Why You Need to Try a Real Stroopwafel in Amsterdam (And How to Get One on Your River Cruise!)
- Lindsey Markwood
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
A Foodie’s Guide to Amsterdam:
When you think of Amsterdam, you probably picture the beautiful canals, the historic architecture, and strong bike culture. But if you ask me, the real magic of Amsterdam is found in the food. I am not exaggerating when I say I could literally travel there just for the food. Hands down my favorite treat is the sweet, warm, caramel-filled deliciousness of a stroopwafel.
If you have never had a freshly baked stroopwafel, you are in for a treat. It is a traditional Dutch delight. It is made of two very thin, crispy waffle cookies joined together by a layer of warm, gooey caramel syrup. While you can eat them at room temperature, they are absolutely heavenly when served hot right off the iron when the caramel is nice and gooey inside. Many of the local Dutch eat it along with a coffee. Also note that you can have your stroopwafel plain, or have a topping like white chocolate, sprinkles, nuts, or even chocolate with marshmallow. I prefer the plain stroopwafel.
Where to Find the Best Stroopwafels in Amsterdam
If your river cruise starts or ends in Amsterdam (which many Rhine River and Dutch Waterways itineraries do!), I tell my clients they have to grab a fresh one before they board their ship. Here are a few of my favorite spots to track them down:
For the Hands On Experience (or a Quick Treat): Melly’s Stroopwafels. Located right near Kimpton De Witt, where I stayed for my pre-river cruise adventure, there is a workshop downstairs where you can make your own stroopwafels. If you are in a hurry, they also sell them to the public in their front store.
For the Boutique Experience: Lanskroon. If you want to sit down and enjoy your treat, this historic bakery along the Singel canal is a local favorite. They also offer a honey filled version instead of the standard caramel one.
For the Traditionalist: Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels. This is located the middle of the Albert Cuyp Market, and about a 10 minute walk from the famous Riksmuseum. They serve the traditional stroopwafels.
Bringing the Destination Onboard: The Viking Experience
One of the reasons I absolutely love river cruising is how the cruise lines bring the destination to life onboard the ship. You are not just eating standard cruise food but with local and regional cuisine. Every river cruise line I have cruised on has gone out of their way to make sure guest experience the local cuisine while they are onboard. Not only that, but the cruise lines share the local culture through onboard entertainment and lectures as well.I cruised on Viking Ve out of Amsterdam for a Dutch Waterways cruise. They had an almost endless supply of stroopwafels available as a snack most of the day. The exception was first thing in the morning where they offered more breakfast friendly options. During one of our dinners we even had Stroopwafels paired with vanilla ice cream for dessert. I thought that was a very thoughtful touch.
Where to Find the Best Stroopwafels At Home in the United States
Let me forewarn you. Once you are home from your river cruise the cravings are going to hit. You need to know where to go fix that stroopwafel craving. I live in Marietta, Georgia and I have found stroopwafels at Aldi. And yes they are good and will satisfy my stroopwafel cravings. Are they exactly the same as getting one freshly made in Amsterdam? No, but they did satisfy the craving. My tip: The best way to eat a packaged Stroopwafel is to place it directly on top of the coffee mug so it acts like a lid. The steam will get trapped so the Stroopwafel is warmed and the caramel will melt into gooey goodness. If you don’t drink coffee, then you can place it on a plate and warm in the microwave for a few seconds.
Ready to Taste Europe for Yourself?
If you are a foodie who loves the idea of exploring local European markets by day and enjoying regionally inspired, fabulous meals by night, a river cruise is the absolute perfect vacation for you.
Whether you want to sail with Tauck, Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld, or other river cruise lines, I handle all the intricate travel logistics so you can simply pack your bags (and bring your appetite!).
