Amsterdam has grown far beyond the traditional brown café Amsterdam culture and is now home to some of the best coffee shops in Amsterdam, making it one of Europe’s leading specialty coffee capitals.
The best coffee shops in Amsterdam unite incredible beans from local coffee roasters in Amsterdam with inviting spaces for both visitors and locals. From minimalist specialty cafes in De Pijp to cozy canal-side digs, these offerings feature expertly prepared single-origin beans and a mastery of brew. From a flat white on-the-go prior to exploring the Jordaan to a quiet workspace with major espresso, this guide highlights the very best cafe in Amsterdam Netherlands options for 2026.
Short Answer
The best coffee shops in Amsterdam are Lot Sixty One, White Label Coffee, Bocca, CT Coffee & Coconuts, and Screaming Beans. Most are located in De Pijp, Jordaan, Kinkerbuurt, and West Amsterdam.
Quick Comparison Table
| Coffee Shop | Area | Coffee Style | Best For | Price Range |
| Lot Sixty One | Kinkerbuurt | Specialty | Brunch & quality coffee | €€ |
| White Label Coffee | Jordaan | Modern roastery | Coffee enthusiasts | €€-€€€ |
| Bocca Coffee | Multiple | Local roaster | Consistency | €€ |
| CT Coffee & Coconuts | De Pijp | Specialty | Instagrammable space | €€ |
| Screaming Beans | De Pijp | Australian-style | Flat whites | €€ |
| Caffènation | Spui | Belgian specialty | Quick quality coffee | €€ |
| Toki | Oost | Japanese-inspired | Slow coffee methods | €€€ |
| Back to Black | West | Neighbourhood spot | Locals & remote work | € |
| Dignita | Multiple | Healthy brunch | All-day dining | €€ |
| The Coffee Virus | De Pijp | Community-focused | Relaxed atmosphere | € |
1. Lot Sixty One
Located in Kinkerbuurt, Lot Sixty One remains Amsterdam’s go-to specialty coffee destination. This Australian-inspired café opened the city’s eyes to proper flat whites and continues setting standards in 2026.
Coffee Quality: They source their coffee beans from elite European roasters. They also handle them meticulously. The espresso drinks have evidence of optimum coffee extract and professional handling of the milk.
Atmosphere: Bright and airy interior with tall ceilings, shared tables. It gets very crowded in the evenings and weekends, so go there in the morning.
Best for: Coffee aficionados who appreciate quality coffee beans and expert coffee preparation. Also perfect for brunch, but lines are a problem.
Location: Kinkerstraat 112, walking distance from Vondelpark
2. White Label Coffee
White Label also has an in-house roastery and has branched out to three locations throughout Amsterdam. Their Singel cafe comes with views of the canal as well as top-notch coffee.
They are coffee roasters in Amsterdam and have control over the entire process, right from the bean to the cup, similar to the artisanal approach taken by specialty Coffee Shops in Sydney. They offer single-origin coffee and a house blend that tastes great for espresso.
Atmosphere: Scandinavian design. Concrete floor and wooden elements. Very minimal seating for rapid turnaround.
Best for: Hard-core coffee aficionados who would like the opportunity to sample the in-house-roasted coffee beans. Take home a bag.
Place: Various locations, also Jordaan and Westerpark
3. Bocca
They began as a roastery and are now operating multiple cafes throughout Amsterdam. They can be depended upon for the best brew no matter the location in the city.
Coffee Quality: They roast their coffee beans in-house, and they emphasize direct trade. The lighter roasts emphasize origin flavors without being overwhelmed by an abundance of acidity.
Atmosphere: Every branch is slightly different, but all have a very modern and clean look. The Kerkstraat location has the most seats.
Best for: Tourists seeking good quality throughout their stay in the city. Residents appreciate their dependability.
Address: Located in De Pijp and Centre area of Amsterdam
4. CT Coffee & Coconuts
This ex-cinema turned three-storey café spices up the world of coffee shops in Amsterdam with its unique design and atmosphere. CT offers specialty coffee as well as all-day dining in a stunning location.
Coffee Quality: Good specialty coffee made from the best beams supplied by recognized roasters. Not the best in the city, but certainly among the best.
Atmosphere: The big attraction here is the beautiful space adorned with plants and lots of natural light pouring in through windows. Very popular with teleworkers on weekdays.
Suitable for: Those who want excellent coffee served in a stunning setting. Perfect for working or meeting with friends.
Location: Ceintuurbaan 282-284, De Pijp
5. Screaming Beans
This small Australian-owned cafe brings Melbourne-style coffee culture to Amsterdam. Screaming Beans emphasizes doing just a few things and doing them very well.
Coffee Quality: Flat whites are among their best brews and are definitely some of the best in Amsterdam. They work with their own-roasted coffee beans and know their milk coffee much better than most cafes do.
Atmosphere: Cramped space with minimal seating options. Very much a carryout place, but there are a few stools for beverages.
Recommended for: Fans of flat whites and those seeking authentic Australian coffee. Great for grabbing before wandering around De Pijp.
Location: Eerste van der Helststraat 96, De Pijp
6. Caffènation
This Belge specialty coffee roaster spreads its knowledge in Amsterdam’s famous square Spui. Caffènation serves good coffee quickly in the city centre without tourist prices.
Coffee Quality: Roasted in Belgium and sold to a lot of cafes in Europe. Espresso is always top-notch, and they know how to extract it.
Atmosphere: Small shop, more conducive for take-out, though there is bar seating for a spot to sit with a cup of coffee.
