Search for Amsterdam truffle and you will find two different worlds: the chocolate kind, rolled in cocoa and sold in tiny boxes, and the earthy fungus shaved over pasta. Amsterdam does both well, and neither requires a big budget if you know where to look.
Chocolate truffles: the sweet side
The city has a long chocolate tradition, from the old trading days when cocoa came through Dutch ports. Several small makers still produce truffles by hand. Names often recommended by visitors include Puccini Bomboni near Nieuwmarkt, known for its unusual fillings, and Pompadour, a long-standing patisserie and chocolate shop in the centre. Opening hours and flavours change, so look at each shop’s own page before heading out.
What makes a good truffle? A thin shell, a soft ganache that is not too sweet, and fresh ingredients. If a box has a short shelf life written on it, that is usually a good sign.
Savoury truffles on the menu
Black and white truffles appear on Amsterdam menus too, usually as pasta, risotto, fries or egg dishes. Italian restaurants are the safest bet. Be aware that “truffle” on a menu sometimes means truffle oil or truffle flavouring rather than fresh truffle shavings. If it matters to you, ask your server. Prices for real truffle dishes are higher, and the season for fresh truffles runs mostly in autumn and winter.
How to shop smart
- Walk the quieter streets around Jordaan and the Nine Streets, where small independent shops are common.
- Buy a small box rather than a big one; truffles are best eaten within days.
- Ask for tasting recommendations. Staff in small shops are usually happy to explain.
- Compare with Dutch classics such as stroopwafels and chocolate letters, which travel better.
Bringing truffles home
Chocolate travels well if you keep it cool. Pack it in hand luggage in summer, and avoid leaving it in a hot car. For fresh truffles or products containing meat or dairy, check customs rules for your destination, because some countries limit food imports.
A small tasting route
Start with coffee and a chocolate shop in the old centre, walk through the Nine Streets for browsing, and end with a savoury truffle dish at dinner in the Jordaan. It makes a pleasant afternoon and gives you both sides of the Amsterdam truffle scene without rushing.
Always confirm prices and opening times before you go, since small shops change hours on short notice. For other food-focused city guides, take a look at invisionfree.com, and consider the official city tourism site I amsterdam for current listings.
Featured image: David Leggett, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).
