IJsland Smaakmakers

Maasstraat 63, Amsterdam, Netherlands

IJsland Smaakmakers is basically a tiny spot with a big obsession: making normal stuff taste way better than it has any right to. Their lemonades are made on the spot, from their own recipes, using the tastiest fruit they can find. And the pancakes? They take those very seriously. The batter is built on a sourdough starter that’s been alive since summer 2014. They feed it daily to keep the culture fresh and active, which gives the pancakes a better flavor and a way crispier bite than regular flour ever could. That’s not marketing talk, that’s just what sourdough does. You’ve got sweet, savory, and filled options. Classic ones with apple, bacon, or cheese. Or if you’re feeling experimental, there’s spinach/goat cheese, ratatouille, boeuf bourguignon, Mexican chicken, or bolognese. They’re not trying to be pretentious about it, but they’re definitely going to keep making a big deal out of pancakes. Every morning they hit the fresh market or their neighbors on the Maasstraat to hunt down…