The 12 best cafés in Amsterdam

On Spui Square is, Café Hoppe, one of the finest (and oldest) examples of a classic Dutch bruin café, where very little has changed in decades. Originally founded as a distillery, this National Monument has been serving tiny glasses of jenever for over 350 years. Inside, there’s a standing-room-only bar with stained glass windows and sawdust floors, plus a more traditional seated section with wood panelling and a terrace outside for sunny afternoons.

Address: Spui 18-20, 1012 XA, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, from 9am-1am; and Friday to Saturday, from 9am-2am
Expect to pay: €5-17 for for snacks and plates, €3-9 for coffee, and €3.30-9 for drinks 

Spot this slanting old house on the Oudeschans canal, and there’s no doubt you’ll want to head straight in. Built in 1695, de Sluyscwacht was home to the lockmaster, who controlled the flow of water into the city’s canals. It’s now a cosy bar and café with wood beams, a wonky stone floor and large windows overlooking the canals. The food is mainly Dutch snacks like bitterballen (deep-fried  meat ragout balls), kaasstengels (cheese sticks) and cheese tostis.

Address: Jodenbreestraat 1, 1011 NG, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, from noon-midnight; Friday to Saturday, from noon-2am; and Sunday, from noon-8pm
Expect to pay: €3.50-8 for snacks and small plates, €6-32 for wine and cocktails, and €5-31 for beer and pitchers 

The tiled floors and bistro tables at Café de Jaren feel very Old Europe, but the huge floor-to-ceiling windows make the bright space feel very modern indeed. Perched on the Kloveniersburgwal canal, this former bank building offers classic Amsterdam views, especially from its outdoor terrace, which sits right on the water (the upstairs is reserved for private events).

Address: Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-20, 1012 CP,  Amsterdam
Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday, from 10am-10pm; and Thursday to Saturday, from 10am-11pm
Expect to pay: €6-16 for snacks, €8-17 for soups, sandwiches and salads, €15-28 for mains, and €4-13 for beer

If you want to try the typical Dutch appeltaart (and trust us, you do), there’s no better place than this authentic eetcafé in trendy Jordaan. It’s famous and hugely popular, and since they don’t take reservations, you may find yourself in a queue stretching out the door. But it is worth the wait for what’s consistently hailed as the best apple pie in town. They serve decent meals, too, so come hungry.

Time Out tip: If the line is too daunting, nearby Café Papeneiland also serves an excellent version of Amsterdam’s favourite pie.

Address: Noordermarkt 43, 1015, NA Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday, from 7am-1am; Tuesday to Thursday, from 8am-1am; Friday, from 8am-2am; Saturday, from 7am-2am; and Sunday, from 9am-1am 
Expect to pay: €6-18 for plates, €3-6 for coffee and small plates, €3-12 for alcoholic drinks 

This cheerful café in Oost boasts a long bar, a bright lounge area with sofas and a loft dining section – all brimming with plants. In summer, a large, heated covered terrace extends seating space dramatically, with locals chatting outside well into the evening. Bar Botanique’s brunch is especially good; try the scrambled eggs with truffle or the chia bowl.

Address: Eerste Van Swindenstraat 581, 1093 LC, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, from 11am-midnight; Friday, from 11am-2am; Saturday, from 10am-2am; and Sunday, from 10am-midnight
Expect to pay: €4.50-24 for snacks and plates, and €7.50-14 for cocktails

Back to Black is one of the most famous cafes in Amsterdam, serving up seriously sweet treats and high quality, house-roasted sustainable coffee. The space is as cosy as it gets, with huge windows, long sharing tables, hanging Edison bulbs and mismatched chairs and sofas. It was founded by two local women, and its soaring popularity means there’s actually two in the city (but the one you’ll visit is probably the one on Weteringstraat in the centre).

Address: Weteringstraat 48, 1017 SP, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 8am-6pm; and Saturday to Sunday, from 9am-6pm

Coffee & Coconuts is a bright, high-ceilinged space in a former cinema which dates back to the 1920s, and is the perfect antidote to Amsterdam’s perpetual rain. Yes, you can get both coffee and coconuts here, the latter served whole with a straw and lime on the side. But don’t stop at drinks: the food here is just as spectacular. Try the coconut pancakes with whipped coconut cream, which are a standout and gluten-free to boot.

Address: Gustav Mahlerplein 20, 1082 MA, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 7.30am-4pm; and Saturday to Sunday, from 9am-4pm 
Expect to pay: €4-8.50 for coffee, €4-8 for juices, €3-5 for pastries

With Swedish owners and a Scandi chic aesthetic, this minimalist but cheery café lives up to its name. They source their beans from micro-roasters across Denmark, Sweden and Norway and serve seasonal dishes inspired by Nordic cuisine. Scandinavian Embassy’s weekend brunch can get very busy, but you can always pop in for a top-notch cappuccino paired with a delightful cinnamon bun.

Address: Sarphatipark 34 1072 PB, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 8am-5pm; and Saturday to Sunday, from 9am-5pm 
Expect to pay: €2.30-6 for plates, €3-6 for beverages

The star attractions at De Bakkerswinkel’s three charming locations in Amsterdam are the freshly baked scones served with cream and homemade preserves (ask for the pineapple-basil jam). The Red Light District outpost is a quiet haven away from the bustling crowds and stag parties that pack the streets. Inside, you’ll hear more Dutch than English – a rarity in this tourist-centric part of town – as you sit among tables of locals lingering over afternoon tea.

Address: Warmoesstraat 69, 1012 HX, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 8am-4.30pm; Friday, from 8am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 8.30am-5pm; closed Tuesday
Expect to pay: €3-7 for snacks and quiches, €3-5 for coffee and tea, €11.80-15 for breakfast and lunch plates

Zoku is an über-cool ‘apartment hotel’ and co-working space with an elegantly decked-out café and lunch space. Take the lift to the top floor and walk along a glassed-in hallway through the rooftop garden to The Bar, where you can grab a coffee or snack or The Living Kitchen for a lavish lunch buffet. Need to get some work done? For €39, you get a co-working space day pass that includes access to the buffet lunch.

Address: Weesperstraat 105, 6th Floor, 1018 VM, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 7am-10pm; and Saturday to Sunday, from 9am-5pm 
Expect to pay: €25-26 for buffet-style breakfast and lunch, €155-18 for weekend brunch, €4-20 for dinner, €4-7 for beer, €12-14 for mocktails and cocktails 

Address: Linnaeusstraat 88, 1092 CP, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday, from 8.30am-11pm; closed Tuesday
Expect to pay: €5-17 for breakfast, €9-24 for bites, €16-28 for mains and roasts, €5.50-12 for desserts, €3-9 for soft drinks, €4-9 for beer and €7-12 for cocktails

Amsterdam’s first indoor food market, housed in a former tram depot, features more than 20 food stalls serving everything from Dutch bar-snack staples to dim sum to French pastries. Right in the centre of the action, the Main Bar serves an excellent cappuccino and offers ample people-watching opportunities and a prime view of the live music on Tuesday nights.

Address: Hannie Dankbaarpassage 16, 1053 RT, Amsterdam
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, from noon-midnight; and Saturday to Sunday, from noon-1am