First off, no, that’s not the type of coffeeshops you’re thinking about! I’m talking about the real beans here. With the Dutch drinking an average three cups of coffee per day, it’s not hard to find a good cup of coffee in Amsterdam. Majority of the great local coffee houses are out of the tourist trap areas, and are filled with locals sipping from small cups. The best way to dive into the coffee scene in Amsterdam is to start walking. Coffee and roasting houses are scattered around the city, it’s a matter of searching and asking locals. To make it easier, check out the list below for some of the best real coffeeshops in Amsterdam.
Scandinavian Embassy
Located in the neighborhood of Oude Pijp, Scandinavian Embassy is a tiny whole in the wall that serves some of the best coffees in the entire city. With a modern, minimal design, this coffee + eatery is uber hip. You can almost imagine every employee being a stereotypical Scandinavian blonde haired, blue-eyed beauty. And to some lengths it’s true! But the people aren’t the only thing that’s beautiful there. The food, the atmosphere, the warm greetings and delicious coffee make this small but mighty place a must-do when you’re in the area.
Koko Design & Coffee
One of the coolest yet youngest coffee houses around, Koko Design & Coffee combines art and coffee into one collaborative space. Shop local and Scandinavian styles while waiting for a perfect flat white. Keeping with the multi-cultural sharing theme, Koko gets their beans from neighboring Belgium, whose roasters take pride in their small batch roasting methods. Their beans along with art and clothing are for sale at this super-cool space. Another bonus: the location. Koko can be found in the city the the Nieuwmarkt neighborhood.
Two for Joy Coffee Roasters
This coffee spot is doing something right. With two locations to fuel Amsterdam’s caffeine addiction, the busy cafe serves up some of the best espresso in town. Their location in Frederiksplatz is nice and cozy, creating an instant welcoming atmosphere. Not only is their coffee spot on, so is their food. Need something to read whilst you enjoy your coffee and pastry? They have created a magazine wall, filled with monthly reads for customers to enjoy. Locals enjoyed this idea so much, they started donating their own magazines for the month once they were done reading them. Now that’s a community right there.
Bocca Coffee Roasters
Named the Best Coffee Roaster in Europe for 2014, this coffee company has plenty to brag about. Their coffee is found in numerous shops around the city, so finding Bocca is a lot easier than imagined. They specialize in small roasts with beans from all around the world, creating a consistent, rich, and buzzing cup of coffee. But the best part about this coffee house is their dedication to their fans. Subscriptions are available for purchase for their espresso or filter coffee. Each subscription comes with a personal bag of beans each month. They have found a way to feed Amsterdam coffee at all times of the day.
Espressofabriek
A staple in Amsterdam for fabulous coffee, this place is serious about their beans. They know where they are grown, the farmers who harvest them, and roast the beans in house. Their beans also originate from single farms, making for a sensational cup of coffee. They have a range of coffees and sweets, making it a nice spot to stop and have morning or afternoon tea. Located a bit outside the city center in the Westergasfabriek area of Amsterdam. As winners of the European Coffee Awards as ‘Best Independent Coffee Shop,’ it’s worth the trek.
Screaming Beans
The name is interesting, and so is the coffee house. They have a couple locations, their original coffee house being just that; a coffeehouse that’s cute and very textbook. But they upped their game and created a coffee, wine, and cocktail bar all-in-one. It’s beautiful, sleek, and completely worth visiting. It’s a great option if you want to combine afternoon tea with a late afternoon wine tasting and continue to dinner. This elegant space attracts those who want the best of both worlds with their locally roasted coffee and impressive wine list.