Best cookie specialists in Amsterdam

Patisserie Holtkamp

Every Dutch city, town and village boasts its very own cookie and Amsterdamse koggetjes are the official choice of the Dutch capital. You’ll find these crispy nougatine-studded treats and other traditional Dutch cookies, such as gevulde koek (soft cookies with chewy almond paste), krakelingen (sweet cinnamon pretzels) and speculaas (the famous seasonal spiced cookies with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger) at this beloved Amsterdam institution with its elegant 1920’s Amsterdam School-style interior. Everything here is made with the Holtkamp family’s traditional recipes and premium ingredients, such as real Dutch butter, fresh eggs and high-quality spices. Tip: Holtkamp also makes outstanding bonbons, cakes and other French and Dutch delights.

Patiserie Holtkamp | Vijzelgracht 15, Centrum

Bakkerij Al Maghrib

From buttery ghoribas to honey-drenched chebakia, Nieuw-West is the go-to neighbourhood for Amsterdam’s most authentic Moroccan cookies. And while every Moroccan family undoubtedly has their favourite spot, we think that Bakkerij Al Maghrib crafts cookies and pastries so good that they’ll transport you straight to the bustling streets of Casablanca. It’s a small, budget-friendly neighbourhood spot where you’ll rub shoulders with friendly locals, who line up for the wide selection of cookies, bastilla (sweet-savoury chicken pie with cinnamon and almonds), savoury filled pancakes and freshly baked Moroccan bread. While there, don’t miss out on the chicken briwat (puff pastry triangles stuffed with chicken). Nearby Patisserie Rahmouni (Bos en Lommerweg 359), a well-known Moroccan bakery chain, has an even more extensive selection of sweets, which you can enjoy with traditional Moroccan tea in the sit-down section.

Bakkerij Al Maghrib | Gulden Winckelplantsoen 44, Nieuw-West

Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels

Sure, you can follow the TikTok trend and join the line at one of those popular traps that smother stroopwafels in chocolate sprinkles, Smarties, mini marshmallows and other nonsense. Just know it’s not authentic. It’s a little ironic that so many are now paying premium prices for something that was called armenkoeken (“poor man’s cookies”) at the beginning of the 19th century. Originally from Gouda, these humble cookies were then made with leftover dough, sandwiched together with syrup. And while you’ll find factory-made packets of them at every Dutch supermarket (and many international ones), the best place to try them is at the Albert Cuypmarkt, where they are served fresh, warm, gorgeously gooey and plain - as they should be. 

Rudo's Original Stroopwafels | opposite Albert Cuypstraat 182, De Pijp

Patisserie Tout

For signature French macarons in flavours such as salted caramel, gin-tonic, liquorice-mandarin and fig-hazelnut, Patisserie Tout is a sure bet. Light as air, yet packed with flavour, and with that perfect mix of subtle chewiness, a gentle crunch and a smooth ganache centre, these are the best macarons in Amsterdam, hands-down. And they’re 100% natural, too. You will also find eco-cacao bonbons, indulgent eclairs, pretty petit fours, perfect Paris-Brest pastries, moreish Madeleines and seasonal spiced cookies such as speculientjes and speculaasbrokken here.

Patisserie Tout | Maasstraat 105, Zuid

Van Stapele Koekmakerij

When Vera van Stapele created her idea of the perfect cookie in 2013, a sensation was born. Her eponymous cookie shop was the first of a new generation of dedicated cookie specialists. Van Stapele Koekmakerij bakes one type of cookie, which it calls “the world’s tastiest chocolate cookie”, around the clock, so it’s always warm and oven-fresh. Expect a crisp chocolate shell, made with rich Valrhona cocoa and chocolate chips, encasing a soft centre of melted white chocolate. They’re simply delicious and definitely worth the hype. And the pretty tins make great gifts and savvy souvenirs, too.

