Amsterdam’s Best Bakeries

The Dutch are obsessed with bread.  Families consume vast amounts of the wheaty stuff and many expats are horrified when they discover that their children are expected to have sandwiches for breakfast and lunch here every day.  In fact 92% of Dutch people have bread at least once a day and many have it somewhat more frequently than that.

So its perhaps not surprising that bakeries abound right across the country and in recent years this has evolved into more artisan openings using French and Scandinavian techniques to knock up carbs that any European would be proud of.  So good in fact that one expat Maman told me that the croissants at a particular bakery are as good as any in her hometown of Paris.  Quite the statement.

And given my own personal obsession with savoury carb-y goodness I suspect this is a post I will return to again and again as I update it with new discoveries.  But for now, here’s a good list to get. you started (click the names for more details)…

FORT NEGEN

My love of Fort Negen led me to write a dedicated post about this rather fabulous hotspot.  This year they launched their own version of the very Dutch treat ‘kaasoufflé’ (a kind of fried cheese croquette in a sandwich) which went a bit TikTok crazy.

Don’t let the hype put you off though, their regular bakes have locals queuing daily.  Read the linked post for a fuller write-up.

LE FOURNIL

If you ask anyone in Amsterdam for the ultimate French bakery they’ll tell you about Le Fournil de Sebastien in hushed tones.  Started by a French artisan baker and his Dutch wife who moved their bakery from Vendée in France to Amsterdam back in 2007, this is the spot for the finest French loaves and croissants made using traditional recipes and techniques.  Initially patronised by French expats, word quickly spread and their loyal following now verges on the obsessive.  If you need further convincing as to why, here’s what Sebastien has to say.

All my products are 100% homemade, free of additives, preservatives, improvers, fats or other enhancers ; just flour and water, liquid sourdough, salt, a pinch of baker’s yeast and…… a great deal of time which is vital for the dough to ferment correctly and to bring out all the flavour.

Go early to avoid disappointment.

BAKHUYS

This is a 5th generation bakery and cafe but you’d never know that if you wander in to its buzzy and modern interior.  Fabulous sourdough loaves nestle next sweet and savoury pastries and lots of daily specials.  The adjoining cafe offers sandwiches and sourdough pizza made in the wood-fired oven so bring your laptop (a macbook of course) and sit and watch the dough being stretched and rolled by hand whilst you sip your organic smoothie.

BAKERY WESTERPARK

This trad local bakery doesn’t look like much but it won the award for the best almond speculaas cookies in North Holland.    And just in case it wasn’t true, we conducted an extensive blind taste test with samples from a number of bakeries (no joke) and these did indeed come out on top.  So if you’re in the area don’t hesitate to try them for yourself.

GRAMMES

Grammes specialises in puff pastry and they are so good at it that demand went a bit nuts and they now have a limit of 6 per person! Gorgeous viennoiseries made the traditional French way, including chocolate croissants with dreamy chocolate cremeux filling.

BAKKERIJ WOLF

Mostly known for their outpost in the 9 Little Streets, Bakkerij Wolf is an awesome place to stop for breakfast or lunch, but don’t discount their outpost on Rozengracht for takeaway bites.  Their take on a cheese croissant (or in the mini-Wonderlander’s case a cheese and sausage bake) are insanely flaky and devilshly moreish.  Hey, you’re on holiday after all – or at least that’s what mini-me told me.

RISE BAKERY

Located on the ever-popular Albert Cuypstraat, Rise has a loyal following who show up early before the best items run out.  Run by a Spanish/Italian pair, the French sourdoughs and patisseries are, as you might expect, coupled with Latin specials like cheese and jalapeño twists.

LOUF

Started by former chefs from Cafe Binnenvisser, Louf now has three branches in the city and is going from strength to strength.  As with many others on this list, its all about artisan methods and great ingredients which in their case include cheese from Fromagerie Kef and meat from Lindenhoff.  Great sourdough and some serious coffee on the side.  What’s not to like.  I have it on good authority that their cinnamon buns are the real deal.

L’ABEILLE

L’Abeille is another spot that many would argue offers the best croissants in Amsterdam.  With flawless lamination so outstanding that Laura the michelin-starred pastry chef who started it was persuaded to run courses, although its hard to imagine you could produce anything like this quality at home.  Stunning patisseries, worth a detour.

Bakkerij Mater

Why work in hedge funds when you could open a bakery in the De Pijp?  This family affair was started by Willem who, at the age of 65 ,saw the light and fulfilled a long-standing dream.  This is sourdough central and banking’s loss is definitely De Pijp’s gain.

DEGUELLE PATISSERIE

If its cinnamon rolls or cruffins you’re after, many would argue there’s no finer place in the city than Deguelle.  Why not cycle here so you arrive feeling virtuous and burn off the calories on your way back.

 

Wow, that’s quite a list, but there’s more.  Fed up of French and craving Argentian bakes?  Try the Amsterdam Baking Company.  Dreaming of something a little more…Italian?  How about Bussia Panificio or Salvo Bakehouse.  Hanging out in Noord?  Then its Baux you want, run by a French pastry chef who grew up in the South of France and has worked in Michelin star restaurants.  Or maybe stick with old favourites like the perfectly Dutch De Bakkerswinkel.

Whatever you’re after, Amsterdam will serve you well when it comes to brilliant bakes and perfect patisserie.