An Amsterdam Canal Cruise & Food Tour

Looking for the best Amsterdam food tour? I joined Eating Europe’s food tour with a private canal cruise to see whether it’s worth the money.

If you’re looking for a tour that combines Dutch food, local history, and one of Amsterdam’s famous canal cruises, I think this is one of the better options. It’s particularly good if you’d rather avoid the large tourist boats and experience Amsterdam more authentically, with a small group.

Here’s exactly what the tour includes, what I liked, what could be better, and whether I’d recommend booking it.

The Amsterdam Canal Cruise With Food Tour – My Review

This tour starts with a walk through the city, discovering different areas and trying different Dutch food. It then takes you through some of Amsterdam’s most famous canals on a private boat.

1. The Food During the Amsterdam Food Tour

We started at a local, typical Dutch cafe (we call them ‘Brown Cafes’ because of their brown, wooden interior).

The same family has run this cafe for over 100 years and with a good cup of coffee and a plate of authentic ‘poffertjes‘ it instantly took me back to my childhood in the Netherlands!

Also Read: Is It Holland or the Netherlands? This Funny Video Explains It All

Then we walked to a well-known seafood shop to taste what’s probably the most famous fish dish in the Netherlands: brined herring.

And I have to admit, I was dreading this moment! Growing up I thought herring was disgusting and I definitely didn’t understand why the Dutch love it so much…

So, the last time I tried herring I must have been no older than 8.

I guess my taste has changed! I actually really enjoyed it. Plus the visit to the fish shop was a lot of fun and we got to taste some oysters and kibbeling (deep-fried cod with a delicious sauce) as well.

Our next stop was a quick one: a Dutch bakery that has been in Amsterdam since 1969. Here we got to taste some local pastries.

After a bit of a wander through the streets of Amsterdam, we arrived at a local bar for some classic Dutch bar food: bitterballen. Served with a Dutch Amstel beer.

These bitterballen are basically fried breaded meatballs. But, something I didn’t know; nowadays you can get them in many different flavors!

From Dutch cheese to Thai curry, the relatively boring (in my opinion) Dutch bar snack all of a sudden became a lot more interesting!

Then it was time to visit a family-run butcher to pick up some sausages to take with us on our canal cruise.

And lastly, before we boarded the boat, we stopped at this nice wine shop for a wine tasting. I learned yet another thing about my own country: the Dutch make wine!

After this, we boarded our canal cruise for what would be a lovely, one-hour canal cruise through the main canals of Amsterdam.

Also Read: Typical Dutch Food to Try in the Netherlands and Delicious & Easy Street Food Recipes From Around the World

2. The Walk During the Amsterdam Food Tour

I went on this food tour first and foremost to taste the food and enjoy Amsterdam’s canals.

But, even though I am from the Netherlands and have briefly worked in Amsterdam, I have to admit I don’t know the city well.

So to be able to walk around the city with our knowledgeable tour guide who shared some interesting facts about the city and showed me areas I’d never been to before, was absolutely great!

I do love being a tourist in my own country! 🙂

Also Read: Visiting Amsterdam – Tips From a Local For What to See & Do

3. The Amsterdam Canal Cruise

Amsterdam is famous for its canals and I had wanted to go on one of those Amsterdam canal cruises for years.

But, there is a reason why I never did.

Many of these cruises carry 50 or more tourists and if you are unlucky you are stuck in the middle of a bachelor party. Yes, Amsterdam’s reputation as a party destination, unfortunately, is justified…

But the great thing about this Amsterdam canal cruise is that it’s a private cruise! So it was just our small group on a cute Dutch boat with an incredibly friendly captain.

For an hour we got to experience Amsterdam from the canals while sipping wine and snacking on Dutch cheese and sausages.

I loved learning about the history of the city, the different buildings, and the way the Amsterdammers live their lives.

And yes, we cruised past the Red Light District too. And what’s better than having a local tour guide to ask questions about the area, how locals feel about it, etc.

Tip: If you aren’t interested in a canal cruise, Eating Europe also offers food tours in Amsterdam without a canal cruise.

What Makes This Amsterdam Food Tour Different?

I’ve done quite a few city tours over the years, and one thing I’ve learned is that the guide often makes or breaks the experience. Luckily, our guide was great and knew so many fun and interesting facts about Amsterdam I’d never heard!

