After stopping at a lovely chocolaterie and tearoom in Part 1 of this tea travel series in the Netherlands, I wasn’t sure what the next chapter of our Dutch tea adventure would bring. As it turned out, the very next day led us to another unexpected find—and this time, it served loose leaf tea.
Rejoice!
This discovery was a pleasant surprise, especially since we had found that quality coffee seemed far more common than quality tea in Amsterdam. Without hesitation, we abandoned our original plans and made our way into the shop.
Wijs & Zonen is located just a few minutes’ walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station, making it an easy stop for visitors. They describe themselves as “the meeting place for lovers of tea and coffee”—a claim we were willing to put to the test.
Wijs & Zonen tea and coffee shop in Amsterdam
At first glance, the fact that the shop was not exclusively tea-focused gave us pause. But once we saw the menu, any hesitation quickly disappeared. The selection included multiple varieties of classic teas, such as Assam black teas known for their bold flavor, Ceylon teas with bright and brisk character, and Darjeeling teas prized for delicate floral notes.
Formosa oolong tea
The menu also featured creative blends like “Flowers of Amsterdam,” a colorful black tea infused with floral elements, and “Amsterdam Tea Pot,” a green tea blend with distinctive herbal notes. Tempting as they were, we opted for a classic: Formosa oolong tea and its unique flavor profile.
This Taiwanese oolong is often described as slightly sweet, with hints that some compare to fruit or nuts. Personally, I found it simply smooth and gently sweet—though, as always, tea tasting is wonderfully subjective. Compared to lighter oolongs, it has a fuller character due to its higher level of oxidation, making it particularly enjoyable on a chilly day.
Wijs & Zonen also offers loose leaf tea for purchase, though we managed to resist the temptation—for the moment. For visitors staying longer, however, it would be an excellent place to pick up quality tea, especially if you prefer not to travel with your own tea supplies.
All in all, it was a delightful and unexpected stop—proof that even in a coffee-centric city, great tea experiences can still be found.
See more of Elise Nuding’s articles in this archive of tea travel and tasting experiences.
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