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The fabled brown cafes of Amsterdam are arguably as worthy of a go to as any landmark or vacationer attraction. Few locations within the metropolis encapsulate Dutch tradition and traditions like these inviting, rustic nooks, the place gezelligheid, in any other case referred to as coziness, and social gatherings go hand-in-hand.
I’ve mentioned these cafes on quite a few events throughout my Amsterdam meals excursions, as I’ve grown more and more keen on them with each journey to the Dutch capital. Right here, you’ll discover all of my favourite brown cafes in Amsterdam which can be certain to depart a long-lasting impression on you!
What’s a Brown Café? Definition and Key Options
Picture credit score: Café Chris
Opposite to their title, brown cafes in Amsterdam are old-school pubs which can be not like every other model of multinational within the metropolis. These bars are characterised by their darkish wood furnishings, tobacco-stained partitions, and sense of gezelligheid or coziness.
Social interplay and mental dialogue are on the forefront of brown cafes, although some have background music. Beer and jenever are sometimes the drinks of alternative for patrons, and snacks like bitterballen and borrelnootjes are usually out there, too.
The Cultural Significance of Brown Cafés in Amsterdam
The brown cafés of Amsterdam are vastly vital to Dutch tradition, and these homely cafes also have a devoted part on the town’s official vacationer website. They stand as epicenters of social gatherings and showcase native culinary favorites, notably within the metropolis’s historic Jordaan neighborhood.
Nonetheless, brown cafes have needed to make modifications to maintain up with present traits. It’s change into a problem to take action whereas retaining their signature allure. Nonetheless, many bars have tried to entice youthful generations with numerous drink choices and sustainable practices to maintain up with trendy, hipster haunts.
The Historical past and Origins of Brown Cafés
Amsterdam’s brown cafes hint their historical past and origins to the nineteenth century, as locals opened them as dwelling room-style pubs for further earnings. Nevertheless, many have been round in some kind because the Center Ages and have been used as distilleries. Like espresso outlets, they’ve grown as hubs for dialog and connection.
Notable Brown Cafés to Go to in Amsterdam
Café ‘t Smalle
Café ‘t Smalle feels somewhat extra polished than your typical brown cafe in Amsterdam, but this canal-side spot nonetheless has ambient lighting and conventional furnishings.
Inside, the vibe was chilled and low-key. I went for a traditional pairing of beer and bitterballen, choosing Amstel. The crisp, citrusy lager was precisely what I wanted on a heat afternoon, and the meaty, ball-shaped treats have been completely contemporary and crunchy.
Café ‘t Smalle (€€) – Egelantiersgracht 12, 1015 RL Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Café De Twee Zwaantjes
Picture credit score: Café De Twee Zwaantjes
Café De Twee Zwaantjes is a compact hideaway that’s been serving prospects for greater than a century. I nearly managed to get a seat inside and was instantly charmed by the pleasant employees and buzzing ambiance.
Whereas having fun with one of many cafe’s iconic sing-along classes, I sipped on a creamy glass of stout. This wouldn’t typically be my drink of alternative, however this specific selection had a bitter, chocolatey taste I couldn’t get sufficient of.
Café De Twee Zwaantjes (€€) – Prinsengracht 114, 1015 EA Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Café Brecht
Picture credit score: Café Brecht
I’d heard that Café Brecht was the go-to brown cafe in Amsterdam for German beer, and the funky, retro decor inside set the scene immediately.
The collection of beers was incredible right here, and the Augustiner Helles was proving notably in style. After all, I needed to get in on the motion and shortly grew keen on this lager’s malty but candy taste profile.
Café Brecht (€€) – Weteringschans 157, 1017 SE Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Café De Dokter
Picture credit score: Café De Dokter
Café De Dokter is Amsterdam’s smallest bar, and it’s among the many brown cafes I used to be most excited to go to. The wood, picture-covered partitions and cluttered cabinets appeared like they hadn’t modified because the bar opened within the late 1700s.
As a substitute of going for a beer, I ordered a gin and tonic. It definitely hit the spot with its tarty flavors and floral end.
Café De Dokter (€€) – Rozenboomsteeg 4, 1012 PR Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Café Hoppe
Picture credit score: Café Hoppe
Café Hoppe has been round because the Seventeenth century, although it appears as stylish and stylish as ever.
Once I noticed the rows of gin barrels behind the bar, I knew jenever was on the playing cards. I attempted my finest to take pleasure in this beloved Dutch liqueur like an area, savoring each drop of this smokey, woodsy delight.
Café Hoppe (€€) – Spui 18-20, 1012 XA Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Café de Wetering
The no-frills decor, expansive hearth, and heat employees make Café de Wetering one of many metropolis’s most enchanting brown cafes.
I used to be feeling somewhat peckish, so I ordered some savory borrelnootjes to go along with my blond Belgian beer. Not like most beers I’ve tried, it had a stunning spicy kick to it that labored effectively with the delicate hoppy tastes and fruity tones.
Café de Wetering (€€) – Weteringstraat 37, 1017 SM Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Café Chris
Picture credit score: Café Chris
Stated to be the oldest brown cafe in Amsterdam, Café Chris is the right place to go if you wish to really feel such as you’ve stepped into Seventeenth-century Holland.
Between the chunky wooden beams, classic furnishings, and scrumptious bock beer, I may simply have spent hours right here. It was my first time attempting bock, and I used to be struck by the caramel-like flavors and clean mouthfeel.
Café Chris (€€) – Bloemstraat 42, 1015 TB Amsterdam, Netherlands.
De Pilsener Membership
De Pilsener Membership is a cosy, modest cafe with a bustling out of doors space and a strong line-up of drinks and snacks.
I ordered some small plates of contemporary olives and liver sausage, washing them down with a zingy native lager. Though the beer was glorious, the standard of the meals actually stood out to me, and I’d come again simply to pattern extra of that decadent and tremendous creamy sausage meat!
De Pilsener Membership (€€) – Begijnensteeg 4, 1012 PN Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Conclusion
If there’s anyplace that showcases the Dutch inhabitants’s love for socializing, coziness, and custom, it’s the brown cafes of Amsterdam. With a craft beer or jenever in hand, you’ll match proper in!
Sources:
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Amsterdam meals excursions & experiences. Consuming Europe. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/amsterdam/
Iamsterdam. (n.d.). Cafés and bars in Amsterdam. Iamsterdam. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/whats-on/calendar/eating-and-drinking/cafes-and-bars?bar-type=brownbar
‘t Smalle. (n.d.). Welcome to ‘t Smalle. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://t-smalle.nl/
Café De Twee Zwaantjes. (n.d.). Dwelling. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://cafedetweezwaantjes.nl/
Café Brecht. (n.d.). Café Brecht. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from http://www.cafebrecht.nl/?&TL=EN
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Cafe De Dokter (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – attraction evaluate. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g188590-d605626-Evaluations-Cafe_De_Dokter-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html
Café Hoppe. (n.d.). Dwelling – Café Hoppe. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://cafehoppe.com/en
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Cafe de Wetering (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – restaurant evaluate. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188590-d4541250-Evaluations-Cafe_de_Wetering-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Cafe Chris (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – restaurant evaluate. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188590-d3459400-Evaluations-Cafe_Chris-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). De Pilsener Membership (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – restaurant evaluate. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188590-d7932780-Evaluations-or10-De_Pilsener_Club-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html
