Amsterdam tastes better when you follow a local plan. This 3-hour, small-group route turns street food into a simple checklist: classic Dutch bites and a few surprising stops that explain how Amsterdam’s food scene got its mix of influences. I love the variety—you bounce from cheese to seafood to sweet treats in a steady rhythm—and I also like the pace, with multiple breaks that make it feel doable (not like a forced food sprint). One thing to consider: it’s mostly about what you eat (and how locals treat it), not a sightseeing tour with big landmark stories.

Before you even start eating, the setup feels easy. You get a mobile ticket for a tour that caps at 12 people, led in English, with plenty of food included (lunch plus dinner, plus coffee/tea and alcoholic options for adults). If you’re booking on a Saturday evening, be aware that some seafood shops close early, so the guide may adjust what you taste—this is usually handled on the spot, but it can affect which seafood dish is available at that hour.

Value matters here, and this is one of the rare tours where the price buys you more than “a few samples.” You’ll try enough to function like a real meal schedule, plus the optional pairings at the sweet stop. If you want a food-focused walk that keeps your day moving and your hands full (in a good way), this works well.

Key things to know before you go

• Seven tastings in about three hours gives you a full meal feel, not just “two bites and done.”
• Small group size (max 12) keeps the experience relaxed and lets the guide manage timing.
• Mixed menu: savory, sweet, and one bold drink (including Drop Shot licorice liqueur for adults).
• Seafood hours can shift on Saturday evenings; ask the guide if your day/time affects fish shop availability.
• Colonial-era flavors show up at one stop with Surinamese bara filled with curry chicken.
• End location is lively and transit-friendly so you can roll straight into your next plan.

From Stubbe’s HaringSingel to a full “meal” walk

The tour begins at Stubbe’s HaringSingel 8n. From there, you follow a route that stays centered and practical, with short stops so you’re never stuck waiting around for long.

The best part is that you don’t just sample random items. The sequence is designed like a normal day of Dutch eating: dairy first, then street-food classics, then warmer savory bites, then sweets and a final drink-style moment before ending with something warm from the iron.

Duration is about 3 hours, and that’s realistic given the number of tastings. You’ll walk between places, but the pace is set so you can enjoy each stop instead of rushing through them.

Stop 1: Dutch cheese at Haarlemmerstraat 2

You kick things off with Dutch cheese at Haarlemmerstraat 2, and it’s a smart start. Young cheese tends to be creamy and mild, while aged varieties bring deeper, stronger flavor. You also get the tangy character of goat cheese.

What I like about this opening is that it teaches your palate what “Dutch cheese” can mean in one go. Even if you normally skip cheese boards, this helps you notice the difference between smooth, aged, and tangy.

Practical note: if you’re the type who loves to compare flavors, take a second before you move on. Cheese is one of those foods where a careful taste makes the rest of the tour more fun.

Stop 2: Kibbeling and Dutch herring at Haarlemmerdijk 4

Next you move into classic Amsterdam seafood street food at Haarlemmerdijk 4. You’ll taste kibbeling—crispy cod bites, usually served with a tangy remoulade sauce. Then it’s Dutch herring, Amsterdam style, with pickles and chopped onions.

There’s a fun local handling moment: you can eat the herring the way locals do—lifting it by the tail and taking a bite. It’s simple, but it turns an intimidating-looking fish into something you can actually try without fear.

One consideration: herring is salty, briny, and onion-and-pickle forward. If you don’t like strong salty flavors, take a small bite and treat it like a taste challenge rather than a single decision about seafood for your whole trip.

Stop 3: Grillworst at Haarlemmerdijk 95

At Haarlemmerdijk 95, you hit a warmer, heartier snack: grillworst. This is a sausage infused with cheese, served warm—exactly the kind of food you’d see locals grabbing when they want comfort and calories fast.

I appreciate this stop because it balances the earlier seafood with something familiar in texture. It also helps you reset your palate before you go into the more “spiced comfort food” direction later.

Stop 4: Surinamese bara with curry chicken at Prinsenstraat 19

This is one of the most interesting stops for understanding Amsterdam’s food mix. At Prinsenstraat 19, you try bara—spiced lentil dough fritters—filled with curry chicken.

The Netherlands and Suriname share historical ties, and food picked up those connections. You don’t need a lecture to get it, though: the flavor does the teaching. You get crisp exterior, warm spiced center, and the comfort of curry chicken.

If you like fried snacks and curry flavors, this stop is a highlight. If you don’t usually go for spicy foods, ask the guide how bold the filling tastes compared to the spice in the batter.

