Amsterdam Artisanal Cheese & Craft Beer
James Whitmore Overview
On a quiet street in the Jordaan, the doorbell at De Kaaskamer rings every time a cheese connoisseur enters. Inside, the smell of aged Gouda lingers. Amsterdam’s cheese heritage runs deep, but it’s the craft beer scene that’s drawing attention across the IJ in Amsterdam Noord. Here, old factories house breweries like Oedipus Brewing, where new flavors are born. Across the city, from brown cafés like Café de Druif to modern bars like Proeflokaal Arendsnest, an intimate world awaits. Behind unassuming facades, the city's true culinary spirit reveals itself , a realm often overlooked by those who never stray from the tourist path.
Map
20 pinned placesFeatured Places
Discover the best spots in this carefully curated guide. Each location has been personally visited and vetted to ensure an authentic and memorable experience.
De Kaaskamer
At De Kaaskamer, the air is thick with the scent of Gouda and Edam. Wheels of cheese are stacked high, their rinds showing signs of age. A small bell tinkles as customers enter, and the shopkeeper greets each one with a knowing smile. The wooden shelves are filled with farm-fresh selections, allowing visitors to taste before they buy, adding a personal touch that larger shops lack.
Brouwerij 't IJ
Brouwerij 't IJ sits under the watchful eye of the Molen de Gooyer windmill. Inside, the space is filled with chatter and the clinking of glasses. The wide selection of beers on offer ranges from robust stouts to light, refreshing ales. Outside, picnic tables provide a spot to sip in the sun. The aroma of hops and malt drifts through the air, enticing passersby.
Kaasbar Amsterdam
Kaasbar Amsterdam is a cheese lover's paradise. The fondue is brought to your table in a cast-iron pot, its surface bubbling invitingly. The smell of melted cheese is rich and comforting. The small, intimate setting encourages conversation, with each table filled with lively discussions about the various cheese pairings available.
Brouwerij De Prael
Brouwerij De Prael feels like walking into a friend's living room. The cozy atmosphere is enhanced by mismatched furniture and warm lighting. An impressive selection of craft beers lines the bar, with staff offering recommendations based on your taste. The faint sound of brewing in the background adds to the ambiance, making each sip feel special.
Proeflokaal Arendsnest
Proeflokaal Arendsnest is a narrow bar with a clear focus: Dutch beer. The bar counter is lined with 32 taps, each dispensing a different local brew. The knowledgeable bartenders are eager to share the stories behind each beer. As you sip your drink, the chatter of fellow patrons creates a lively backdrop.
L'Amuse
L'Amuse is a haven for cheese aficionados. The display is as meticulous as a jeweler’s showcase, with each cheese labeled with its origin and age. The sharp scent of blue cheese mingles with milder varieties, creating a rich olfactory experience. Sampling is encouraged, allowing customers to find their perfect match.
Oedipus Brewing
Oedipus Brewing’s taproom is a reflection of its industrial past. The warehouse setting offers a casual vibe, with concrete floors and colorful murals brightening the space. The variety of beers is vast, and each one has a story. The mix of locals and tourists makes for an eclectic crowd, all here for the love of beer.
Brouwerij De 7 Deugden
Brouwerij De 7 Deugden carries a sense of history with every pint. The name references the seven virtues, offering a thematic experience. The small café is cozy, with wooden accents and vintage decor. Each beer is designed to match a virtue, encouraging patrons to reflect as they drink.
A. van Wees Tasting Locality
A. van Wees Tasting Locality is steeped in tradition. The shop has been selling Gouda since 1993, and the pride in their product is evident. The shelves are lined with cheese wheels, each one maturing to perfection. Customers can watch as cheese is cut to order, the process almost ceremonial in its precision.
Brouwerij Troost Westergas
Brouwerij Troost Westergas is set in a repurposed gasworks building, its industrial past evident in its architecture. The spacious interior is filled with communal tables, inviting strangers to share stories over a pint. The beer menu is diverse, with something for every palate. Outside, the courtyard offers a peaceful escape.
Old Amsterdam Cheese Store
Old Amsterdam Cheese Store is a step back in time. The store’s interior is filled with the aroma of aged cheese, and the staff cuts each piece with a precision that speaks to their expertise. The taste of the cheese is rich and complex, a proof of the aging process that enhances each flavor.
Cafe de Druif
Cafe de Druif is a staple in Amsterdam’s café scene. With its wooden beams and vintage furnishings, it exudes a timeless charm. The café has a storied history, and each drink seems to carry a piece of it. The atmosphere is relaxed, with the soft murmur of conversation filling the air.
De Bierkoning
De Bierkoning is a treasure trove for beer enthusiasts. The shelves are stacked high with bottles from around the world, each one promising a unique flavor. The staff is passionate about their craft and eager to guide you through the selection. The experience is both overwhelming and exciting, a beer lover’s dream.
