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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 are certain to go away an enduring impression on you!

What’s a Brown Café? Definition and Key Options

Photograph credit score: Café Chris

Opposite to their title, brown cafes in Amsterdam are old-school pubs which are not like some 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 selection 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 actually have a devoted part on the town’s official vacationer web site. 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 attraction. Nonetheless, many bars have tried to entice youthful generations with various 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 revenue. Nonetheless, many have been round in some type for the reason that Center Ages and had 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 a little bit 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 basic 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 had been completely contemporary and crunchy. 

Café ‘t Smalle (€€) – Egelantiersgracht 12, 1015 RL Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Café De Twee Zwaantjes

Photograph credit score: Café De Twee Zwaantjes

Café De Twee Zwaantjes is a compact hideaway that’s been serving clients for greater than a century. I nearly managed to get a seat inside and was instantly charmed by the pleasant workers 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 selection, 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

Photograph 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 straight away.

The number of beers was implausible right here, and the Augustiner Helles was proving notably widespread. In fact, 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

Photograph 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 regarded like they hadn’t modified for the reason that 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

Photograph credit score: Café Hoppe

Café Hoppe has been round for the reason that Seventeenth century, although it seems 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 greatest to take pleasure in this beloved Dutch liqueur like a neighborhood, 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 fire, and heat workers make Café de Wetering one of many metropolis’s most enchanting brown cafes.

I used to be feeling a little bit 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 nicely with the delicate hoppy tastes and fruity tones.

Café de Wetering (€€) – Weteringstraat 37, 1017 SM Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Café Chris

Photograph credit score: Café Chris

Stated to be the oldest brown cafe in Amsterdam, Café Chris is the proper 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 might simply have spent hours right here. It was my first time making an attempt bock, and I used to be struck by the caramel-like flavors and easy 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 stable 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 wonderful, 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 wherever 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.). House. 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 assessment. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g188590-d605626-Opinions-Cafe_De_Dokter-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html

Café Hoppe. (n.d.). House – Café Hoppe. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://cafehoppe.com/en

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Cafe de Wetering (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – restaurant assessment. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188590-d4541250-Opinions-Cafe_de_Wetering-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Cafe Chris (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – restaurant assessment. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188590-d3459400-Opinions-Cafe_Chris-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). De Pilsener Membership (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – restaurant assessment. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188590-d7932780-Opinions-or10-De_Pilsener_Club-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html