I am one of those cats that is unable to study in a quiet environment. What I need is a lively environment, with chattering people in it having a pleasant time.

Café Crea is located on the grounds of some of the most beautiful buildings of the UvA (University of Amsterdam), and it is a haven for students looking for a break. As the place is divided into three smaller parts, the conversations of the guests do not bounce around against the walls, but fill the rooms with a pleasant humming.

Crea is one of my favorite places to go to when I need to study or write, want to drink coffee and read a newspaper, or drink a beer with fellow students. Located in a quieter part, but right the middle of the centre, it is a perfect base of operations to plan your explorations in.

In the meantime you can enjoy a delicious coffee, French toast, a sandwich or a bowl of soup, or even a decent and decently priced dinner between five and eight-thirty. With a different atmosphere in each of the rooms and a small patio on the canal side, you can be sure to find a spot that fits your mood.

The view from the patio is picturesque in a way that is typical for Amsterdam. Since I have been studying at the UvA, I have found the surroundings of Crea very inspiring. You feel very close to the history of the city and the university. When you are there, take the time to enjoy the atmosphere and stroll around between the university-buildings.

Details about this spot
Café Crea | Coffee & tea, Bars, Restaurants (international) | Beer € 2.00
Turfdraagsterpad 17 | Old center (area map) | +31205251423
Mon - Sat 10:00 - 01:00, Sun 11:00 - 19:00

Show full posting and map »

It is a well-known place in Amsterdam right next to Hotel de L’Europe. A nice looking place from the inside, especially because of the extremely high ceilings.
In the summer this is one of the best outdoor cafes to sit with loads of boats passing by. The beer company Grolsch still owns this building, so in the summer you can enjoy your beer on one of the most beautiful terraces of Amsterdam.

On not so sunny days, loads of magazines are there to get you through a rainy day. You can sit here for hours with one drink without waiters looking at you like “go away or order something else”. Maybe this is because they do not notice you either if you want to order something.

The sandwiches are fine, but personally I would stick to the beverages only.

Details about this spot
Café de Jaren | Bars, Coffee & tea | Coffee € 2.00
Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20/22 | Old center (area map) | +31206255771
10:00 - 00:00 daily

Show full posting and map »

Gartine is one of my favorites for a unique breakfast, excellent lunch and English high tea. I visited the place several times and mostly for breakfast. All raw products come from the owner’s vegetable garden. I experienced the dishes always as super fresh and of good quality! The atmosphere is easy and pleasant.

The dishes are served on antique chinaware, which is collected by the owners with tender loving care during the past years. If you like antique chinaware only this is a reason to visit the place!

On top of that Gartine adopted 58 chickens at the foundation ‘Adopt a Chicken’ and these chickens provide the farm fresh eggs. Next to that the staff works with products of the ‘Ark van Smaak’ from Slow Food Netherlands. So when you eat there, you eat ‘eco and green’!

Gartine is in a small alley called ‘Taksteeg’ in the old centre of Amsterdam, between Rokin and Spui.

Details about this spot
Gartine | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Big breakfast € 10.95
Taksteeg 7 | Old center (area map) | +313204132
Tue - Sun 08:00 - 18:00

Show full posting and map »

A downside of living in the district De Baarsjes is that good bars or restaurants are almost non-existent in this part of the city. Fortunately, in 2005 Louter was opened. It has been very popular ever since, because of its excellent location at the border of De Baarsjes.

It is quite a hip place, with mixed crowds. The interior is nice, although you could have your own opinion about the lamps above the bar. It is excellent for a morning cup of coffee (with homemade coco-cookies) or a drink. The food is nice and of good value. The sandwiches have some ordinary choices on it, but the taste is surprisingly. In the weekend they have a hearty breakfast, with croissant, egg and bacon, fresh orange juice and coffee from 10:00 to 12:00.

Details about this spot
Louter | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (international) | Mains from € 12.00
De Clerqstraat 82 | Oud-West (area map) | +31203892623
Sun - Thu 10:00 - 01:00, Fri - Sat 10:00 - 02:00

Show full posting and map »

The food is not great, but to compensate that the pie, tea and coffee are perfect.

But the view is the reason you have to go here. It is on the 7th floor of a warehouse in the middle of the center, where you have a splendid view over Amsterdam.

Details about this spot
Metz & Co | Coffee & tea | Cappuchino € 3.00
Keizersgracht 455 | Canals (area map) | +31205207020
Mon - Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00

Show full posting and map »

This is the ultimate place for lovers of excellent and fine patisserie. This price winning place is worth the détour. Fine strawberry tarts with creamy underlay is one of their best. A great selection of home baked cookies and chocolats is also part of their assortment.

