Bars & Restaurants

Before we can really start with our selection, we want to make a tribute to all of Amsterdam ‘s brown bars. To be honest, a brown bar is nothing else then a nice cozy pub with dark brown interior and yet it definitely belongs to Amsterdam ‘s cultural heritage. Locals come to meet each other and or enjoy a drink in solitude. Brown bars first started to become a phenomenon in the 19th century when people started to use their living rooms as bars and pubs to make a some extra money. Brown bars were often ran by women to compensate for the poorly paid jobs or the unemployment of their husbands. Therefore, a typical brown bar looks very much like an old fashion Dutch living room with no music, carpets on the table and a cat to keep the mice away. We hope you enjoy many of the places presented on this list and that you will visit at least one of the many authentic brown bars Amsterdam has to offer.

Lindegracht and Noordermarkt Markets

Only on Saturday but not to be missed when you ‘re in Amsterdam during the weekend! In the hart of the Jordaan neighborhood there is a food market that is as big as it’s delicious. The finest collection of cheese, flowers and fresh fish. The best place to enjoy a freshly cut herring (a must when in Amsterdam!) and the relaxed and lively atmosphere the Jordaan neighborhood has to offer. Adres: Lindegracht, Noordermarkt. Every Saturday from 09.00 till 16.00

Duende
Amsterdam’s first ever tapas Restaurant. Great food, low prices and live music and flamenco if you’re lucky. Located right at the market. A perfect place to grab a beer and some bites after doing your groceries. Adres: Lindegracht 62, phone: +31 20 420 6692, website: www.cafe-duende.nl

Café Papeneiland
Café Papeneiland is an old and authentic so called brown bar. Brown Bars started to aPapeneiland, since 1642, in an icon of the Jordaan neighbourhood and its culture. The Apple-pie is home made and by far the best in town (ask Bill Clinton), the Jenever comes from Van Wees, the distillery around the corner and the typical sausages you can order as a snack are made at Louman, the butcher of the Jordaan. Adres: Prinsengracht 2, Phone: +31 206241989, website: www.papeneiland.nl

Café Kadijk
Small and cosy Indonesian Restaurant with a great terras. Indonesian is a must when in Amsterdam. Easy going and affordable. Jasper has had too many rice tables here, Thijs always goes for Saté Ayam. Don’t forget to try the IJ-beer that they serve (brewed around the corner) if you want to try some original Amsterdam brewed beer. (the Indonesian ‘Bintang’ beer tastes great as well). Adres: Kadijksplein nr. 5, phone: +31 6 17744411, website: www.cafekadijk.nl

Arendsnest
Since 15 years, Arendsnest is synonymous for Dutch beers. In this cosy café they have 30 different Dutch beers on the draft as well as over 40 different Jenevers. An excellent place if you’re a beer lover! ***Adres: Herengracht 90, phone: +31 204212057, website: www.arendsnest.nl

Wijnand Fockink
There’s no place in Amsterdam that is so close to Dam Square and yet so undiscovered and authentic. At this old distillery of Jenever and other liquors you’ll find yourselves back in the 17th century. Phones are not allowed, there’s no music played and you can choose from an enormous variety of Jenevers and liquors. Adres: Pijlsteeg 31 (walk into the alley just right from the Krasnapolsky Hotel, behind the national monument at Dam Square),phone: +31 (0) 20 639 2695, website: http://wynand-fockink.nl/en

The Cottage
This nice little English style cafe in the Amsterdam East Area serves very good breakfast, brunch and lunch. This is where Jasper likes to spend his Sunday mornings when he can. Try the Sunday-Roast and a Pim’s (a great Punch-like drink). This spot is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Adres: Linnaeusstraat 88, phone: +31 20 2230835, website: www.thecottage.amsterdam

La Vallade
Eten wat de pot schaft is an old fashioned expression in Dutch that we use when you’ve got nothing to choose. In English: Take pot luck. That’s exactly the case at La Vallade and it’s always great wat de pot schaft! The chef decides what your eating and serves you a 5 courses menu for only €35,50. Always a great surprise! Adres: Ringdijk 23, phone: +31 20 6652025, website: www.lavallade.nl

Wilde Zwijnen
Great example of the Dutch cuisine beyond pancakes! In the lively and multicultural neighbourhood Indische buurt, surrounded by ‘toko’s and oriental shops, Wilde Zwijnen offers dishes inspired on the rich tradition of the Dutch cuisine. Price for a three course menu: € 31,50. Adres: Javaplein 23, phone: +31 20 463 3043, website: www.wildezwijnen.com

Rijssel
Rijssel, named after the somewhat boring city Lille (called Rijssel by the Flemmish) in the industrial northern part of France is a Restaurant without trappings. It’s decoration in sober but atmospheric, it’s food is straightforward and absolutely delicious. Only open on week-days. Price for a three course menu: €45,-. Adres: Markusstraat 52b, phone: +31 20 4632142, website: www.rijssel.com

Noorderlicht
A great place to visit to enjoy an alternative side of Amsterdam. One of the free ferries that leave from behind Central Station will bring you to the NDSM-werf, an old and partly abandoned dockyard. Noorderlicht has a beautiful piece of land to enjoy easy food, nacho’s beers and an escape from the city. Adres: NDSM-plein 102, phone: +31 204922770, website: www.noorderlichtcafé.nl

Het Nieuwe Diep
Somewhat hard to get but definitely worth the effort. A true hidden gem! The most picturesque place in Amsterdam to try Jenever! In the middle of the Flevopark, in a cute little châlet at a lake, there’s a small distillery where a wide variety of Jenevers is produced. Enjoying the sunshine surrounded by birds and the young and trendy of Amsterdam while tasting an old fashion liquor or simply enjoying a fresh beer. Adres: In the middle of the Flevopark :), phone: –, website: website: www.nwediep.nl