What really sets this tour apart, though, is the combination of a walking food tour and a small-group canal cruise. Most Amsterdam canal cruises involve sitting on a large sightseeing boat with dozens of other passengers. On this tour, we explored the canals on a much smaller private boat, which made the experience feel far more personal and relaxed.

I also liked that the food stops weren’t just aimed at tourists. We visited long-established local businesses and sampled classic Dutch dishes while learning a bit about their history.

If you’re trying to decide between a standard canal cruise and a food tour, this experience lets you combine two of Amsterdam’s highlights into one outing. For first-time visitors especially, I think it’s a great way to get a feel for the city beyond the main tourist attractions.

Is This Amsterdam Food Tour Worth It?

For me, yes.

Not just because of the food, but because it combines several experiences into one without feeling rushed. You get to taste authentic Dutch specialties, explore parts of Amsterdam you might otherwise walk straight past, and finish with a peaceful cruise through the city’s famous canals.

I enjoyed the small-group atmosphere. Instead of sharing a large sightseeing boat with dozens of people, our canal cruise felt relaxed and personal, and there was plenty of opportunity to chat with both the guide and the captain.

That said, I don’t think this tour is for everyone.

If you’re mainly interested in seeing Amsterdam’s canals, a standard canal cruise is much cheaper. And if you’ve already spent a lot of time in the Netherlands and have tried most traditional Dutch foods, the culinary aspect may be less of a novelty.

However, if it’s your first visit to Amsterdam, or you enjoy discovering a destination through its local food and culture, I think this tour offers excellent value. It gives you much more context about the city than a canal cruise alone, while also introducing you to some classic Dutch dishes that many visitors never get around to trying.

Would I book it again? Absolutely, and I’d happily recommend it to friends visiting the city.

If you only have time for one organized tour in Amsterdam, I’d seriously consider this one. It takes you away from the touristy parts and shows you a different side of the city. It shows you real life in the city.

For more information about this tour and to book online, click here. But also check out their website for information about their other food tours in Amsterdam, and in several other European cities.

And in case Dutch food isn’t your thing, this evening pizza cruise on Amsterdam’s canals might be a good alternative.

Practical Tips For This Amsterdam Food Tour

A beautiful tour of Amsterdam — A tour of Amsterdam with Eating Europe

1. Wear Comfortable Shoes

You will be walking a lot during the food tour so just make sure you wear comfortable shoes.

2. Check the Weather

Well first of all, as anyone who has looked into visiting Amsterdam knows, it rains a lot here! So check the weather before you go on the tour and bring an umbrella if needed.

3. Best Time of Year For The Amsterdam Food Tour

Since you will be walking around the city I would say the best time of year is when the weather is warmer. This is roughly from mid-May until the end of September, but can vary quite a bit per year.

But then there is a magical atmosphere in Amsterdam around Christmas time as well. And July and August, when the weather is normally the best, is also peak season which means the city will be a lot more crowded…

So I guess as long as you check the weather and dress appropriately, you will be fine any time of year!

Also Read: 10 of the Best Annual Events in Amsterdam – the Perfect Time to Visit

4. Let Them Know in Advance If You Are Vegetarian

This Amsterdam food tour is not a vegetarian tour but if you let them know in advance, they can make sure you get vegetarian options at the different food stops.

Booking These Food Tours in Amsterdam

As mentioned before, Eating Europe offers several food tours in Amsterdam.

Visit their website for information about these tours and their other tours throughout Europe. Or click here to go directly to the page about the food tour I went on.

I had a great experience with Eating Europe and I love their mission. They want to give travelers a non-touristy, food-related experience in undiscovered neighborhoods of the most fascinating cities in Europe.

They try to expose people to real food, local people, and local neighborhoods. And I think, at least during my food tour and Amsterdam canal cruise, they did exactly that!

Visiting Amsterdam? Also Read:

Want to See More of the Netherlands? Also Read:

Like this review of the Amsterdam food tour and canal cruise? Pin it!

Disclaimer: my Amsterdam canal cruise and food tour was sponsored. As always though, all opinions are my own and I would never recommend anything I didn’t enjoy. This article contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.

An Amsterdam Canal Cruise & Food Tour – Is It Worth It?