Quick answer
Amsterdam is the easiest city on Earth to eat a stroopwafel — and also the easiest to eat a bad one.
- Best overall
- Rudi's Original Stroopwafels
- Top pick
- Rudi's Original Stroopwafels — the undisputed king of fresh stroopwafels at Albert Cuyp Market.
Top verdicts
- Rudi's Original Stroopwafels: The definitive fresh, still-warm stroopwafel experience
- Albert Cuyp Market (Other Stalls): Blind-tasting multiple fresh stroopwafels in one walk without queues
- Lanskroon: Artisan bakery stroopwafels in the city center, Sundays included
The stroopwafel (literally "syrup waffle") was invented in Gouda in the late 1700s: two thin waffle discs pressed on a cast-iron iron, sliced horizontally while still hot, and sandwiched around a layer of warm caramel syrup. In its natural habitat at a Dutch market, it is eaten within minutes of being made — crispy at the edges, soft in the middle, caramel oozing down your fingers. That is the version you are in Amsterdam for.
The supermarket packs Dutch locals buy for €2 are a different product entirely — perfectly good, but designed to be softened on top of a hot coffee or tea. And then there is the tourist-trap version: a €11 "designer" stroopwafel drenched in chocolate and sprinkles that went viral on TikTok and is actively avoided by Amsterdammers. This guide walks you through all three tiers so you know exactly where to spend, where to save, and what to avoid.
Area map
All 9 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rudi's Original Stroopwafels | Market | mid | Albert Cuypstraat 182, De Pijp | |
| 2 | Albert Cuyp Market (Other Stalls) | Market | budget | Albert Cuypstraat, De Pijp | |
| 3 | Lanskroon | Bakery | treat | Singel 385, Centrum | |
| 4 | Croissanterie Egstorf | Bakery | treat | Spuistraat, Centrum | |
| 5 | Noordermarkt (Saturday Market) | Market | mid | Noordermarkt, Jordaan | |
| 6 | Dappermarkt | Market | budget | Dapperstraat, Oost | |
| 7 | Melly's Stroopwafels | Bakery | treat | Centrum (multiple locations) | |
| 8 | Queens Stroopwafel | Vegan | mid | Centrum | |
| 9 | Albert Heijn (Fresh Bakery Section) | Supermarket | budget | Everywhere in Amsterdam |
1Rudi's Original Stroopwafels
MarketQuick comparison
- Best for
- The definitive fresh, still-warm stroopwafel experience
- Strengths
- Known for Market · Albert Cuypstraat 182, De Pijp
- Limitations
- Open only Mon–Sat (market days); queues can be 10–20 min at peak
- Price / value
- €2.50–€3.50
- Why it made the list
- Rudi's is the single most-recommended stroopwafel vendor on Reddit, TripAdvisor, and every Amsterdam food blog. Locals, expats, and travelers all converge on the same answer: if you only eat one stroopwafel in Amsterdam, eat it here, fresh off the iron.
- What to order
- A single classic fresh stroopwafel, eaten immediately while warm. Do not wait; the caramel is at its peak in the first minute. Cash is easiest — small bills help.
🕐 Opening hours
2Albert Cuyp Market (Other Stalls)
MarketQuick comparison
- Best for
- Blind-tasting multiple fresh stroopwafels in one walk without queues
- Strengths
- Known for Market · Albert Cuypstraat, De Pijp
- Limitations
- Quality varies between stalls; closed Sundays; touristy in peak season
- Price / value
- €2–€4
- Why it made the list
- De Pijp's Albert Cuypstraat is the single most Reddit-recommended street in Amsterdam for street food of any kind, and stroopwafel is the reigning specialty. Even ignoring Rudi's, the market collectively delivers the authentic Dutch stroopwafel experience.
- What to order
- Pick any stall with a visibly hot iron and a short queue — the iron is the tell. Eat it immediately; do not save it for later. Pair it with a fresh poffertjes stall two blocks down.
🕐 Opening hours
3Lanskroon
BakeryQuick comparison
- Best for
- Artisan bakery stroopwafels in the city center, Sundays included
- Strengths
- Known for Bakery · Singel 385, Centrum
- Limitations
- Pricier than market stalls; thicker texture is more cookie, less gooey
- Price / value
- €3–€6
- Why it made the list
- Lanskroon is the name that comes up repeatedly when Reddit asks "where can I get a good stroopwafel on a Sunday?" It is also the default answer for travelers staying in Centrum who do not want to trek to De Pijp. The coffee caramel variant is a genuine cult item.
- What to order
- The classic large stroopwafel plus the coffee caramel variety if available. Their other Dutch specialties — speculaas and kruidnoten in winter — are also excellent.
