Café culture is at the heart of Amsterdam life, from centuries-old brown cafés to specialty coffee bars. Here is what the different types are, where to find the best ones and one mistake every visitor should avoid.
Last checked: September 2026
Traditional Dutch pubs with dark wooden interiors: beer, jenever and bitterballen.
Third-wave coffee from local roasters, especially in De Pijp, Oud-West and Oost.
Sandwiches, soups and the Dutch favourite “uitsmijter”: fried eggs on bread with ham or cheese.
Spacious, elegant cafés with long menus, from breakfast to late at night.
A bruin café (brown café) is Amsterdam’s traditional pub, named after the colour of walls stained by centuries of tobacco smoke. Expect wooden floors, candles, a mix of regulars and visitors, and no music loud enough to stop a conversation.
A traditional Dutch pub with dark wooden interiors, where locals meet for a beer or jenever and bitterballen.
A café serves coffee, drinks and food. A coffeeshop is licensed to sell cannabis to adults aged 18 and over.
The Jordaan for brown cafés, De Pijp and Oud-West for specialty coffee, and the city centre for grand cafés.