Amsterdam: Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood

De Jordaan is one of Amsterdam’s most walkable, character heavy neighborhoods, so a self guided route here feels like eating while you sightsee. I like the PDF guide with map directions, and I also like that you get exclusive tastings and discounts at most of the stops. One drawback to keep in mind is that it is not a guided experience, so you have to follow the order in the guide, show your phone at each shop, and do a bit of self pacing.

You start at Broodje Mokum and work your way through classic Jordaan foods plus newer hits, all within about a two hour window. Because the tour is designed as a checklist of specific tastings, it is easiest if you enjoy trying a variety of Dutch flavors instead of lingering for long restaurant meals.

Also, take dietary limits seriously: it is not suitable for vegans and not suitable for people with gluten intolerance, even though vegetarian options show up at most stops.

Quick take on the De Jordaan food route

• Broodje Mokum start point in De Jordaan, and you end back where you started
• 7 hotspots with discounts and tastings at 6 to 7 stops depending on opening days
• Dutch classics with specific foods like herring, kibbeling, cheese, apple pie, poffertjes (on Wed and Sat)
• Sweet and savory mix including Dutch sausage sampling and Italian ice cream
• Budget reality: tour costs $14, plan about 25 euros more for food (tour excludes food and drinks)
• Diet fit is mixed: vegetarian works at 5 of 7 stops, but vegans and gluten intolerance do not

Why De Jordaan makes a food tour work

De Jordaan sits in Amsterdam’s city center, close enough to big sights that you can turn this into a half day loop. The neighborhood is known for canals, quirky architecture, and that laid back, slightly humorous Jordanese attitude. It also has two names you will recognize right away: the Anne Frank House and Westerchurch.

That matters because your food stops are not happening in a random parking lot. You’re walking through a district that people actually want to wander, and the tastings feel like part of the place instead of a separate activity. A self guided plan fits De Jordaan well because the streets are made for slow walks and quick turns.

Broodje Mokum to your first bites: how the route feels in real life

This tour is self guided, with no in person guide. Your starting point is Broodje Mokum, a local lunch room in De Jordaan. You’ll follow the PDF instructions for directions and the suggested sequence of orders.

Because it is built around a timed food walk, think about the experience as short stops that stack up. Most people do best if they treat each place as a 10 to 20 minute mission: look at the deal in the PDF, order the tasting, pay, and keep moving.

One practical note: not every stop is open daily. The good news is that the structure is designed so at least 6 stops will be open, but you should expect the exact experience can vary slightly by day.

Stop by stop: Jordanese sandwich, poffertjes timing, and Dutch cheese

Stop 1: Jordanese sandwich at Broodje Mokum

You kick off with a traditional Jordanese sandwich, using toppings local to the neighborhood. The idea is to start with something that feels grounded in what locals actually eat, not just tourism food. If you like the comfort of a sandwich that feels specific to a place, this first stop sets the tone.

You might also see an added option depending on the day. Every Wednesday and Saturday, the tour notes freshly made poffertjes are available, served with icing sugar and butter. It’s a small detail, but it can change the vibe from savory snack to a classic Dutch sweet start.

Stop 2: Dutch cheese from a known local shop

Next comes cheese, with tastings that range from young to old and include flavored choices. The key here is that the shop is described as one where a true connoisseur selects and ages the cheeses. Translation for you: don’t just grab whatever looks easiest. If you can, ask how the cheese changes with age, or what pairs best with the flavors you’re sampling.

This stop works even if you are not a big cheese fanatic, because the range is explained enough to make the tasting feel like learning instead of random nibbles.

Sweet and savory highlights: Italian ice cream, sausage sampling, and apple pie in a 200 year cafe

Stop 3: Italian ice cream in a top ice cream parlour

After cheese, you’ll hit sweet, specifically one of the best Italian ice cream places in the area. Since this is a walking route, having a cold, quick sweet break is smart. It cools you off before the next savory stop and gives you a palate reset.

Stop 4: Dutch sausage sampling at a legendary butcher

Then you move into savory territory with a Dutch sausage tasting at a local butcher. This is the type of food stop that gives you “I ate this where people live” energy, because a butcher tasting is usually not something you do randomly at a supermarket.

Stop 5: Apple pie in a historic brown cafe, plus a US president story

Next, you enter a historic 200 year old brown cafe for one of Amsterdam’s best apple pies. The tour notes that a former US president was smitten, which is one of those fun cross Atlantic footnotes that makes the place feel less like a menu stop and more like a story.

Practical tip: apple pie is often filling, so plan your pace here. If you rush, you might leave the last parts of the tour hungry, which is not what you want in a two hour loop.

The fish stop that anchors the route: kibbeling and herring

Stop 6: Dutch fish combo, kibbeling and herring

This is the most iconic Dutch pivot point on the route. You’ll try a combo of kibbeling (fried cod) and herring. The guide also includes history around this iconic fish, which is useful because herring can be polarizing if you don’t know what you are tasting.

