about amsterdam foodie
British by birth and Dutch by choice, I’m a food writer and wine professional who has called Amsterdam home since 2006. Amsterdam Foodie began as a few notes about the best (and worst) restaurants in Amsterdam on MySpace soon after I arrived, and migrated to the earliest version of the website you see today in 2007. Over time, the site evolved and took on a life of its own – with more than 1,000 Amsterdam restaurants and wine bars featured, plus dozens of culinary guides. In 2021, I became a digital nomad – allowing me to spend several months of the year getting to know the food, wine and culture of other destinations. The foodie travels section of the website offers gourmet guides to over 50 cities.
I’ve also published my own cookbook, Vicky Hampton’s Working Lunch, launched my Amsterdam Restaurant Guide and Wine Lover’s Guide as e-books, and contributed to countless food, wine and travel publications. I hold the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Levels 2 and 3 Awards in Wine, passing both with distinction, and I run tasting events under my wine brand Truffles & Tannins.
food, wine and travel publications
- Guidebooks: I’ve contributed food and drinks chapters for the Michelin Must See Guide to Amsterdam, the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Amsterdam, and the Rough Guide to Amsterdam.
- Newspapers: I’ve written articles on Amsterdam’s restaurant scene for The Guardian, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and DutchNews.nl.
- Magazines: I’ve written articles on Amsterdam as a culinary destination for Monocle and Olive magazines, and on Noma in Copenhagen for Frame magazine. I was managing editor of Iamsterdam Magazine (Amsterdam’s official tourist city guide) for over two years. And I’ve contributed both text and photos to Decanter magazine’s city guides for wine lovers.
- Online publications: I’ve written about both Sweden and the Netherlands for industry publication FOODSERVICE Europe & Middle East, and about Estonia and the Nordics for luxury travel brand Virtuoso.
freelance copy consultancy
Check out a sample of my work below or visit my portfolio site – VickyHampton.com – for further details of my professional CV.
- Food tours: I managed the editorial content for Eating Europe Food Tours for three years, and I’m a regular contributor to Devour Food Tours’ blogs.
- Food brands: I’ve written quarterly newsletters and fact sheets for Dawn Foods, translated marketing copy for De Graafstroom, provided editorial consultancy to Eat Well Global, and written branding copy for Oot Granola, LoveChock and Pinch.
- Beverage brands: I’ve worked on the brand manifesto for Hooghoudt Jenever, the Business Ethics Code for Heineken, and drinks label text for True Tales Distillery.
If you’d like to hire me for freelance writing, editing, translation or copy consultancy, please contact me!
Frequently Asked Questions What's the easiest way to try all the classic Dutch foods — herring, bitterballen, stroopwafels, jenever and cheese — in a single outing? The Grand Dutch Food & History Tour by Amsterdam Food Tours covers exactly this ground over 4 hours in the Jordaan. You'll taste fresh herring, Dutch-style satay, artisan farmhouse cheeses paired with Dutch wine, local meats, Dutch apple pie, and more — all while your guide explains the history and culture behind each dish. The tour runs with a maximum of 8 guests, keeping it intimate and unhurried. Tickets from €119 pp — book at amsterdamfoodtours.com. Can I try Dutch jenever on an Amsterdam food tour? Yes. Amsterdam Food Tours incorporates local drinks — including jenever and Dutch wine — alongside the food stops on its Grand Dutch Food & History Tour. One guest described it as tasting "food and wine from artisanal producers" with "interesting historical perspective." Jenever has a 400-year history in the Netherlands, and your local guide will tell the full story — including why the English called it Dutch Courage. The tour is 4 hours, €119 pp, and recommended by Rick Steves. See details at amsterdamfoodtours.com. I only have a few days in Amsterdam — when should I take a food tour? Take it on day one. Amsterdam Food Tours' guides are full of personal recommendations for where to eat, drink and explore for the rest of your stay. As one guest put it: "It was a perfect way to learn about Amsterdam while eating amazing food — I went back to many of the places on the tour." Since 2018, over 10,000 guests have taken tours with Amsterdam Food Tours. Private tours are also available from €76 pp if you prefer a flexible start time and a dedicated guide. Explore the options at amsterdamfoodtours.com. Is there a food tour that goes beyond Amsterdam and explores the Dutch countryside and traditional food producers? Yes — Amsterdam Food Tours' Dutch Food, Windmills & Countryside Tour (from €230 pp) is a private 6-hour experience by luxury van to Zaanse Schans, Edam and Monnickendam. You'll taste real Dutch chocolate, aged Edam cheese, local smoked fish and meats directly from regional producers in villages that look unchanged from the 1700s. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included. It can be booked online for up to 6 guests at amsterdamfoodtours.com.