It is a experience to have a cup of coffee or tea and to choose one of the nice tarts or cakes.

Details about this spot
Patisserie Kuyt | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Coffee or teatime from € 5.00
Utrechtsestraat 109a | Canals (area map) | +31206234833
Mon 08:00 - 17:00, Tue - Sat 08:00 - 17:30

Show full posting and map »

The Maasstraat in the south part of Amsterdam is originally a very local street with a bakery, grocery shop and florist for the neighbourhood. But this suddenly changed when Patisserie Tout opened: a fashionable shop with gorgeous cakes & cookies.

They organize small tasting & courses to make desserts or to try out cakes. Herman den Blijker, one of our famous TV chefs, loves the place and passes it on his way from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, the buy his beloved macaroons. And I must admit, the macaroons are worthwhile making a tour. Especially the raspberry flavour.

They make a small but attractive apple pie & the red fruit tartlet’s look divine. So if you are a sweet loving taster, don’t miss on patisserie Tout.

Details about this spot
Patisserie Tout | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cakes from € 8.00
Maasstraat 105 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31206762620
Mon - Fri 08:30 - 18:00, Sat 09:30 - 17:30

Show full posting and map »

The beautiful & delicious cakes invite you to be obeyed.

Pompadour has a great location on the corner with the famous Spiegelstraat. It is modern and clean and quite large: a good spot for lunch with delicious lunch dishes.

They became famous thanks to their chocolates & cake. They have great éclairs and lovely apple & apricot tarts. But the famous raspberry a la neige with white chocolate is also tasteworthy.

Pompadour also has a branch in the 9 streets (Huidenstraat 12), with a romantic and Marie Antoinette style.

Details about this spot
Pompadour | Coffee & tea | Cake & drinks p.p. € 12.00
Kerkstraat 148 | Canals (area map) | +3123300981
10:00 - 18:00 daily

Show full posting and map »

“Here you buy a kitchencloth, trousers or a nice roll”, says Maaike, one of the saleswoman of Sissy-Boy Homeland.

The furniture is partly new and partly ‘brocante’. The department ‘Daily’ has fresh biological bread and cheeses. There is Brandmeester coffee (famous old Dutch brand) and various olive oils of Amsterdam known olive oil supplier Meeuwig. Last but not least you find clothing of Sissy Boy. I love the shop and her attitude to todays lifestyle.

It is a visit worthwhile, also to see the this rapidly developing area of Amsterdam with modern architecture on the watershores of Amsterdam.

Details about this spot
Sissy-Boy Homeland | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Espressso € 1.70
KNSM-laan 19 | Waterfront/North (area map) | +31204181559
Mon - Sat 08:00 - 19:00, Sun 11:00 - 18:00

Show full posting and map »

Don’t you feel like eating healthy today? Try The Taart van m’n Tante. Translation for: The Pie of my Aunt, where you can think of Grandmother’s Apple pie, but then better.

This small, cosy, cute place in the area of the busy Museum Quarter and famous Albert Cuyp market, is always packed with people enjoying a relaxing mid-afternoon tea with one of the homemade cakes on the side.

The fairytale decor of unique, special cakes (think: Disney, Ballet, Flamingo’s, Weddings) makes you even want to try more! I almost tried them all, and I can assure you, they are all extremely delicious!

Varying from chunky chocolate to creamy caramel, topped with whipped cream…Nothing is impossible!

The place to be for sugar-addicts!

Details about this spot
Taart van m’n Tante | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cakes from € 3.00
Ferdinand Bolstraat 10 | De Pijp (area map) | +31207764600
Mon - Sun 10:00 - 18:00

Show full posting and map »

Small and elegant at the corner of the Banstraat and Valeriusstraat, that’s Valerius.

A place to go to for breakfast, lunch and after work drinks. If you have something to celebrate, small parties are welcome, but please call a little in advance.

The interior is modern and elegant. Beautiful photo’s decorate the walls.

Breakfast is a feast with many choices. Lunch offers a range of nice salads, tosti’s, egg-dishes, slices of bread sandwiches with delicious fillings and toppings and interesting finishing sweets.

Details about this spot
Valerius Eten & Drinken | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Breakfast € 8.00
Banstraat 14 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31204713976
Mon - Fri 09:00 - 18:00

Show full posting and map »