🕐 Opening hours
4Croissanterie Egstorf
BakeryQuick comparison
- Best for
- A reliable centrum stroopwafel at any hour of the day, seven days a week
- Strengths
- Known for Bakery · Spuistraat, Centrum
- Limitations
- Not a stroopwafel specialist — it is a full bakery · Can get busy at breakfast
- Price / value
- €2.50–€5
- Why it made the list
- With 8,612 Google reviews averaging 4.8★, Egstorf is statistically one of the best-reviewed bakeries in Amsterdam period. Its daily 08:00–22:00 schedule makes it the default "I need a stroopwafel right now" answer for anyone staying in Centrum.
- What to order
- A fresh stroopwafel with a flat white coffee — warm the wafel on the cup lid while the espresso brews. Their almond croissant is also legendary if you want a second round.
5Noordermarkt (Saturday Market)
MarketQuick comparison
- Best for
- A local Saturday morning stroopwafel in the Jordaan
- Strengths
- Known for Market · Noordermarkt, Jordaan
- Limitations
- Saturday only; stroopwafel vendors rotate; smaller selection than Albert Cuyp
- Price / value
- €2.50–€4
- Why it made the list
- local consensus from Amsterdammers consistently mention Noordermarkt as the local alternative to Albert Cuyp. If you are in Jordaan on a Saturday morning, this is a no-brainer stop — combine it with the adjacent Lindengrachtmarkt for a full morning.
- What to order
- A fresh stroopwafel from whichever stall has a hot iron, plus a cup of fresh-squeezed OJ from another vendor. Arrive before 11 AM for the freshest choice.
6Dappermarkt
MarketQuick comparison
- Best for
- An authentic, zero-tourist stroopwafel in a working Amsterdam neighborhood
- Strengths
- Known for Market · Dapperstraat, Oost
- Limitations
- Smaller selection of stroopwafel vendors than Albert Cuyp; further from the city center
- Price / value
- €2–€3.50
- Why it made the list
- Reddit's r/Amsterdam consistently recommends Dappermarkt as the local alternative for travelers who have "been there done that" with Albert Cuyp. It is listed on iamsterdam.com as one of the city's original neighborhood markets.
- What to order
- A stroopwafel from any hot-iron stall plus a haring sandwich from another vendor for the classic Dutch street-food combo. Tram 3 or 7 gets you here.
🕐 Opening hours
7Melly's Stroopwafels
BakeryQuick comparison
- Best for
- A dedicated stroopwafel shop in Centrum, open every day
- Strengths
- Known for Bakery · Centrum (multiple locations)
- Limitations
- More expensive than Albert Cuyp for essentially the same product · Can feel tourist-oriented
- Price / value
- €3–€6
- Why it made the list
- Melly's gets consistent 4.6★ recommendations on Reddit as "the best stroopwafel in Centrum if you cannot make it to Albert Cuyp." The De Nieuwe Kerk location also shows up in virtually every travel-blog stroopwafel roundup for Amsterdam.
- What to order
- The classic fresh stroopwafel — keep it simple and skip the chocolate-dipped upsells. Their coffee is surprisingly good for a stroopwafel shop.
8Queens Stroopwafel
VeganQuick comparison
- Best for
- Vegans, travelers with dairy allergies, and the plant-curious
- Strengths
- Known for Vegan · Centrum
- Limitations
- Smaller selection; slightly pricier than a market stall; limited seating
- Price / value
- €3–€5
- Why it made the list
- Queens is the only dedicated vegan stroopwafel shop in Amsterdam and consistently ranks in r/vegan and r/Amsterdam vegan threads as the city's must-try for a plant-based stroopwafel. A 4.6★ average across more than a thousand reviews tells you the product holds up.
- What to order
- The classic vegan stroopwafel — do not overthink it. Pair with an oat milk flat white.
9Albert Heijn (Fresh Bakery Section)
SupermarketQuick comparison
- Best for
- Souvenirs, daily eating, and understanding what Dutch people actually buy
- Strengths
- Known for Supermarket · Everywhere in Amsterdam
- Limitations
- Not the made-in-front-of-you fresh experience; packaged
- Price / value
- €2–€3.50 per pack
- Why it made the list
- Every Reddit thread about Amsterdam stroopwafels eventually says the same thing: "For souvenirs, skip the tourist shops — just buy Albert Heijn's own brand." AH's in-store bakery versions are a notch above the shelf-stable packs and cost a fraction of what tourist shops charge.
- What to order
- AH's own "verse stroopwafels" from the bakery section, or a shelf-stable pack labeled "roomboter" (real butter) for souvenirs. Kanjers and Daelmans are the premium packaged brands worth paying a euro extra for.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Amsterdam stroopwafels unique?
