The best stroopwafels in Amsterdam are light-years beyond the mass-produced versions sold at international coffee chains. With crisp-tender wafers sandwiching a cinnamon-scented caramel, these cookies are utterly delicious. While there are excellent packaged stroopwafels, there’s really nothing quite like getting a freshly baked one at a Dutch bakery.
So, where do you get a stroopwafel in Amsterdam? There are all sorts of top-notch choices, ranging from classic to newfangled. Here’s what you need to know before embarking on your cookie quest.
What Is a Stroopwafel?
Stroopwafel
The term stroopwafel literally translates as “syrup waffle,” although these treats more closely resemble cookies than they do fluffy Belgian-style waffles. Much like Italian pizzelle, they’re made by pressing the dough onto a hot, molded press. The dough here is usually loaded with brown sugar, which gives the cookies a toffee-like color and toasty flavor.
After the thin cookies set, they’re spread with warm stroop, a thick syrup made from reduced, caramelized beet sugar. A bit of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon are added for good measure. The syrup sets as it cools, making for a cookie with a slightly crisp exterior and chewy interior.
History & Culture
Stroopwafel
Sometime around the early 1800s, resourceful bakers in the Dutch city of Gouda figured out a way to use up crumbs and scraps of other baked goods. By binding them together with syrup and pressing them into a shape, they suddenly had a whole new cookie.
Gerard Kamphuisen, a baker in the city at the time, was certainly one of the earliest to start selling stroopwafels. Some credit him as the inventor of the cookies, although it’s hard to be completely certain. Either way, Kamphuisen Siroopwafelfabriek in Gouda has been producing some of the very best renditions of these cookies since 1810.
Best Stroopwafels in Amsterdam
While it’s possible to find packaged stroopwafels all over the globe these days, freshly baked ones are a rarity outside of the Netherlands. It’s worth making the effort to seek them out during your stay. Here are some of the best places to find them.
Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels
Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels
There’s a reason practically every Amsterdammer recommends this family-run institution. Since 1978, Rudi’s has been turning out practically perfect stroopwafels. Think: thin, buttery cookies with a gooey caramel filling. The company founder claimed to have picked up his recipe in Gouda and brought it back to his birth city of Amsterdam.
It’s easy to spot the Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels stand at Albert Cuyp Markt. There’s more or less always a line, since these are some of the most famous stroopwafels in Amsterdam. The silver lining is that turnover is high and the cookies are extremely fresh. They also sell cookies in beautiful tins to take home.
Van Wonderen Stroopwafels
Van Wonderen Stroopwafels
This viral TikTok sensation often has serious lines at its flagship store on Kalverstraat, especially during the spring and summer months. While the classic flavor is available, van Wonderen is best known for its maximalist approach to toppings. Stroopwafels are often sold half-dunked in dark or white chocolate sprinkled with chopped nuts, candies, or rainbow sprinkles.
The eye-catching presentations extend to the colorful tins, which make popular gifts. The van Wonderen stroopwafels are somewhat divisive among Amsterdammers. Many locals roll their eyes at the social media hype and the idea of paying more than €10 for a single cookie.
That said, the stroopwafels here are made fresh daily and are popular for a reason. If you’re looking for a slightly over-the-top rendition, these may be for you.
Melly’s StroopWafels
Located steps from Dam Square, this family-run bakery has been in business since 1999. Melly’s was started by an Argentine expat, Guillermo Mellicovsky. It started life as a juice bar, before evolving in 2019 into the stroopwafel powerhouse it is today. The cookies here also often feature striking decorative elements. You can order your stroopwafel half-covered in coconut, marshmallows, cookie crumbs, or milk chocolate.
One of the best things about Melly’s is that they host their own stroopwafel-making workshops. Over the course of 45 minutes, participants can press out their own dough, slather it with caramel, and decorate it with all sorts of toppings. At the end, you’ll walk away with two DIY stroopwafels each. They all get packed up in cute gift boxes to take on your travels. It’s a surefire hit with younger travelers, although parents may enjoy it just as much.
Lanskroon
Lanskroon Photo by Andy Li on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC0 1.0
The family behind this iconic fourth-generation bakery has been in the pastry business for over a century. In addition to stroopwafels, they make an absolutely stunning assortment of cakes, tortes, and savory pastries. This is also the perfect place to try oliebollen, round Dutch-style doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar. The ones here are almost impossibly light when fresh from the fryer.
