Cafes
Café, Coffeeshop or Koffie Huis?
First time visitors to Amsterdam might find it a bit confusing working out what exactly they are getting into when stepping through the doorway to satisfy some cravings – caffeine or otherwise. Amsterdam is quite unique in that cannabis products can be bought and used legally throughout the city, particularly from shops universally called ‘coffeeshops’. While a coffeeshop may serve coffee, their primary purpose is the sale of cannabis. If in doubt, look for a green and white sign in the front window, which signifies their status as a ‘cannabis coffeeshop’. This will be particularly helpful in discerning places to ‘avoid’ if you are not partial to the smell or smoke of cannabis. In Amsterdam, the term café is somewhat different again in that it represents a bar where predominantly alcohol is sold. The café will almost certainly serve coffee, though choices and quality may be limited.
If, however you need to satisfy your caffeine craving, you should head to a Koffie Huis (Coffee House) and here we have got you covered!
Black Gold
Korte Koningsstraat 13, H, 1011 EX Amsterdam
Close to Nieumarkt, Black Gold is a trendy but laid back coffee house with seriously good coffee. The café has a bright, quirky design with light timber floors, funky lights and splashes of green leaves cascading from the ceiling. It also doubles as a vinyl music store so you can browse records while satisfying your caffeine cravings.
Back to Black
Weteringstraat 48, 1017 SP Amsterdam
Back to Black is a cosy coffee house with an eclectic interior design, located on a quiet street corner not far from the Rijksmuseum. Grab a seat at one of the rustic timber tables or perch at the canal facing window bench and let the friendly staff serve you an excellent house roasted, sustainable coffee. It can get quite crowded inside, but you’ll understand why when you visit. Make sure you say hi to Binkie the cat!
Lot 61
Kinkerstraat 112, 1053 ED Amsterdam
Lot 61 is a trendy coffee house, situated on a corner in Amsterdam West, overlooking the Bilderdijkgracht Canal. This Australian run coffee shop hand roasts their coffee beans each day and their baristas are passionate about making you one of the best cups of coffee in the city. The café is popular with locals who grab a seat out the front in the sun and watch the world go by.
Winkel 43
Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam
On the corner of Westerstraat and Noordemarkt in the fashionable Jordaan neighbourhood is a beautiful, traditional Amsterdam house with a cosy space inside, as well as seats spilling out onto the footpath in nice weather. Winkel 43 is a popular spot for coffee, breakfast and people watching. Trying to decide what to try? The café is famous for its apple pie.
De Koffieschenkerij
Oudekerksplein 27, 1012 GX Amsterdam
A quiet, relaxing oasis close to the red light district, De Koffieschenkerij is a good place to rest your feet while enjoying a nice cup of coffee. Found in an old sacristy with a beautiful canal facing garden, part of De Oude Kerk (church), this coffee house is the perfect spot to escape the crowds of the red light district and recharge with a great coffee and cake (you deserve it after all that exploring!).
