Amsterdam Food Canal Cruises – Cheese, Wine, Pizza, and Pancake Boats

Why just sit and look when you can eat and drink while you glide past Amsterdam’s canal houses?

Food-focused cruises turn a simple sightseeing tour into a two-in-one experience.

Main types of food cruises

1. Cheese & wine cruises
2. Pizza cruises
3. Pancake boats
4. Full dinner cruises

1. Cheese & wine cruises

• Offer platters of Dutch cheeses (Gouda-style, aged, spiced) with bread and dips.
• Often include unlimited wine, beer, or soft drinks for a set period.
• Best for adults or older teens, especially in the evening.

Tip: Eat a light snack beforehand; these cruises can be surprisingly filling.

2. Pizza cruises

• Typically include a freshly baked pizza delivered to the boat.
• Often come with one or two drinks per person.
• Great for friends, couples who want something casual, or families with teens.

Sample flow:

text Board boat → Drinks served → Canal tour begins → Pizza arrives midway → Dessert or extra drinks towards the end

3. Pancake boats

• A hit with children and multi-generation groups.
• You usually get unlimited Dutch pancakes plus toppings (sweet and savoury).
• Routes may include parts of the IJ harbour rather than the tight inner canals.

Checklist for pancake cruises:

• Confirm if drinks are included or extra.
• Ask about dietary options (gluten-free, vegetarian).
• Check total duration; kids may tire after 90 minutes.

4. Full dinner cruises

• Aim to be more like a floating restaurant.
• Multi-course menus, sometimes with wine pairings.
• Ideal for special occasions when you want to sit for 2+ hours.

Questions to ask:

• Is seating at shared tables or private tables?
• Are there set departure days (weekends only, etc.)?
• Can they accommodate allergies or dietary needs with notice?

Bottom line

If you’re short on time, a food cruise lets you see the canals and have dinner without juggling reservations.

Choose based on atmosphere: casual (pizza and pancakes) or refined (cheese/wine and dinner cruises).