A cheese shop in Amsterdam that also teaches you how to taste. This is a 55-minute cheese and wine tasting in Amsterdam at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, built around five award-winning 2024 cheeses and smart pairings. I like that the session is focused on how flavors change with age and type, not just how to swallow bites fast, and I especially like the small-room setup above the shop where you can actually follow the explanations. One thing to consider: it is an 18+ tasting (wine and port), so it’s not ideal if anyone in your group doesn’t drink.

You’ll meet at Damrak 62HS, and then spend about an hour learning the logic behind Dutch cheese—goat vs. cow, young vs. aged—and matching it to a white, a red, and a port. Guides such as Ron Pieters, Maria, and Luca are mentioned by name in the experience write-ups, and the tone is practical: you learn why the pairing works, not just what to like. If you want a long walking tour with multiple stops, this is not that; it’s a tasting room experience.

Key things to know before you go

• Five cheeses, taught step-by-step with pairing guidance you can use later at the store
• White, red, and port wines matched to the cheese types and aging styles
• Small group size (max 26) for a calmer, more conversational feel
• A guide at the front of a dedicated upstairs room (presentation screen and live talk)
• You can shop afterward, and there’s often a discount perk on cheese

Old Amsterdam Cheese Store: the Damrak base for cheese lovers

Old Amsterdam Cheese Store is right where you’ll already be near the action in the city: Damrak. The meeting point is Damrak 62HS, and the place is easy to reach with public transport, so you’re not stuck planning a detour just for an hour of tasting. The vibe is what you want from a cheese shop—real product, real smells, and a serious focus on what’s in the glass and on the plate.

What makes this work is the setup. Several write-ups mention an upstairs tasting room with a presentation screen and a live guide leading the session. That matters because cheese can be a little abstract if you’re just handed slices. Here, you get a structured walk-through that keeps you oriented. Even if you’re not a wine person, the guide’s job is to help you taste with intention.

Also, the group size stays fairly small. With a maximum of 26 travelers, you’re more likely to get personal attention rather than being part of a big herd. And yes, you’ll likely share the room with strangers—an easy, low-effort way to make the experience feel social without forcing conversation.

The 55-minute flow: five Dutch cheeses and three wine pairings

This tasting centers on one main stop: the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store upstairs tasting room. Plan for about 55 minutes, give or take. The session is built to feel complete in one sitting, so you don’t have to rearrange your day too much.

Here’s the rhythm you can expect:

Welcome and cheese orientation

You start with the guide getting you ready to taste. Expect a quick grounding in what to look for: texture, aroma, saltiness, and how aging shifts flavors. Multiple accounts describe this as a crash course in Dutch cheese, including how to distinguish goat vs. cow cheeses and how aging changes character.

The core tasting: five cheeses

The heart of the experience is five different cheeses. The tour description frames them as award-winning 2024 selections, and the pairings are designed to teach you the difference that age and milk type make. In the write-ups, you’ll see references to cheeses from 4–18 months, which is a handy range to learn because that’s where you start noticing the shift from mild to more assertive flavors.

If you’re someone who buys cheese but never knows what to buy, this part is gold. You taste multiple styles in a short time, then you learn what you were actually tasting. That’s how you turn random shopping into smarter shopping.

Wine pairing: white, red, and port

Alongside the cheeses, you’ll taste three wines:

• A white
• A red
• A port

The guide’s job is to show you why the pairing works. A few write-ups highlight the idea that wine choice depends on the cheese type and aging level—for example, when whites make sense and when reds or port do a better job of matching intensity.

The result is that you’re not just collecting tastes. You’re practicing decisions. That’s the difference between a fun snack and a real skill-building tasting.

A quick check-in at the end

More than one account describes a small quiz near the end, sometimes with a prize for the winner. There’s also mention of a small booklet that helps explain what you’re tasting. Even if you’re not into quizzes, it’s a smart way to reinforce what you heard during the tasting.

Wrap-up and shopping time

After the tasting, you’re positioned back in a cheese shop where buying is part of the point. Several accounts mention a discount on cheese after the session, and that’s a practical perk: you leave with knowledge, then you can put it to work immediately.

Why the pairing lessons actually help (not just feed you)

Food-and-wine tastings can sometimes be a blur: taste, nod, move on. This one aims to teach you the logic behind what you like.

Here are a few ways the pairing instruction pays off:

You learn flavor relationships, not just preferences

Instead of saying this cheese is good with this wine, the guide walks through what changes when you match them. You’ll get guidance on how to tell the difference between mild vs. aged cheese and then why that shift matters when you pour a drink.

That’s useful even after you leave Amsterdam. Next time you’re staring at a cheese counter, you’ll have a framework: start from intensity and texture, then choose a wine direction that supports it.

