The best places for coffee in Amsterdam

Where are the best places for coffee in Amsterdam?

Visitors, expats and even locals often ask me about the best places for coffee in Amsterdam. I am not a coffee expert, but I really appreciate a good espresso, cortado and occasionally a cappuccino. Equally important to me is the ambiance. So here is a list of my favorite places for a coffee in my hometown Amsterdam. These coffee hotspots are listed in chronological order of visit. For reasons of privacy, I try to have as few people in my photographs as possible, so don’t mistake this for unpopularity of the place.

And if in between your coffee breaks you want to do something fun in Amsterdam, check out Comedy Walks.

#1 Hummingbird

Hummingbird (I love the name!) only opened a few months ago so few people are aware of it. It offers great coffee and a great ambiance. They serve a few sweet bites and will soon start serving breakfast. Check out the incredibly beautiful mural painting behind the bar! This is the perfect spot to pick up a coffee to go before going on a Comedy Walk: it’s a 4-minute walk away! Address: Spuistraat 217 (map).

#2 The Orangery in the Hortus Botanicus

The Orangery in the Hortus Botanicus is one of my favorite places when it comes to ambiance. Very popular with locals but not really known by visitors, so still a sanctuary for peace and tranquility. To access the Orangery you will have to purchase a ticket for the Hortus. Good to know: they serve coffee-to-go so you can take your cup to a cosy quiet place in the Hortus. They also serve breakfast and lunch. Address: Plantage Middenlaan 2A (map).

See my blogpost on the Hortus Botanicus for more inspiration.

#3 Benji’s

When I discovered Benji’s I was immediately sold. Great breakfast/lunch and great coffee. The owners, David and Thomas, turned the place into a little urban jungle creating an extremely relaxing atmosphere. Their outdoor terrace is equally lovely. The owners are inspired by Ricardo Semler and stand for people-centric management including responsibility, autonomy, and profit sharing with staff. A place with a heart and highly motivated staff. Address: Wibautstraat 196 (map).

#4 Frederix

Frederix is another well-kept secret that is insanely popular within the neighborhood. Frederix’ manager Ben told me that when the previous owner sold the place in 2017 it was bought by the neighbors in 2017 to guarantee its continuity. That is what I call true love. The entire menu, breakfast and lunch is home-made (by two excellent Italian chefs). They add some robusta to their house blend coffee giving it an extra punch. Address: Frederiksplein 29 (map).

#5 White label coffee

This place is definitely a must-go for coffee experts! White label coffee has an in-house coffee roasting machine so the place is filled up with enticing aromas of freshly roasted coffee. You have two bean options: Costa Rican (a bit of a chocolate flavor) and Ethiopian beans (with a fruity flavor). My favorite is the Costa Rican one. The picture is taken from the single seat high up in the back: the perfect place to muse on plans and dreams. This place is in my hood, so see you soon! Address: Jan Evertsenstraat 136 (map).

#6 Lavinia Good Food

Just steps away from the Vondelpark you will find Lavinia Good Food. I really enjoy the vibe of this place which makes it a perfect venue for a nice cup of coffee. It is also a great place for breakfast and lunch (during the week they open at 8.30 and on the weekend at 9.30). I had the finger-licking banana pancakes with fresh fruits for breakfast the other day. They have a lovely little outdoor terrace. Address: Amstelveenseweg 192 (map).

Lavinia Good Food Amsterdam

#7 Trakteren

This place is heaven for coffee addicts! Trakteren (meaning treat in English) is located in old West Amsterdam and run by Erik and Edward. During peak hours they serve two different kinds of coffee, but off-peak hours you may get a little treat. After explaining my favorite coffee to Erik, he came back with a special coffee from India. What can I say: absolutely divine! Their home-made pastries and cakes are all baked in the open kitchen at back of the shop! I love the banana cake with apricot. Address: Jan Pieter Heijestraat 119-A (map).

#8 Coffee & Such

Coffee & Such is on the popular Haarlemmerdijk in the city’s centre. They serve a delicious dark roast espresso from Brazil but they also have the more trendy flavors, such as berry, on filter. This place has so many cute little corners where you can sit and relax. Not entirely legal (but with the neighbors’ permission), and therefore incredibly precious, is the little outdoor terrace at the back. I actually managed to catch some sun while enjoying my cappuccino. I haven’t tried their cakes and bakes yet, but will come back for their vegan orange almond cake. Address: Haarlemmerdijk 182 (map).

Coffee & Such

#9 Scandinavian Embassy

Very popular spot in de Pijp right in front of the lovely Sarphati Park. Scandinavian Embassy totally nailed the Scandinavian Interior Design with the white walls and light wooden floor making it a chill place for a coffee. I ordered a cortado made with a lightly roasted coffee bean from Colombia. They also serve various filter coffees. While waiting for my coffee, I got entranced by the smell of hot pastries just out of the oven: freshly made cinnamon buns! Of course I ordered one! This place is very popular so if it is crowded take your coffee to the beautiful Sarphati Park across the street. Address: Sarphatipark 34 (map).

Scandinavian Embassy

#10 Public Space

I just loved the large open space of Public Space when I walked in. The different shades of grey combined with the green plants and 50s furniture create a very distinguished and welcoming ambiance. No tables and chairs cramped together but space; you can actually have a private conversation in here. And their coffee is great: I really enjoyed my cortado made with Brazilian beans with a gentle chocolate and nut flavor. It’s definitely worth taking the ferry across the river IJ for this little gem. They also serve lunch. Address: Bercylaan 301 (map).

Public Space

#11 Back to Black

Back to Black is one of these places where you immediately feel at home. Back to Black comprises two coffee places, a bakery and a coffee roastery. The owners are very engaged in the whole process from coffee bean to our delicious cup of coffee and share their stories on their visits to washing stations and dry mills in Rwanda and Ethiopia. The comfortable chairs and sofa’s, including a hanging sofa, the green plants and the super friendly staff make this one of my favorite coffee places. They always serve two different kinds of coffee beans so make sure you ask the barrista for your favorite flavour. And try some of their home-baked pastries and cakes. Address: Van Hallstraat 268 and Weteringsraat 48 (map).

Back to Black

About the author: Laura Danielle is a co-founder of Comedy Walks: stand-up comedy shows with the city as a stage, or, if you like, city tours with a professional stand-up comedian as a guide. By far the most fun and original way to explore a city! We currently run Comedy Walks in Amsterdam, Washington DC, Berlin and Utrecht.

All information in the blog posts is based on personal experiences and commission free (“I rather drink coffee with inspiring entrepreneurs than compete with them for 20 cents commission for our customers’ coffee” – Laura Danielle).

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Amsterdam