Dutch cheese is one of the country’s defining exports — and Amsterdam is the easiest place to taste, learn about, and buy it. The Netherlands produces around 900 million kilos of cheese a year, with Gouda and Edam (both town names, not just product names) as the world-famous flagships. This guide covers where to buy Dutch cheese in Amsterdam, the best cheese shops, guided tastings, what types of cheese to try, how to identify authentic Boerenkaas (farmhouse cheese), and which Dutch cheeses to take home.

Types of Dutch Cheese to Know

Gouda (Goudse Kaas)

• What it is: Mild, semi-hard cheese named after the town of Gouda.
• Ages: Jong (young, 4 weeks); Belegen (matured, 4 months); Oud (old, 10+ months); Overjarig (extra old, 18+ months).
• Younger Gouda: creamy, mild, perfect on bread.
• Aged Gouda: hard, crumbly, intensely caramelly, salt crystals; eaten with port or aged red wine.
• Variations: Cumin, mustard seed, truffle, smoked, jalapeño, lavender — endless flavoured versions.

Edam (Edammer)

• What it is: Famous red-waxed ball cheese from the town of Edam.
• Taste: Mild, slightly salty, lower fat than Gouda (40% vs 48%).
• Best with: Apples, pears, light beers.

Boerenkaas (Farmhouse Cheese)

• What it is: Cheese made from raw, unpasteurised milk on the farm where the cows live.
• Why special: Distinct seasonal character; far more complex than supermarket Gouda.
• Where to find it: Specialist cheese shops; not common in supermarkets.
• How to identify: Look for "Boerenkaas" label and the EU protected designation.

Leyden (Leidse Kaas)

Cumin-spiced cheese from Leiden. Distinct fragrant flavour. Cumin Gouda is similar but Leyden is the historic original.

Maasdam

Dutch take on Emmental — large holes, mild and sweet. Less traditional but popular.

Beemster & North Holland Gouda

Premium Gouda made in the polder below sea level — locals consider this the gold standard. The grass-fed terroir gives a richer, more buttery flavour.

Remeker

Single-farm artisanal raw-milk cheese from Veluwe — cult favourite. Strong, complex, expensive. The Dutch parmesan.

Best Cheese Shops in Amsterdam

De Kaaskamer (Nine Streets)

• Address: Runstraat 7.
• What you’ll find: 200+ cheeses, Dutch and international.
• Best for: Connoisseurs, gift boxes, sampling broadly.
• Staff: Knowledgeable, pairing-friendly.

Amsterdam Cheese Company

• Locations: Several across Centrum, Nieuwendijk, Damstraat.
• What: Specialist Dutch cheese shop with extensive tasting.
• Tastings: 45-minute guided sessions (€25-35) led by cheese experts.
• Free samples: yes, throughout the shop.

Henri Willig (Multiple Locations)

Touristy but offers free tasting and reliable vacuum-packed wheels for travelling. Useful at the airport. Less interesting than independent shops.

Fromagerie Abraham Kef

• Locations: Marnixstraat, Albert Cuypstraat, Noord.
• What: Raw-milk Dutch cheeses and curated international selection.
• Tasting room: in Noord — wines and cheese platters.

Kaasbar

• Address: Multiple central locations.
• What: Sushi-conveyor-belt cheese bar — pick plates from a moving belt.
• Pairing: Wine and beer alongside.
• Vibe: Modern, casual, fun.

Stoop & Stoop Kaasspeciaalzaak

Local, family-run cheese shop in De Pijp; less touristy. Top recommendation for serious cheese geeks.

Reypenaer Tasting Room

• Address: Singel 182.
• What: Guided 1-hour tasting of Reypenaer aged cheeses with wine and port.
• Cost: €19.50 per person.
• Why book: Best structured Dutch cheese education in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Markets for Cheese

• Noordermarkt (Saturday): organic farmers’ market in the Jordaan; artisan cheesemakers.
• Haarlemmerplein Farmer’s Market (Wednesday): smaller, similar quality.
• Albert Cuyp Market (Mon-Sat): touristy but has cheese stalls.
• Lindengracht Market (Saturday): excellent neighbourhood market with cheese.
• Sunday Market at Westergas: monthly, includes artisan cheesemakers.

Cheese Markets Outside Amsterdam

• Alkmaar Cheese Market: Friday mornings April-September. The biggest traditional cheese market — porters in white outfits carrying wheels. 40 min by train.
• Gouda Cheese Market: Thursday mornings April-August. Smaller and folksier.
• Edam Cheese Market: Wednesday mornings July-August.
• Woerden Cheese Market: Saturday mornings April-August.

The traditional cheese markets are touristy spectacles but worth one for the cultural experience. Alkmaar is the most impressive.

