2026’s Top 5 Speculoos & Stroopwafel Factories to Visit
If you’ve ever caught yourself licking a crisp, caramelized stroopwafel or biting into a buttery speculoos and thinking, “*Where on earth did this come from?*,” then 2026 is your year. Across Europe, especially in the Netherlands and Belgium, these timeless treats are more than just snacks—they’re cultural artifacts, handmade with generations of secrets. I’ve spent the better part of the last year wandering from Amsterdam’s cobblestone alleys to the quiet, butter-scented backstreets of Antwerp, and I’m here to tell you exactly where to stand in line for the best, most unforgettable experiences. Forget the generic tourist traps; these five factories are where the magic actually happens.
1. The Stroopwafel Museum & Factory, Amsterdam
Nestled on Warmoestraat, just a stone’s throw from the Red Light District but a world away in atmosphere, the Stroopwafel Museum isn’t just a factory—it’s a love letter to a single, syrup-drenched biscuit. I remember arriving on a frosty December morning, the air thick with the promise of cinnamon and caramel, and being handed a freshly baked stroopwafel still warm from the iron. The best time to visit stroopwafel factories during Christmas 2026? Mid-morning, when the first batches come out of the press. The scent of melted sugar fills the air like a well-worn blanket.
How to Book Your Amsterdam Tour
Tours are intimate, capped at twenty people, and led by Jeroen, a fifth-generation waffle maker whose passion is contagious. “You can’t rush syrup,” he’ll tell you, demonstrating how each waffle is flipped with a flick of the wrist, the caramelized edges crisping to perfection before it’s drizzled with a warm, buttery syrup. How to book a stroopwafel factory tour in Amsterdam 2026 is simple: head to their website the week before, or if you’re feeling spontaneous, just show up at 10 a.m.—first come, first served. The tasting room at the end feels like a secret club, where you’re handed a glass of Dutch apple cider and told to enjoy your stroopwafel “the proper way.” Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Address: Warmoestraat 42, 1012 JS Amsterdam.
2. Belgian Speculoos Haven, Brussels
Cross the border into Belgium, and the speculoos takes on a life of its own. The Belgian Speculoos Haven, just off Chaussée de Bruyl in Brussels, is less factory and more enchanted workshop. Think wood-beam ceilings, the rhythmic clatter of rolling pins, and the sweet, spiced aroma of nutmeg and cloves hanging in the air like old Christmas decorations. This is one of the family-friendly speculoos biscuit factories with tours in Belgium 2026—the kind of place where kids can roll dough under supervision and parents can relax with a Belgian beer in hand.
Combined Food Experiences
What sets this spot apart is the combining stroopwafel and cheese factory tours in Europe 2026. After your speculoos tour, you’re shuttled next door to the Cheesemaker’s Workshop, where you’ll taste aged Gouda paired with warm speculoos—a marriage made in heaven. Guides are bilingual, often trilingual, so speculoos factory near me with English-speaking guides 2026 is never a concern. The tasting session includes vegan speculoos, a relatively new offering that’s already winning hearts. Tours run Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last tour starting at 2:30 p.m. Address: Chaussée de Bruyl 117, 1050 Brussels.
3. Utrecht Speculoos & Stroopwafel Co., Utrecht
Utrecht, with its medieval canals and bike-friendly streets, hides a gem in the Oudegracht area: the Utrecht Speculoos & Stroopwafel Co. This is where tradition meets innovation. I visited last spring, and the first thing that struck me was the behind-the-scenes tour of speculoos production facilities in 2026—you’re taken right up to the mixing vats, where spices are added by hand, and you can watch the dough being stretched thin on massive, rotating irons. The factory’s ethos is affordable speculoos factory tours with tasting sessions 2026, with tickets starting at just €7, including three tasting samples.
Create Your Own Station
What I loved most was the “create your own” station: using a small iron provided by the factory, you could stamp out a mini stroopwafel, drizzle it with syrup, and eat it immediately. The guide, a woman named Liesbeth, told stories about how the same recipe had been passed down since 1898. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Address: Oudegracht 352, 3512 JS Utrecht.
4. Antwerp Speculoos Workshop, Antwerp
In Antwerp, the Speculoos Workshop sits tucked between galleries and antique shops on Mechelsesteenweg. It’s small, unassuming, and perhaps the most speculoos and stroopwafel factory tours with vegan options 2026 experience on this list. The tours are led by Lena, a former pastry chef who switched to speculoos out of sheer love for the ingredient. She’ll explain how they source organic spelt from local farms and use coconut oil in their vegan batches.
The tasting room is minimalist—just a long wooden table and a selection of speculoos in assorted flavors, from classic spiced to lavender honey. It’s cash-only, and they close early—5 p.m. on weekdays, 4 p.m. on weekends—so plan accordingly. Address: Mechelsesteenweg 89, 2018 Antwerp.
5. The Hague Stroopwafel & Speculoos House, The Hague
Rounding out the list is The Hague Stroopwafel & Speculoos House, a vibrant, modern space on Zeestraat that feels more like a boutique café than a factory. It’s ideal if you’re looking for the best speculoos and stroopwafel factories to visit in Europe 2026 with a dash of sophistication. The top 5 stroopwafel factories to visit in the Netherlands 2026 would be incomplete without mentioning their “tasting flight”—a dozen tiny specimens of speculoos, each with a different twist (smoked, sea salt, dark chocolate).
Quick & Sweet Tours
The factory tour itself is short but sweet, featuring a live demo of the speculoos press and a glimpse into the packaging room where biscuits are boxed by hand. English-speaking guides are always on hand, and the staff is remarkably good-humored about your inevitable “I’ll take ten boxes, please.” Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with tours every hour on the hour. Address: Zeestraat 214, 2512 JS The Hague.
A Few Final Thoughts
Visiting these factories isn’t just about the treats—it’s about stepping into a world where flour, butter, and sugar are alchemy. I’ve licked my fair share of stroopwafels in my time, but 2026 feels different. There’s a renewed respect for tradition, a playful experimentation with flavors, and an openness to welcome every tongue, even the vegan ones. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a family adventure, or a solo pilgrimage to the land of caramelized syrup, these five spots will leave you not just full, but deeply, joyfully satisfied. And if you find yourself standing in front of a warm tray of speculoos, remember: life’s too short to share your first bite.