The Coolest Cafés In Amsterdam
(Main image: Bar Botanique)
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Amsterdam’s coffee shops are renowned around the world.
And ironically, they’re an excellent place to get away from the daily grind, thanks to their impeccably stylish decor, knowledgeable baristas and, of course, great cups of joe. Which is why we’ve tirelessly trawled the canals for the very best cafés in the capital – from third wave coffee shops overlooking the waters, to all day breakfast spots in former 1920s cinemas.
Yep, we’ve screened them all.
So behold, your guide to the coolest cafés in Amsterdam…
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Back To Black Coffee | Spiegelkwartier
Depicted by a beehived lady juuust the right side of copyright infringement, Back To Black is a (surprisingly) colourful, cosy coffee shop in Spiegelkwartier, the city’s cultural neighbourhood. The cups of joe here are also made with their own hand-roasted beans, supplied by small-scale farmers they try to trade with directly. The result is some seriously good coffee – and a cheery spot for working, too.
Details: Open weekdays 8am-6pm, weekends 9am-6pm | Weteringstraat 48, 1017 SP Amsterdam
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Lot Sixty One | Oud West
Lot 61 is one for the java buffs. Their dinky space – filled with all the necessary coffee shop accoutrements like white subway tiles, low-hanging industrial lighting and repurposed wooden tables – is dominated by their hand-roasting machine, which takes care of all their beans. A smattering of seats overlooking the canal out front completes the picture – and don’t leave without trying their choc chip cookies.
Details: Open weekdays 8am-6pm, weekends 9am-6pm | Kinkerstraat 112 Amsterdam
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CT Coffee & Coconuts | De Pijp
A vast cathedral of a cafe, C&C boasts three levels set inside an airy, stripped-back 1920s cinema. The ‘coconuts’ refer to the laid-back beach vibe they’re creating with the leafy potted palms, linen beanbags and hanging tables suspended from the top floor. If you’re a pour-over fan, head here for the Chemex cuppas – and for everyone else, there’s brunch.
Details: Open daily 8am-11pm | Ceintuurbaan 282-284, 1072 GK Amsterdam
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Ivy & Bros | De Wallen
Ivy & Bros serve some of the best café grub in the city, enticingly laid out on platters and under cloches that greet you as you walk in. In the mornings, there’s fresh smoothies and pastries; come the afternoon, you’ll find homemade soups, griddled sandwiches and huge bowls of salads, all served up alongside glorious views of the canal outside.
Details: Open daily 10am-7pm | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 96a, 1012 GH Amsterdam
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Benjis | Oost
Benji’s is like a jungle in a warehouse: all enthusiastic potted plants, brushed metalwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Breakfast is served all day here, which gives you ample opportunity to work your way through their buddha bowls, dutch toasties, and sugar waffles drenched in maple syrup. Wash it down with coffee from Amsterdam roastery Peeze, or one of their herbal teas.
Details: Open Tues-Sun, 9am-5pm | Wibautstraat 196, 1091 GS Amsterdam
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Quartier Putain | Red Light District
The quaint-sounding Quartier Poutain, if your french slang is a little rusty, roughly translates to ‘neighbourhood whore’, a reference to a song by Drs. P (whom, fittingly enough, this street was recently renamed after). Tucked down the Red Light district (where else), it’s a properly cosy spot, with a functioning jukebox, speedy wifi, and probably the best pecan pie in Europe.
Details: Open Mon-Wed 8am-6pm, Thurs-Fri 8am-midnight, Sat 9am-midnight, Sun 9am-6pm | Oudekerksplein 4, 1012 GZ Amsterdam –
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TOKI | Haarlemmerbuurt
One of the most snapped coffee shops in the city, Toki sports terrazzo-style tables and benches, whitewashed brick walls and the occasional bunch of wildflowers to offset all the minimalism. In a rogue departure from the Amsterdam status quo, the beans here are roasted over in Berlin – but it seems to work, as the locals still flock here for the Marzocco espressos and ferment-focussed food.
Details: Open weekdays 7.30am-6pm, weekends 9am-6pm | Binnen Dommersstraat 15, 1013 HK Amsterdam–
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Melly’s Cookie Bar | Centrum
Melly’s is small but homely, kitted out with mint blue walls, an eclectic collection of vintage furniture and distressed shutters behind the bar. The baked goods here are made fresh every morning – the owner’s half Argentinian, and makes amazing alfajores – and there’s a wine shop downstairs if you’re after something a little stronger than coffee.
Details: Open daily 9am-7pm (10am Sundays) | Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 137, 1012 RJ Amsterdam
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Vegabond | 9 Straatjes
Vegabond won last year’s Vegan Awards – but don’t worry, they’re not milking it. The light and airy café doubles as an artisanal grocers, with shelves stacked to the ceiling with everything from vegan sunscreen to substitute eggs. Up front at the huge window are a couple of tables and chairs, where you can sip kombucha, wolf down an almond ‘brie’ sandwich, and (safely) soak up that sun.
Details: Open weekdays 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-6pm | Leliegracht 16, 1015 BW Amsterdam
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Sweet Cup | Centrum
Sweet Cup is where most locals would probably send you, thanks to its cosy, upcycled decor; house-roasted beans; delicious cakes; and cute doorman Sjef. You’ll recognise him by his four legs, tail, and general bloodhound-like qualities.
Details: Open Wed-Fri 8am-6pm, weekends 10am-6pm | Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 93hs, 1017 NH Amsterdam
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Bar Botanique | Dapperbuurt
Bar Botanique is just straight-up stunning, with leaf-green and terracotta walls, cool mid-century furnishings, and huge, mirrored mobile sculptures suspended in the air. By day, they serve up unusual teas, cakes, croque monsieurs, and truffled scrambled eggs, before moving on to pizzas and late-night drinks – they have a particularly good beer selection. Better hop to it.
Details: Open Sun-Thurs 9am-1am, Fri-Sat 9am-3am | Eerste Van Swindenstraat 581, 1093 LC Amsterdam
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Vinnies | Centrum
Vinnies has branched out to three different spots in the city, so it’s safe to say it’s one of the more popular joints in town. The decor’s stylish and laid-back, and if you’re particularly enamoured with it, everything in the café’s also for sale – just don’t leave before you’ve tried their famously good breakfast.
Details: Open weekdays 7.30am-5pm, weekends 8.30am-5pm | Nieuwezijds Kolk 33, 1012 PV Amsterdam
PS Like finding interesting cafés? Check out London’s best coffee shops