Private Eating Amsterdam: Food & Canals Tour

Private Amsterdam Food & Canals Tour

Breathtaking canals, legendary foodie spots, and Amsterdam’s best kept secrets — privately bookable for families, corporate groups, and celebrations. Your schedule, your pace, your people.
National Geographic
Rick Steves
Lonely Planet
Fodors
Virgin

Breathtaking canals, legendary foodie spots, and Amsterdam’s best kept secrets.

Ages: 4+
Duration: 3.5 hours
Departs: Daily 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm
Stops: 5
Group Size: Max. 11
Location: Jordaan
1089 Reviews

Highlights

Try Dutch delicacies like crispy bitterballen and real Dutch apple pie.

Take a city stroll and meet local artisans, listening to their intriguing stories of family-run businesses.

Cruise along Amsterdam’s UNESCO World Heritage canals on a beautifully restored wooden saloon boat — exclusively for your group.

Sip jenever, the original gin drink, while taking in the picturesque scenery.

Explore Amsterdam’s hidden backstreets through the Jordaan, uncovering local favourite dishes and hofjes (historical courtyards).

Built for families (4+), couples and celebrations, corporate teams, and groups of friends.

Tour Description

Looking for a private Amsterdam food tour with a canal cruise included? Our Private Amsterdam Food & Canals Tour walks the Jordaan across 5 stops and adds a 1-hour private saloon boat cruise on the UNESCO World Heritage canals — designed exclusively for your group. This is Amsterdam at its most charming: hidden hofjes courtyards, family-run cheese shops, and the wooden saloon boat that turns sightseeing into an event.

Your private guide takes you through the Jordaan to taste real Dutch apple pie, savour a family-run cheese shop tasting (Goudse boerenkaas), enjoy crispy bitterballen paired with refreshing beer and the one-and-only jenever, sample kebbling (Dutch-style deep-fried cod), and try Surinamese roti rolls or chicken satay reflecting Amsterdam’s multicultural food scene. Then board the restored wooden saloon boat for a 1-hour private canal cruise through the city’s UNESCO World Heritage canal ring.

Who this private food tour is for

  • Families with kids 4 and up — bitterballen, pancakes, and the saloon boat are kid favourites
  • Couples and celebrations — anniversaries, milestone birthdays, romantic Amsterdam weekends, the canal cruise as the centrepiece
  • Corporate groups and team building — executive offsites, client hosting, conference programs (RAI Amsterdam), sales incentives
  • Groups of friends — hen and stag weekends, foodie reunions, milestone trips
  • Heritage travellers and culture seekers — UNESCO canal ring, hofjes courtyards, and the Jordaan’s working-class-turned-artisan heritage

Foodies and curious cooks — Goudse boerenkaas, jenever, herring, and Indonesian/Surinamese influences

Dietary Information

Vegetarian-friendly tour. Vegan, gluten-free, and kosher options may be limited given the bitterballen, kibbeling, and cheese-led menu. Please share dietary restrictions when booking and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Tastings outside those catered for your needs are at your own risk; the company assumes no responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances. Guests with severe or life-threatening allergies cannot participate in this activity for their safety.

Why Eat with Us?

  • Expert Local Guides — Knowledgeable Amsterdam locals who know every herring stand, family cheese shop, brown café, and hofjes courtyard by name
  • Amsterdam’s Hidden Gems — A 1-hour private wooden saloon boat canal cruise, family-run Jordaan cheese shops, and hofjes courtyards tourists never find
  • Culinary Diversity — Apple pie, cured herring or stamppot, Goudse boerenkaas, Surinamese roti roll or chicken satay, bitterballen, pancakes, and kibbeling, plus jenever, Dutch beer, red or white wine, coffee or tea
  • Cultural Immersion — UNESCO World Heritage canals on a private saloon boat, the Jordaan’s transformation from working-class quarter to creative heart, and Amsterdam’s centuries of trade-shaped cuisine
  • Established Expertise — #1 food and drink experience in Amsterdam for 14 years; 500,000 clients; 25,000 five-star reviews; recommended by Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic
Tripadvisor Awards
1089 reviews
"I highly recommend this food tour for anyone looking to visit Amsterdam. First, the food was delicious, and we were stuffed by the end. Second, our guide Jacob was friendly, personable and knowledgeable. Lastly, the boat portion of the tour was a great bonus, as we only had a short time to visit the city and were able to see the city from the water as well. 10/10! "
— Evan R | Tripadvisor

Share the experience

Love this itinerary but prefer a more social setting? Join our shared group version of this tour for a vibrant atmosphere at a more budget-friendly price.

  • (ages 4+) From €158 per guest

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Free cancellation 7 days in advance for a full refund

Lowest Price Guarantee

❤️ This experience gives back.

With every booking, we donate a fresh meal via World Central Kitchen.

Book now and save 15% off additional tours across Europe!

11 countries, 22 cities, 50+ food tours. Book now and receive a special loyalty code to save even more on future adventures.

