As a self-professed chocoholic, I must let you know about one of my favorite secrets of Amsterdam: Van Stapele Koekmakerij. This cookie-maker in Amsterdam produces some of the best damn chocolate cookies in the city of Amsterdam. I’ll just include some notes about visiting Van Stapele to avoid the crowds, some tips for visiting Van Stapele and the best place to enjoy your delicious cookie!
About Van Stapele Koekmakerij (Van Stapele Cookie Bakery)
This tiny bakery in Amsterdam at Heisteeg 4 (near Spui) is named for the owner of the bakery produces a cookie. After trying the perfect cookie elsewhere, she toiled to create the perfect chocolate cookie. Although the shop itself only opened in 2014, it is quite popular and sits within a picturesque historic building along a small side street in Amsterdam centre.
The end result includes a rich chocolate dough that is so soft with a soft center made with Valrhona (melted white chocolate) that just dips onto the rest of the cookie as you take a bite into the center… They don’t sell any other pastries but make cookies to order, so you’re guaranteed to enjoy a warm cookie fresh out of the oven…
I dare say that these are the damn cookies in Amsterdam after trying cookies from many bakeries through the city as a resident. They’re open day-time and I always stop by whenever I’m near Spui.
How to avoid the crowds at Van Stapele and tips for visiting!
I recommend avoiding coming here in the weekend afternoons as there’s always a small line (5-10 minutes). I typically come here in the early afternoon (prior to lunch) or near their closing time to avoid waiting on line!
It’s best to avoid coming here if you have luggage (or wait elsewhere while someone else goes inside) as the shop as well as the street that it is on are very small. Even a bag can be an inconvenience as you wait for your cookie. The line forms on the other side of the sidewalk as not to be an inconvenience to others shopping along the street.
If you’re looking for a great souvenir from Amsterdam, consider splurging a bit for the distinctive blue tin with the cookies. I use it for storing tea and the blue color of the tin just so beautiful. (You can also get a cookie to-go within
Where to best enjoy your cookie after purchasing
After you buy a cookie, I recommend keeping it in the paper as it is prone to falling apart. Carry it just about a block over to enjoy within the Begijnhof, one of Amsterdam’s most beautiful hidden courtyards. There’s a bench as well as a trash bin!
Have you been to Van Stapele for a cookie?
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Ooh, I need to get my hands on some of these cookies. I can’t believe I’ve been living here for almost 5 years and still haven’t gotten around to them. But to be fair, Amsterdam has so many fabulous pastry & cake shops 😀
We stayed near this place in April 2023. The lines in the mornings were long. We never tried one and now we have regrets. We just couldn’t figure out why you would stand in line for a cookie. We need to go back now
The line is even bigger now that it is big on tiktok!