Farms are a mere 10 minutes away from Amsterdam's city center. It's so weird to watch the scenery…read morechange from urban to rural, just like that. Rembrandt Hoeve is a farm of cheese and clogs. We had a hilarious guide at Rembrandt Hoeve Clogs and Cheese. This guy cracked jokes in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. He was kind of flirty, occasionally boastful, occasionally self-deprecating, and did not fail to charm.

This clog/cheese farm is run by one of the most entertaining men I've ever met in my life. It's…read moredifficult to tell if his utter insanity is an act, or merely to show guests a good time, but regardless he will teach you all about how clogs are made, and take the creepiest of photos at your request. Oh, and the cheese is cheap and delicious. I grabbed a huge log of smoked gouda with bacon in it (that helps make the best mac & cheese ever), and I only wish I had grabbed twelve. But then I probably would've been stopped at customs, and they would've taken all my delicious cheese.

Delicious appelslofje met slagroom and tea. Cappuccino was great. Friendly and prompt service…read more Close to main street. €17 for two tarts, a tea and a coffee.

A bakery close to the Dom (famous tower in Utrecht)…read more According to a local friend, the best bakery in town. Of course, I don't believe this until I give it a try. And yes, the apple pie was great. Too bad I could not try all the other cakes. I heard the tompouce is nice. I will definitely return again, and give the cheese cakes a try next time.

Cool place to check of briefly if you're in the area. You can take a free self-guided tour through…read morethe museum area where you can read about the cheese making process. I was there when there was a big tour group around, so an employee came out to give a summary of the process and engage the audience a bit. In the main shop area, you can sample the different Gouda cheeses. Not sure how sanitary they were because it was just left out in the open (self-serve samples). Overall, not a bad stop during my trip.

TOURIST TRAP! But...its also an oh so very delicious cheese…read morefilled mouse trap! I plead guilty, I didn't buy a single thing. And I do feel very guilty about that since I ate several kilos worth of cheese samples. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but I'm pretty sure I ate almost a half kilo of rich, creamy, and glorious Dutch cheeses... I have a whole new level respect for Dutch cheeses. The staff were all very friendly and insisted I continue sampling their many varieties of delicious cubes of Heaven(cheese). There's also an optional lesson in Dutch cheese, taught by a masterful Dutch Cheese Empress. LONG LIVE GOUDA! DOWN WITH BRIE! No...no...I still love brie too..

I love Peek&van Beurden. They have a great assortment of wines, chocolates, , breads, cheeses,…read moretapas, meats, pasta's, teas, condiments and pretty much anything your foodie heart could ever desire; awesome! And my favourite thing here: pieman pies! I love me some pie, especially the vegetarian lentil curry pie. The only thing is, you have to get here early as they don't really stock up quite so well on the pie and it tends to be gone if you don't get here before about two o'clock. But I suppose that if you would want a larger amount or a specific type of pie, that you could put an order in. Because the pieman delivers here every morning. I love the fact that most of the tapas between the cheeses and meats are vegetarian. They have tapenades, olives, sundried tomatoes, cheese stuffed pimento peppers and all kinds of salads with egg and cheese. Love! And that's just the "fresh" stuff, they also have a huge wall with bottles and jars stuffed with other delicious goodies. Also a lot of local (really just Dutch) products which is great! Le boyfriend's favourite product here: Dried pork and lavender sausage.

An extremely charming little place hidden in Groningen's loveliest street. They have an entire row…read moreof tea options (a 100!), they provide homemade lunch items (grilled cheese sandwhiches, a variety of sweets and pies) and the staff (a husband and wife) are extremely hospitable and friendly. The inside is simply lovely, too. Highly recommended.