Smelt

If you want to experience something truly local, deeply comforting, and irresistibly indulgent, Restaurant Smelt should be at the very top of your list. This is not just a place to eat, it’s a destination built entirely around one shining star: exceptional cheese fondue.

Smelt was born in January 2022 from the fusion of two iconic neighbors: the literary brown café Café De Doffer and the legendary cheese shop De Kaaskamer. Together, they created a restaurant where Amsterdam’s café culture meets world-class cheese expertise.

At Smelt, cheese fondue isn’t a side dish, it’s the entire story. Every fondue is made exclusively with cheeses from De Kaaskamer, carefully selected and expertly blended. It's melted to perfection and served with unlimited artisanal bread and fresh seasonal vegetables, encouraging long, relaxed evenings around the table. Exactly how fondue is meant to be enjoyed.

What truly sets Smelt apart is its fondue tradition. When the pot is almost empty, the last crispy layer of cheese is fried loose with an egg and served as the final bite. It’s rich, comforting, and widely considered the best part of the entire experience. A perfect ending before you head out for a canal-side stroll.

From Wednesday through Sunday afternoon, Smelt also serves lunch. Alongside sandwiches, toasties, and smaller fondues, there’s one item visitors never forget: the Smelt Cheese-Fondue Burger. This is no ordinary cheeseburger—the burger literally swims in a pool of warm cheese fondue. Messy, decadent, and absolutely unforgettable.

Good to know: Smelt is one of the very few restaurants in Amsterdam offering a vegan cheese fondue. Made from fermented cashew nuts, it’s surprisingly complex and absolutely worth trying. Pregnant guests or those with dietary needs can also be accommodated—just let the team know in advance.