Dutch breakfast culture has a character all its own, and at Amsterdam Sunrise Cruises, we've embraced these traditions while adding our own gourmet touch. As you glide through the canals at dawn, you'll enjoy a carefully curated selection of Dutch breakfast specialties that reflect the country's rich culinary heritage.
The Essentials of a Dutch Breakfast
Traditional Dutch breakfasts are typically simple but satisfying affairs. Unlike the elaborate hot breakfasts common in some countries, Dutch morning meals often consist of bread with various toppings, dairy products, and strong coffee. On our sunrise cruises, we elevate these basics with premium ingredients and elegant presentation.
The Famous Dutch Toppings
What makes Dutch breakfast unique is the array of toppings, ranging from sweet to savory:
Hagelslag: Perhaps the most surprising to visitors, these chocolate sprinkles are a beloved breakfast topping for bread with butter. We offer both milk and dark chocolate varieties.
Cheese: The Netherlands is famous for its cheeses, and breakfast is no exception. We serve:
- Young Gouda - mild and creamy
- Aged Gouda - with its deeper flavor and slight crystallization
- Farmers cheese with herbs
- Leidse kaas with cumin seeds
Dutch Sweet Spreads: Sweet toppings are essential to Dutch breakfast:
- "Stroop" - a dark, apple-based syrup
- "Speculoospasta" - a spread made from spiced cookies
- Honey from local Amsterdam urban beekeepers
How We've Elevated Traditional Elements
While honoring tradition, our breakfast cruise menu adds gourmet touches:
Artisanal Approach: We source all our ingredients from local producers, including Amsterdam's famous bakeries and cheese makers.
Modern Interpretations: Our chef creates seasonal specialties that combine Dutch breakfast elements with international influences, such as our Dutch cheese soufflé and mini stroopwafel parfaits.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables: We complement traditional items with fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, many sourced from urban farms in and around Amsterdam.
The Importance of Coffee
The Dutch are among the world's top coffee consumers, and a proper cup is essential to breakfast. On our cruises, we serve sustainably sourced, freshly ground coffee prepared in various styles to suit our international guests. For tea drinkers, we offer a selection of fine teas, including traditional Dutch herbal blends.
Experiencing Dutch breakfast traditions while gliding through Amsterdam's historic canals creates a perfect harmony of taste and sight. The gentle pace of the cruise allows you to savor each bite while the city's 17th-century architecture drifts by your window.
We invite you to join us for this uniquely Dutch culinary journey through Amsterdam's waterways. Whether you're a culinary adventurer eager to try hagelslag or a cheese connoisseur looking to sample the finest Dutch Gouda, our breakfast cruise offers a delicious introduction to Dutch morning traditions.
