Laura Maramenou moved to Amsterdam 20 years ago, and besides being my long-time dear friend, she has also evolved into one of the best tour guides in the city. A seasoned traveler herself, with a talent for slick and enthusiastic storytelling, she can lead you through the paths of the Red Light District, take you to neighborhoods of the city that you would never find on your own, talk to you about life in the Netherlands, architecture, places that bring the city’s history to life, and the modern lifestyle.
She shares with us the spots that every passionate foodie seeks, the best open markets in the city, tells us where to find the best chocolates, the crispiest waffles, and the juiciest kibbeling.
The Netherlands was not famous for its cuisine but for its multiculturalism and its different cultures created an interesting mix of local and foreign dishes. Although today, like all cosmopolitan cities, it is experiencing a renaissance in food culture, whether it is street food or fine dining.
The Netherlands is one of the countries with the largest food production in the world, so there is no better place to get an introduction to its gastronomy than the open markets of Amsterdam, which have an impressive variety of vegetables, fish, dairy products and meat.
Every Saturday in front of the Noorden kerk church in the Jordaan district, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods of Amsterdam, an organic market is set up in the same place where the pottery market was located in the 17th century. Here, you will buy or try organic breads with artichoke pâté, aged cheeses, superfoods, healthy sweets, eat a mushroom omelette at the counter with dozens of mushroom varieties and oysters along with a glass of prosecco in the company of the locals of the center who do their shopping on Saturday mornings.
Noorden markt: Prinsengracht 1015, 1015 MZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open every day except Sunday, it is located in the Pijp area and although it is quite touristy, it is a must to try fresh fish dishes caught in the nearby fishing village of Volendam, as many locals do every lunchtime who stop for a quick snack on foot. It is worth trying the popular and nutritious herring with pickled cucumber and onion, the amazing smoked eel and the juicy kibbeling with pieces of North Sea cod dipped in batter and fried in oil. They are served with mayonnaise tartar sauce and pickled cucumber. Here you will also find interesting souvenirs, clothes and jewelry.
Albert Cuyp Market: Volendammer, vishandel Eerste van der Helststraat 60
This family-run canteen has the best waffles in the whole country, known as stroopwafels, which they bake in a traditional pan. They even claim to have the original recipe, which dates back to the 1700s. Try them with caramel made from liquid, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and cloves. You will find them at Original Stroopwafels
Albert Cuyp Street in front of nr 182
Another family-run canteen, serves the best poffertjes in town. These fluffy mini pancakes, made from buckwheat and butter and sprinkled with powdered sugar are addictive. As for their secret, the excellent quality of butter is enough. It is also served with syrup, chocolate and fruit, but it is better to try their traditional version, with just powdered sugar and butter.
Albert Cuyp, Straat 161
Dutch Chocolate
Until the 19th century, chocolate was an expensive product due to the difficulty in processing cocoa. Cocoa beans in their natural form have a high fat content (cocoa butter) and high acidity.
In 1828, a Dutchman, Van Houten discovered an economical method of reducing fat. He added an alkaline solution to the roasted beans during roasting, which weakened the acidity. In this way, its processing was simplified, the cost was reduced and chocolate became accessible to everyone to enjoy! Thus, Dutch chocolate did not become known for its taste but for the way it was processed.
Despite the Italian name, this is a Dutch chocolatier that is among the 10 best chocolatiers in the world. Here you will enjoy handmade bon bons with fruits, nuts, chilly and spices made from dark, milk or white chocolate. You will also try vegetarian sugar-free chocolates as well as chocolate paste made from brown or red cocoa with hazelnuts or almonds. Their creators challenge the world to reconsider classic chocolate flavors and experiment with the unique Puccini range.
It’s impossible to walk past this little retro cookie pastry shop and not stop. Although it’s hard to You can smell the hot chocolate. They only make one type of cookie that is best eaten hot! Made from high-quality dough, rich in cocoa, with a crispy exterior that hides melted white chocolate inside. Hot cookies are baked throughout the day. Don’t miss it if you see a huge line waiting, this cookie is worth the wait!
Heisteeg 4, 1012 WC
www.vanstapele.com
Tucked away in the bustling, picturesque neighborhood of 9 straatjes, this French-style patisserie offers exquisite pastries made with pure ingredients, Valrhona chocolate, nuts and amazing Sicilian coffee served with handmade beurre noisette. On
delicious fruit tarts, amazing chocolate mousses with walnut filling and colorful macarons.
Huidenstraat 12, 1016 ES Amsterdam
