Cheese Tasting in Amsterdam

Sit-Down Tastings

Tasting Room Kef, Amsterdam-Noord

The tasting room of Fromagerie Abraham Kef, a cheese shop that has been in the city since 1953. Staff come to your table and talk you through each cheese, and the selection changes daily. The Dégustation Intermédiaire is nine French and Dutch cheeses over two courses with a glass of white wine and a glass of red, for €37.50 (€51 with charcuterie). The Dégustation Mémorable pairs nine cheeses with premium wines for €45 (€58.50 with charcuterie); choose the first one if you want beer or no alcohol.

You have to reserve at least a day in advance. It is open Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 to 21:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00, at Van der Pekplein 1B. Take the free ferry from behind Centraal station (3 minutes) and walk about 8 minutes.

Henri Willig Tasting Room, Warmoesstraat

Five Henri Willig cheeses with mustard and cheese dip, no alcohol, in about 45 minutes, for €17.50. Tastings start at 14:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Fridays only in January and February), with room for 20 people. Warmoesstraat 56, in the old centre. Book online.

Henri Willig Tasting Experience, Rembrandtplein

Next to the Tuschinski cinema at Reguliersbreestraat 24. Staff explain how Dutch cheese is made, you watch a short film, then you taste with dips and mustard and two drinks (wine, port, beer or alcohol-free). Tickets are €22.50 online and include 10% off in the shop.

Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, Damrak

A 45-minute tasting of five cheeses with wines picked by a sommelier, at Damrak 62. Booking is recommended. The tasting room has no lift, so it is not wheelchair accessible.

Free Sampling

The Amsterdam Cheese Museum on the Prinsengracht lets you taste more than 20 cheeses for free, no ticket needed. The Henri Willig shops around the centre also invite you to walk in and sample.

Which to Choose

Kef is the one to book if you care about the cheese itself: the widest selection, French as well as Dutch, and someone at the table to explain it. The Henri Willig rooms are central and cheaper and stick to their own Dutch cheeses. For a quick taste between sights, the free counters are fine.