Best Desserts in Amsterdam - The Definitive List
Dessert Heaven
Dessert in Amsterdam is heaven sent. Because if there is one city on earth where an abundance of sweet treats will be the answer to your prayers, then it’s the city where you’re most likely to hit the munchies.
Amsterdam is bursting at the seams with dessert options. Cake, pastries, apple pies, stroopwafels, poffertjies – the list goes on. If you really wanted too, you could just skip the savoury bites altogether for your entire trip and rack up some cavities on your vacay. Of course, you’d then miss all the excellent spots to try here.
We have sixteen options on our dessert in Amsterdam list. It’s a lot but believe it or not this is the scaled down version. Only the best of the best have made it this far.
Although we don’t like to admit it, we know it’s impractical to expect you to try all of the options (we do emphatically encourage it however). Thus, we’ve highlighted our three 
favourites that we think are worth making the stomach space for.
Sixteen options, sixteen possibilities to honour the Sugar Gods. Sixteen of a million reasons to love Amsterdam.
Ready, set, EAT.
Poffertjes Albert Cuyp ⭐
A Dutch classic. Adorable tiny pancakes. Absolutely not to be missed on your trip. They come with the option of lots of rich toppings, but the classic of powdered sugar with a satisfyingly large chunk of butter showcases them at their best.
Chocolaterie Pompadour
Luxurious chocolates made with only the best Valrhona chocolate. High quality pastries and cakes that taste as beautiful as they look. Altogether a great choice if you’re after something special or trying to make a good impression on someone.
Winkel 43 ⭐
Probably the best apple cake of your life. A huge slice with a snowy mountain of cream dolloped on the side. They serve hundreds of slices a day, but you won’t see it listed on the menu. We aren’t entirely sure why, but we promise you it’s there. They have oven loads of cakes baking in their kitchen just waiting for you to try. A true Amsterdam icon.
Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels
Another Dutch classic, the stroopwafel. Very sweet but very very good. Who doesn’t enjoy a soft, buttery caramel filling sandwiched between two freshly cooked, biscuity waffles? These are an excellent sweet snack, especially after you’ve grabbed lunch at the Albert Cuyp Market.
Petit Gateau
The ideal solution for the person who just wants to try a bit of everything when it comes to desserts. These cute little pastries come in countless flavours to suit any dessert craving. The huge selection will leave you satisfied regardless of their size. Specifically when you eat an entire box of them.
Sweet Bob
Brazilian Brigadeiro desserts that Amsterdammers have fallen in love with are what you’ll find at this popular spot. When the building blocks to your dessert are condensed milk and butter then you’re off to a strong start. Additionally you could easily eat tens of these in one go. Perfection.
Pancakes
Yes, it’s touristy. But it can’t be denied the pancakes are good – even if they’re a little on the pricy side for what is essentially egg, flour, and milk. Lots of excellent topping combinations, including an apple crumble option if your blood sugar level is feeling a little low. Also, for those people who (for some reason) prefer a savoury pancake, they provide those too.
Van Stapele Koekmakerij
If you ever walk past a bunch of people in a very long line and ask them what exactly it is they’re queuing for the last thing you’d expect them to say is “A Cookie.” But that is the level of madness you will witness at Van Stapele Koekmakerij. Everyday people get in line to buy exactly that, a simple humble cookie. You know if there is only one item on the menu then it must be superb and, well, the queue doesn’t lie.
Banketbakkerij Het Koekemannetje
Another extremely popular cookie spot (although not quite as infamous as Van Stapele Koekmakerij). Without a doubt still worth trying, particularly if you’d like to sample a few flavours. They also heat them up for you. Therefore the perfect indulgence on a chilly day. The packaging is also very elegant and instagramable if that’s your bag.
Cheesy Cakes
One for the cheesecake obsessed. Rich, moreish cakes that could convert even the most ardent recruits of the anti-cheesecake brigade. The burnt Basque cheesecake is an especially unique cake and a more sophisticated twist on what you might usually expect from a standard cheesecake.
Sea Salt & Chocolate
Great tasting cake with all your favourites on the line-up. The chocolate cake is soft, chocolatey heaven without being too sweet. The banana, coffee, and walnut cake is so good you could potentially eat the entire thing in one sitting. Their cakes are moist and absolutely delicious.
Le Fournil de Sébastien Amsterdam
A taste of France in Amsterdam and a local favourite. Their delicate tarts and buttery pastries are beautifully hand made with care and attention giving you the best of French baking without having to jump on the Eurostar.
Amsterdam Cupcake Company
If you’re in need of a cake in Amsterdam this is a great place to choose. But their spongey and delish cupcakes are also perfect if you don’t think you can manage an entire cake on your own. Worth a try though, what an achievement. Unquestionably good.
Rise Bakery
Perhaps best known (and loved) for their freshly baked loafs, including one of the best sourdoughs in the city – Rise shouldn’t be forgotten when it comes to the sweet stuff either. The pains au choclat, Danish pastries, and tarts are all produced by immensely talented bakers with such quality ingredients that you shouldn’t even feel guilty for eating them.
Mister Nata
The iconic Portuguese custard tart but in the heart of Amsterdam. Surely the best outside of Portugal because, quite frankly, they could not possibly taste any better. Buttery, sweet, crispy but creamy on the inside – and tiny so you can eat a whole bunch and not feel bad. We highly recommend popping into Mister Nata for a coffee and some pastéis. Special shout out to the chocolate variation, outstanding.
Massimo Gelato ⭐
The best gelato in Amsterdam. Spring, summer, autumn, winter – it doesn’t matter. You will want to eat this gelato in the pouring rain, when golden leaves crunch under your feet, when a bitter cold front stops it from melting all over your hands. Anytime really. With all flavours made in-house you can truly taste the quality of this stuff.
Oliebollen
Lastly, if you happen to be in Amsterdam for the winter months then you might find these joyful carnival type food trucks propped at the end of the cities streets. All serving the winter sweet treat of choice, Oliebollen. Like a beignet or donut their best served fresh and still warm from the fryer. A simple dusting of powdered sugar and voilà, doughy heaven.