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The Flavors You'll Taste


  • Dutch apple pie
  • Cured herring and kibbeling, or stamppot
  • Goudse boerenkaas (Dutch aged cheese)
  • Roti roll (Surinamese wrap) or chicken satay
  • Bitterballen (crispy fried meat croquettes)
  • Coffee or tea
  • Red or white wine
  • Jenever (juniper-flavored gin)
  • Dutch beer
  • Water

Offerings may vary by day, season, or time of day, but you’re sure to enjoy a delightful array of authentic Amsterdam flavours.

Meeting Point

Noordermarkt 48

Your guide will be waiting for you and wearing our purple Eating Europe bag!

What’s included in your private booking

  • Private Amsterdam food and canals tour led exclusively for your group
  • All food and drink across 5 stops
  • 1-hour private wooden saloon boat canal cruise on UNESCO World Heritage canals
  • Family-run cheese shop tasting in the Jordaan
  • Bitterballen paired with Dutch beer and jenever
  • Coffee, tea, red or white wine, jenever, Dutch beer, and water
  • A dedicated English-speaking local guide
  • Flexible date with daily 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, or 4:30 pm departures
  • 7-day cancellation policy for private tours
  • Company invoicing, advance payment, and dedicated event coordination for corporate bookings
  • A donated meal via World Central Kitchen with every booking

What Makes Jordaan Special

Jordaan is Amsterdam’s most charming neighborhood and a true local favorite. Once a working-class quarter built in the 17th century, it has transformed into one of the city’s most sought-after areas, known for its picturesque canals, hidden courtyards (hofjes), and a creative spirit that blends old-world character with a modern edge.

Food is at the heart of Jordaan’s identity. The neighborhood is famous for its traditional Dutch treats — from crispy bitterballen and perfectly aged Gouda to the country’s best apple pie — alongside a rich multicultural food scene shaped by Surinamese, Indonesian, and other international influences. Family-run eateries, independent cheese shops, and cozy brown cafés line the canal-side streets, offering a taste of Amsterdam that is authentic, diverse, and impossible to find in the tourist center.

What people are saying

Private tours

A private Amsterdam food and canals tour means just you, your group, and your guide — no strangers, no fixed pace, no compromises. Available for 2 to 11 guests (larger groups accommodated on request) with daily 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, or 4:30 pm departures.

How our private tours work

Pick your date and start time. We’ll confirm your private guide, your private saloon boat captain, and route the tour around your group’s interests — handling every reservation, pour, and pairing in advance. Pricing is all-inclusive — no hidden fees, no upsells. Your schedule, your pace, your people.

Corporate Amsterdam tours and team experiences

A private Amsterdam food and canals tour is one of the Netherlands’s most distinctive corporate hospitality experiences — a private wooden saloon boat on the UNESCO canal ring, plus the Jordaan’s family-run food spots. Perfect for executive offsites, RAI Amsterdam conference programs, premium client entertainment, and team welcomes. We offer company invoicing, advance payment, purchase orders, and dedicated event coordination.

Popular corporate use cases:

  • Conference and summit programs (RAI Amsterdam, IBC, ISE, Money 20/20)
  • Executive retreats, leadership offsites, and board entertainment
  • Premium client entertainment and partner hosting
  • Sales incentive trips and reward experiences
  • Team welcomes for new hires and milestone team-building
  • Cruise group programs and shore excursions

Languages available

English by default. Dutch, Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German may be available on request — please ask when booking and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Get in touch

For private bookings, custom corporate proposals, or specific requests, contact [email protected] or call +1 917-909-6432. Private tours can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure.

Why Eat with Us?

#1 food and drink experience in Amsterdam - 14 years. 500,000 Clients. 25,000 Five-Star Reviews!

Every tour is meticulously curated to showcase the very best of Amsterdam’s food scene.

Exclusive access to the most legit local spots, from the famous hole in the wall to the trendy new restaurants.

Premium tours with expert guides, outstanding food, and drinks always included

Dining with Purpose

We proudly support World Central Kitchen. Every tour you book helps provide meals to communities in crisis.

Looking for a Unique Corporate Experience?

Treat your team or clients to a private food tour tailored to your needs. Flexible group sizes, seamless organization, and unforgettable moments in Europe’s top cities.

Meet Your Local Amsterdam Tour Guides

Our Amsterdam food tours are led by people who know this city through its markets, its kitchens, and its centuries of trade. They know which stall has the best herring, where to find a bruin café that still pours the way it did decades ago, and which neighborhood spot serves food shaped by every culture that's called this city home. They take you past the canals and into the Amsterdam that locals actually live.

