Old Amsterdam Cheese Store

Old Amsterdam Cheese Store sits along the Singel canal in the heart of Amsterdam's medieval center, a working shop that has sold cheese to locals and travelers since 1948. The storefront is easy to spot from the canal side, tucked into a narrow building that reflects the city's characteristic 17th century architecture. If you're walking between Dam Square and the Anne Frank House, you'll pass within minutes of this place. It's not a restaurant or sit-down venue, but rather a genuine neighborhood cheese shop where you can taste before you buy and walk away with something you actually want to eat.

What makes it worth a stop

The shop occupies a genuine slice of Amsterdam life that tourists often miss. Most visitors buy cheese as an afterthought at a supermarket or a souvenir stand, but Old Amsterdam Cheese Store treats cheese as something worth understanding. You're not there to check a box. You're there because the person behind the counter will hand you a sample of three different aged Goudas and let you figure out which one tastes right to you.

The selection reflects what actually exists in Dutch cheese production, not what sells fastest. You'll find Gouda in various ages, from young and creamy to hard and crystalline. Edam appears in traditional round wheels. There are regional cheeses you won't see everywhere. The shop stocks both cow and goat varieties. Most importantly, the staff knows the difference between them and can explain what you're tasting.

What to taste and buy

Aged Gouda tends to be the draw. The longer it ages, the more complex the flavor becomes and the grainier the texture. Young Gouda is mild and buttery. A cheese that's aged several years develops nutty, almost caramel-like notes and a firmness that makes it satisfying to eat on its own. The tasting approach means you can decide for yourself rather than guessing based on a label.

If you want something portable for travel, vacuum-sealed wedges wrap easily into luggage without taking up much space. Whole wheels are available if you're shipping home or have serious carrying capacity. The shop will wrap purchases in paper, which is better for the cheese than plastic if you're eating it within a few days.

Atmosphere and experience

The shop itself is narrow and intimate. The walls are lined with wheels and blocks of cheese at various stages of aging. There's no pretense here. It feels like a working shop that happens to welcome visitors, not a tourist attraction that happens to sell cheese. You might find yourself standing next to a local buying a half-wheel for a dinner party or a student grabbing a wedge for lunch.

Service is patient and genuinely helpful. If you ask what pairs well with something, you'll get a straight answer, not a sales pitch. The staff seems to enjoy talking about cheese, which matters when you're trying to understand why one block costs twice as much as another.

Best time to visit

Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than afternoons and weekends. If you arrive after 5pm most days, you might find the shop closing or preparing to close. Summer months bring more foot traffic along the Singel, but the shop itself doesn't get overwhelmed the way restaurants in the area do. There's rarely a line, even when other tourists are browsing.

Practical details

• Located at Singel 490, directly on the canal, roughly 10 minutes walk from Dam Square
• Small storefront, so very large groups should avoid peak hours
• No seating or eating on premises, but the Singel canal has benches nearby if you want to sample your purchase outdoors
• Vacuum-sealed packages travel well and can clear customs in most countries
• Cash and cards both accepted, though cash is useful for smaller purchases

Who this is for

This shop works best for people who want to understand what they're eating rather than grab a souvenir. If you're passing through Amsterdam and enjoy good cheese, 15 minutes here beats buying something random at a supermarket. Bring it to your hotel room with bread and some cured meat for a proper Dutch snack. If you're looking for a quick tourist trinket, you'll find better prices elsewhere, but you won't find better cheese.

Food lovers doing their own cooking during a longer stay in Amsterdam should definitely stop by. The cheese here works in cooking as well as eating straight, and the staff can suggest varieties based on what you're planning to make.

FAQ

• Can you taste before buying? Yes. The shop encourages tasting and will slice samples from different blocks so you can compare.
• What's the best aged Gouda to buy? That depends on your taste. Ask the staff to show you the difference between 1-year and 3-year aged versions and decide for yourself.
• Can purchases be shipped? The shop can arrange this for larger orders, but you should ask in person about current options and costs.
• Is there anything besides cheese? The shop also carries some cured meats and basic accompaniments, but cheese is the focus.
• How long does cheese last after purchase? Properly wrapped, aged cheese keeps for weeks or months. Younger varieties are best eaten within days of opening.