturday evenings, since some fish shops close early.
• You end near public transportation, which makes it simple to keep exploring afterward.

Price and What You Actually Get for $119.21

At $119.21 per person for about 3 hours, this tour is not a bargain snack parade. It’s priced like an experience where you’re paying for access, timing, and guided ordering at multiple local spots. The good news is that the pricing lines up with what’s included: lunch and dinner, coffee and/or tea (plus water as an option), and alcoholic beverages for eligible adults. You’re not just sampling one thing per stop, either. The tastings are meant to form a full mini-meal.

The structure also matters. Seven stops in three hours means you’re walking, tasting, and resetting on schedule. It works best if you come hungry and pace yourself, because you’ll hit both savory heavies (fried fish and sausage) and the sweet finish.

Meeting Point to Final Bite: How the Timing Feels

You start at Stubbe’s HaringSingel 8n and end at Hekelveld 3. The ending location is described as lively and close to public transportation, so you can drop into the next part of your day without a long trek.

The tour is offered in English, and it uses a mobile ticket, so plan to have your phone charged and your confirmation ready. With a maximum of 12 travelers, this is set up so you’re not shouted over at each counter. That makes a difference at places where you’re waiting for freshly prepared food.

Also worth knowing: it tends to book about 50 days in advance on average. If your dates are fixed, don’t treat it as a last-minute idea.

Stop 1 at Haarlemmerstraat 2: Dutch Cheese, Young vs Aged vs Goat

The journey begins with cheese at a local shop around Haarlemmerstraat 2. You’ll get a tasting range that covers young cheese, aged (old) varieties, and goat cheese. That lineup is smart because it shows how Dutch cheese can shift from creamy and mild to deeper and sharper, sometimes almost nutty or savory.

What I like about this opening is that it gives you a baseline. Before you hit seafood and fried snacks, you learn what “Dutch flavor” can mean beyond just one type of cheese. If you’re the type who thinks you don’t like strong cheese, goat cheese might surprise you, since it can be tangy rather than purely punchy.

The possible drawback here is your own cheese tolerance. If strong aged flavors aren’t your thing, you might want to slow down and ask your guide which piece is the mildest.

Stop 2 at Haarlemmerdijk 4: Kibbeling and Dutch Herring Like Locals Do

Next comes the Amsterdam street-food part of the story at Haarlemmerdijk 4. You’ll taste two seafood classics: kibbeling and Dutch herring.

• Kibbeling: crispy, golden-fried cod bites served with tangy remoulade.
• Dutch herring: served Amsterdam-style with pickles and chopped onions.

The herring detail is the kind of thing you can’t really fake at home. Locals eat it by lifting it by the tail and taking a bite, and you’ll be invited to do the same. It’s simple, but it’s also a memorable “okay, I’m in Amsterdam now” moment.

One practical note: on Saturday evenings, some traditional fish shops close early, so seafood tastings may not be available at that time. The operator says the guide can pivot and replace a stop based on what’s open. If seafood is your top priority, consider booking the midday tour instead, because that avoids the early-close problem.

Stop 3 at Haarlemmerdijk 95: Grillworst, the Warm Sausage-and-Cheese Bite

At Haarlemmerdijk 95, you’ll head to a neighborhood butcher for grillworst. This is a warm sausage infused with cheese, served as a hearty snack that fits Amsterdam’s “grab-and-go” mentality.

This stop is a nice mid-tour reset. After fried fish and pickled onion flavors, the warm sausage brings comfort and salt. Also, it’s one of those foods that feels like it belongs to locals, not just tourists hunting for a photo.

If you’re sensitive to spicy sauces or heavy savory flavors, check with your guide about what’s added and how hot it is. The tour is designed for standard tasting portions, but your taste preferences still matter.

Stop 4 at Prinsenstraat 19: Surinamese Bara and Curry Chicken

The tour then shifts to Amsterdam’s Surinamese influences at Prinsenstraat 19. You’ll try bara, a spiced lentil dough fritter filled with curry chicken.

This stop is where the tour becomes more than just “try the obvious Amsterdam stuff.” Netherlands and Suriname share food connections, and bara is one of the ways that link shows up on Dutch menus today. It’s also a great contrast to the earlier fried seafood and cheese: same fried concept, different spices and filling.

I like that this part stays grounded. You’re not just hearing about culture, you’re tasting it. The flavor profile tends to be warm and spiced, not only salty. If you’ve been eating your way through the Netherlands and want something with more spice complexity, this is a strong stop.

Stop 5 at Prinsengracht 191: Poffertjes with a Heineken Pairing Option

At Prinsengracht 191, it’s time for poffertjes, mini pancakes served warm with butter and powdered sugar. Here’s the drink pairing: you can enjoy them with a Heineken beer, coffee, or your drink of choice.