Benardo
Benardo
Born and raised in Amsterdam!
For the best local Dutch cuisine and divine culinary experience visit d'Vijff Vlieghen. With good food, great wine and a dash of history, d'Vijff Vliegen calls itself a culinary museum
Visit the Johan Cruijff Arena, the largest football stadium of The Netherlands and be guided around the stadium of Ajax
Aileen
Aileen
I'm Indonesian and have lived in Amsterdam for 18+ years
Love Dutch peasoup with traditional rye bread+ bacon
Best view of Amsterdam is at the top of NEMO science museum (and its free)!
Gerard
Gerard
I have lived and worked in Amsterdam all my life and still love being in the city centre!
I love exploring all the options Amsterdam has to offer: from Indonesian rice table to cheese fondue at Nieuwmarkt
Take a free ferry across the IJ and explore the NDSM area with its marvellous Straat Museum. Or wander around Albert Cuypmarket!
Maarten
Maarten
I'm from Leiden, I lived in the Jordaan for five years and now live in the beautiful Zaan region.
My favourite spot for Dutch pancakes is restaurant Upstairs on the Grimburgwal. Cheese, bacon and syrup are the holy trinity!
Exploring the historical Jewish quarter to the east of the city center, with the old Portuguese synagogue, Rembrandt's house and the Resistance Museum is a great way to learn about a lesser-known side of Amsterdam's history and culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Tour Information

Is a private Amsterdam food and canals tour worth it?

Absolutely. A private booking gives your group exclusive use of the wooden saloon boat for a 1-hour cruise on the UNESCO canals, plus exclusive access to family-run Jordaan cheese shops, brown cafés, and pancake spots. The combined food-plus-cruise format makes this one of Amsterdam’s most efficient ways to taste the city and see its iconic waterways at the same time.

What’s included in the price of the private Amsterdam tour?

All food and drink across 5 stops, plus the 1-hour private saloon boat canal cruise. Bitterballen, Dutch apple pie, Goudse boerenkaas, kibbeling, herring or stamppot, and Surinamese roti roll or chicken satay are all included. Coffee or tea, red or white wine, jenever, Dutch beer, and water are also included. A donated meal via World Central Kitchen is included with every booking. No hidden charges, no upsells.

How long is the tour?

This private food tour runs 3.5 hours, with daily 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, or 4:30 pm departures. Custom timings available for corporate groups on request.

What neighborhoods does the tour cover?

The Jordaan — Amsterdam’s most charming neighbourhood, with hidden hofjes courtyards, family-run cheese shops, and brown cafés — plus a 1-hour private cruise across the UNESCO World Heritage canal ring.

What is the private group size?

Private bookings are available for 2 to 11 guests (boat capacity). For larger groups, we can arrange a custom experience with a larger boat — get in touch.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend at least 2 weeks ahead. Corporate groups should book 4+ weeks in advance — and during major Amsterdam conferences (IBC, RAI events, Money 20/20), tulip season, and the King’s Day/Christmas periods, much earlier.

Can I customize the private tour?

Yes. Stops, pacing, dietary focus, and start time can be adjusted. We can also extend the canal cruise duration or pair with a Heineken Experience visit for corporate groups.

What’s the minimum age?

This tour is suitable from age 4 and up — children under 4 can join for free, but food is not included for ages 3 and under.

Food and Drink

What kind of food will we taste?

 Authentic Amsterdam classics — Dutch apple pie, cured herring or stamppot, Goudse boerenkaas, Surinamese roti roll or chicken satay (reflecting Amsterdam’s trade history), bitterballen, kibbeling, and pancakes. Plus jenever, Dutch beer, red or white wine, and coffee or tea.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Coffee or tea, red or white wine, jenever (Dutch juniper gin), Dutch beer, and water are all included in the price.

Do the tours accommodate vegetarian or gluten-free diets?

Vegetarian-friendly. Vegan, gluten-free, and kosher options may be limited given the bitterballen, kibbeling, and cheese-led menu. Share dietary restrictions when booking; on a private booking we have more flexibility to plan around dietary needs.

Are portions enough for a meal?

Yes — at 5 substantial stops, this is a full meal and then some. Most guests don’t eat again after.

Booking and Payment

How do I book a private Amsterdam tour?

Book directly via the Book Private Tour button above, or contact [email protected] / +1 917-909-6432 to discuss custom requirements.

What forms of payment are accepted?

Major debit and credit cards, iDEAL, and Bancontact. Corporate invoicing, advance payment, and purchase orders available on request.

What is the cancellation policy for private tours?

Private tours can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure.

Do you offer corporate invoicing?

Yes. We handle company invoicing, advance payment, purchase orders, and dedicated event coordination for corporate bookings — including conference programs and executive offsites.

Tour Experience & Expectations

Will the guide speak my language?

All guides are fluent in English and Dutch. Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German may be available on request — please ask when booking and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Will we visit the same places as other tours?

No. The majority of stops on every Amsterdam tour are restaurants and vendors who work exclusively with us, and on a private booking the route is built entirely around your group.

Is the tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

The Jordaan is largely flat with cobbled sections; the saloon boat has step access. Please contact us before booking and we’ll plan a route that works for your group.

Do you offer other private food tours nearby?

Yes. We also run private food tours across Berlin, Prague (Czech Craft Beer and Night), and throughout Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, and the UK. Get in touch and we’ll help you build a multi-city itinerary.

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