Goat and cow stop being a mystery

One of the recurring themes in the write-ups is learning how to recognize the difference between goat and cow cheeses, and how maturation affects each. If you’ve ever tried goat cheese once and decided you hate it forever, this sort of guided tasting can reset your idea of what goat can taste like. The same goes for cow cheeses that you may have only tried in one style.

The port is not random

Port can feel like a dessert wine that doesn’t belong in a savory pairing conversation. Here, the pairing is explained as part of the tasting lineup, not thrown in as a last-minute add-on. That helps you understand how sweet, fortified, or richer profiles can work with salt and aging.

Price and value on the Damrak (what $32.65 gets you)

The price is listed at $32.65 per person, and you get about 55 minutes of guided tasting at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. That breaks down into a few clear value buckets:

• Five cheese tastings (not just one or two samples)
• Three wines (white, red, and port)
• Cutlery included
• A guide who explains how the pairings work and what makes the cheeses different

You’re also getting a benefit that many “cheap” food experiences don’t provide: structure. If you’ve done tastings in places where you’re mostly self-guided, you know how easy it is to leave with a vague memory. Here, the guide leads you through the logic, so your experience stays meaningful even if you’re the type who forgets what wine you had five minutes later.

One practical note: transportation is not included. But the meeting point is on Damrak and the activity is near public transportation, so you’re usually paying mainly for the tasting itself, not for a separate logistics burden.

If you’re spending a day in central Amsterdam, this is also a good “weather-proof” plan—an indoor, guided activity that doesn’t require a long commute or a rigid schedule.

Who should book this tasting, and who might want a different plan

This fits well if you:

• Like Dutch cheese and want a guided way to understand it
• Enjoy pairings and want to learn the logic behind matching flavors
• Want a one-stop activity that works as a mid-day or end-of-day treat
• Are traveling with friends, couples, or even solo and want an easy shared activity

It may not be your best match if you:

• Want a multi-location itinerary with lots of walking (this is focused on the shop)
• Are traveling with kids or anyone who isn’t drinking (minimum drinking age is 18, and the tasting includes wine/port)
• Don’t want any shop-promotion element (some comments point out that it also functions as a strong business showcase)

If you’re a “just tell me what’s tasty” person, you’ll still have a great time. If you’re a “teach me how to choose” person, you’ll like this even more.

Practicalities: meeting point, group size, language, and pace

The meeting point is Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands. The activity ends back at the meeting point. You’ll receive confirmation at booking time, and the ticket is mobile.

A few operational details that matter:

• Duration: about 55 minutes
• Language: offered in English
• Group size: up to 26 travelers
• Minimum drinking age: 18
• Service animals: allowed
• Location: near public transportation

Because it’s only one main stop, the pace feels efficient. You’re not spending half your time traveling between locations. You’re spending it tasting, learning, and getting ready to shop.

If you want to get the most out of the session, come with an open mind rather than a fixed cheese opinion. This is a tasting designed to teach you how flavors behave across styles.

Tips to make the hour count (and leave with better cheese decisions)

Here are simple ways to upgrade your tasting experience:

Ask for the pairing logic

When the guide presents the cheese and wine, pay attention to the reason behind the match. The best part of this kind of session is learning what to do next time you’re buying.

Taste slowly enough to notice aging differences

A lot of people treat tastings like a sprint. If you slow down, you’ll actually pick up how the cheese evolves as it warms slightly in your mouth and how the wine changes the finish.

Use the end-of-session shopping moment

This is a store, not a museum exhibit. If a cheese clicks with you, write it down mentally so you can buy it after. Some accounts also mention a discount after the session, which can make a souvenir purchase more reasonable.

If you’re short on time, book it early

You’re in Amsterdam, and hours disappear fast. If you know you’ll want this experience, booking ahead helps you lock in your preferred slot. On average, people book about 14 days in advance, which is a good clue that sessions can fill.

Should you book the Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam?

Yes—if you want a compact, satisfying Amsterdam food experience that teaches you something real. For $32.65, you’re getting five cheeses, three wines, and a guided pairing explanation in a small, shop-based setting near Damrak. It’s a smart choice for food lovers who want to go beyond taste and learn how to choose.

Skip it if you’re looking for a long city adventure or you’re traveling with non-drinkers. And if you’re the type who hates any hint of shopping tie-in, know that this experience naturally ends in a cheese store where you can buy what you tasted.

If your goal is to leave with clearer cheese instincts—what goat vs. cow tastes like, how aging changes character, and why wine pairing isn’t random—this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the cheese and wine tasting in Amsterdam?

It lasts about 55 minutes (approx.).

Where does the experience start?

The meeting point is Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands.

What’s included in the price?

Food tasting, wine tasting, and cutlery are included.

What isn’t included?

Private transportation is not included.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

What is the minimum age to join?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 26 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund; if you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.