What Exactly Are Waffles in Amsterdam?
If you have searched for waffles in Amsterdam, you have probably already noticed that the results are a bit confusing. There are Belgian waffle stands, Dutch stroopwafel stalls, pancake houses calling their creations “waffles,” and Instagram-famous shops dipping everything in chocolate. Amsterdam’s waffle scene is one of the most varied in Europe, and knowing the difference between what is on offer will save you both money and disappointment. For a side-by-side breakdown, see our piece on Dutch waffles vs Belgian waffles compared.
This guide breaks down every type of waffle you can find in Amsterdam, where to get the best ones, and why the Dutch stroopwafel is the one worth travelling for. We run The Stroopwafel Workshop at Albert Cuypstraat 194, so we spend every day surrounded by waffles in Amsterdam and know the scene inside out. To learn more about how we got started, read about The Stroopwafel Workshop.
The Dutch Stroopwafel: Amsterdam’s Original Waffle
The stroopwafel is not technically a waffle in the Belgian or American sense, but it is the waffle that Amsterdam is most famous for. Two thin, crispy wafers are pressed on a traditional cast-iron plate, split open while still warm, and filled with a layer of sticky caramel syrup called stroop. The result is flat, chewy, intensely sweet, and best eaten within seconds of coming off the iron. We unpack the full history of the stroopwafel in a separate guide if you want to know how the cookie ended up the way it is.
Stroopwafels date back to late 18th-century Gouda, where bakers pressed leftover dough scraps with syrup between two wafer plates. The snack spread across the Netherlands and became a street food staple at markets throughout the country. Today it is the most recognisable of all waffles in Amsterdam and, according to the I amsterdam visitor guide, one of the top three foods visitors should try. In Amsterdam, the best place to try a fresh one is Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp, where several stalls press them to order every day of the week.
A fresh stroopwafel from a market stall costs between €1.50 and €2.50. Compare that to the €11.50-€14.50 you will pay at tourist-oriented shops in the city centre, and the market suddenly looks even more appealing. The difference in quality is often negligible, and the atmosphere at Albert Cuyp Market is infinitely more authentic.
How to eat a stroopwafel like a local
The proper Amsterdam way to eat a stroopwafel is to balance it on top of a hot cup of coffee or tea for about a minute. The steam softens the caramel centre, turning the wafer chewy rather than brittle. At the market, skip this step entirely because the stroopwafels come straight off the press and are already at the perfect temperature. Eat them standing up, with both hands, next to the stall. That is how Amsterdammers do it.
Belgian Waffles in Amsterdam: What to Expect
Belgian waffles are the other major category you will encounter when looking for waffles in Amsterdam. These are the thick, fluffy, deep-pocketed waffles typically served with whipped cream, strawberries, chocolate sauce, or powdered sugar. They come in two main styles that most visitors mix up.
The Brussels waffle is rectangular, light, and crispy on the outside with an airy interior. It is made with a yeast-leavened batter and has deep square grooves perfect for holding toppings. The Liege waffle is denser, chewier, and sweeter because pearl sugar is mixed into the dough, which caramelises against the iron during baking. In Belgium, nobody calls either of these a “Belgian waffle.” That term was invented at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York when Americans could not be bothered to distinguish between Brussels and Liege varieties.
In Amsterdam, Belgian-style waffles are widely available at cafes and stands throughout the city centre, particularly around Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein, and near Centraal Station. Quality varies enormously. Many of the stands aimed at tourists use frozen batter and charge premium prices for what amounts to a reheated product. For a genuinely good Belgian waffle, look for places that make the batter fresh on site.
Dutch Waffles vs Belgian Waffles: The Real Difference
This is the question that most visitors get wrong, and understanding the answer will change how you experience waffles in Amsterdam entirely.
A Belgian waffle is thick, soft, and designed as a vehicle for toppings. It is essentially a dessert platform. A Dutch stroopwafel is thin, crispy, and complete on its own. The caramel filling is built in, no toppings required. Where the Belgian waffle invites you to pile things on top, the stroopwafel asks you to appreciate a single, perfectly balanced bite.
The production methods are completely different too. Belgian waffles use a deep waffle iron and a thick batter. Stroopwafels use a flat, traditional cast-iron press that creates two paper-thin wafers from a small ball of dough, which are then split and filled. The craft is in the pressing, the splitting, and the speed, because the wafer must be filled while still warm enough to be pliable.
Both are worth trying, but if you only have time for one type of waffles in Amsterdam, the stroopwafel is the authentically Dutch choice. Belgian waffles are available in every European city. A fresh stroopwafel pressed in front of you at a 120-year-old street market is something you can only get here.
Where to Find the Best Waffles in Amsterdam
Whether you are looking for stroopwafels or Belgian-style waffles, Amsterdam has plenty of options. Here are the ones genuinely worth your time.
For fresh stroopwafels
Albert Cuyp Market (De Pijp) is the undisputed champion. Multiple stalls press stroopwafels fresh every day. Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels near Cuypstraat 182 usually has the longest queue, and for good reason. Our own stall at The Stroopwafel Workshop (Cuypstraat 194) sits just a few metres further along the market. Prices range from €1.50 to €2.50 per stroopwafel.
Lanskroon (Singel 385) is a fourth-generation bakery that has been making stroopwafels for over a century. No gimmicks, no rainbow toppings. Just beautifully made wafers with honey or coffee caramel filling. Around €2-€3 each.
Hans Egstorf (Spuistraat 281) is another traditional specialist worth seeking out in the Jordaan area. Their stroopwafels are consistently excellent and fairly priced at around €2.50.