Van Stapele Koekmakerij | Rokin 17, Centrum

Amsterdam Sweet Art

Nestled in the heart of the antique district is a gem of a Lebanese-Syrian fine pastry shop where the confections are displayed like heirloom jewels. “You won’t find pastries like these anywhere else in Amsterdam,” says owner Regilio Reuter. “Most people assume these treats are overly sweet, but that’s a misconception. Turkish baklava, for example, is much sweeter and heavier. Our baklava, made with pistachios or walnuts, is more delicate.” The trendy Dubai bar and nutty knafeh birds’ nests draw in the crowds, while Lebanese and Syrian expats stop by for ma’amoul (date-filled cookies), basbousa (syrup-soaked semolina cakes) and tamriyah (paper-thin pastries filled with dates, biscuits and nuts). Whether you're a connoisseur or a curious first-timer, these expertly crafted creations offer a taste of the Middle Eastern sun, rich with tradition and warmth. You can also find suberb Syrian sweets like rosewater-scented halawat el jibn and nabulsia with soft cheese and crispy knafeh pastry at Levant Pastry (Haarlemmerdijk 127) in Centrum.

Amsterdam Sweet Art | Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 70, Centrum

Lanskroon Bakkerij

For over a century, across four generations, the Dunselman family has crafted delicious stroopkoeken, the lesser-known sibling of stroopwafels. Crispier and butterier, they’re well worth a try. If you’re looking for something a little different, also taste their other cookies, including gemberkoeken with almond paste and candied ginger, Amsterdamse paaltjes with dark chocolate ganache and almond-rich gevulde koek. There are also croissants and various types of tart, which can be enjoyed in the tearoom. Do keep a look-out for their seasonal specialities such as stollen (almond paste-filled flaky pastry logs enjoyed at Christmas and Easter), oliebollen (deep-fried sugar-dusted beignet-like treats, available in November-December) and rich, milky soft serve ice cream (served only in summer).

Lanskroon Bakkerij | Singel 385, Centrum

Şerifoğlu Café & Patisserie

For the ultimate syrup-drizzled sugar rush, head to Plein ’40-’45 for the best selection of crispy baklava and other traditional Turkish pastries in town. The fistikli with pistachios is the classic choice. But there are also many other options including crunchy kadayif (fine dough threads with syrup and walnuts), midye (a mussel-shaped phyllo pastry filled with pistachios) and söbiyet (a phyllo dough pastry with nuts and creamy kaymak filling) as well as sweet and savoury kurabiye (Turkish cookies) and Izmir-style bombasi (molten chocolate cookies). Divan (Javastraat 121) in Oost is another good spot to find Turkish treats such as baklava, crisp kurupasta cookies, ice cream and cezve-brewed coffee.

Şerifoğlu | Slotermeerlaan 115, Nieuw-West

Melly’s Cookie Bar

This family-run treasure behind the Royal Palace was founded in 1999 by Guillermo Mellicovsky. Back then it was one of Amsterdam’s first espresso bars. Here, he paired Italian Arcaffé coffee with his handcrafted cookies, which quickly proved a hit. Famous for international cookie flavours like chocolate chip, red velvet and white chocolate raspberry, Melly’s also showcases its owner’s Argentinian roots with creamy dulce de leche and alfajores - a favourite of Queen Máxima. In 2019, Guillermo’s nephew Daniel joined the team, adding a Dutch twist with reinvented stroopwafels next door.

Melly's Cookie Bar | Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 137, Centrum

Banketbakkerij Het Koekemannetje

This charmer in the Nine Streets with its iconic Ferris wheel display is a dream turned reality for founders David and Alain, who began their journey as a childhood baker and babysitter. Suffice it to say they’ve been crafting cookies together long before opening their shop in 2019. Known for cookies that are perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, each confection is handmade daily with homegrown flour, premium Belgian chocolate, and natural ingredients—no additives here! Available in milk, dark and white chocolate varieties, other signature flavours include white chocolate macadamia and brownie. Don’t miss their seasonal specials like kruidnoten cookies and gift-worthy cookie tins. If you missed visiting the store, there’s also a location at Schiphol Plaza (Arrival Hall 3).

Banketbakkerij Het Koekemannetje | Runstraat 3, Centrum