If you tend to be picky, this is where you decide how brave you want to be. If you like salty and fried foods, kibbeling hits the spot. If you are curious about classic Dutch flavors, herring is the one to try, even in smaller bites.

A concept store finale: slider and drink combo with a chef touch

Stop 7: Amsterdam concept store, slider and drink combo

Your last stop is a unique Amsterdam concept store for a slider and drink combo, prepared by a renowned local chef. This is a nice way to finish because it feels more modern than the earlier classic Dutch sequence.

Also, concept stores tend to be good for souvenir energy without turning into a shopping trip. You might find yourself wanting a last photo, or just enjoying the space while you finish your drink.

How the PDF discounts work, and what your food budget should look like

This tour’s value comes from the discount structure. The tour includes exclusive discounts and tastings at 6 out of 7 locations. The way it works is straightforward:

• You show the PDF guide on your phone at each stop
• You order the deal described in your guide
• You pay at each stop
• You enjoy the tastings and discounts tied to that deal

So the tour price is only part of the cost story. The tour notes that the total cost of food is around 25 euros per person. Since food and drinks are not included, that 25 euros is your realistic target for planning. For me, that is reasonable for an itinerary that includes multiple different categories of food, not just one big meal.

What to bring to make this painless:

• A charged smartphone with internet access
• Credit card and cash (because paying can be quick but shops vary)

The tour runs rain or shine, so a phone with low battery becomes a problem fast. Plan accordingly.

Timing and pacing: fitting 6 to 7 stops into two hours

The tour duration is listed as 2 hours, and it starts and ends at Broodje Mokum. That means you should treat this as a fast walking route, not a sit down tasting adventure.

A good approach:

• Start ready to eat, not ready to research menus
• Use your breaks for tasting, not browsing
• If a stop is crowded, keep your expectations flexible, since this is designed for a time box

Also, remember the tour is meant to be navigated with the PDF’s Google Map style directions. If your map app struggles, you’ll lose momentum. Test your phone connection before you start.

Dietary fit: vegetarian friendly in most places, but not for vegans or gluten intolerance

This is where you need to be honest with yourself. The tour states:

• Vegetarian options are available at 5 out of 7 stops
• It is not suitable for vegans
• It is not suitable for people with gluten intolerance

So if you eat vegetarian, you can likely make the route work with the deals offered. If you are vegan, this tour is a no. If you need gluten free, this tour is also a no, even if one stop seems like it might have a safer choice, because the overall deal structure is not built around that requirement.

Getting more from the tour than just food

Food tours can turn into a blur if you don’t connect the dots. This one includes some extra context in the form of stories about food heroes and local food culture, plus restaurant and activity recommendations.

You also get a free three day Amsterdam itinerary. Since it is not in person, it’s smart to use that itinerary as your planning backbone. Do your heavy sightseeing before or after your food walk, and let the tour fill in the smaller neighborhood gaps.

In De Jordaan, that pairs well with the neighborhood landmarks. You can make the Jordaan loop part of a bigger Amsterdam day, especially if you already plan to spend time near Anne Frank House or Westerchurch.

Should you book this De Jordaan self guided food tour?

Here’s my decision checklist.

Book it if you:

• Want an independent, self paced food walk with clear stops and a PDF route
• Love sampling Dutch classics like herring, kibbeling, cheese, and apple pie
• Are comfortable handling quick orders, paying at each stop, and keeping your phone ready

Skip it if you:

• Need an in person guide to explain or help adapt orders on the fly
• Are vegan or need gluten free food from the structure of the deals
• Prefer long meals with time to sit and chat

One last reality check: the overall rating is 3.4 out of 10 reviews, which suggests the experience can be hit or miss for some people. My advice is to treat it like a practical tool. If you read the PDF instructions carefully, go in with a walking mindset, and budget for roughly 25 euros in food, you’ll get what this route is designed to deliver.

FAQ

What is the starting point for the self guided food tour in De Jordaan?

The tour starts at Broodje Mokum in the De Jordaan neighborhood.

How long does the tour take?

The duration is listed as 2 hours, with starting times depending on availability.

Is there an in person guide?

No. This is a self guided food tour with no in person guide.

How many stops are included?

The tour includes stops at 6 to 7 beloved local businesses.

Are discounts and tastings included?

Yes. You get exclusive discounts and tastings at 6 out of the 7 locations by following the deal order described in the PDF guide and showing the PDF at each stop.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The total cost of food is noted as around 25 euros per person.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available at 5 out of 7 stops.

Is the tour suitable for vegans or gluten intolerance?

No. It is not suitable for vegans and it is not suitable for people with gluten intolerance.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a credit card, cash, a charged smartphone, and internet access.

When do I receive the PDF guide?

After booking, you receive a download link via email within 24 hours to download the PDF guide.