This belgian chocolatier is the best kept secret at Schiphol…read more Belgian chocolatier outside of Belgium!

Always buy these when I'm overseas because there are no stores left in the US unfortunatelyread more

If you adore chocolate, you might consider a visit to the Fine Chocolate store Lounge 3 ;-)…read more The different chocolate brands they sell are considered the best in the world. I'm talking about Valrohna from France (which is the chocolate brand that gourmetchefs use in their deserts), actually its the purest and most honest chocolate in the world. Then there is Neuhaus from Belgium which tastes equally heavenly, but has a different character, and is also one of the highest quality chocolate brands in the world. And last but not least, Godiva from Belgium (also a very good chocolate) which is a bit sweeter and more creamy. Sometimes they sell a view different brands, like for instance... Ferrero, Lindt or Leonidas, but that is not always the case, I think that depends on the season. The ladies (and one or two gentlemen) really know their stuff, and are passioned about their chocolate. They know their brands inside out, offer high quality service, are very good in giving chocolate-advise and suggestions, have a great smile and make me feel like I am the queen herself :-) Yes, that is what I call, the million dollar-treatment :-D! They even walk around the counter and offer me my purchase as if it is a big diamond I bought for the ridiculous price of 10.000 euro's!!! But no!!!! It just is a little bag with chocolate inside!! That is the WAUW-factor for me, honestly. Soooo, if you get the chance to buy some chocolate for a loved one of yourself, give them a visit, and don't be surprised if you buy more than you bargained for. Have fun :-D

Ameri-Dutch Choco?!?!…read more Yes, you heard me. Stam has been around since the early 1900s with a little shop on what is now Bos en Lommerweg in Amsterdam. Strangely enough, this Dutch choco-chain also has shops in the good old American mid-west??? Yeee haaaa!! However, for this review, I will focus on my experience at the shopping mecca nearby Schiphol, otherwise known as Hoofddorp. This is definitely a non-thrills kind of place appropriately decorated with choco bunnies, choco balls, choco boys, choco toys... you get the picture. Since working in Hoofddorp, I pass by this shop two or three times a week. From that, I can tell you that all the chocolate you see in the window has either never been purchased, or the replace old chocolate with freshly made ones. Unfortunately, I think it's the previous. Chocolate FOR SURE expires and I've had Stam chocolate from other locations that were filled with pralines and green fuzz. Niet zo lekker.... Also, this place is usually empty so walking in for the first time, was slightly awkward as I felt like I was disrupting the choco-lady's leisurely afternoon. Either way, I was certainly in the mood to fill my belly as well as my work colleague's bellies with nummy choco treats sure to create a cavity or two. I let homegirl choco-lady know that I wanted to get an assortment of Denny-approved-hand-selected chocolates. I immediately got attitude because I didn't know what size box to get. How should I know?!?! I carefully scanned the selection of truffles, bon bons, white choco covered jellies... and selected around 20 pieces. Choco-lady looked at the half filled box and frowned at my decision to waste precious box space. Feeling ashamed and ridiculed, I reluctantly asked for more chocos to at least fill the box to a 76.3% capacity. After proclaiming that my selection was finalized, choco-lady taped the box shut and reminded me to select the appropriate box size next time. Pfffff... like there WILL be another time, I thought to myself as I handed her my ABN betaalpas. Bottom line... the chocolates here are not that good. Just because you've been making chocolates for over a century doesn't make them taste good. And at this location, the selection process is time consuming (each type of chocolate is weighed and priced separately) and you better know your box size!!! Wham, bam, no thank you Stam!ize box before ordering or you will get scolded!

The chocolates are as beautiful as they are tasty. The owner was patient with SIX of us tourists as…read morewe took our time deciding what to buy (as well as to take a few pictures of her creations.) Stop here if you can! I only wish I had bought more....

OMG! So much chocolate…read more I'm not a fan of chocolate, but this place peaked my interest. And i'm happy it did. Flavor upon flavors with strict attention to detail....is how I would describe the assortment. You can tell she put A LOT of work into the presentations. I ended up purchasing gifts for family/friends. Also, the owner was the sweetest lady I met while in Amsterdam.

Heavenly chocolatier that uses very unique ingredients such as tamarind and black currant while…read morealso featuring exotic chocolates with more robust profiles that stand alone without added flavors. Fun little spot in a cool corner of Amsterdam. The lady who worked there really helped us choose a nice combination of flavors that balanced out our sample. They've been there 20 years already for a reason!

One of my favorite shops in Amsterdam to visit and indulge. Puccini is for the real chocolate…read morelovers! I have been coming here for years. Their chocolate taste so good, it will have you craving for another box. When I walk in here I always feel like I walked in my little chocolate heaven. If you are fan of high quality chocolate, then you will not be disappointed. I love browsing at their beautiful display of diverse chocolates, and contemplating on which one I will explore this time. It's also one of my favorite places to go when I am thinking of the perfect gift to give someone. Service is warm, friendly and professional. It's definitely a win all around.

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.

Oh my chocolate gods! The smell when you walk into the shop is divine!…read moreYou can definitely smell that the cocoa is processed from bean to end product in the back of the shop which you can see through the glass wall. Cacao has a reasonably small collection of products in my opinion but it seems to grow every time I come here, so that keeps me happy of course. I do feel that everything here is outrageously overpriced though so I really only ever come here to buy a special gift or have a SMALL serving of there hot chocolate. Really, just get the small one because this liquid heaven is heavy. So a quick note to the people I know, you must be really, extremely special to me if I bring you something from cacao!

The sales lady was lovely and the store is so neat. Loves this place. It's got some smooth milk…read morechocolate. Haven't had some that in quite some time!

I have visited this shop several times over the years. This is the first time I have been back…read moreduring the Pandemic. Simply put, I believe this is the best chocolate on the planet. I've tried chocolate in every country in Europe and many places around the world. This shop produces a superior product in richness of flavor, mouth feel, and creativity of expression. They also have some beautiful packaging. Very friendly staff. Easy to fine id central Delft. Be prepared to buy several bars as it is not easy to decide on just one or two.

You will not be disappointed! We came after lunch every day, unapologetically, to select 1 or 2…read moreBARS each. So many choices, So delicious. One night we had dinner at a posh restaurant in The Hague and for dessert, they served us a dish that included a slice of Van Der Burgh .. So funny to us because we had been to the chocolate shop earlier in the day. Hey what is vacation for, right

Yes, the ice cream is very delicious here, so make sure to check them out if you are in the area. I…read morewill make sure to come back soon to purchase a few of their chocolates. Especially the chocolate mango one. Also, I notice they had some lovely mother's day gift package to purchase for your mom.

Wandered in here during a day trip to Haarlem Beautiful…read moreclean shop with lovely displays I was in search of the perfect hot chocolate and after a disappointing cup made from Cocoa powder in Amsterdam, I found the holy grail here! They literally melt chocolate drops/discs with hot milk ... so creamy and not overly sweet... absolute perfection Purchased the chocolate sprinkles too! Gelato was also perfect.. wish I could have sampled everything in this gem of a chocolate shop. Best quality chocolate I found in Amsterdam!