Stroopwafels were invented in Gouda in the late 1700s and are now a national Dutch icon. Amsterdam's appeal is variety: fresh, still-warm stroopwafels from Albert Cuyp Market made on cast-iron presses in front of you, artisan bakery versions with creative flavors at Lanskroon, and the everyday supermarket packs Dutch locals actually eat. The fresh-made, caramel-oozing market stroopwafel is a completely different product from the packaged ones most tourists know.
Where can I get the best fresh stroopwafel in Amsterdam?
The Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp is the undisputed champion for fresh stroopwafels — particularly Rudi's Original Stroopwafels stall. They are made on the spot, huge, warm, and cost around €2.50–€3.50. For a centrum alternative, Lanskroon bakery on Singel makes excellent fresh stroopwafels including creative flavors like coffee caramel. Saturday mornings at Noordermarkt in the Jordaan are another local favorite.
How much should a stroopwafel cost in Amsterdam?
A fresh stroopwafel from a market stall should cost €2.50–€4.00. A pack of 8–10 from the supermarket costs €2–€3. If you are paying more than €5 for a single stroopwafel, you are likely at a tourist trap. Places like Van Wonderen charge €11+ per wafel covered in chocolate and toppings — that is about six times the normal price and widely considered overpriced by locals.
What neighborhoods are best for stroopwafel hunting?
De Pijp (for Albert Cuyp Market) is the number-one destination — open Monday–Saturday. Jordaan is a close second thanks to Saturday's Noordermarkt and several small bakeries. Centrum has Lanskroon on Singel and multiple Melly's Stroopwafel locations. For an off-the-tourist-path option, Dappermarkt in Oost is where actual Amsterdammers shop for daily groceries and stroopwafels.
Are supermarket stroopwafels worth buying?
Absolutely — it is how most Dutch people eat them. Albert Heijn's own 'verse stroopwafels' from the bakery section are freshly baked and excellent. For packaged versions, look for the word 'roomboter' (real butter) on the label. Kanjers and Daelmans are the two brands locals actually buy. At €2–€3 a pack they are the best souvenir value in the city and travel home far better than fresh market stroopwafels, which go stale within hours.
Are there gluten-free or vegan stroopwafels in Amsterdam?
Queens Stroopwafel in Centrum is Amsterdam's dedicated vegan stroopwafel shop — plant-based butter and syrup, same classic texture. For gluten-free, options are limited: traditional stroopwafels are made with wheat flour. Some health-food stores (Marqt, Ekoplaza) carry a small selection of gluten-free brands, and you can sometimes find them at the Noordermarkt organic market on Saturdays.
What day of the week is best for Amsterdam markets?
Saturday is the peak market day. Albert Cuyp runs Monday–Saturday but is liveliest on Saturdays. Noordermarkt only opens Saturday mornings (9:00–16:00) and is the best single day for stroopwafel hunting in Jordaan. Dappermarkt is also Monday–Saturday. Sundays most markets are closed, so plan accordingly — your Sunday stroopwafel fix will come from bakeries and supermarkets.
Is Van Wonderen Stroopwafels worth visiting?
Most Amsterdam locals and experienced visitors on Reddit strongly advise against it. Van Wonderen charges €11–€12 per stroopwafel and is widely considered an overpriced tourist trap. The quality is often described as 'worse than a supermarket pack.' The long queues are driven by TikTok and Instagram hype, not quality. Save your money for Albert Cuyp Market or a good bakery like Lanskroon.
Planning your Amsterdam stroopwafel tour
The ideal Amsterdam stroopwafel crawl takes you through three distinct experiences in a single day — market, bakery, and supermarket — and comes in under €15.
Start in the morning at Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp (arrive around 10:30 AM when the market is fully open but queues have not yet built). Eat a fresh Rudi's Original stroopwafel while warm, then wander the rest of Albert Cuypstraat and try one other stall for comparison. From De Pijp walk or tram 10 minutes north to the Centrum and stop at Lanskroon on Singel for a thicker, artisan bakery version in a completely different style.
In the afternoon, if it is Saturday, detour to Noordermarkt in the Jordaan for a local market experience. Otherwise walk over to Croissanterie Egstorf on Spuistraat for a coffee + stroopwafel break inside a highly-rated Centrum bakery. End the day at any Albert Heijn — grab a pack of "verse stroopwafels" or Kanjers for the hotel room and the flight home.
Budget roughly €10–€15 for a full day of stroopwafel sampling across three to four stops. Pro tip: avoid Damrak and the Red Light District side streets entirely for stroopwafel — that is where the €11 tourist-trap shops cluster. Everything on this list is dramatically better and cheaper.