Best For: Customers and visitors who would like specialty coffee in the middle of the city without compromising on quality.
Address: Spui 10, Centre
7. Toki
Toki brings Japanese accuracy to the coffee culture of Amsterdam. This cozy coffee shop is all about slow brewing and seasonal coffee beans.
Coffee Quality: Extremely particular with their coffee. Pour-over, siphon, or espresso brewing methods are all available. The staff is able to direct you through their constantly changing variety.
Atmosphere: Tranquil and concentrated environment conducive to enjoying your cup of coffee. Not suitable for groups and for business.
Best for: Coffee purists wanting to experience different brewing methods. Perfect for a mindful coffee moment.
Location: Eerste Van Swindenstraat 28, Oost
8. Back to Black
This neighborhood cafe is located in West Amsterdam and targets locals who have outgrown chain restaurants. Back to Black provides high-quality coffee without an attitude.
Coffee Quality: They feature Bocca beans and process them well. Nothing fancy but always good coffee, which is the goal in this case.
Atmosphere: A cozy brown café Amsterdam feel combined with a modern specialty coffee shop vibe.
Best for: Neighborhood excursions or those who want to experience the cafe culture outside the tourist district.
Location: Westerstraat 200, West
9. Dignita
Dignita has several outlets offering healthy food and good-quality coffee. At Hoftuin, customers can enjoy seating in the garden during summer.
Coffee Quality: Good specialty coffee to go along with their culinary offerings. Not the most exciting or adventurous coffee, but it’s made right.
Atmosphere: Bright and airy with lots of greenery and natural materials. Very family-friendly and inviting to everybody.
Best for: Long visits where you can enjoy good food along with your coffee. Great options for brunch.
Location: Various sites such as Hoftuin and NDSM
10. The Coffee Virus
This De Pijp institution has developed a dedicated clientele on the back of their consistency, as well as the genuine warmth that pervades the venue. It feels like a proper community café when entering the Coffee Virus.
Coffee Quality: They prepare specialty coffee of great quality from quality coffee beans. It is not that experimental cuisine, but all is properly done.
Atmosphere: Unpretentious and easygoing, it features some mismatched furniture and is obviously lived in. There is no pressure at all about just lounging there for hours.
Suitable for: Leisurely mornings or afternoons when you feel the need for quality coffee in an informal setting. Perfect for work or reading.
Address: Eerste Sweelinckstraat 7b, De Pijp
Frequently Asked Question
What’s the difference between a brown café Amsterdam and modern coffee shops in Amsterdam?
A brown café Amsterdam is actually referring to typical Dutch bars that are famous for their dark interior made of wood and cozy ambiance. They serve beer and light snacks. The coffee shops today are specialized in coffee and coffee culture. And then there are the pot coffee shops of Amsterdam that are completely different from coffee-carrying cafes.
Which is the best area for coffee shops in Amsterdam?
De Pijp neighbourhood offers the highest concentration of quality coffee shops, including Screaming Beans, The Coffee Virus, and CT Coffee & Coconuts. The Jordaan and West areas also feature excellent options like White Label Coffee and Back to Black.
Do Amsterdam coffee shops accept card payments?
Card payments can be made at most coffee shops in Amsterdam in 2026; however, some coffee shops may only use cash. You can use your cards anywhere to pay using contactless payment systems. However, confirm before making an order if you only have cards with you.
When does the coffee shop open in Amsterdam?
Typical opening hours of specialty coffee shops range between 8am and 9am, on weekdays while on weekends shops are known to open later. The closing hours range between 5pm and 6pm. Some stores like Dignita operate later in the evening.
Do Amsterdam’s coffee shops support remote work?
CT Coffee & Coconuts, Back to Black, and The Coffee Virus offer remote workers ample seating space and laid-back settings. Smaller outlets such as Screaming Beans and Caffeination offer insufficient space to work effectively. Visit the outlets during off-peak times to get working space.
How much does coffee in Amsterdam cost?
Filter coffee: 3-4.50 Euros, Espresso: 3.50-5 Euros. There may be slightly lower rates for budget-friendly coffee places like Back to Black, although premium spots like Toki might charge a little extra for specialty brewing methods.
Conclusion
There are the best coffee shops in Amsterdam for all manner of taste: from Toki’s precise brewing methods to Lot Sixty One’s buzzing brunch crowds. The best cafes in Amsterdam are ones with a passion for good coffee beans as well as good environments within which you are encouraged to sip and savor.
Whether discovering the historical canals or moving into an area outside the tourist spheres, outstanding coffee is lurking around every corner. Coffee roasters within the Netherlands, in Amsterdam, make sure their coffee is up to the local cafes, although international influences from Australia, Japan, or Belgium keep this region cutting edge and innovative.
De Pijp is still the hot spot for café-hopping, but don’t forget some hidden gems in the West, Oost, and Jordaan residential areas where cafes are filled everyday with locals. Every café in Amsterdam, Netherlands is different and unique in terms of elegance and coziness.
Begin your Amsterdam coffee adventure at one of these ten excellent locations and experience for yourself why Amsterdam is a rival to any capital city in Europe when it comes to specialty coffee. Your ideal cup of coffee is waiting.
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For more comprehensive coffee shop recommendations in Europe and the UK, try BestCafes.co.uk where you will find extensive reviews and advice on tracking down exceptional coffee wherever you may roam.
You wouldn’t settle for bog standard coffee while in Amsterdam. No, this city boasts an amazing specialty coffee scene, which you can enjoy thanks to this guide. The next bar you love is just around the corner in Amsterdam.