Stop 5: Poffertjes plus a drink break at Prinsengracht 191

Then it’s sweet time at Prinsengracht 191: poffertjes, mini pancakes served warm with butter and powdered sugar. The tour also includes pairing options—Heineken beer, coffee, or your drink of choice.

This stop does more than satisfy a sugar craving. It gives your body a quick reset after savory bites, and the warm pancakes feel like a street version of comfort dessert rather than a heavy end-of-meal sugar bomb.

Adults should note the alcohol option is part of the included setup, but it’s only for people older than 18. If you prefer non-alcoholic, you’re not boxed in.

Stop 6: Drop Shot licorice liqueur at Herengracht 90

At Herengracht 90, you try a uniquely Dutch spirit: licorice liqueur, also known as Drop Shot. You visit a bar where locals go to unwind, and you’re given the chance to taste this bold, salty-sweet profile.

This isn’t everyone’s “comfort drink.” Licorice flavor is strong, and the salty element makes it even more polarizing. But as a cultural food-and-drink moment, it’s a good closer for the savory-to-sweet arc.

Tip: treat it as a tasting. You’re learning what Dutch licorice liqueur tastes like, not committing to a lifelong relationship.

Stop 7: Warm stroopwafel at Hekelveld 3

The tour ends at Hekelveld 3 with freshly made stroopwafel. This Dutch classic is two thin waffles filled with gooey caramel syrup—still warm from the iron.

You’ll understand why people obsess over stroopwafels once you try one warm. The caramel melts slightly with the heat, and the crisp exterior gives it that perfect chew-bite balance.

This finish also makes practical sense. Stroopwafel is easy to eat, easy to share, and it’s a natural landing point in a lively area with public transportation nearby.

The guides: what I’d look for in the real experience

The tour’s quality often comes down to guide energy and pacing. In the feedback you’ve shared, the guides named Thomas, Senna, and Paula are mentioned for being friendly and for staying on track with the plan—or adjusting it when something changes.

One example: if a seafood stop isn’t available at the scheduled time, a guide may pivot to keep the tour moving and still deliver a full experience. That flexibility matters because Dutch food spots can follow strict local hours.

If you care about more story and context about food culture, this is where a strong guide earns their keep. And if you mostly want landmark talk, be aware this experience is built around eating and what makes each place’s food work.

Price and value: why $119.21 can make sense

At about $119.21 per person for roughly 3 hours, the real question is: what are you getting for that money?

You’re not just buying a tasting flight. The tour includes lunch and dinner, plus coffee and/or tea, and alcoholic beverages for adults, with drink options for everyone else. Add in seven separate food tastings across multiple stops, and you’re effectively paying for convenience, sequencing, and guided access to places you might not find on your own.

It’s also small-group priced. With a max of 12 people, you’re less likely to feel like an assembly line.

So if you’re hungry on arrival and you like trying different styles of Dutch food (plus Surinamese influence and a licorice liqueur moment), this price can feel fair. If you already plan to eat mostly sweets and skip seafood and savory snacks, you’ll want to think twice.

Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want a structured way to eat your way through Amsterdam without overplanning
• Enjoy salty snacks, fried foods, and the classic Dutch sweet finish
• Like food culture and how locals eat certain items (like herring by the tail)

It’s less ideal if you:

• Prefer a heavy sightseeing/history tour with lots of building-and-landmark narration
• Strongly dislike seafood or licorice flavor (both are part of the standard menu)
• Need a totally predictable Saturday-evening seafood schedule, since shops may close early at certain hours

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

I’d book it if you want a high-output food experience that feels like a full meal day in one walk, with enough variety to keep every stop interesting. The menu covers the Dutch basics—cheese, fried cod bites, herring, sausage, poffertjes, stroopwafel—then adds a meaningful colonial connection with Surinamese bara, plus the fun of Drop Shot licorice liqueur for adults.

I wouldn’t book it if you’re mainly chasing landmark stories or if seafood and bold licorice aren’t your thing. Also, if you’re going on a Saturday evening and you’re set on a specific fish shop taste, consider choosing a different time of day or confirm options with the guide so expectations match reality.

FAQ

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.

How long is the Amsterdam food tasting tour?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Lunch and dinner are included, along with coffee and/or tea (and water can be an option). Alcoholic beverages are included for adults over 18.

Are there non-alcoholic drink options?

Yes. The tour offers other options without alcohol.

What kind of food will I try?

You’ll try Dutch cheese, kibbeling, Dutch herring, grillworst, bara with curry chicken, poffertjes, licorice liqueur (Drop Shot), and stroopwafel.

Do I need to worry about the drink age limit?

Alcohol is only for people older than 18 years old.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes—free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.