Café Gollem
Café Gollem has been at the forefront of Amsterdam’s craft beer movement for years. The dimly lit bar is lined with patrons enjoying a wide range of brews. The bartenders are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, ready to introduce you to your new favorite beer. The atmosphere is lively, great for an evening with friends.
Slagerij De Wit
Slagerij De Wit might be a butcher, but it shares a love for cheese. The counter gleams under the overhead lights, and the displays are filled with quality meats and cheeses. The staff are friendly, often engaging in conversation with regulars. The smell of smoked meats and aged cheese fills the space, creating a mouthwatering aroma.
Pilsner Urquell: The Original Beer Experience
Pilsner Urquell: The Original Beer Experience provides a deep dive into the world of lager. The brewery tour is engaging, with guides sharing the history and process behind each brew. Tastings are held in the brewery’s tasting room, where the beer is fresh and its flavors well-defined. The experience is educational, yet enjoyable.
Pure Markt Park Frankendael
Pure Markt Park Frankendael is more than just a market; it’s a community gathering. Set within the grounds of a former estate, stalls offer a variety of local produce and artisanal goods. The air is filled with the scent of fresh bread and spices. Families wander from stall to stall, sampling the wares and enjoying the ambiance.
Café de Tuin
Café de Tuin lives up to its name with a lush terrace garden in the back. The café itself is cozy, with wooden furniture and a laid-back vibe. The garden is a haven, with greenery providing shade and a sense of tranquility. It’s a place to relax, with a drink in hand and good company by your side.
Coffeeshop "De Kade"
Coffeeshop "De Kade" is more than just a place to enjoy cannabis. Located at the NDSM Wharf, it offers views of the water and the converted shipyard that surrounds it. The interior is casual, with a mix of locals and tourists enjoying the mellow atmosphere. The waterfront location adds a unique charm.
Van Dijk and Ko
Van Dijk and Ko is a proof of the charm of Amsterdam’s outer boroughs. The shop, filled with vintage furniture and eclectic finds, is a labyrinth of discovery. Each corner holds a new surprise, from retro lamps to antique armoires. The staff are knowledgeable and love to share stories about their treasures.
Opens Google Maps with all 20 locations pinned
Get new guides in your inbox
Subscribe to the Mapita newsletter and receive handpicked city guides as soon as they're published. No spam, just great places.
Subscribe — it's freeFrequently Asked Questions
How do I open this guide in Google Maps? ▾
Tap the "Open in Google Maps" button and all 20 places will appear as pins in the Google Maps app. You can save the list to your account for offline access.
Can I use this guide offline? ▾
Yes! Once you save the Google Maps list to your account, the places are available even without internet. Download the offline map area in Google Maps before your trip.
How often is this guide updated? ▾
This guide was last updated on April 4, 2026. We regularly review and refresh our guides to ensure all places are still open and worth visiting.
Open in Google Maps
Get all 20 places from this guide pinned directly in Google Maps.
View 20 places on MapsOpens Google Maps with all 20 locations pinned
Get new guides in your inbox
Handpicked city guides delivered as soon as they're published. Free forever.
More guides in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Canal Bars & Brown Cafés
Begin your exploration of Amsterdam's authentic drinking spots in the Jordaan neighborhood. On the corner of Egelantiersgracht and Prinsengracht, Café 't Smalle offers a charming introduction to the city's famous brown cafés. These are the haunts where locals unwind after a long day, far from the crowded tourist paths. Here, and along the canals in places like De Twee Zwaantjes and Café de Jaren, you'll find the city's soul. The aroma of fresh coffee mingles with the scent of aged wood, while the soft murmur of Dutch chatter fills the air. Venture beyond the usual spots, and discover intimate cafés with storied pasts, where each sip tells a story few tourists ever hear.
James Whitmore 
Amsterdam: Vintage, Design & Canals
Amsterdam rewards the slow walker — the one who ducks into an arched doorway expecting a storeroom and finds instead a curated world of mid-century furniture, hand-dyed textiles, and shelf after shelf of beautifully battered paperbacks. The Jordaan and the Nine Streets corridor form the beating heart of the city's vintage and design culture, where independent boutiques cluster along canals that shimmer with reflected amber light on any given afternoon. Dutch design has always punched above its weight — playful, rigorous, and quietly radical — and nowhere is that more evident than in the concept stores and small galleries tucked between the houseboats and bridge rails. After a morning of browsing, the city invites you to slow down entirely: pull a chair onto a canal-side terrace, order a koffie verkeerd and a slice of something dense with almond, and watch the bicycles stream past in their unhurried hundreds. This guide threads together the best vintage markets, design destinations, neighbourhood cafes, and organic food stops into a single unhurried day through one of Europe's most liveable cities.
James Whitmore