For Belgian-style waffles
Graham’s Kitchen near Centraal Station has built a strong reputation for quality Belgian waffles with creative toppings. Staring at Jacob in the Jordaan serves excellent Liege-style waffles alongside speciality coffee. Both are worth the detour if Belgian waffles are specifically what you are after.
For the Instagram shot
Van Wonderen on Kalverstraat is the TikTok-famous stroopwafel shop with chocolate-dipped, topping-loaded creations that photograph beautifully. Expect to pay €11.50-€14.50 per stroopwafel. The visual presentation is striking, though many visitors note that the base stroopwafel itself is thinner than what you get at market stalls for a fraction of the price. Worth it for the photo, perhaps less so for the taste-to-price ratio.
Make Your Own Waffles in Amsterdam
Eating waffles in Amsterdam is easy enough. Making one yourself is a completely different experience. At The Stroopwafel Workshop, you get to press your own stroopwafels on traditional cast-iron plates at Albert Cuyp Market. It is a fun, hands-on activity that takes about 45 minutes, and you walk out with two XL stroopwafels that you made yourself, plus a coffee or tea to enjoy them with.
The workshop runs daily from 10:00 to 17:00 at Albert Cuypstraat 194, right in the heart of the market. Prices start from €23.74 per person, and it is suitable for everyone, from solo travellers to families with children. No experience needed. You can book your spot online or check availability on FunAmsterdam, which lists over 200 Amsterdam activities including ours.
If you are visiting Amsterdam with a group, you could combine the stroopwafel workshop with an Amsterdam canal cruise with Starboard Boats for a morning of Dutch experiences. Another popular combination is pairing it with the Tile Painting Workshop, where you paint your own traditional Delft Blue tile. Both are within easy reach of De Pijp. For ideas on building a wider itinerary around the market, our local guide to the best things to do in Amsterdam maps out a full day.
Amsterdam Waffle Prices: What to Budget
Waffle prices in Amsterdam vary enormously depending on where and what you buy. Here is a realistic breakdown so you know what to expect.
Fresh stroopwafel at Albert Cuyp Market: €1.50-€2.50
Traditional bakery stroopwafel (Lanskroon, Egstorf): €2-€3
Van Wonderen topped stroopwafel: €11.50-€14.50
Belgian waffle from a street stand: €4-€7
Belgian waffle at a sit-down cafe: €8-€14
Supermarket stroopwafel pack (8-10 pieces): €2-€3
Stroopwafel workshop experience: from €23.74 per person
The best-value waffles in Amsterdam are unquestionably the fresh stroopwafels at a market stall. For under €3, you get a handmade, freshly pressed waffle that is warm, chewy, and filled with real caramel. Nothing else in the city comes close on the quality-to-price ratio.
When Is the Best Time to Get Waffles in Amsterdam?
Albert Cuyp Market is open Monday through Saturday, and the stroopwafel stalls fire up their irons from early morning. The best time to visit is mid-morning on a weekday, when the stroopwafels are fresh and the queues are short. Saturday afternoons are the busiest, with queues at popular stalls stretching ten or fifteen people deep.
Belgian waffle stands and cafes operate throughout the day, with most open from around 10:00 until late evening. Weekend brunch spots that serve waffles tend to be busiest between 11:00 and 14:00.
For a detailed overview of everything the Amsterdam stroopwafel scene has to offer, from market stalls to bakeries and specialty shops, read our full guide to finding the best stroopwafel in Amsterdam.
Frequently Asked Questions About Waffles in Amsterdam
Are stroopwafels the same as waffles?
Not exactly. A stroopwafel is a thin, flat, caramel-filled wafer pressed on a traditional iron, while a Belgian waffle is a thick, fluffy batter cooked in a deep waffle maker. Both fall under the broad waffle family, but the texture, taste, and eating experience are entirely different. Stroopwafels are the traditional Dutch version and the most iconic waffle you can try in Amsterdam.
Where are the best waffles in Amsterdam?
For stroopwafels, Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp is the best destination. You will find several stalls pressing fresh waffles daily, including The Stroopwafel Workshop at Cuypstraat 194. For Belgian-style waffles, Graham’s Kitchen and Staring at Jacob both serve excellent versions. Check FunAmsterdam for activities that include making your own.
Can you make your own waffles in Amsterdam?
Yes. The Stroopwafel Workshop at Albert Cuyp Market offers a 45-minute hands-on experience where you press your own stroopwafels on traditional irons. You walk out with two XL stroopwafels, a coffee or tea, and a certificate. It is one of the most popular food activities in Amsterdam according to TripAdvisor and runs daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
How much do waffles cost in Amsterdam?
A fresh stroopwafel at Albert Cuyp Market costs €1.50-€2.50. Belgian waffles from street stands range from €4-€7, while sit-down cafes charge €8-€14. The most expensive option is Van Wonderen’s topped stroopwafels at €11.50-€14.50, though many visitors feel the price does not reflect the quality compared to market alternatives. For a fuller current-price breakdown and a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood rundown, see our Amsterdam stroopwafel price and best-spots guide.
The Waffle You Should Not Leave Amsterdam Without
Of all the waffles in Amsterdam, only one is worth planning your day around. Belgian waffles are good, Van Wonderen is photogenic, and the pancake houses serve their own version of waffle-adjacent treats. But the one waffle experience that is uniquely and unmistakably Amsterdam is the fresh stroopwafel at Albert Cuyp Market.
For the full experience, combine it with a visit to The Stroopwafel Workshop, where you can make your own and see exactly how these famous Dutch waffles are produced. It is the kind of hands-on Amsterdam activity that beats another museum queue, and you get to eat the results. Book your workshop here and discover why the stroopwafel is Amsterdam’s favourite waffle.