One of the most diverse and multicultural cities in the world, Amsterdam offers endless possibilities when it comes to food. However, choosing a good place to eat while avoiding tourist traps can be a daunting task. Plus, the hidden gems are sometimes not that easy to find and some are well off the beaten path. So what to do?
A great way to discover some of the best foodie spots in Amsterdam is by joining a food tour. So when I was invited by the awesome people of Eating Europe Tours to join their new Twilight De Pijp Food Tour, I was delighted! De Pijp is one of the most diverse and vibrant districts in Amsterdam. I couldn’t wait to taste all those exotic flavours!
A Sweet Start
The tour kicks off with dessert at a cute Parisian-style bakery located in the heart of De Pijp. Owner Audrey uses the best ingredients to create sumptuous cream filled pastries that are baked daily in this little piece of heaven. As I took my first bite, I knew I was going to like this tour!
Next, we stopped by an unassuming Indonesian restaurant. The place was small but spotless. The walls were covered with printed articles praising its authentic cuisine. As we sat on our table, the aromas coming from the kitchen were a nice introduction to the tastes we were about to experience. The combination of flavours was outstanding and I can’t wait to go back to this place!
A Taste of Europe’s Diversity
Now, if I had to choose just one favourite dish from this tour, it would be a very hard decision. In the end, I think I’d pick the tasty polenta from Olive & Cookie, a tiny eatery that mixes Mediterranean and Eastern European flavours. There is just something about polenta that makes me feel home. Plus, the rich chocolate cake was to die for!
After that, I was pretty much full already; but we were only about half way through the tour. It’s a good thing we had to walk from one place to the next. Otherwise, I don’t think I could have eaten that much.
Next, we stopped by a Turkish shop. Murat, the owner, explained how he wanted to give a modern twist to the quintessential Turkish shop by mixing contemporary design with the traditional Turkish flavours. We had some samples of his mother’s authentic cuisine and we were sold! Everything was super tasty and fresh. And that Turkish bread was delish!
Quirky Little Facts
One of the things I enjoyed most about this tour, were the little fun facts that our guide shared with us. I won’t post them here, because I don’t want to spoil them for you; but some of them were quite interesting. For example, when we passed by a FEBO snack bar — one of the most famous fast food chains that you can find in the Netherlands — our guide shared some of the history of the brand. Oh, but don’t worry, you won’t be eating there on this tour!
Then, we went on to try some of the best fries in Amsterdam. While our fries were being made, the owner explained the process, from start to finish, to get the perfect fries. I had no idea people could be so passionate about potatoes! But the results are remarkable, their fries are pretty awesome!
Finally, the tour ends with a visit to a local brewery. Besides tasting some pretty nice craft beers, we had some of the best bitterbollen I’ve had so far. It was the perfect way to finish an evening full of exotic flavours and cultural explorations.
A Glimpse of All the Action
Since actions speak louder than words, have a look at the video below to get a glimpse of what this tour was like. The video was shot by local vlogger Dutchified. And to join the Twilight De Pijp Food Tour by Eating Amsterdam Tours, go to their website.
As mentioned, I was invited to join this tour by the awesome people of Eating Amsterdam Tours. However, all opinions are strictly my own.
What a fabulous food tour! I love being guided to all the secret hidden gems in a locale – and getting to try their signature dishes. The polenta and turkish bread look delish!