As for the stroopwafels, these are as classic as they get. Unlike van Wonderen or Melly’s, you won’t find any rainbow-hued candy garnishes here. Lanskroon decorates its wares with nothing more than a strip of crunchy sugar or the bakery’s logo imprinted in the dough.
They’re best known for their Koningsstroopwafels. At nearly five inches across, these “king’s stroopwafels” are large enough to share. They’re filled with honey syrup, honey espresso syrup, or a compote of dried figs and raisins. There’s a lovely, light-filled café inside the bakery, which is the perfect place to enjoy your cookie.
Where to Buy Stroopwafels as Souvenirs
Stroopwafels
A key thing to remember is that the fresh stroopwafels you buy in Dutch bakeries are quite different from the ones you buy pre-packed in tins. Both can be excellent, but they serve somewhat different purposes. The fresh stroopwafels are really meant to be eaten right away—or at the very least, within a few days of purchase.
If you’re looking to buy stroopwafels as souvenirs, you’re going to want to opt for the packaged variety. Many of these come in pretty tins and make for great gifts for friends and family back home.
They’re also not hard to find. Just head to any branch of Albert Heijn, the main local grocery chain, or the Albert Cuypmarkt, one of the best places to shop in Amsterdam. Daelmans is a widely available brand that has been in the stroopwafel business since 1904. These crispy, toasty cookies come individually wrapped and are easy to transport home.
How to Eat Stroopwafels Like a Local
Stroopwafels
Really, a packaged stroopwafel should never be consumed in isolation. Yes, these cookies are perfectly tasty on their own, but to unlock their full textural potential, you’ll need a steaming beverage. A hot mug of tea or strong Dutch coffee will do the trick.
Simply place your stroopwafel on top of the cup, then allow it to heat for a couple of minutes. As it warms, the caramel in the middle will melt a bit, and the whole cookie will soften slightly. The final effect is much like eating a warm cookie fresh from the oven.
Stroopwafel
Some locals prefer to cut to the chase and dunk the stroopwafel directly in the coffee, much the way you would an Italian biscotti. This will soften the cookie quickly, although if you leave it sitting too long, it may start to disintegrate into your cup.
It’s important to note that fresh stroopwafels in Amsterdam are a different beast entirely. Ideally, they’re still warm, or at least very soft when you receive them. In other words, there’s no need to reheat them. They’re also structurally a bit more fragile. Hold them vertically in both hands and simply bite right into the cookie.
Read: Fries in Amsterdam: Why They’re Special & Best Places to Eat Them
FAQs
How much do stroopwafels cost in Amsterdam?
Stroopwafels
One of the great things about stroopwafels is that you don’t need to spend a whole lot of money to enjoy them. A freshly baked stroopwafel from a local bakery will only set you back around €3 to €5. For around €10 to €15, you can pick up a high-quality tin.
What is the best flavor of stroopwafel?
Bakery in Amsterdam
While the classic caramel stroopwafel still reigns supreme, it’s hardly the only option these days. These Amsterdam treats come in various sizes, ranging from slightly larger than a euro coin to as large as dinner plates.
Different bakeries may also offer flavors like chocolate, honey, or espresso. Some stroopwafels get dipped in dark chocolate or showered with sprinkles. More newfangled variations might be tinted emerald with matcha or covered in crushed candies.
Perhaps the most important distinction to remember is between the mass-produced and homemade versions. The stroopwafels doled out in souvenir stands are decidedly different from the ones made by local Dutch bakeries.
What is the best way to eat a stroopwafel?
Stroopwafels
There are differing schools of thought on this, although by far the dominant one is that stroopwafel in Amsterdam should be warmed atop a hot cup of coffee or tea. There’s much to love about this particular method, which is as much about the ritual as it is about the cookie itself.
Part of the idea here is that this method demands a few extra minutes of your time. Take a deep breath, inhale the scent of cinnamon and caramel, then slowly sip your coffee and nibble the cookie.
Amsterdam
The Dutch really celebrate their afternoon coffee break, which almost always comes with a sweet accompaniment. That could take the form of a slice of appeltaart, a buttery apple cake with warm spices and a dollop of whipped cream, or it could be a stroopwafel. Either way, it’s all about slowing down and catching up with a good friend or family member.
That being said, in our increasingly fast-paced society, one doesn’t always have time for a leisurely coffee interlude. If you’re in a rush, just pop the stroopwafel in the microwave for a few seconds. The texture changes significantly when it’s warmed up even a little bit.
Amsterdam
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