Cheese Tasting Experiences

• Reypenaer Tasting Room (Singel 182): structured 60-minute tasting of 6 cheeses + wine/port. €19.50.
• Amsterdam Cheese Company: 45-min guided tasting €25-35.
• Eating Europe / Food tours: half-day food tours include 2-3 cheese stops.
• Private cheese sommelier sessions: bookable through specialist concierge services, €100+ per person.

How to Buy Cheese Like a Local

• Ask for "een proefje" (a sample). Most shops are happy to oblige.
• Buy from the wheel, not pre-wrapped — better quality.
• Take it home in vacuum-packed form: ask the shop to vacuum-seal cheese for travel. Will last 1-3 weeks unrefrigerated, longer chilled.
• Most cheeses are airline-friendly: in checked luggage. Avoid raw-milk cheeses if travelling to USA (banned under 60 days aged).
• Tax-free: non-EU visitors can claim VAT on purchases over €50; see our VAT refund guide.
• Cheese knife (kaasschaaf): the Dutch tool for thin slicing — €5-15 souvenir.

Cheese Pairings

• Young Gouda: Belgian witbier, Heineken, fruity white wines.
• Aged Gouda: ruby port, aged red wine, dark beer.
• Cumin Gouda: Belgian dubbel or Trappist beer.
• Edam: dry white wine, apple.
• Boerenkaas: artisanal Dutch beer or natural wine.
• Mustard: try Dutch mustard with aged Gouda — classic combo.
• Stroop: Dutch syrup poured on young cheese with bread.

Dishes & Foods Featuring Cheese

• Tosti: Dutch grilled cheese sandwich; cafés everywhere.
• Bitterballen: deep-fried beef croquette with mustard; not cheese but Dutch pub staple.
• Cheese soufflé: classic Dutch comfort dish.
• Erwtensoep with cheese: pea soup with rye bread and aged Gouda.
• Cheese fondue restaurants: De Kaaskamer’s neighbours, the Café Bern (Nieuwmarkt) are go-tos.

Cheese Day Trips from Amsterdam

• Alkmaar (40 min by train): biggest cheese market.
• Edam (30 min by bus): pretty town and market.
• Volendam-Edam combined: classic day trip combining fishing village + cheese town.
• Gouda (50 min by train): famous town, cheese-pottery market.
• Reypenaer Aged Cheese Tour at the source (Woerden): pre-bookable factory tour.

For more, see our day trips pillar.

Buying Cheese as a Souvenir

• Vacuum-pack at the shop: ask, every shop does it free.
• Travel tips: pack in your checked luggage; aged cheeses are fine; raw-milk needs more care.
• USA customs: aged cheeses (over 60 days) typically OK; raw-milk under 60 days banned.
• UK customs: limit of 2 kg dairy products per traveller.
• Australia: declare and they’ll inspect; hard cheeses usually accepted.
• Best gift cheeses: aged Gouda (lasts months), Beemster XO (premium), Cumin Gouda (distinctive).

Practical Tips

• Buy from local shops, not Damrak tourist shops: better quality, similar prices, more interesting.
• Bring cash: most shops take card but markets often prefer cash.
• Spring is best for taste: cheese made from fresh-grass-fed spring milk is at its peak.
• Avoid wax-only display cheeses: souvenir shops sell wax-wrapped fake cheese.
• Don’t fall for "the world’s smelliest cheese" gag products — touristy gimmicks.
• Storage at home: wrap in paper, then store in a slightly opened plastic bag in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most famous Dutch cheese?

Gouda — 50% of all Dutch cheese production.

Can I take cheese on a plane?

Yes. Vacuum-packed cheese travels well. Hard aged cheeses are airline-safe in checked luggage and most customs zones.

Where is the best cheese tasting in Amsterdam?

Reypenaer Tasting Room (Singel 182) for structured education; Amsterdam Cheese Company for friendly walk-ins.

How much does Dutch cheese cost?

€10-15/kg for young Gouda; €18-25/kg for aged; €25-40/kg for Boerenkaas; €35-60/kg for specialist Remeker.

What’s Boerenkaas?

Farmhouse cheese made from raw, unpasteurised milk on the farm. Complex, terroir-specific, more interesting than supermarket Gouda.

Should I visit Alkmaar’s cheese market?

Yes if you’re in Amsterdam April-September on a Friday — it’s a touristy but unique 400-year-old spectacle.

Final Thoughts

Dutch cheese is a serious cultural experience and an underrated Amsterdam pleasure. Go beyond the obvious Gouda — try aged farmhouse, cumin Leyden, smoked varieties, or single-farm Remeker. Visit De Kaaskamer or Amsterdam Cheese Company for tasting, book a Reypenaer session for structure, and bring home a vacuum-packed wheel for your kitchen. Your sandwiches will never recover.

For more, see our Food & Drink pillar, our Shopping pillar, and our Zaanse Schans day trip guide (includes a cheese factory visit).