This stop works as a palate cleanser. After savory bites and fried snacks, the powdered sugar and warm pancake texture give your mouth a break. The drink option is practical too, because you’re not locked into beer if you prefer something else.

If sweets aren’t your thing, plan to treat this as a portion you can take your time with. You’ll still get the rest of the tour’s highlights, and you can decide how much sugar you actually want.

Stop 6 at Herengracht 90: Drop Shot (Licorice Liqueur) at a Local Bar

This is the most “only in the Netherlands” moment on the route. At Herengracht 90, you’ll visit a bar where locals unwind and you’ll get a taste of licorice liqueur, also known as Drop Shot.

Drop Shot has a reputation, and that reputation is earned. It’s salty-sweet with that distinct licorice bite. If you like licorice flavors, this is a fun, slightly bold stop. If you don’t, think of it as a sample you can sip, not something you need to love.

The bar setting is part of the value here. You’re not just tasting a product, you’re getting a quick peek at how locals hang out between work and dinner.

Stop 7 at Hekelveld 3: Fresh Stroopwafel, Warm from the Iron

You end at Hekelveld 3 with fresh stroopwafel made on the spot. This classic Dutch cookie is two thin waffles filled with gooey caramel syrup, served warm straight from the iron.

Ending with something warm and caramel-sweet makes sense. It ties together the tour’s theme of comfort foods that taste better when they’re fresh. You also get that “last bite” satisfaction, not that weird feeling of leaving a tour still hungry for dessert.

If you’re trying to ration sweets, this is the one to prioritize. It’s warm, fresh, and built to be eaten immediately. Cold stroopwafel just isn’t the same mood.

What the Guides Do (and Why It Matters)

The experience relies heavily on the guide. In the reviews included with this tour, I’ve seen names like Thomas, Senna, and Paula mentioned. Different guides bring different styles, but the common thread is that they help you order, understand what you’re tasting, and keep things moving with a good pace.

One helpful theme from the feedback is flexibility. In at least one instance, when a herring-related stop couldn’t work as planned, the guide pivoted and added another quality venue. That kind of problem-solving is what you want when you’re paying for a schedule that involves multiple shops and fresh food prep.

One thing to align expectations: this tour emphasizes food and venue culture over landmark-heavy storytelling. If you prefer building history or long explanations about architecture, you may find yourself wanting more of that. If you care most about how Amsterdam eats, you’ll likely feel right at home.

Alcohol, Drinks, and Handling Taste Preferences

Alcohol is included for adults 18 and older, and non-alcohol options are available. You’ll also have coffee and/or tea, and the info says you can have water too. The operator’s response also states that beverages are provided at every stop, which helps avoid that awkward “do we get anything to drink here?” feeling.

Taste preferences can matter on this specific route because it includes both seafood and sweets. If you avoid fish, ask your guide early what options exist at each stop. The tour is designed for “most travelers can participate,” but that doesn’t mean every food item will be a match for every diet.

Is This Tour Actually Worth Booking?

If you want a structured 3-hour way to eat well in Amsterdam, I think this tour earns its place. You’re getting:

• A full set of meals included (lunch and dinner)
• Multiple snack formats (fried, grilled, fritter, pancakes, cookie)
• A local bar tasting (Drop Shot)
• A strong sweet finish (warm stroopwafel)

At $119.21, you’re paying for convenience and access, not only calories. If you were to try these foods on your own, you’d still need to find open shops, figure out what to order, and time everything around closures. The guided rhythm is the hidden value.

That said, if your idea of a great tour is heavy sightseeing narration, this may feel too food-forward. Also, if you strongly dislike licorice flavors or sweets, expect that the schedule still includes those elements.

Should You Book It?

Book it if you want a small-group, food-first Amsterdam experience with seven tastings that add up to a real meal. It’s a smart pick for first-time visitors who want the best-known Dutch favorites, plus a Surinamese stop that broadens the palate.

Skip it or pair it with other plans if you only want landmark history, or if you know you cannot handle foods like herring or licorice liqueur. Otherwise, this is the kind of tour that helps you understand Amsterdam through taste, not just photos.

FAQ

How long is the Amsterdam food tasting tour?

It lasts about 3 hours.

How many stops are included?

The tour visits 7 food stops.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is the price per person?

The price is $119.21 per person.

What’s included in the tour cost?

Lunch and dinner are included, along with coffee and/or tea (water can be an option). Alcoholic beverages are also included for eligible guests.

Are alcoholic beverages available only for adults?

Yes. Drinking is only for people older than 18 years old, and other options without alcohol are available.

Is there a maximum group size?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Do I need to print a ticket?

No. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

Is tips/gratuities included?

No, tips and gratuities are not included.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What if I book on a Saturday evening and the fish shop is closed?

The operator notes that traditional fish shops in Amsterdam close early on Saturday nights, so seafood tastings may not be available at that specific time. They recommend booking the midday tour if seafood is a priority.