Amsterdam is full of fun, cozy, and one-of-a-kind cafes. These are my six favorite best cafes in Amsterdam, all within easy reach of Central Station. I’m not compensated in any way for these cafe suggestions. They are my six personal favorites.
You might also be interested in my posts: 6x Best Breakfast in Amsterdam and my post on how to tip in Amsterdam including a handy calculator.
Table of Contents
1. Winkel 43 for the best apple pie in Amsterdam, hands down
My favorite cafe, by far, is Winkel 43. They have the best apple pie in the city.
Other blogs and guides will tell you Café Papeneiland has the best apple pie in the city, because that’s the cafe Bill Clinton visited. That post probably wasn’t written by a local. Nothing wrong with their apple pie, and Clinton did enjoy it. But most locals will tell you it isn’t the best.
The best, believe me, is at Winkel 43. This is where locals and tourists alike line up to get their hands on a fresh slice of delicious, slightly warm, just-out-of-the-oven apple pie, with a healthy serving of whipped cream if you say yes to it. Say yes. When you visit Winkel 43, it’s not a day for watching carbs. When you indulge, do it properly.
If you come on a Saturday, prepare yourself for a huge line (Saturday is, by the way, a great day to come, with the Organic Farmers Market at its front door). Just accept the line. It moves fast enough. Even in winter, people sit at the outside tables.
During the week, Winkel 43 also serves a simple breakfast menu, but not on Saturday.
Noordermarkt 43.
Cafe Winkel 43 in Amsterdam – © Hidden Holland
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2. Cafe ‘t Smalle in the Jordaan
If you’ve heard the term “brown cafe” and want to try one, this is one of the best places to go. It sits in an iconic neighborhood. It doesn’t get more classic Amsterdam than this. The cafe itself is gorgeous. The stained glass panels are worth a visit on their own. The building dates from the 1780s when it was already a tasting room.
If the weather is nice, sit down on its outside terrace, and enjoy some bitterballen, a sandwich, a cold Dutch beer or a cup of coffee.
Egelantiersgracht 12.
3. The rooftop cafe at the Amsterdam Public Library
This cafe is a gem for those in the know. You wouldn’t instantly think about a library when you need a coffee break. But this library is not your standard library. It’s a destination in its own right. I love to go here to write for the blog.
Looking out over the old skyline and watching the boats go by helps me get into the writing flow. If you go to the top floor, you will find a large cafe and restaurant. They serve modern, healthy food and unusual coffees and teas.
But the real reason to take your break here is the breathtaking view of the city. On a clear day, you can see for miles all over the old part of town. The library cafe is also a perfect place to have lunch. It’s self-service, and one of the things we love is the variety. You can choose between Dutch classics, burgers, a selection of different healthy sandwiches, or a poke bowl.
The Amsterdam Library is a pleasant stroll from the Central Station (about 10 minutes). PS: the library is called OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam), which translates as Amsterdam Public Library.
Oosterdokskade 143.
4. Cafe Thijssen, a local’s favorite on a beautiful canal
Cafe Thijssen is a favorite with many, so it can be hard to find a table. No reservations, so you need some luck. A great place for a drink, a sandwich or some small bites. I love it here, although it can be a bit chaotic. Don’t come here for a quiet date night, but it’s hard to beat for a real Amsterdam evening.
And the area couldn’t be nicer. The Brouwersgracht is one of Amsterdam’s most beautiful canals, and the Noordermarkt is just around the corner.
Brouwersgracht 107.
Cafe Thijssen in Amsterdam – © Hidden Holland
5. The Tolhuis Tuin Cafe (THT), a former Shell staff canteen
This one is not in the city center, but across the water in Amsterdam Noord. You need to take a ferry to get there. But that sounds more complicated than it is. You can be here within 10 minutes from Central Station. The ferry is free, runs every few minutes, and the crossing takes about four. It is fun to do.
What makes this cafe unique is its location and its past life. Before this area became a cultural hotspot, it was home to the headquarters of the multinational Shell. The high-rise office building next door is now the A’DAM Lookout, with a viewing platform on the roof and the Sir Adam hotel inside.
You’ll have plenty of tasty menu choices, but the real reason to come here is to take in the wonderful views over the water from the second-floor terrace and watch people passing by on their way to the Eye Film Museum and the “This is Holland” attraction (my favorite in the city). Outside, it’s drinks only.
I love to stop here on a sunny day, order a glass of wine and some bitterballen, then take in the atmosphere. A lazy afternoon here is time well spent.
IJpromenade 2.
6. Cafe de Druif, a true local find
Cafe de Druif is one of my favorite places. It’s very central, but not on any tourist route. Here you’ll find a very local atmosphere. Tourists do find it. But not at all on the same level as the Jordaan area. It’s close to the Maritime Museum, and on your way to the Resistance Museum, Artis Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens.
Another great brown-cafe experience, with a cozy terrace outside. I love to plop down here, order an ice-cold Coca-Cola and a serving of piping hot bitterballen. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
Rapenburgerplein 83.
Some of the images I took during Sail Amsterdam 2025 – © Hidden Holland
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My Final Note: A Coffeeshop is Not For Coffee
Before I go, I have to close with a warning: as a tourist, you might walk into a coffeeshop by mistake, looking for a coffee or tea. However, these establishments are not for coffee at all. Inside you’ll find a counter selling cannabis, not espresso.
This is a mistake quite a few of my overseas friends have made. To avoid it, look for a cafe, not a coffeeshop. And Amsterdam has plenty of those, starting with the six above.
More about Dutch culture and misconceptions can be found in my article: “Dutch People Are Rude“.
