In Amsterdam there are a few Italian gourmet food shops where you can grab a small bite while shopping for homemade fresh pasta or imported Italian cheese. Recently there is a number of similar speciality shops springing up in the city, focusing on other cuisines. Here are some that I discovered in the last 6 months.

Transilvania
When C and I decided to take a new path home in November and discovered this newly opened speciality store, he was like a kid in a candy store. After the last Romanian restaurant in Amsterdam shut down 5 years ago, you could only enjoy Romanian food if someone actually cooked it. This small little shop stocks from pre-packed desserts to fresh salty cheese which Romanians love so much. Some of the items I would say are an acquired taste, nevertheless, it is quite a trip for your senses.

• Transilvania
• Bellamystraat 6 hs
• 1053 BL Amsterdam,

Website

Olivity
Located on the Overtoom, this Greek speciality store stocks some imported and home made food products. They also have an open kitchen where you can watch your lunch being prepared. We ordered a Greek mountain tea which according to the owner is like Paracetamol to the local doctors. In any case, this is a great place to enjoy the "multi-purpose" mountain tea while reading a book on a rainy day.

• Olivity
• Overtoom 239
• 1054 HV Amsterdam, 
• Website

I think Portuguese food is highly underrated. Overshadowed by their Spanish counterparts, Portuguese food is honest yet creative. Take for instance Carne de Porco à Alentejana, the famous pork and clam stew. Who would have thought putting pork and clams together would create an amazing dish? In this small store located on the Haarlemmestraat, you can enjoy a cup of coffee together with their homemade pasteis de nata while browsing through their well stocked shelves of Portuguese delicacies.

Casa Bocage
Haarlemmerstraat 111A
1013 EM Amsterdam
Website