12 of the tastiest cheese fondue spots in Amsterdam
Every season is dipping season for us. You don’t need the winter blues for a cheese dip; we’re always up for a search through a cheesy pot for lost pieces of bread. Fancy a cheesy night out? Then head to one of these twelve tastiest cheese fondue spots in Amsterdam.
Cheese fondue: the ultimate comfort food
Cheese fondue isn’t just a dish, it’s an experience: the aroma of melted cheese, poking around in the pot and the conviviality with friends or family make it the ultimate comfort food. But where can you find the very best cheese fondue in the capital?
The 12 best cheese fondue restaurants in Amsterdam
Whether you’re a fan of the classic Swiss style or curious about other varieties, Amsterdam has countless places where, glass of wine in hand, you can dip your baguette (and crudités) into melted cheese. We’ve listed the best spots for you, in no particular order:
Café Bern
The Swiss eatery Bern is a household name in the city. The cheese fondue recipe has remained unchanged for decades. And really, why change perfection? They like to keep things simple; cheese fondue should contain bread, not an entire vegetable shop. So you won’t find the latter at Bern any time soon. What you will find: wines from Switzerland. Hardly available in the Netherlands, which is a shame, because they’re delicious. Definitely order one here!
Het Karbeel
Family restaurant Het Karbeel has been around since 1977, and the building they occupy dates back to 1534. Het Karbeel serves seven different cheese fondues, from a classic Swiss version to Karbeel cheese fondue, made with Gruyère, Emmentaler and Blue d’Auvergne. The fondues are served with bread and, for those who fancy it, with wedged potatoes and raw or fried vegetables for dipping.
Kaasbar Amsterdam
At Kaasbar Amsterdam, you can enjoy a steaming pot of melted cheese every day of the week. There are three varieties to choose from: Swiss cheese fondue, truffle cheese fondue and blue cheese fondue. The pots serve two people and we tried all three, so yes, we left feeling absolutely stuffed.
Café De Engelbewaarder
They still exist: a real brown café in Amsterdam. De Engelbewaarder is therefore a wonderful spot for cheese fondue. You eat it exactly as you’d expect: with bread and salad. Seven days a week, too. If you still have a little room left, finish with a slice of apple pie. Another classic here.
Smelt
This cheese fondue restaurant simply has to be on the list. A lovely place; delicious wines for cheese fondue, top-notch charcuterie and cheeses from the divine cheese shop De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam: it’s no surprise that this cheese fondue restaurant in the Jordaan is doubling in size this autumn, so no one has to miss out on a fondue pot anymore. The restaurant is also getting a private dining room for tastings and group dinners. Even more conviviality, even more cheese!
STROOM
They also serve Smelt’s divine cheese fondue at STROOM KAASFONDUE in De Pijp. And for the vegans among us, the vegan fondue based on fermented cashews is also on the menu here (on request).
’t Blaauwhooft & Van Houten
On historic Bickerseiland, a stone’s throw from the Jordaan and Haarlemmerstraat, you’ll find ’t Blaauwhooft. Their sublime cheese fondue was once awarded the best in the city by Het Parool. You get your own plate, filled with crunchy vegetables and fresh bread. ’t Blaauwhooft is a fifteen-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station, so take a stroll through the city after this fantastic cheese fondue—good for digestion!
Fondue en Fondue
It’s all in the name. Fondue has been a fixture at this restaurant for years. And if someone is joining you who doesn’t like cheese fondue (mysterious but true—there are a few of them), Fondue en Fondue also serves meat and fish fondue and, naturally, chocolate fondue for dessert.
Proeflokaal A. van Wees
Proeflokaal A. van Wees is the place in Amsterdam to get acquainted with the city’s legendary genever culture (this is the difference between genever and gin, by the way—did you know that?) And because you can’t keep drinking genever on an empty stomach, you can also enjoy good food here, including a wonderful Dutch cheese fondue with cheese from Mannen van Kaas.
Bistrot des Alpes
A slice of the Alps in Amsterdam’s tourist centre. Yes, it really is possible. The place is decorated as if you’ve just come off the slopes, including a small ski lift in the middle of the restaurant (where you’ll naturally have to take a photo). But as great as the interior may be, you ultimately come for the cheese fondue. And it’s truly excellent here. You can choose from four different cheese fondues, and they also serve raclette and reblochon. Honestly, this place makes my cheese-loving heart beat faster.
Kapitein Zeppos
Not in a pot: at Kapitein Zeppos, they serve their Zeppos Swiss cheese fondue in a bread boule. Incredibly delicious! This is a place you’ll definitely want to know. Zeppos—especially popular among (former) students—is located right in the city centre, in the alleyway ‘Gebed zonder End’. It’s a 100-metre walk from Rokin metro station and just around the corner from the UvA (Oudemanhuispoort).
Pompet
Skipping your ski holiday this year? Not if it’s up to Pompet. During the winter months, the restaurant in Noorderpark in Amsterdam-Noord transforms into Pompet Chalet—a wonderful winter ski resort. With games, mulled wine, Jägertee and delicious cheese fondue!
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